St. Ignatius once had a hot-tempered novice, to whom he often said: "My son, conquer this temperament of yours, and you will have in Heaven a more resplendent crown than many who are gentle by nature."

The young man took these words to heart, and strove to overcome his fiery nature. It would take a lot of effort for him to have the same self-control as shown by some of his companions, and that change was slow in coming. Finally, the Father in charge of that group of Jesuits, when talking to Ignatius, accused that novice of being obstinate.

Now Ignatius was also born hot-blooded. But he so conquered and changed himself by the grace of God, that everyone thought him to be even-tempered by nature. This change had only come with much time and hard work.

So the saint knew from his own experience the stages of self-mastery, and how much work it takes before anyone sees a difference. He also knew the particular novice well enough to see whether he was really applying himself or not.

In reply to the Father’s accusation against this young man, Ignatius replied, "Not so, for I believe he has made more improvement in a few months, than such a one, who is naturally gentle, in a year."

As the spiritual director, and one who knew the novice in question quite well, St. Ignatius did not judge him according to how well he had acquired docility. He judged him by how hard had he pursued docility. And so it is with God. He knows exactly what it costs anyone to be virtuous. People who are hot-blooded are not more challenged than the gentle - they simply have different challenges. And when each of us finds ourselves with our own challenge to a particular virtue, we must learn, like St. Ignatius’ fiery novice, that it is our effort that wins favor in God’s eyes. For each one of us, facing the challenges that God has placed before us is how we will glorify God and, with His help, become the wonderful saints we are destined to be.