Elder Joseph the Hesychast on Patience and Endurance(2)

Fiftieth Letter

Who knows, my child, the judgments of God?
Who knows, my child, the judgments of God? Everything is known to Him. He sees everything and nothing escapes His notice, but no one knows His will. The works of Satan are nothing next to the power of God. So when the Lord tests us as He knows best, we should show our patience and thankfulness.
Now then, my child, if His divine will is in accordance to our desire, certainly you will get well. But if He foresees something that we do not know—since as God He sees and judges differently from above—then you will not get well. Nevertheless, we do not lose our reward: it is stored up in His kingdom. So be patient and struggle.
Just recently, on the eve of St. Catherine's, I had a great struggle with Satan because of you. A visible fight. I was wondering if perhaps you had gotten well. He was furious, screaming. I stood at prayer all night for you and all day as well, so that God might show mercy. Finally he left and did not come back. So tell me how you are doing, how you are getting along. Is Satan troubling you? Have patience.
It is in this manner that you should pray: "I, my dear God, I want You to make me well so that I may bless and glorify You. But on the other hand, if You know differently what is profitable for the salvation of my soul, may Your will be done."
The All-good God, my good child, does not do anything that is not for the benefit of our soul. Whether it be an illness or a temptation, whatever He lets happen to us, He does for our benefit. Many times we grumble, become indignant, and do many bad things. Whereas He, out of His great love, has only our soul's best interest in mind. For He knows that we are here temporarily and that everything will soon pass. When this exile of ours ends and the true eyes of our soul open, then we shall gratefully thank Him for everything.
So then, my good child, always have patience. I am informed that God gave you this trial because of your kindness. But whenever He wills, He can take it away.
When I saw your parents, I told them to go to their spiritual father; to confess everything which they have never yet confessed, to say everything clearly, to remember any sinful thing since childhood that they have forgotten. For without frank confession, neither are you helped, nor do they go to paradise. In confession, your father should tell about the oath took, your mother should tell about the burden she carries since the first years of her marriage, and likewise, all your siblings should confess everything. Everyone in the house should make a general confession—to be cleansed, unburdened, and to become children of eternal life.
And you, my child, write to me about whatever happens to you, and do not be afraid of the tempter. Just say the prayer without ceasing. He, my dear child, is the tempter—the devil—and only the prayer burns him, and fasting severs his nerves; it unnerves him.
So, have infinite patience and thanksgiving; pray and fast intensely, and may God destroy him. I am praying for your health, for your happiness, as well as for your parents and siblings. Let them be careful; let them exert themselves; let them take care of their salvation.

Fifty-fourth Letter

Living in the wilderness has its own struggles, whereas living in the world has many other different kinds of struggles.
You yourself know from experience that wherever we may be, my son, we need much patience. Living in the wilderness has its own struggles, whereas living in the world has many other different kinds of struggles. So be brave. And since you have chosen this burden, bear it with fear of God.
And believe me, my child, I shall forcibly gather my strength, weakened and deadened from the toils, to entreat God that you suffer no harm from the foolish plots of the enemies of our faith. However, if it is written from above you will undergo some trial for the benefit of your soul, I shall beseech God to grant you patience and bravery of soul.
Do not fear. The Masons are devising many plans and want many things, but only if the Lord of all allows them to. Without His will, as He said, neither a hair nor a leaf falls. [1] He shall disperse their counsels. [2] For the time being, this is sufficient for us. As for later, let God, Who keeps us alive, take care of it.
Your endeavors should begin with God and end with God, and do not fear the temptations that come. For, by the grace of Christ, they dissipate like smoke.
As for that temptation of yours that you mentioned, I think this is the truth: for that demon to trouble you, it seems that something good is happening that bothers him. But you also gain much when you are tempted. In addition to the reward for patience, you become practiced and learn about people. If a stone does not strike against another stone, no spark is produced. An untried man is completely worthless.
You learned much when you were here, and now you are learning much there. But be prudent from now on and walk with caution "understanding what the will of the Lord is, because the days are evil." [3] Learn to redeem the time [4] and the circumstances.
The temptation you have now will pass, but another one will come, because the enemy never rests. Didn't you see what he said to God when He asked him about Job? [5] It is the same for all of us. The temptation comes in accordance with one's stature. And you must endure in order to emerge victorious. Christ, Who sets the contest, allows temptations for this reason: so that we may gain victories against the enemy, be purged from passions, and be perfected.
So, struggle and be patient. Do not grow weary. Do not turn back. When you see that you are exhausted, make a trip here and rest. You will regain your strength and then return once again to struggle. The struggle lasts for life, and the tempter, wherever you are, wherever you go, is beside you.
You thought that by departing from here the pressure of the spiritual warfare would cease. But now you fully realize that there is no such thing as a place without temptation. A person needs to win in the place where he is being fought, as to bring sorrow and shame to the devil, and joy and glory to God.

Endnotes

1. cf. Mt. 10:29-30
2. cf. Ps. 32:10
3. Eph. 5:16-17
4. cf. Eph. 5:16
5. vid. Job 1:6-12

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As for your nervous condition—the anger you mentioned—say the prayer constantly. In this way grace will settle your nerves. And do not grieve, for the entire world suffers from such things....
When you say, "Everyone else is happy. Why are we the ones sad?"—this shows that your life is pleasing to God. For the Lord sends afflictions only when a person does the will of God. For afflictions are a grace and gift from the Lord. So you are inadvertently confessing that you are elect children of God. "For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth."* So take courage, or rather rejoice, because the Lord loves you very much. Don't be sad anymore.

* Heb. 12:6.

From Monastic Wisdom: The Letters of Elder Joseph the Hesychast (Florence, AZ: St. Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery, 1998), pp. 213-216, 246-248, 257-259, 298-299. Posted 8/21/2005.