The truth is that afflictions are not a sign of God’s absence or abandonment but rather of His presence.

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Afflictions are like the kneading of dough in the making of bread.  They are the preparations for the mystical marriage, and without them the soul is left uniformed, cold and alone.

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It is affliction alone that can tear us away from our isolated, individual existence and transform us into something much more whole and open.

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Elder Aemilianos of Simonopetra