"Evidently He Thinks We Are Sufficiently Prepared for It"

In 1917, after her husband was forced to abdicate and her family was placed under house arrest, Tsarina Alexandra wrote to her friend: 

"It is necessary to look more calmly on everything. What is to be done? Once He sent us such trials, evidently He thinks we are sufficiently prepared for it. It is a sort of examination--it is necessary to prove that we did not go through it in vain. One can find in everything something good and useful--whatever sufferings we go through--let it be. He will give us force and patience and will not leave us. He is merciful. It is only necessary to bow to His wish without murmur and await--there on the other side He is preparing to all who love Him indescribable joy.... 

"I believe strongly the bad will pass and there will be clear and cloudless sky. But the thunderstorm has not passed yet and therefore it is stifling--but I know it will be better afterwards. One must have only a little patience--and is it really so difficult? For every day that passes quietly I thank God" (The Romanov Royal Martyrs, pg. 279).