When he was very young, he gave in to his parents’ wishes for him to be married but, as soon as the party was over, he ran away to follow his true vocation as a solitary hermit. His parents looked for him for days and, when they found him, they had to accept his wishes. Abraham gave his whole inheritance to the poor. Overcoming his resistance, the bishop ordained Abraham a priest and sent him to preach to a pagan city where he was insulted, attacked, and expelled several times. Each time, he returned there more enthusiastic. Eventually, the whole city converted and was baptized. He then returned to his solitude. In spite of all his sufferings, he was always joyful and healthy.

Are you depressed by difficulties? Do you lose your joy easily? How do you face confrontation and obstacles?