"If you will have patience in difficulties, you know the Holy Spirit is within you. If you will also have the strength to be thankful in troubles that is when the Holy Spirit shines through you. - Elder Aresenie Boca
"Christ suffered so that we could endure suffering with Him."
"One again I write these things to give you courage so that you do not fear illness, even if it makes us suffer for life. Since God is continuously present, why do you worry? For in Him we live and move. We are carried in His arms. We breathe God, we are vested with God, we touch God, we consume God in the Holy Mystery. Wherever you turn, wherever you look, God is everywhere, in the heavens, on the earth, in the abyss, in the trees, within the rocks, and your nous, in your heart. So can't He see that you are suffering? That you are going through tribulations? Tell Him your grievances and you will see consolation, you will see healing which will heal not only the body, but even more so the passions of your soul." - Elder Joseph the Hesychast
"My God I leave my sickness in Your Holy Hands, and whenever You - who love me so much - want to heal me, I will also want it then. I only ask for Your infinite goodness that You not overlook me, but always give me the patience to bear this cross of mine, until Your perfect Will is accomplished."
"He who lives according to God's will has no worries. When he needs something, he simply prays for it. If he does not receive that which he asked for, he is joyful as though he had received it. A soul that has given itself over to God has no fear of anything, not even robbers, sickness, or death. Whatever happens, such a soul always cries, "It was the will of God!" - Elder Thaddeus of Vitovnica
"Do you desire to know the way to fullness of faith? The path to Theosis? The plan of Salvation? Then be prepared - for it is hard, painful, difficult - a struggle, warfare - it is not easy, for the Way of the Christ is the way of the Cross, and the Cross is kenosis - an emptying of every aspect of self. We empty 'self' and embrace faith, humility, and obedience. The Cross compels us to never say these two words together: "No, Lord!" We must never put those two words together on our lips, but rather our every response must be, "Yes, Lord!" Yes, to the trial, yes to the tribulation, yes to the struggle, yes to the suffering, yes Lord, yes Lord! Although I do not fully understand, I trust You - for You are good - and You desire my salvation. You are my Father who will never hurt or harm me - His child."
"Better than praying for deliverance from suffering, we must pray for salvation through suffering. For Jesus did not deliver the disciples from the storm on the Sea of Galilee, but He saved them IN the storm..."
"Because of the Lord's love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail, the Lord is good to those who seek Him, for we are not cast off by the Lord forever, and though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love, for He does not willingly bring affliction or grief to His children."
Lamentations 3:22f
