In order to follow Christ, let us take up our cross. The taking up of our cross is called the willing pious submission to God’s judgment despite all sorrows that may be sent or allowed by God’s providence.
Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov
Grumbling and anger during sorrows and difficulties is a rejection of the cross. Only he who has taken his cross can follow after Christ – he is submissive to God’s will, humbly acknowledging himself to be worthy of every judgment and punishment.
So what is the way forward?
Living only for God and the life which is to come. Repenting each day and striving continually to acquire the Holy Spirit of God. By these means righteous men and women are able to use their suffering to mount still higher on the ladder of virtue. A sorrow-less earthly life is a true sign that God turned His face from a man, and he is displeasing to God even though outwardly he may seem reverent and virtuous.
The way of salvation which leads to eternal life is narrow and hard. (MT 7:14) It is appointed both by our Lord’s holy example and by His holy teaching. The Lord foretold to His disciples and followers that in the world, during their earthly life they would have tribulation (JN 16:33, 15:18, 16:2-3) From this it is clear that sorrow and suffering are appointed by the Lord Himself for His true disciples and servants during their life on earth. But fear not for...
...the angel of the Lord shall encamp around those who fear Him, and He will deliver them... LXX Ps. 33:8 (Ps. 34:7)
+ Glory to God for All Things +
St. Ignatius Brianchaninov - Biography
"The Basics of Spiritual Life" - by St. Ignatius Brianchaninov
"Faster and faster time passes, and the hour of our entrance into eternity draws nigh. Make use of your days on earth to prepare for this. Such preparation dispels temporal sorrows and brings consolation, thereby indicating that this preparation is indeed a preparation for blessedness…"