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What is the basis for spiritual peace and joy?

A pure heart. A pure heart is one that seeks God's will alone. A pure heart alone desires that all things be loved and desired in relation to God. Where can we find this pure heart, this heart set purely on God's will? In Bethlehem, from the Christ child. He offers us a pure heart, His own heart!

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What troubles our faith in this state of abandonment?

Our five senses. As we try to live by pure faith, our eyes and ears, our sense of touch, and our taste all seem to point in another direction. We seem to be missing certain satisfactions. What we believe does not seem to match what we are are seeing around us. But faith is of things unseen! Have courage!

What makes abandonment to divine Providence possible?

The theological virtues. From our side, we are able to surrender to God because he has infused these powers, these virtues, into our souls. Faith allows us to recognize God's presence and action. Hope allows us to rely on Him, to want Him, beyond all feeling. Love allows us to be One with Him. Love allows us to have His will as our will.

Does the state of passive abandonment to the divine action lead to sadness or joy?

Joy. I came, Christ said, that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. Saints like Mother Teresa of Calcutta show us that even the highest forms of abandonment to divine providence lead to joy. Joy comes from resting in God. While the Lord strips us of all reliance on creatures. He gives Himself to us more and more. In Him we find joy amidst the darkness. He is there. He is guiding us. We rejoice.

Does the life of God in our souls, the life of following His inspirations, bear fruit for others?

Yes. Like Christ, those who live in humility and submission to the Father's will bring forth much fruit. There is a hidden and unseen power in those who have been led to this state of having God living in our souls.

Does the state of abandonment help us?

Yes. God is leading us to a perfect reliance on Himself. He is taking away from us all that cannot really sustain us. God wants to be All in all. He leads us by a dark path in which we can no longer rely on ourselves to guide us. We cannot really rely on anyone else, but God alone. In this state God fills us with all kinds of understanding and wisdom and love.