St. Kosmas Aitolos on God paying more attention to our thoughts than our actions.

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You’re probably heard the old saying, “It’s the thought that counts.” We’re told this when we tried to do something good, but were unable to do so.

St. Kosmas Aitolos says, “When we fulfill the commandments in our outward actions, we receive from the Lord what is appropriate; but any real benefit we gain depends on our inward intention.”
He further explains, “If we want to do something but cannot, then before God, who knows our hearts, it is as if we have done it. This is true whether the intended action is good or bad.”

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