What is more precious than peace of soul and bodily health?

What is more precious than peace of soul and bodily health? Both make a person’s life pleasant. However, if either is lacking, a terrible storm arises, and the vessel of the soul is cast into raging waves. How many prayers are then lifted up! Even the Lord, during His time on earth, encountered such a storm: "And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm" (Mark 4:39). My child, let us call upon the Lord and Master, the Giver of peace, whenever a storm arises in our souls. I believe that when we call upon Him with faith, He will hasten to help us and say: "Look, I am here!"

+ Paternal Counsels – Elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona