This affliction in your ears is permitted for a purpose. For the eyes of men are wont to look upon poor persons in affliction, and to be softened, yet how often are we not sobered even by affliction, as though one in prison should still practise his crime. When a door opens for the gospel, we find that affliction follows close behind. The dreadful circumstance is that thy sins are the sins of one not in any Paradise but amid the innumerable evils of this life, and yet affliction itself fails to sober thee.
Consider: thou art displeased at hearing a noise within thine own head. Dost thou not rather shudder at the hearing of filthy talking, and stop thine ears? For when wilt thou be able to become good, bred up as thou art with such sounds in thine ears, the laughter, the songs, and the empty words of the world? Thou sufferest a ringing that gives no relief in body, but hast thou ever truly suffered because thy hearing has been filled with the din of sin? In fact, we are of the two more inclined to evil.
Yet the affliction thou bearest now is common. The ills of poverty appear as evils common to either rich and poor, and this trial touches the peasant and the emperor alike. That thy hearing is troubled teaches thee that the hearing of the mind is what must be guarded. The Jews heard with their ears and did not understand; the apostles had their hearing also, but they had the root of blessing well settled in them. Pray not merely for the cessation of the torment, but that this thorn may perfect thy faith. For even when we have come to the very gates of despair, it may be possible to recover, to renew our strength, to lay hold on eternal life. A tree may receive ten strokes and not fall, yet afterward be brought down by a single blow. So afflictions collect, and then the soul yields all at once to virtue. I am fully persuaded that such eager desire for relief, if turned toward God, shall not fail of its effect.
Go then, and let thy prayer be night and day, praying exceedingly, that the inward ear, which is the true one, be opened. Ask first for the healing of thy soul's deafness. Then, that this physical noise might be quieted, if it serve the Lord’s purpose. For He doth not dismiss the supplication of the afflicted, though He seem to tarry. The woman with the afflicted daughter approached Him not as one demanding a due, but entreated that she might find mercy, and gave a lamentable account of her own affliction. Do thou the same.