If whatever we go through, we take it the right way and see it as a blessing from God –because indeed it is a blessing– we will feel so differently! We will feel that, while we are walking together with Christ to Calvary, we are already in paradise!
If we find Christ, if we believe and follow him, if we start beginning to see what the truth is like, then, no matter what life brings, will be like tidings of great joy. Whatever happens to us in this life can only bring good to us in Christ. Without Christ, life is tyrannical, hellish.
We often feel miserable, because we think we lack this or that. We lack nothing, but even if we may lack a few things, we shouldn’t be feeling miserable. Let us say: “Dear God, you are ahead of the game, you outmaneuvered me again and I am grateful for that. I was not at all in the mood to deprive myself of certain pleasures. But you have outstripped me and allowed for things to happen in such a way, that these pleasures have been taken away from me. Thank you, my God. I am grateful to you”.
And all this feels like a feast. It is like another blessing.
Holy Hesychasterion “The Nativity of Theotokos” Publications.
Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos
