Sometimes you will not be able to find an explanation for the way you feel: your soul is full but your life is hollow. This contradiction has a very simple explanation – because of the strong will of finding God and the obstacles that prevent us from it, meaning vanity, our flesh, our enslaved senses, the lack of love for God, the absence of the things requested by Him, through which His disciples differ from the rest and through which He is glorified.

Briefly, for now, you still have more wish and longing than working love, more determination than acts, your soul is full but your life is hollow.

This explanation is not meant to diminish your struggles, but to show you the difference between one thing and the other. Do not worry, go on with the improvement of yourself and pray as much as possible to our Lord Jesus Christ. Do not be cheap with anyone in showing them your love – one of the most important things you will need on the path towards the One Who is Himself love.

(St. Innocent of Penza, Viața care duce la Cer, traducere de Adrian Tănăsescu-Vlas, Editura Sophia, București, 2012, pp. 85-86)