This is from the Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis
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Book III Chapter 30 The Quest of Divine Help and Confidence in
Regaining Grace
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, I am the Lord Who gives strength in the day of trouble.
Come to Me when all is not well with you. Your tardiness in turning
to prayer is the greatest obstacle to heavenly consolation, for
before you pray earnestly to Me you first seek many comforts and
take pleasure in outward things. Thus, all things are of little
profit to you until you realize that I am the one Who saves those
who trust in Me, and that outside of Me there is no worth-while
help, or any useful counsel or lasting remedy.
But now, after the tempest, take courage, grow strong once more in
the light of My mercies; for I am near, says the Lord, to restore
all things not only to the full but with abundance and above
measure. Is anything difficult for Me? Or shall I be as one who
promises and does not act? Where is your faith? Stand firm and
persevere. Be a man of endurance and courage, and consolation will
come to you in due time. Wait for Me; wait -- and I will come to
heal you.
It is only a temptation that troubles you, a vain fear that
terrifies you.
Of what use is anxiety about the future? Does it bring you anything
but trouble upon trouble? Sufficient for the day is the evil
thereof. It is foolish and useless to be either grieved or happy
about future things which perhaps may never happen. But it is human
to be deluded by such imaginations, and the sign of a weak soul to
be led on by suggestions of the enemy. For he does not care whether
he overcomes you by love of the present or fear of the future. Let
not your heart be troubled, therefore, nor let it be afraid.
Believe in Me and trust in My mercy. When you think you are far
from Me, then often I am very near you. When you judge that almost
all is lost, then very often you are in the way of gaining great
merit.
All is not lost when things go contrary to your wishes. You ought
not judge according to present feelings, nor give in to any trouble
whenever it comes, or take it as though all hope of escape were
lost. And do not consider yourself forsaken if I send some
temporary hardship, or withdraw the consolation you desire. For
this is the way to the kingdom of heaven, and without doubt it is
better for you and the rest of My servants to be tried in
adversities than to have all things as you wish. I know your secret
thoughts, and I know that it is profitable for your salvation to be
left sometimes in despondency lest perhaps you be puffed up by
success and fancy yourself to be what you are not. What I have
given, I can take away and restore when it pleases Me. What I give
remains Mine, and thus when I take it away I take nothing that is
yours, for every good gift and every perfect gift is Mine.
If I send you trouble and adversity, do not fret or let your heart
be downcast. I can raise you quickly up again and turn all your
sorrow into joy. I am no less just and worthy of great praise when
I deal with you in this way.
If you think aright and view things in their true light, you should
never be so dejected and saddened by adversity, but rather rejoice
and give thanks, considering it a matter of special joy that I
afflict you with sorrow and do not spare you. "As the Father hath
loved Me, so also I love you," I said to My disciples, and I
certainly did not send them out to temporal joys but rather to
great struggles, not to honors but to contempt, not to idleness,
but to labors, not to rest but to bring forth much fruit in
patience. Do you, My child, remember these words.