On boredom, despondency & laziness

Boredom is the grandfather of despondency, and laziness is the daughter.  In order to drive it away, exert yourself at work—do not be lazy at prayer.  Then, boredom will pass and grace will come.  And if you add patience and humility to this, you will spare yourself from much evil.
 

 



On a happy life

A continuously happy life produces extremely unhappy consequences. In nature we see that there are not always pleasant springs and fruitful summers, and sometimes autumn is rainy and winter cold and snowy, and there is flooding and wind and storms, and moreover the crops fail and there are famine, troubles, sicknesses and many other misfortunes. All of this is beneficial so that man might learn through prudence, patience and humility. For the most part, in times of plenty he forgets himself, but in times of various sorrows he becomes more attentive to his salvation. 

Living according to your own will

It is better to be a disciple of a disciple than to live according to your own will.  In the writings of the holy fathers they talk about this.  It is not shameful to obey the advice of your spiritual father, but rather salvific and indispensable; and he who does not listen to good advice will be punished.  

Wisdom from St. Ambrose of Optina

If we abandon our own desires and opinions, and endeavor to fulfill God's wishes and understanding, we will save ourselves, no matter what our position, no matter what our circumstance.  But, if we cling to our own desires and opinions, neither position nor circumstance will be of help.  Even in Paradise, Eve transgressed God's commandment, and life with the Savior Himself brought the unfortunate Judas no good.  As we read in the Holy Gospels, we require patience and an inclination to pious living. 

 

On enduring sorrows

 

 

If a person endures sorrows with submission to the will of God, while confessing his sins,

 

through this he will be delivered from the threat of eternal torments.

 

Therefore, it is better to endure troubles here, no matter how difficult they may be, casting your sorrow upon the Lord and praying to Him with humility, that He deliver us from faintheartedness and despair, which are worse than any other sins.  



 

  

All that will live godly in Christ...

On earth, everything is temporary, brief and transitory.  Soon everything will pass by, that which is pleasant and delightful, just as what is lamentable and sorrowful.  If we have chosen for ourselves the path of piety, then we must remember and not forget the words of the Apostle:  All that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution, (II Timothy 3:12)

On the spiritual life

Our life can be likened to a deep ditch, which in times of rain fills up so much that it cannot be crossed, and at other times it dries up and no water flows in it.  The Holy Fathers lauded the life that flows like a small stream which flows continually, never running dry.  This small stream is good because it is always easy to cross and because it is pleasing and healthy, its water being good for drinking since it flows peacefully and is never murky. 

 

Care for your soul

Each of us must mainly take care for himself, for his own soul, for his personal spiritual welfare, because according to the Apostle, each of us must give an account for himself to God.  Our confusion stems from the fact that we are inclined to educate others, and we try not only to persuade others, but also to dissuade, and to provide proof through various arguments.