"My Son, patience and humility in adversities are more pleasing to Me than much comfort and devotion in prosperity.
Why does a little thing spoken against you make you sad? It is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the last, if you live long.
You are brave enough, so long as no adversity meets you. You give good counsel also, and know how to strengthen others with your words; but when tribulation suddenly knocks at your own door, your counsel and strength fail.
Consider your great frailty; nevertheless, for your soul's health these things are done when they and such like happen unto you.
When dishonesty knocks at the door, we trust God to give us the right counsel.
Kempis names the soul's greatest illusion: you are brave enough, so long as no adversity meets you. The bravery that has not been tested is not bravery. It is comfort wearing a costume. The counsel that strengthens others is easy — until tribulation knocks at your own door.
The tribulation knocked this week — dishonesty at the door. And Le's response was not to be cast down but to enter the tabernacle: when dishonesty knocks, we trust God for the right counsel. She brought Psalm 91 alongside Kempis — the angels guarding, the lion and serpent trampled. The protection is not from the adversity. It is in the adversity.
And the honest comfort: it is not the first, it is not new, and it will not be the last. For the soul's health — these things are done. The trial is purposeful, not random.
"If tribulation has touched you, yet let it not cast you down nor entangle you long. At the least, bear patiently, if you cannot joyfully.
Yet check yourself, and suffer no unadvised word to come forth from your lips.
Soon the storm which has been raised shall be stilled, and inward grief shall be sweetened by returning grace. I yet live, says the Lord, ready to help you, and to give you more than wonted consolation if you put your trust in Me.
Le brought James alongside Kempis — two voices saying the same thing from different centuries. Kempis says: bear patiently. James says: consider it pure joy. Kempis says: the storm shall be stilled. James says: testing produces perseverance. Kempis says: I yet live, ready to help. James says: ask God, who gives generously.
The dishonesty is a trial. The trial produces perseverance. The perseverance produces maturity. And if wisdom is lacking — ask God. He gives generously, without finding fault.
You are man, not God; you are flesh, not an angel. How should you be able to remain always in the same state of virtue, when an angel in heaven fell, and the first man in paradise?
I am He who lifts up the mourners to deliverance, and those who know their own infirmity I raise up to My own nature.
You are man, not God. The falling is human. Even an angel fell in heaven. Even Adam fell in paradise. The question is not whether you fall. The question is who lifts you.
Those who know their own infirmity I raise up to My own nature. The knowing of the weakness is the doorway to the strength. The 500 denari soul who knows exactly how much she was forgiven is the soul who receives the most grace. The going back is not the end. The beginning again is the grace.
O Lord, blessed be Your word, sweeter to my mouth than honey and the honeycomb.
If only I may attain unto the haven of salvation, what matter is it what things or how many I suffer?
Give me a good end, give me a happy passage out of this world. Remember me, O my God, and lead me by the right way unto Your Kingdom. Amen.
If only I may attain the haven, what matter is it how many I suffer? The haven is the destination. The suffering is the road. And the road — however rough — is worth it if the haven is reached.
Give me a good end. Lead me by the right way. Not a comfortable way. The right way. Through Caldas da Rainha, through packing, through dishonest movers, through France, through Brittany — and arriving at the Kingdom. Amen.
"The protection is not from the adversity — it is in the adversity."
Le's Heart · Caldas da Rainha · Forty-one days with Kempis · Psalm 91 · James 1When Tribulation Knocks
Brave until adversity arrives. When dishonesty knocks, trust God for counsel. The protection is in the adversity, not from it.
The Storm Stilled
Bear patiently if not joyfully. No unadvised word. The storm shall be stilled. Ask God — He gives generously without finding fault.
You Are Man, Not God
An angel fell in heaven. Adam fell in paradise. The falling is human. The lifting is divine. Those who know their infirmity He raises.
Sweeter Than Honey
If only I attain the haven, what matter how many I suffer? Not a comfortable way — the right way. Amen.