Trials lead to perfection. A man who is not tested does not prosper. Man who is not tested does not rise above the earth, where the ladder of virtues that reaches heaven rests. The trials of those who love God are pedagogies that train the soul in the love of philosophy and of truth.
Christianity is orientated towards the true philosophy, for which the Christian should strive because the one who does not love philosophy, that is, the one who has no love for the truth, does not reach the measure of perfection to which he must attain.
All Christians have the obligation to become friends of divine knowledge so that they may be perfect according to the command of the Lord, let alone those who loved and devoted themselves to it. So, if trials are educators inclined to philosophy, and philosophy promotes Christian perfection, we conclude that trials are necessary.
The trials that lead us to philosophy also lead us to patience because patience is by nature a sister to philosophy. That is why no true philosopher is impatient, nor can the impatient become a philosopher. Trials do test the cornerstone of virtue which is patience. Patience is what leads us to salvation.
For this reason, the Christian who loves the truth, not only is not discouraged, but has courage, endurance and joy. He is truly rejoicing as we find in the Apostle who “rejoices in sorrow” since he understands “that sorrow brings patience, patience trials, trials hope, and hope is not something to be ashamed of since God’s love permeates into his heart.”
Saint Nektarios of Pentapolis