Saints Barsanuphius and John. "Guidance Toward Spiritual Life: Answers to the Questions of Disciples.".
Letter 421.
Question: "When I am afflicted in regard
to something and am praying, if the ineffable goodness of God assists
me, my thought is elated as having been heard. So what should I do?"
Response. When you have been praying and
feel that your prayer has been heard, if indeed you are elated, it is
clear that you have neither prayed according to God nor have you
received the help of God, but rather the feeling that worked in you was
from the demons so that your heart might be elated. For whenever
assistance comes from God, the soul is never elated; instead, it is
always humbled.
The soul will be amazed at how the great
mercy of God condescends to show mercy on sinners, who are unworthy and
who always irritate him. And that soul offers exceeding thanks to his
glorious and ineffable goodness; for he has not handed us what accords
with our sins, but rather, in his great forbearance, he shows
long-suffering and mercy. And so the soul is no longer elated, but [only
trembles] and gives glory.
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