MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE FROM A SAINT
HELPFUL SAYINGS OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
A job done anxiously and hurriedly is never done well; we must do things with coolness and calm.
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Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; the same Everlasting Father Who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.
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Although we should fear both (death and divine judgment), that fear should not be something terrible or terrifying so as to cause depression or lower our spiritual vigor and strength of spirit. It ought to be a fear so totally fused with confidence in the goodness of God as to become something beautiful and peace-giving.
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Whenever you feel temptation or despair, turn to the Mother of Mercy for help.
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Indeed, a wish to die which comes from sadness or weariness of this life is too much akin to despair.
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Do not despair over your shortcomings. Start over each day. You make spiritual progress by continually beginning again and again.
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Every morning, before doing anything else, you must beg God to give you gentleness of spirit, so necessary for souls pledged to His service, and resolved for your part to exercise it particularly toward those persons to whom you owe the most. If you do this you will be very happy because God will live in the center of your heart which will remain totally at peace. If, however, it happens that you fail in this matter do not lose heart, but immediately step back into line, just as if you had never fallen.
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God works most actively, thinking and providing for all, but without agitation and without losing gentleness and calmness.
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Do not be worried about this (your falls), but with frankness and humility say to your confessor what you remember, leaving everything else to the gentle mercy of God.
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… (When we are angry) we must immediately gather all our forces and cry out to God with gentleness, “Have pity on me.”
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Walk always near to God, for the gentleness of His shadow is more salutary than the brightness of the sun.
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Fix the eyes of your soul upon His gentle face and hold Him by the hand, just as a small child does with his Father.
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Polite conversation is not enough; we must practice a gentle charity with members of our own family and with neighbors.
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Do not get upset about this or that but walk in the way of union with great confidence in the mercy of God, Who will lead you by the hand right to your heavenly home. In the meantime, keep well clear of arguments and avoidable disputes.
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A father’s gentle, loving rebuke has far greater power in correcting a child then rage and passion and brings about an improvement.
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…those who have committed some fault are best corrected by a gentle and mild explanation of what they have done wrong.
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With gentleness and peace, make your small efforts to better serve the Divine Goodness, but do not be frightened by the difficulties that crop up.
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Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing is so gentle as true strength.
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We should be particularly patient with ourselves; this is the heaviest load we have to bear.
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It is far better to do a few things well than to undertake many good works and leave them half-done.
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Remember to keep in mind that all the past is nothing and that every day we should say with David: “Now I begin to love my God.”
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In dryness and adversity, do not lose hope; in consolations and prosperity, do not fear; but humble yourself in either case; that is, always.
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Why do we get so upset by the failings which we commit in the presence of others? Is it not perhaps a good thing that we are known for what we are, namely, imperfect people?
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