Lord Almighty One, I am like all men that desire an unfailing love. Every use of those words ‘unfailing love’ in Scripture is attributed to You alone. You are the only one capable of perpetual unfailing love. Help me understand that my deep cravings for someone to love me with that kind of love were meant to be satisfied by You alone. And thank You deeply, my God, my Father.
As to human love, if any infatuation of a lovely friendship preoccupies you, at least try to cure yourself little by little. Open your eyes: the creature which you love is not faultless. Turn your attention to the Supreme Goodness, from whom you will never suffer abandonment. Let your friendships be grave, simple, and edifying in all things. Do not love one single person too much, and love more those whom God commands you to love.
Try to love God without waiting for Him to assure you of His love for you. You should realize that your love is a guarantee of His! Your confidence will disarm Him and turn all His severity into tenderness. Trust His love!
We seek impatiently for consolation that we can feel, because we fear we are not sufficiently penitent. Why do we not take as penitence the giving up of the consolation which we are attempting to seek? Let us take comfort and consolation when He gives them, but without becoming attached to them. When He plunges us into the night of pure faith, then let us go into this night and let us lovingly suffer this agony, knowing He is always with us whether we feel Him or not.
Despair of yourself as much as you please, but do not make the mistake of despairing of our God. He is both loving and powerful! When unforeseen occasions arise suddenly, act promptly, and even if you are wrong, God will accept your right intentions if you have sought with a single heart to do what you believe to be right in His eyes.
Bear with yourself, avoiding both self-deception and discouragement. Expect nothing of yourself, but expect all things of God. These are the true foundations of all spiritual life. Do not be afraid of anything on your way. God will lead you by the hand, if only you are filled with love for Him rather than fear for yourself.
Not only does God hide Himself, but He also hides us from ourselves, so all can be done in faith. So when we step out in faith in a bad situation, we usually end up surprising ourselves with our faithfulness. And learn something more about God’s love in the process.
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