Trials and tribulations offer us a chance to make reparation for our past faults and sins. On such occasions the Lord comes to us like a physician to heal the wounds left by our sins. Tribulation is the divine medicine.

Seek not abroad, for in the inner man dwells the truth.

In doing what we ought we deserve no praise, because it is our duty.

He who falls, falls by his own will, and he who stands, stands by God's will.

Will is to grace as the horse is to the rider.

You have been professing yourself reluctant to throw off your load of illusion because truth was uncertain. Well, it is certain now, yet the burden still weighs you down, while other people are given wings on freer shoulders, people who have not worn themselves out with research, nor spent a decade and more reflecting on these questions.

Before God can deliver us we must undeceive ourselves.