Hidden Work

Πολλὰ ὁ Θεὸς λαληθότως ἐργάζεται πρὸς τὸ συμφέρον ἡμῖν, κἂν σκυθρωπὰ δοκῇ τὰ συμπίπτοντα. Ἡμεῖς δὲ τὸν λόγον τῶν συμπτωμάτων οὐ πολυπραγονοῠμεν ὡς πιστοὶ καὶ γνήσιοι οἰκέται. Ἔν γὰρ μόνον χρὴ πεπεῖσθαι, ὅτι συμφερόντως, καὶ ὠφελίμως ἡμῖν ἄπαντα ἐπιφέρεται παρὰ τοῦ προνοητοῦ τῶν ἡμετέρων ψυχῶν, τὸν δὲ τρόπον μηκέτι ζητεῖν μήτε ἀγνοοῦντας ἀσχάλλειν καὶ ἀθυμεῖν· οὐ δὲ γὰρ λυσιτελεῖ τὸ ἐπίστασθι, τὸ μὲν διὰ τὸ θνητοὺς εἶναι, τὸ δὲ διὰ τὸ εὐκόλως πρὸς τῦφον ἡμᾶς, καὶ ἀπόνοιαν αἴρεσθαι. Ἅγιος Νειλος, Βιβλιον Πρῶτον, Ἐπιστολὴ ΣΛΕ’ Εὐσεβιῳ Διακονῳ Source: Migne PG 79.170b

Most often the work of God is hidden for our benefit and what befalls seems sorrowful. We, however, as faithful and true sons should not be disquieted by being too curious regarding the causes of what happens. We should trust in one alone, whatever comes upon us, for everything usefully and profitably comes for the care of our souls. There is no way for us to seek it out, nor does being vexed or downcast by ignorance profit understanding, but rather since we are mortal we are easily puffed up by pride and by folly. Saint Nilus of Sinai, Book 1, Letter 235, to Eusebius the Deacon