During the time of Saint Teresa of Avila, religious devotion was both highly regarded and difficult. She benefited from the conveniences and comforts that came with her upbringing because she was born into a wealthy family. But as she grew older, her heart longed for spiritual contentment outside of the world.

She once had concerns about her capacity to withstand the trials of a life dedicated entirely to religious endeavors. She had a deep-seated desire to serve God completely, so the idea was unsettling. It seemed like an insurmountable barrier, as frightening and impossible as attempting to cross a huge ocean without a boat.

During this period of uncertainty, Teresa reflected on the difficulties that Christ had gone through. She understood that her own hardships paled in comparison to his misery. Furthermore, she thought she could conquer any obstacle with God's assistance. Despite her early reservations, this viewpoint gave her the strength to keep going in the direction she had chosen.

Saint Teresa gained a valuable lesson from this experience: even the biggest fears and doubts can be overcome with faith and tenacity. God fosters our spiritual development via hardships, much like a gardener tends to delicate seedlings until they are resilient enough to withstand the elements. By emulating Christ's selflessness and tenacity, we discover the inner strength to endure.

In addition to her works on Christian mysticism, Saint Teresa of Avila is regarded as a reformer who worked to revitalize the Carmelite Order. People all across the world are still motivated by her thoughts on faith, adversity, and tenacity.