If the soul is weighed down by drought, distraction, and unrest, let it not heed this and let it not suffer from it. If it wants inner freedom and does not want to be constantly tormented, let it stop fearing the cross, and it will see how the Lord helps it bear it: it will move forward with joy and will gain from everything, because it is clear that if the well does not give water, we cannot pour it in. However, we must not be inattentive, because if it does give water, then we must draw from it, for God wants to multiply virtues in us in this way.
(Teresa of Jesus, The Book of Life XI,17)
