They took it [trials in life] for granted, for the sake of greater holiness. And they reacted to it all like this: “We deserve this for our sins! We will bear it.” Why do we have diseases? Because we sin over and again in our lives, and when we come to realize that it is bad we repent and no longer sin. But for sins one must be punished, either by temporary suffering on earth or by everlasting suffering in eternity. It is better to suffer temporarily and thank the Lord for this, saying, “Glory to God for everything! This is not enough—I deserve a worse punishment for my sins!” We need to learn to always thank God. It is good for our souls. The Lord is our Father and He loves us. And the Lavra of St. Sergius is a seedbed of elders. Those novices who came to the monastery and were in contact with the fathers acquired this spirit and became like them.

– Article in orthochristian.com

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