Why is faith so difficult for man to achieve? Whence these doubts and periods of falling away? Why does faith at times withdraw from us completely, though we would give everything to retain it? First, this is a direct temptation of the devil. It would be extraordinary if we were not so tempted when something essential to us is involved. Secondly, we often want and expect a proof; this means a retreat from the heroism of faith and a search for direct knowledge. And yet, each of us has an experience of faith, however small, an experience of its life-giving effect on us; and to this experience we must hold fast.

- Fr. Alexander Elchaninov, The Diary of a Russian Priest