It is a very good sign that the enemy rages and beats at your door: it shows that he has not what he wants. If he had he would cease to cry out, but would quietly enter and stay with you.
200.
Courage! As long as we can say, even coldly, God be praised, there is no reason to fear. And do not tell me that it seems to you that you say it in a spiritless way, with no strength or courage, but as if you had to do violence to yourself to utter it. Oh, this is the blessed violence which taketh heaven!
201.
As long as a temptation is displeasing to you there is nothing to fear, for why does it displease you if not because you do not wish it?
202.
Moreover, these very importunate temptations come from the malice of the devil, but the trouble and suffering they cause us come from the mercy of God. He draws from the malice of his enemy the holy tribulation by which He refines the gold He desires to place in his treasury. Despise the temptations and embrace the tribulations.
203.
We must endure our own want of perfection, if we would attain perfection. I say that we must endure it patiently, but we must not love or caress it. It is by the endurance of this suffering that humility is nourished.