The state of sadness is the work of the devil – how do we get out of it?


– Father, why do I have blasphemous thoughts when I fall into sorrow?

‒ Listen, you'll see how it is. When the little girl sees you sad, she takes advantage of this and gives you a worldly "candy", a sinful thought. After you fall the first time, she leads you to greater sadness, and you no longer have the strength to resist. Therefore, you should never remain in a state of sadness; instead, do something spiritual to help you get out of it.

– Father, I am tormented a lot with some thoughts...

‒ They are from the devil. Calm down and don't give them importance. You are sensitive. The devil exploits your sensitivity, makes you examine some things too thoroughly. He sticks your mind there, and thus you torment yourself to no avail. He can bring you impure thoughts, for example, about the abbess or even about me. Don't give them importance. If you give a little importance to a blasphemous thought, it can torment you, it can crush you. You need a little good indifference. The devil usually torments with blasphemous thoughts the very pious and the very sensitive. He presents them with their faults greatly exaggerated to grieve them. And, if he does not succeed in driving them to despair so that they commit suicide, he at least tries to drive them crazy and make them useless. And if he cannot do this either, he is content to bring them at least a melancholy.

Venerable Paisios the Athonite

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Holy Sacrament of Confession and Communion with the Body and Blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ

Image
Although I am not a theologian, I chose to make a small post about the Holy Sacrament of Confession and the Communion with the body and blood of the Savior, Jesus Christ, in order to bring once again to mind their immense importance for our physical, but especially spiritual life. Before sacrificing Himself on the cross, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, instituted, at the Last Supper, the Eucharist, or the Communion with His body and blood: Matthew 26: 26-28 During the meal Jesus took some bread in his hands. He blessed the bread and broke it. Then he gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and eat it. This is my body.” Jesus picked up a cup of wine and gave thanks to God. He then gave it to his disciples and said, “Take this and drink it. This is my blood, and with it God makes his agreement with you. It will be poured out, so that many people will have their sins forgiven. Also, after His resurrection, Jesus gave the apostles the Holy Spirit and the power to forgive and retain peo...
Read more

Prayer - the key to another world

Image
Since I discovered prayer, I can say that I have found myself again, but not in any way, but much stronger. Prayer is the key to God's world, a world full of love, freedom, patience, mercy, forgiveness, hope, faith, and other wonderful qualities. A world in which I certainly want to live, as well as all those close to me (including those who are asleep), and not only (but since I am not the one who decides on behalf of others, all I can do is pray for them). This world of prayer is not an imaginary one, but one as concrete as possible. A world in which God, the Mother of God, and the saints listen to our prayers and, if they are useful to us, at the right time, they are also fulfilled. Prayers to the Mother of God and to the saints are intercessory prayers, in which we ask them to intercede for us before the Lord Jesus Christ, so that He, in His omniscience, may decide whether or not to fulfill the prayers addressed to Him by us. Prayer is the food of the soul. Also, with the help ...
Read more

Perseverance in the face of illness and in life

Image
Having experienced illness (in my case depression ) I can say that perseverance played an important role in getting me back to a somewhat normal level of living. Of course, in the face of illness we are all helpless. But also, God does not give us more than we can handle, and with His help, we can overcome everything. All we have to do is move forward, with our head first, having the hope that God is holding our hand and that He will break down any door that seems unopenable. By these doors, I mean the different stages of an illness, whatever it may be, or of some experiences or feelings in our lives. In my case, there were several doors that I felt I could no longer open, but I persevered, prayed, and tried endlessly, until the doors collapsed before me. Especially in the case of depression, the symptoms can be so strong that the sufferer can even commit suicide. That is why I maintain so loudly and strongly that we must cling with our whole being to God, Who is love and kindness, mer...
Read more