Me:  Why did your friend leave?

Prodigal:  She is toppin’ the timber and kickin’ up stumps.

Me:  Well, I hope she calms down.

 

This is from The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis

 

Whensoever a man desireth anything inordinately, He is forthwith disquieted in himself.  The proud and covetous are never at rest.  The poor and humble in spirit dwell in the multitude of peace.

 

2.  The man that is not yet perfectly dead to himself, is quickly tempted; and he is overcome in small and trifling things.  The weak in spirit, and he that is yet in a manner carnal and prone to things of sense, can hardly withdraw himself altogether from earthly desires:   and therefore he hath often sadness, when he withdraweth himself from them; and easily falleth into indignation, if anyone resisteth him.  And if he hath attained that which he lusteth after, he is forthwith burdened with remorse of conscience;  for that he followed his own passion, which profiteth him nothing to the obtaining of the peace he sought for.

 

3.  True peace of heart therefore is found by resisting our passions, not by obeying them.  There is then no peace in the heart of a carnal man, nor in him that is given up to outward things, but in the fervent and spiritual man.

 

That the Lord sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus said the Lord God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage.

Judges 6:8

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org