Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ 3.47

That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life

1. "My Son, let not the labors which you have undertaken for Me break you down, nor let tribulations cast you down in any way, but let my promise strengthen and comfort you in every event. I am sufficient to reward you above all measure and extent. Not long shall you labour here, nor always be weighed down with sorrows. Wait yet a little while, and you shall see a speedy end of your evils. An hour shall come when all labor and confusion shall cease. Little and short is all that passes away with time. 

2. "Do earnestly what you do; labor faithfully in My vineyard; I will be your reward. Write, read, sing, weep, be silent, pray, endure adversities manfully; eternal life is worthy of all these conflicts, yea, and of greater. Peace shall come in one day which is known to the Lord; which shall be neither day nor night, but light eternal, infinite clearness, steadfast peace, and undisturbed rest. You shall not say then, 'Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' nor cry out, 'Woe is me, for my sojourning is prolonged,' because death will be utterly destroyed, and there shall be salvation which can never fail, no more anxiety, happy delight, sweet and noble society. 

3. "Oh, if you saw the unfading crowns of the Saints in heaven, and with what great glory they now rejoice, who aforetime were reckoned by this world contemptibly and as it were unworthy of life, truly you would immediately humble yourself even to the earth, and would desire rather to be in subjection to all, than to have authority over one; nor would you long for pleasant days of this life, but would more rejoice to be afflicted for God's sake, and would esteem it gain to be counted for nought amongst men. 

4. "Oh, if these things were sweet to your taste, and moved you to the bottom of your heart, how should you dare even once to complain? Are not all laborious things to be endured for the sake of eternal life? It is no small thing, the losing or gaining the Kingdom of God. Lift up therefore your face to heaven. Behold, I and all My Saints with Me, who in this world had a hard conflict, now rejoice, are now comforted, are now secure, are now at peace, and shall remain with Me evermore in the Kingdom of My Father." 

IMAGE: Pompeo Batoni, Meekness (1752)