Woe be unto us! Were we only not so foolish, but recognized instead how very much the smallest suffering or affliction can purify us and unite us to God, and in God; how great our eternal reward will be; and how quickly it drives and chases away the Evil Spirit from us, so that he can have no power over us, surely, we should we ready to run miles to the Cross, and should earnestly thank all those who in any way afflicted or tried us. We should turn towards the road that they take from real joy and thankfulness, and we should be glad, beyond all measure, that we had been able to carry so heavy a Cross.
Johannes Tauler OP (1300–1361)