We must not despair when we struggle and continuously see nothing but the slightest progress. We all do nearly nothing — some a little more, some a little less.
When Christ sees our little effort, He gives us an analogous token; and so our “nearly nothing” becomes valuable, and we can see a little progress. For this reason we must not despair, but hope in God.
Elder Paisios
20th Century Staretz of Mt. Athos
