“He scourges us with afflictions and trials so that He can draw us near Him; for He knows that through the sorrowful things of this present life man remains near Him and is saved. The comfortable life is very hazardous for eternal salvation. It is not the Spirit of God that dwells in those living in comfort but rather the spirit of the devil according to the saying of the Fathers. For this reason in this life of sorrows we need to have patience and Thanksgiving for God is well pleased with both of these virtues. May the Lord give us much patience in our life sorrows so that in everything we may thank the Giver of good things Who provides for us.”
(Elder Ephraim of Arizona in “Counsels from the Holy Mountain”)

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