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Show g-H'.'H1. '-up. mi-y ' BIG DISAPPOINTMENTS are often of-ten met with a show of fortitude forti-tude that amazes even the sufferer himself. However there are small dally frustrations which although trifling in themselves often tend to wear down the spirit, just as dripping drip-ping water bores Into solid rock. These daily irritation! can be a very real test as to whether or not one possesses that spirit of humility and patience which Is necessary to spiritual growth. The list of minor frustrations is limitless. Being kept waiting for a tardy friend, missing a train or bus, getting repeated busy signals when one wants to make an urgent phont call these are only few. How many people search for something some-thing for hours only to find it at last right under their nose? How many complain of days when nothing noth-ing seems to come out right, or of important plans upset by some little oversight? A great saint once said that any-i any-i one who loves God will never experience ex-perience frustrations. What he meant was that a true lover of God never permits anything to upset up-set his Inner peace and sense of companionship with God. His lesson les-son was that every affliction or trial can be translated Into good if it is accepted as coming from God's hands. Some men can accept a staggering stagger-ing set-back with much more resignation resig-nation than they can put up with the little vexations and difficulties of dally living. However, it is the small things that most reveal the extent of one's spiritual stature. One reason is that they are often so numerous and another is that they lack the obvious challenge to faith and courage that is inherent in some grave crisis or reverie. |