by St. Isaac the Syrian
In proportion to your humility you are given patience in your woes; and in proportion to your patience the burden of your afflictions is made lighter and you will find consolation; in proportion to your consolation, your love of God increases; and in proportion to your love, your joy in the Holy Spirit is magnified. Once men have truly become His sons, our tenderly compassionate Father does not take away their temptations from them when it is His pleasure to
‘make for them a way to escape’ (1 Cor. 10:13),
but instead He gives His sons patience in their trials. All these good things are given into the hand of their patience for the perfecting of their souls.
Ascetical Homilies (42)
