Taken from Water
From a Deep Well by Gerald Sittser
“A young novice in the community of the desert
saints confessed that he battled constantly against the temptation of
lust. An old master asked him, “Do you
want me to ask the Lord to release you from your trouble,” to which the young
man replied, “Abba, I see that although it is a painful struggle, I am
profiting from having to carry the burden.”
Then he added, “But ask God in your prayers, that he will give me
long-suffering, to enable me to endure.”
P.75
“They
identified comfort and prosperity as enemies of the spiritual life. One Abba warned, “Just as bees are driven out
by smoke, and their honey is taken away from them, so a life of ease drives out
the fear of the Lord from man’s soul and takes away all his good works.” P. 85
Name
one temptation or struggle that you battle regularly. How might this saint’s words help you think of
this struggle in a new way?
Have
you faced any struggle in your life where you can see how God has redeemed it
and used it to grow you and help you experience more of his grace and love?
In
what ways do you seek comfort and prosperity?
How has that been an enemy to your spiritual life?
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