Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 3.25

Wherein firm peace of heart and true profit consist

1. "My Son, I have said, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you, not as the world gives give I unto you. All men desire peace, but all do not care for the things which belong unto true peace. My peace is with the humble and lowly in heart. Your peace shall be in much patience. If you heard Me, and did follow My voice, you should enjoy much peace."

2. What then shall I do, Lord?

3. "In everything take heed to yourself what you do, and what you say; and direct all your purpose to this, that you please Me alone, and desire or seek nothing apart from Me. But, moreover, judge nothing rashly concerning the words or deeds of others, nor meddle with matters which are not committed to you; and it may be that you shall be disturbed little or rarely. Yet never to feel any disquiet, nor to suffer any pain of heart or body, this belongs not to the present life, but is the state of eternal rest. Therefore count not yourself to have found true peace, if you have felt no grief; nor that then all is well if you have no adversary; nor that this is perfect if all things fall out according to your desire. Nor then reckon yourself to be anything great, or think that you are specially beloved, if you are in a state of great fervor and sweetness of spirit; for not by these things is the true lover of virtue known, nor in them does the profit and perfection of man consist."

4. In what then, Lord?

5. "In offering yourself with all your heart to the Divine Will, in not seeking the things which are your own, whether great or small, whether temporal or eternal; so that you remain with the same steady countenance in giving of thanks between prosperity and adversity, weighing all things in an equal balance. If you be so brave and long-suffering in hope that when inward comfort is taken from you, you even prepare your heart for the more endurance, and justify not yourself, as though you ought not to suffer these heavy things, but do justify Me in all things that I appoint, and do bless My Holy Name, then do you walk in the true and right way of peace, and shall have a sure hope that you shall again behold My face with joy. For if you come to an utter contempt of yourself, know that then you shall enjoy abundance of peace, as much as is possible where you are but a wayfaring man."