On war with the passions

Let us submit to God and humble ourselves, and the Lord will cover us, and we will be holy. But until we humble ourselves and accept God’s will, until we propitiate God—though we beat our heads against the floor doing prostrations—the passions will not diminish. 

 

Flee despair

 

Despair is a mortal sin.  Flee from it.  And believe in the Merciful God, our Mediatrix the Theotokos and the Saints.  They can do all things.  But it is absolutely necessary to humble oneself and be patient.  St. Anatoly of Optina

 

 

A reader wrote and inquired about the above:  why is despair was labeled a "mortal" sin?   Isn’t sin, sin?   

 

Here’s my reply:

 

I think the translator used the word “mortal” to emphasize the seriousness of the sin.  Yes, sin is sin, you are correct there.  However, despair can lead to suicide which is a “mortal” sin—the result being the taking of one’s own life.  That certainly is very serious in the eyes of God and His Church.

 

Despair often points to a giving up of hope, of faith in a loving God and in the mercy of God.  Those feelings can move a person to take their fate into their own hands.  May God grant that none of us fall into despair, but rather cling to the hem of His garment at all times.   

 

Pres. Candace

Wait on the Lord

Do not worry about and do not get angry at the members of your household.  You have come to God—wait on God.  He is more trustworthy than all the princes and the sons of man.  And do not be attracted to the present life.  If you are at peace—thank God, if you are grieved—again, thank God.  And always await the mercy of God. 

 

 

 

Possess your soul

 

In your patience possess ye your souls, (Luke 21:19).  Therefore, do not become weak and despair when you have the chance to possess your soul.  To possess your soul means to give it the significance and place which it was appointed by God. i.e., royal, like unto God, venerated, holy.  To not do this means to destroy your soul.  For what is  a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul? (Matt 16:26).  Therefore, always have in mind first the spiritual welfare of others, and then what is physically necessary: comforts, tranquility and, perhaps, time for relaxation. 

On faintheartedness

Every prudent person does not weep in advance, but he waits for whatever the Lord will send him.  And what the Lord sends—whether good or bad—he accepts with joy and strives to endure according to his strength.  But if he cannot endure—he repents for his faintheartedness.  But we become fainthearted beforehand; while still not seeing any misfortune or sorrow, we grieve before the sorrow ever comes.  Christian, live in a Christian manner.