Wisdom from the Fathers Courage through Periods of Darkness 5 years ago trueorthodox IT IS NOT JOY OF THE SPIRIT ALONE THAT MANIFESTS OUR LOVE OF GOD; UNFLINCHING COURAGE, STAUNCHLY MAINTAINED THROUGH LONG PERIODS OF DARKNESS AND ANGUISH, PROVES THIS LOVE EVEN MORE DEFINITELY. ST. MACARIUS OF OPTINA Tags: Courage Optina Periods of darkness St. Macarius of Optina Continue Reading Previous Christ wishes to raise men up to heaven, and has given them all the means to attain this; whilst the Devil wishes by every means to attach men to earthly, sensual, transitory things St. John of KronstadtNext Third Step of The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John of Sinai – On Exile