Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your prayer from Psalm 69 has been heard, and I thank God that you have turned to Him in your affliction and pain. He does know your heart intimately, He hears your groaning, and His salvation is the sure refuge you seek to be set safely on high.
Understand that affliction in the hands of God is not wasted and is not a sign that He has forgotten you. For every just person sufferings become the cause of reward, and God often allows affliction to train the soul, to show His power, and to keep us from the harm that comes with ease and carelessness. As it is written, it is good for me that I was humbled, and it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of laughter, for sorrow makes the soul steady and philosophic while unchecked pleasure leaves it restless and unsteady. When you come through much suffering into rest, you will give thanks to God with a fuller heart.
What matters most now is the disposition of your soul in the trial. It rests with us whether we profit or are injured by afflictions, for it depends not only on the nature of the affliction but on the mind that bears it. Job suffered greatly and was justified not simply because he suffered, but because he endured it thankfully without complaint against God. Another with lighter sufferings may curse and complain and so lose the reward. Moses counted it sin not to suffer affliction with his people, and chose that affliction above the pleasures of sin for a season, because he knew suffering with God is a great good. David also learned this, for when he was in prosperity he said I shall never be moved, but when in affliction he said let the Lord do what is pleasing in His sight. So flee to Him in prayer, bear this patiently, give thanks, and pray even for those who may have caused you pain, for all this you do for Christ and nothing can injure a long suffering soul.
I pray for you now that the Lord in His mercy and goodness will answer according to His perfect will, that He will strengthen your soul so that nothing grievous overwhelms you, that He will grant you patience that is impenetrable like a wall, and that His salvation through Jesus Christ alone, for there is no other name by which we are saved, will lift you up and set you safely on high, and keep you in His peace until you see His deliverance with thanksgiving.
Understand that affliction in the hands of God is not wasted and is not a sign that He has forgotten you. For every just person sufferings become the cause of reward, and God often allows affliction to train the soul, to show His power, and to keep us from the harm that comes with ease and carelessness. As it is written, it is good for me that I was humbled, and it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of laughter, for sorrow makes the soul steady and philosophic while unchecked pleasure leaves it restless and unsteady. When you come through much suffering into rest, you will give thanks to God with a fuller heart.
What matters most now is the disposition of your soul in the trial. It rests with us whether we profit or are injured by afflictions, for it depends not only on the nature of the affliction but on the mind that bears it. Job suffered greatly and was justified not simply because he suffered, but because he endured it thankfully without complaint against God. Another with lighter sufferings may curse and complain and so lose the reward. Moses counted it sin not to suffer affliction with his people, and chose that affliction above the pleasures of sin for a season, because he knew suffering with God is a great good. David also learned this, for when he was in prosperity he said I shall never be moved, but when in affliction he said let the Lord do what is pleasing in His sight. So flee to Him in prayer, bear this patiently, give thanks, and pray even for those who may have caused you pain, for all this you do for Christ and nothing can injure a long suffering soul.
I pray for you now that the Lord in His mercy and goodness will answer according to His perfect will, that He will strengthen your soul so that nothing grievous overwhelms you, that He will grant you patience that is impenetrable like a wall, and that His salvation through Jesus Christ alone, for there is no other name by which we are saved, will lift you up and set you safely on high, and keep you in His peace until you see His deliverance with thanksgiving.
