'Those whom divine providence is leading towards
holiness in this life are tested by the following three tests: by the
gift of agreeable things, such as health, beauty, fine children, money,
fame and so on; by afflictions causing distress, such as the loss of
children, money and fame; and by bodily sufferings, such as disease,
torture and so on. To those in the first category the Lord says, "If a
person does not forsake all that he has, he cannot be My disciple" (Luke
14:33); and to those in the second and third He says, "You will gain
possession of your souls through your patient endurance." (Luke 21:19)'
