Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/61

 question, for  instance,  of  shutting  a  door,  of  making  a little  too  much  noise  going  upstairs,  of  being  punctual to some  appointment,  of  playing  one  game  rather  than another, of  listening  to  a  story  that  we  have  heard  a hundred  times  before. A thoughtless  or  overbearing person will  despise  such  petty  matters  as  mere  trifles, and, in  despising  them,  will  spoil  all  the  comfort  of some  one  perhaps  to  whom  he  owes  gratitude  and respect. A more  pliant  and  more  amiable  Christian will for  virtue's  sake  submit  to  what  is  required  of  him, and thus  he  will  please  God  and  make  himself  loved  by his  fellow-creatures;  and  he  will  himself  enjoy  that sweet satisfaction  which  charity  secures  for  us  when  it is  joined  to  humility. — Ibid.

e of  good  cheer!"  "Be  of  good  heart!"  "Have confidence!" "Fear  ye  not!"  So  said  Our Lord  on  various  occasions.

And the  Apostle  admonishes  us  not  to  be  anxious about our  affairs,  but  to  trust  in  the  loving  kindness  of God,  "casting  all  your  care  upon  Him;  for  He  hath care  of  you"  (i  Peter  v.  7).

Don't brood  over  what  is  past;  forget  it!

Be not  too  eager  and  anxious  in  the  present.

Do your  best;  leave  the  rest  to  God,  your  good  Father in heaven;  keep  your  peace.

Don't worry  about  the  future. What is  the  use  of doing  so? When you  see  trouble,  blessings  may  really be in  store  for  you. Hope for  the  best. Accept what happens philosophically. Always act  with  a  pure  intention and  with  deliberation.