To despond is also most foolish, for by the help of God’s grace the Christian can always change for the better if he wishes.
—St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
Category: DESPONDENCY
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Your depression mixed with dread is somehow unclear. What is wrong with you? You have everything in order, both at home and in your soul. You will overcome it; what should you do?! Pray to God and entrust your fate and that of everyone close to you to Him. This is the most reliable way to peace! You should have but one concern – to not do anything that would anger God. You will have firm hope and lasting peace from this.
—St Theophan the Recluse -
There are people who never turn to God and never pray. Suddenly their soul experiences melancholy, their spirit worry and their heart sorrow. Then they realize that in such unhappiness no-one can help them.
This is why they turn to God and say with a deep sigh: ‘Lord, have mercy upon me’ And the Lord hears them, although at first they only just sense divine Grace.
Later they experience it much more and feel relief.
—Venerable Nectarios of Optina -
We have seen that creative people are used to solitude, and we have explored some of the reasons for this. Instead of seeking friends in whom to confide, or counsellors to whom to tell their troubles, they use their gifts to come to terms with, and to make sense of, their sufferings. Once a work is completed, it can be shared with others; but the initial response to depression is to turn inward rather than outward.
Solitude, a Return to the Self
Anthony Storr -
Encouraging the depressed person to do something is a hazardous enterprise. It requires a delicate balance between being sympathetic and being robust. Too much sympathy may reinforce the depressed person’s belief in his helplessness and hopelessness. Too much active encouragement makes the depressed person feel that no one understands the depths of his despair.
Solitude, a Return to the Self
Anthony Storr -
Refrain from busying yourself, therefore, with charity bazaars, sewing meetings, and other such occupations. Busyness over many things is, in all its form, chiefly a poison. Look within, examine yourself accurately, and you observe that many of these apparently self-giving deeds spring from a need to deafen your conscience: that is, from your uncontrollable habit of satisfying and pleasure yourself.
Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth
Tito Colliander -
For what is denying oneself? He who truly denies himself does not ask, “Am I happy?” or, “Shall I be satisfied?” All such questions fall away form you if you truly deny yourself, for by so doing you have also given up your will for either earthly or heavenly happiness.
This obstinate will to personal happiness is the cause of unrest and division in your soul. Give it up and work against it: the rest will be give you without effort.
Way of the Ascetics: The Ancient Tradition of Discipline and Inner Growth
Tito Colliander -
Nothing is so insufferable to man as to be completely at rest, without passions, without business, without diversion, without study. He then feels his nothingness, his forlornness, his insufficiency, his dependence, his weakness, his emptiness. There will immediately arise from the depth of his heart weariness, gloom, sadness, fretfulness, vexation, despair.
—Blaise Pascal, Pensées -
I am not disturbed by the fact that there are joy and abundance everywhere throughout the world, while in myself alone there is often no gladness, so that I look morosely upon the gladness and freedom of God’s creatures. I have within me an executioner for my sins—he is ever with me, and strikes me. But there will be joys for me also, only not here, but in the other world.
—St. John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ
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“No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless. There is too much work to do.”
SO GOOD QUOTES 