opposing elements

"We must not be surprised that we are tempted. We are placed here to be proved by temptations. Everything is temptation to us. Crosses irritate our pride and prosperity flatters it; our life is a continual warfare, but Jesus Christ combats with us. We must let temptations, like the tempest, beat upon our heads, and still move on; like a traveller surprised on the way by a storm, who wraps his cloak about him, and goes on his journey in spite of the opposing elements." ~Fenelon

charity

"Charity does not demand of us that we should not see the faults of others; we must in that case shut our eyes. But it commands us to avoid attending unnecessarily to them, and that we be not blind to the good, while we are so clear-sighted to the evil that exists. We must remember too God's continual kindness to the most worthless creature, and think how many causes we have to think ill of ourselves; and finally we must consider that charity embraces the very lowest human being. It acknowledges that in the sight of God, the contempt that we indulge for others has in its very nature a harshness and arrogance opposed to the spirit of Jesus Christ. The true Christian is not insensible to what is contemptible; but he bears with it.

Because others are weak, should we be less careful to give them their due? You who complain so much of what others make you suffer, do you think that you cause others no pain? You who are so annoyed at your neighbour's defects, are you perfect?

How astonished you would be if those whom you cavil at should make all the comments that they might upon you. But even if the whole world were to bear testimony in your favour, God, who knows all, who has seen all your faults, could confound you with a word, and does it never come into your mind to fear lest He should demand of you why you had not exercised towards your brother a little of that mercy which He, who is your Master, so abundantly bestows on you?" ~Fenelon

distraction in prayer

"Your imagination will wander far and wide, and be affected by the scenes and circumstances in which you are placed: but never mind; the imagination is, as St. Teresa said, the fool of the house, always making a disturbance, misleading the mind and forcing it to heed the images drawn by itself. You cannot help this, but involuntary distraction will not hurt you.

If you are resolved to resist distraction, you will do so successfully; and whenever you discover it, you will recall your mind to God, calmly and without struggling not delaying to raise your eyes to Him. This faithfulness, in returning to His Presence, will win for you a more abiding sense of it, and thus that Presence will become familiar to you. After a time, the practice of speedily returning, the moment you are conscious of distraction, will win for you an habitual easy recollection...

Many persons distract themselves, first by their fear of distraction, and then by their regret of such distraction. What would you think of the traveller who, instead of advancing on his way, was always considering the accidents which he might meet with and, after any accident, returned to contemplate the scene thereof? Would you not urge him rather to go forward? Even so I say to you; Go on without looking back, so that, pleasing God, you may abound more and more. The abundance of His love will do more to correct you than all your anxious self-contemplation."  ~Fenelon