SELF IS NOT A RELIABLE GUIDE...HENCE, FAITH

Blinding flash of the obvious: Faith is thank you that this is for my benefit in not needing to respond/top what I perceive as an attack...no matter how minor...or major.

Ah, faith is 'thank You' that this, i.e., everything, is for my benefit.

"This" that is for my benefit is a less-than to my reasoning mind's eye. Not needing to respond/top what I perceive as an attack, no matter how minor or major, is continuing spiritual growth. 

We have no physical/mental control over our upward growth, that is where all spiritual growth pays off...in faith a-borning. 

We do have control over impeding our upward growth...it is self-will. 

The mark of spiritual peace comes with the realization that not all self-will is detrimental. It is, however, spiritual growth that determines when, where and how self-will is called for. Self is not a reliable guide.

Faith accepts that we never stop our upward growth...even after death to this world, God is with us for our benefit. That relieves us of the material mind's worry about the way we die with all its self-centered hangers-on.

God is so good to me and thee and us...we. God is so good.

Thank you.