I pray that you will always be healthy. But when you are ill, bear patiently the chastening of the Lord which is sent from His affectionate and immense heart. The chastening proceeding from such a heart will never be fruitless, harmful, or undiscerning. Rather, it chastens us for our own good, for the forgiveness of our sins, for our protection, and for eternal salvation!
The heart that chastens us is the heart of God Himself, our heavenly Father. He sees all, especially the purpose of every act. He sees how you are suffering and are afflicted. Know that He will not try you beyond your strength. Through afflictions, He brings about the cleansing of your soul and its eternal salvation.
“We glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.” 1 As His children, God disciplines us so that His features may be formed in us. It is when children bear the features of their parents that their legitimacy shows. So this is the purpose of the Lord’s chastening. Your afflictions are salvific; always have hope and you will by no means be put to shame.
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1 Rom. 5:3
From the book
Councels from the Holy mountain
Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Efraim of Arizon
subm. no. 18
paragraphs: 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 from pages 44-48
Selection of passages from the book by Silviu Podariu
