St. Theopan the Recluse

 

ON THE WAVES OF THE SEA OF LIFE

...Crossed over to the other side of the sea. The Lord was asleep. A storm came up and everyone was terrified, but they forgot that the Lord was with them and that they therefore had nothing to fear with Him. So it happens in the order of life, worldly and spiritual. When a storm of troubles or passions comes up, we are usually alarmed to the point of despair, thinking that this is also the order of things; but the Lord sends us a lesson: "Little faith!" And rightly so! It is not that we should not pay attention to what has happened; but we can always remain reasonably calm. First see what the Lord wants of thee, and submit humbly under His strong hand. Do not falter, do not be troubled. Then arise in faith, that the Lord is with you, and fall at His feet in prayer. Do not cry, "I am lost," but cry out with devotion, "Lord, if You are willing, You can. Yet not my will, but Yours be done." Believe that in this way you will safely bypass the storm that has risen. - St. Theophan the Recluse