He finally broke out of it by deciding that regardless of whether he made it to heaven, the right thing to do was still to serve God on earth. Upon offering up this prayer, the spiritual malaise lifted immediately, but it forever marked Francis' ministry, making him unusually empathetic toward tormented souls. He eventually earned a doctorate in both law and theology. His first post was in Geneva and the surrounding areas, the hotbed of Calvinism. Religious disputes in those days were violent and brutal, sometimes even deadly.
Love is a stronger power over souls.
His good work of evangelism was duly noted, and Francis was consecrated Bishop, about ten years after being ordained a priest. A prolific writer, Francis' best known work is Introduction to a Devout Life, which was written in 1609. Letters to Persons in the World. At that time, most books on prayer and the spiritual life were written by monks and nuns for monks and nuns.