Mercy and Our True Measure

"If  you wish always to press forward on the path of virtue without stopping, you should pay great attention to things which may serve as chances for acquiring virtue, and never let them slip out of your hands.  Therefore those are ill-advised who do everything in their power to avoid any kind of obstacles in the path of virtue, in spite of the fact that  these might have helped towards success in their progress.  For example, if you wish to grow in patience, you should not avoid the people, things and circumstances that particularly try your patience...

You should adopt the same attitude towards any work which displeases you...you must not avoid it but, on the contrary, must undertake it without digging in your toes, and must do and finish it through, as though it were the most welcome work, never letting your heart be troubled by it...You will never ...find the true peace that you seek by running away from such things; for peace does not dwell in self-indulgent hearts.

I advise you to do the same in relation to the thoughts which at times invade you and trouble your mind with memories of human injustices...Do not stifle them or drive them away, but let them leave of their own accord, not through your opposition,but through the patience with which you endure them."  -- Fr. Lorenzo Scupoli, quoted in Magnificat, p. 78-9