Using the means

Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith (Heb 12:1-2). We will have difficulties, but we know the means we have to use to fight and overcome the inclinations of our poor human nature. Let us use them and place our trust in the Lord our Saviour.

Optimism

Be optimistic. St Paul himself tells us in the Letter to the Philippians: Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico: Gaudete (Phil 4:4); rejoice in the Lord always; I tell you again: be happy. My children, you have to see the positive side of things. The things that appear most terrible in life are never really quite as bad as they seem. If you get down to specifics, you will not come to negative conclusions. Just as a good doctor never tells a patient that his situation is completely hopeless, I ask you, for the love of Christ, to have confidence. Don’t point out what is negative without seeing the other side too. The fact that someone is sick does not mean that they are a corpse ready for the cemetery. Let us heal them by giving them the proper treatment, for within our spirit we have all the medications we need.

The obstacle of personal problems