Do not be troubled by afflictions

Hieromartyr Varlaam, Archbishop of Perm (+1942)

 

 

Afflictions and infirmities are sometimes difficult (for example, warfare of fornication, carnal feelings, bleeding, and the like), but they are permitted by God for our salvation; they lead to humility, to the awareness of one’s own sinfulness, they compel one to fear sin and to think about the salvation of the soul. Afflictions, even, for example, warfare of fornication, are not counted as sin if they arise apart from our will. They must be endured with humility, as a cross: do not murmur, but give thanks, because for patience God will give a crown and salvation. Without afflictions and patience there will be neither crown nor salvation.

Do not lose heart if you bear infirmities and afflictions; do not become irritated. Through them you will receive eternal profit. So endure them with thanksgiving, and do not regard the vexation and impatience that arise in you as your own, but attribute them to the demon, who through them strives to deprive you of the crown.

Do not seek tears in prayer, and do not look back too much at past and confessed sins, if this leads you into despondency and shakes your hope in the mercy of God. This too is a snare of the enemy: looking back disquiets a man and makes the path forward toward God more difficult. Not without reason did the Lord say: “No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). And the Angel forbade Lot and his wife to look back at Sodom and Gomorrah. Look forward, and cast the past upon the mercy of God. Concern yourself with the acquisition of prayer, humility, patience, remembrance of death, and love for your neighbors, and do not rummage through the former dirty laundry, once it has been effaced by confession and washed clean by contrition.

Do not trust your own mind; do not converse with demons through thoughts, but occupy yourself with work or prayer. The main thing is to serve your neighbor for God’s sake and as the Lord Himself: bring him peace, direct him toward what is good, pray for him—and thus you yourself will more quickly be delivered from the passions by the grace of God.

If you have sinned in anything, again, do not be troubled and do not lose heart: cry out to God from the heart with repentance—and the sin is forgiven (tell it in confession), and be at peace in your soul; by this you will gladden the Lord. “Acquire the spirit of peace, and thousands around you will be saved,” said Venerable Seraphim of Sarov.

 

Russian source: Господь не осудит смиренного: наставления преосвященного старца / архиеп. Варлаам (Ряшенцев), Parish of the Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, 2016.