The late Elder Epiphanius said...

The late Elder Epiphanius said:

One night I fell into a great drowsiness, due to the terrible insomnia.

I prayed in pain to the Lord, saying:

"Lord, I do not ask you for anything else. I want some sleep. I ask you for something small . Something you would give to an ant!"

Then I took the New Testament in my hands and opened it to read something. My eye fell on the verse: "I was given a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure." (2 Corinthians 12: 7).

I reverently closed the Bible and said:

Thank you, Lord!

Two or three years passed and I came back to the same mental state, from my insomnia. I repeated the same, so again my eye fell on the same verse! I praised God again and did not insist on the subject.

After a long time, continuing the torment of insomnia, I dared for the third time and reopened the New Testament to my consolation. Again the same verse: "A thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:7-9)

I said excitedly again:

"Thank you, Lord! Forgive me!"

Since then, my child, I have not dared to complain to the Lord about anything.

Glory to Thee, O Lord!