"Jesus has always many who love His heavenly kingdom, but few who bear His cross. He has many who desire consolation, but few who care for trial. He finds many to share His table, but few to take part in His fasting. All desire to be happy with Him; few wish to suffer anything for [...]
"The true lover of Christ, however, who sincerely pursues virtue, does not fall back upon consolations nor seek such pleasures of sense, but prefers severe trials and hard labors for the sake of Christ." Source: Thomas a’ Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Dover Thrift Editions, 1940.
"I should like to ask those who are afraid to pray for trials lest they should at once be given them what the mean when they beg the Lord to fulfill His will in them. Do they say this because everyone else says it and not because they want it to be done?" Source: [...]
"So among other things I use the way my Truth described when he said, 'I am the true vine, my Father is the vinedresser, and you are the branches.' He is the true vine because he proceeds from me, the Father, and whoever remains in him by following his teaching will bear fruit. And so [...]