Chapter XLI. That we must not yield to the wish to be rid of the Trials which we are bearing patiently; and how we should rule all our Desires so as to grow in Holiness

WHEN you find yourself in some painful position, and bearing it patiently, be careful lest the Devil, or the suggestions of self-love, lead you to desire to be free from it; for by this two great evils might happen to you.

One is, that if the wish did not altogether destroy the virtue of patience, it would at least gradually dispose you to impatience.

The other, that your patience would become defective, and would be rewarded by God only according to the length of time it was exercised; whereas, if you had not desired the removal of the suffering, but had submitted unreservedly to the Divine Will, your sufferings would have been accepted by God as equivalent to a service of long endurance, though they had lasted but an hour, or even less.

Make this your universal rule in this and in all things, to keep your desires so far withdrawn from every other object, that they may tend simply and purely to their true and only end,—the Will of God. For thus will they be holy and just, and you—whatever may happen in a contrary manner—will remain calm and contented; for, as nothing can take place except it be appointed by the Supreme Will, if you will the same, you will come at all times both to will and to have all that happens and all that you desire.

This cannot be understood of your own sins or of those of others, for these God wills not, but it does apply to every chastisement which arises from these or other causes, though it be so severe and searching as to reach to the bottom of the heart, and to wither the very roots of the natural life; for this is the cross with which God is sometimes pleased to favour His nearest and dearest friends.

And what I say of the endurance which we must exercise on all occasions, must be understood also of those remains of any trouble which the Lord wills us to bear, even after we have used all lawful means to be freed from it.

And even in using these means we should be guided by the Providence and Will of God, Who has ordained them, that we might use them according to His Will, and not to please ourselves. Neither should we desire nor love relief from trials, beyond that limit which His service requires and His Will appoints.