We fortify ourselves through hardships. Moments of rapture spent in prayer, contemplation, and union with the realm of light are not sufficient

"We fortify ourselves through hardships. Moments of rapture spent in prayer, contemplation, and union with the realm of light are not sufficient: these divine states of consciousness must be prolonged and reinforced by being put to the test of life. In French, there is an expression which speaks of 'tempering' one's character, referring to the blacksmith who tempers red-hot metal by putting it in water to harden it. Well, obstacles and difficulties do exactly that: 'temper' or harden a character. Do not be mistaken: you will not be shielded against tribulations after having tasted sublime moments of union with heaven, in which you felt you understood and controlled everything. No, you will not be spared, just the opposite in fact; but thanks to these tribulations, the new forms created within you by those divine states will solidify."