You ask me, dear daughter, whether a soul that recognizes its own wretchedness can come to God with great confidence. Well, I answer that a soul that acknowledges its misery not only can have great trust in God, but that true trust without the recognition of misery is not even possible, for it is this very knowledge and confession of our misery that leads us to God. (…) And even if you do not feel such confidence, do not cease to express it and say to our Lord: "Even though, Lord, I do not feel any trust in you, I still know that you are my God, that I am entirely yours and that I have hope only in your goodness; therefore, I completely surrender myself into your hands." Such an act is always within our power. And even if the words do not come easily to our lips, it is precisely then, in difficulties, that it is possible and fitting to demonstrate our faithfulness. If we carry out these acts without taste and without any satisfaction, let us not be troubled by it, for the Lord gladly accepts even those. And do not think that only the mouth speaks and not the heart, for if the heart did not want to, the mouth would not say a word about it. When you express trust, remain calm and do not pay attention to your troubles, but speak to our Lord about something else.
(St. Francis de Sales /1567–1622/, Spiritual Conferences)
