Strong Mercy: My desires are many and my cry is pitiful…
““Strong Mercy: My desires are many and my cry is pitiful, but ever didst thou save me by hard refusals; and this strong mercy has been wrought into my life through and through. Day by day thou art making me worthy of the simple, great gifts that thou gavest to me unasked---this sky and the light, this body and the life and the mind---saving me from perils of overmuch desire. There are times when I languidly linger and times when I awaken and hurry in search of my goal; but cruelly thou hidest thyself from before me. Day by day thou art making me worthy of thy full acceptance by refusing me ever and anon, saving me from perils of weak, uncertain desire.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Divine mercy tempers human longing, shaping humility and gratitude through repeated denial, turning desire into purposeful growth.
In simple terms: Grace refines desire into humility.
Key Takeaway
Denial cultivates worthiness.
Themes
spiritual growth
humility
gratitude
self‑discipline
divine providence
inner transformation
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- seeking purpose
- overcoming excess
- spiritual contemplation
- personal crisis
- moments of doubt
Key Concepts
desire
refusal
mercy
worthiness
Practical Applications
- spiritual journaling
- mindfulness practice
Questions to Reflect On
- How does resistance shape your sense of worth?
- What gifts emerge when desire is restrained?