In the case of physical illness, even if doctors tell us it is beyond hope, we do all we can to save the body. But on the other hand, when it comes to the spirit and its maladies, for which recovery is never beyond reach, we plunge into despair as if there is nothing we can do. Focusing on your spirit more than your body will save both; focusing on just the body will cause you to lose both.
ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
ON REPENTANCE & DEFEATING DESPAIR
Letters to Theodore
Category: FEAR
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A person who has no longsuffering falls in anxiety, annoyance and disturbance. He becomes worried and loses his inner peace.
Such a person will be always anxious, looking at his watch every minute and every moment. He may also be rash and do himself much harm. Such an impatient person may in his rashness take decisions or actions haphazardly, like one who thinks God has not responded to his prayers and so swears never to enter the church, as if protesting against God!
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit -
In order to have peace and confidence, one can remind himself of God’s protecting power.
Trust that God exists, and that He works for you. Trust that every problem has a solution, and God has many solutions; for what is impossible with people is possible with God. Even more, all things are possible to him who believes (Mk 9: 23).
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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A spiritual person, on whose heart peace reigns, never fears death.
Leading a righteous life removes fear of death from one’s heart. Being ready with such righteousness, a person would rather desire death because it will bring him to the communion of Christ, of angels and of saints.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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Some may feel afraid of death, or of a disease leading to it.
So, when such a person is attacked by a disease, he will be dispirited and will imagine the utmost danger from that disease.
Some physicians fall in this fear! Also some people fear infection and take unusual means for protection!
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit -
Others fear failure:
Whenever such a person thinks of doing some business, he fears it may fail or face hindrances, plotting of competitors, or dishonesty of partners. If he is poor he fears becoming needy, and if rich fears robbery, and in all cases he keeps afraid.
Some people fear dangers.
If such a person takes an aeroplane he fears some calamity would happen, and he remembers such things published in newspapers. In any means of transportation he is in fear of accidents. All dark memories come to his mind in this respect and this makes him always afraid.
There is a type of people who fear their own weakness.
Such person fears his inability, his forgetfulness, his weakness before the power of his competitors or adversaries, and his inability to withstand. This makes him lose his self-confidence, the spirit of bravery, and the power to take an initiative. The image of inability and failure is always before his eyes. He even fears sin and feels unable to resist it.
Such fear causes a person confusion, disturbance and trouble, and may paralyze his ability to work.
It will have a bad effect on his soul and nerves. Fear will appear on his features, on his looks, on his voice and on his movements. He will tremble, become pale, and his heart beats increase. Everybody will see his fear which appears in his behavior, his hesitation, his inability to take decisions, and his seeking protection.
Fear may lead some to dejection. They put before them the words, “anyone who finds me will kill me.” (Gen 4: 4). A spiritual person, on the other hand, does not fear, but peace reigns over his heart, giving him confidence.
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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He was afraid, like children, of a whim, of something
that has no existence.
The child’s mind invents fearful notions, and he becomes afraid of things like darkness, imagining things hidden in it. He may also fear a robber that does not exist in fact, or demons where is none actually. They are whims invented by his frightened heart. The child sometimes fears being alone with no-one protecting him from an unknown danger, so he cries and weeps with no reason except fear.
Such fears may continue with some even when they
grow up.
We find, therefore, some students fear exams and imagine the exams will be difficult, or at least the correction will be hard. Others fear an interview for a job, thinking they would fail!—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
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One may feel afraid from some people though they do not think of doing him any harm at all.
King Saul, for instance, used to be afraid of David, and pursued him everywhere to kill him, though David never thought of doing him harm. Even when Saul was in his hand, and David had the opportunity to kill him, and his followers advised him to do so, nevertheless David said, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”.
‘And David rebuked his servants and did not allow them to rise against Saul (1 Sam 24: 6, 7). And see what David said to the king, “After whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom do you pursue? A dead dog? A flea?” These words made Saul lift up his voice and weep and say to David, “You are more righteous than I.” (1 Sam 24: 14, 16).
—H.H. Pope Shenouda III, Fruits of the Spirit
SO GOOD QUOTES 