Good Deed

As long as someone is concerned with fulfilling good deeds, he will be troubled because of many things, whether by the wicked spirits opposed to him or by unjust people. Yet God allows the righteous one to be tormented by many, giving him occasions for acquiring the eternal and unending glory that is granted after suffering great afflictions. When the righteous one, not understanding, says to God: Why, O my Master, are all those who trouble me stronger than I am? (Ps. 3:1–2) Why, my Master, do You stand far away and look upon how I suffer thousands of sorrows and how I am tested? Why am I struck every day of the misery of my life? And while the righteous one says these things and others like them, God answers him, He who said to the prophet: If you still speak, behold, I have come (Is. 58:9). Thus He addresses His faithful servant, who has his face turned toward Him, and says: For this reason I have allowed you for a long time to be upset and plunged into troubles, in order to prepare for you a great and eternal crown. Therefore many things are said and happen to the righteous concerning afflictions (Ps. 33:18).