As you wander in those depths and emptiness of spiritual poverty, you think that everyone and everything has abandoned you; however, this is nothing strange, for it seems to you that even God is leaving you to fend for yourself. Yet, nothing has left you to fend for yourself (…), this is an unfounded fear. Whoever desires nothing but God does not walk in darkness, even if they see themselves as very dark and miserable… (…) Do not worry and rejoice. Who are you to have concerns about yourself? You would fare quite poorly!
(St. John of the Cross, letter to Mrs. Juana de Pedraza, October 12, 1589)
