The 5th step.

The 4th step. Life is dificult

M. Scott Peck, M.D. in his book The Road Less Traveled opens by saying...

Life is difficult.

Yes, this may seems a bit silly but at it deepest meaning it is insight worth embracing.  In the fourth step of humility, Benedict calls on us to recognize that we will be confronted by...

...difficult, unfavorable, or even unjust conditions, where our hearts must quietly embrace suffering, and endure it without weakening or seeking escape.

On first reading, this may seem so foreign, so unrealistic – that we must even remotely consider accepting such conditions. But in time, we will realize one of the most important lessons of life – it really isn't all about us.

We frequently cling to our own ways, refusing to confront and accept the reality of life. But there are a great many essential and positive lessons to be learned from these trials.  They are not to be ignored.

Sister Joan reminds us that in this degree of humility, we must hold on when things do not go our way, for we must learn to...

...withstanding the storms of life rather than having to flail and flail agaist the wind and, as a result, lose the opportunity to control ourselves when there is nothing else in life we can control.

Yes, yes, I understand.  This is so easy to say.  But we must persist!  We must persevere!  We must endure!  We must learn to live this life for Him!  It really is not all about us.