There is no affliction, trial, or labor difficult to endure, when we consider the torments and sufferings which Our Lord Jesus Christ endured for us.
Teresa Of AvilaRead
Be happy when you are blamed and accused wrongly, for then you have the chance to see all the bitter, hostile or self-pitying responses that your sinful soul wants to spew out - as if these puny things could in any way defend you! Watch and see if any of these poisons come out of you when your spirit is pricked by an accusation. Only then can you see yourself as you are, and confess thy sin that is within you and forsake yourself again into the Lord's care.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Embrace wrongful blame as an opportunity for self-reflection and growth in spiritual understanding.
This quote by Teresa of Avila encourages individuals to view wrongful accusations not as purely negative experiences, but as valuable moments for introspection. When confronted with blame, one is given the chance to reveal and confront their inner turmoil, bitterness, or self-pity that may otherwise remain hidden. It serves as a reminder to examine one's reactions to criticism and to foster humility and self-awareness, ultimately leading to a deeper connection with one's faith and the Lord's guidance.
Themes
Self-ReflectionSpiritualityHumilityBlameGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
In a personal development workshop discussing the importance of resilience in the face of criticism.
More from Teresa Of Avila
All quotes →How often I failed in my duty to God, because I was not leaning on the strong pillar of prayer.
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What friends or kindred can be so close and intimate as the powers of our soul, which, whether we will or no, must ever bear us company?
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To converse with You, O King of glory, no third person is needed, You are always ready in the Sacrament of the Altar to give audience to all. All who desire You always find You there, and converse with You face to face
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If we do not use great care to mortify our will, there are many things which can deprives us of the holy freedom of spirit that we are seeking in order to fly more freely to our Creator, without always being bogged down with the clay of this earth. Moreover, there can never be solid virtue in a soul that is attached to its own will.
Teresa Of AvilaRead
I say the same of humility and of all the virtues; the wiles of the devil are terrible, he will run a thousand times round hell if by so doing he can make us believe that we have a single virtue which we have not. And he is right, for such ideas are very harmful, and such imaginary virtues, when they come from this source, are never unaccompanied by vainglory; just as those which God gives are free both from this and from pride.
Teresa Of AvilaRead
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