Timothy Goode

“INWARD OCCUPATION When Satan sees, to the left or right, anyone who is perfect, he becomes ill with envy, for every wretch whose stack has been burnt is unwilling that anyone else’s candle should be lighted. Pay attention and work on perfecting yourself, so that the perfection of others may not grieve you. Beg of God the removal of envy, that God may deliver you from externals, and bestow upon you an inward occupation, which will absorb you so that your attention is not drawn away.”
― Rumi, The Rumi Collection: An Anthology of Translations of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

“Self-loathing is not sorrow. Yet it is good, for it marks a step in the way home, and in the father's arms the prodigal forgets the self he abominates. Once with his father, he is to himself of no more account.”
― George MacDonald, Lilith

“Think for yourself whether much of your sorrow has not arisen from someone speaking slightingly of you. As long as you set yourself up as a little god to which you must be loyal there will be those who will delight to offer affront to your idol. How then can you hope to have inward peace?”
― A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

“There’s always a good reason to rejoice. There is a God in Heaven and in the heart. I had a piece of bread this morning. It was so good! Look now, the sun is shining! And so many here love me! Every day you do not rejoice is a day lost, my son!”
― Richard Wurmbrand, In God's Underground