Praise and thank God who does not send you greater calamities.

 

Take courage and begin.

Do not be ashamed to submit your flesh for the sake of Christ, for He created it. Do not be afraid in the face of pain, for He has the power to heal every wound.

Do not be ashamed to offer Him your entire being, for He will renew it, glorify it in the kingdom of heaven.

As Christ suffered for your sake, suffer for the sake of Christ. Take a look around you and see how much pain, how much misery, how many sorrows there are among people.

No matter how much you hurt, there are others who hurt more. No matter how much you are unhappy, there are others who are unhappy more.

Praise and thank God who does not send you greater calamities. Take courage, begin and please Him with your spiritual struggle. With a little temporary effort you will enjoy eternal and infinite goods.

~ Saint Demetrius of Rostov