Making a Friend of Affliction

A collection of sayings from St. Mark the Ascetic related to suffering, trials and affliction.

Distress reminds the wise of God, but crushes those who forget Him.

Let all involuntary suffering teach you to remember God, and you will not lack occasion for repentance.

To accept an affliction for God's sake is a genuine act of holiness; for true love is tested by adversities.

He who prays with understanding patiently accepts circumstances, whereas he who resents them has not yet attained pure prayer.

Consider the outcome of every involuntary affliction, and you will find it has been the destruction of sin.

At a time of affliction, expect a provocation to sensual pleasure; for because it relieves the affliction it is readily welcomed.

God 'tested Abraham' (cf Gen. 22:1-14), that is, God afflicted him for his own benefit, not in order to learn what kind of man Abraham was - for He knew him, since He knows all things before they come into existence - but in order to provide him with opportunities for showing perfect faith.

Do not claim to have acquired virtue unless you have suffered affliction, for without affliction virtue has not been tested.