From the sayings of SAINT ISAAC THE SYRIANabout TOLERATING TRIALS AND INSULTS

“Afflictions for God's sake are dearer to Him than any prayer or sacrifice.”

“It is impossible to draw near to God without sorrows, without which human righteousness cannot remain unchanged... If you desire virtue, than give yourself to every affliction, for afflictions produce humility. If someone abides in virtue without afflictions, the door of pride is opened to him.”

“Do not fall into despair because of stumbling. I do not mean that you should not feel contrition for them, but that you should not think them incurable. For it is more expedient to be bruised than dead. There is, indeed, a Healer for the man who has stumbled, even He Who on the Cross asked that mercy be shown to His crucifiers, He Who pardoned His murders while He hung on the Cross. ‘All manner of sin,’ He said, ‘and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men,’ that is, through repentance.”

“Behold, for years and generations, the way of God has been leveled by the cross and by death. How is this with thee, that thou sees the afflictions of the way as if they were out of the way? Don’t you wish to follow in the steps of the saints? Or do you wish to go a way which is special to you, without suffering? The way of God is a daily cross. No one can ascend to heaven with comfort, we know where the way of comfort leads.”