Слово 88. Об изменении света и тьмы, какое бывает в душе во всякое время, и об уклонении ее к десным или шуим

Let us look, beloved, into our souls during prayer: is there contemplation in us when reading verses containing teaching and prayer? It is a consequence of true silence. And while we are in darkness, let us not be embarrassed, especially if the reason for this is not ours. Attribute this 680 to the Providence of God, acting for reasons known to the One God. For at other times our soul languishes and is, as it were, among the waves - and whether a person reads Scripture, or performs a service, and in whatever work he undertakes, he accepts darkness after darkness. Such a person moves away (from a peaceful dispensation), and is often not allowed to even approach it; and does not believe at all that there will be a change (for the better) and that there will be a change (again) in the world. This hour is filled with despair and fear; hope in God and the consolation of faith in Him completely leave the soul; and she is completely filled with doubt and fear. Those who have endured temptation in this wave of this hour know from experience what change will follow when it ends. But God does not leave the soul in this state for the whole day, because it would lose Christian hope; on the contrary, it will soon create an “overflow” (1 Cor. 10:13). If the alarming state of this obscuration continues longer, then soon expect a change in life from its environment 681. And I will offer you, man, and give advice: if you do not have the strength to control yourself and fall on your face in prayer, then cover your head with your mantle and sleep until this hour of darkness passes for you, but do not leave your church. Those who wish to lead an intelligent life and in their journey seek the consolation of faith are especially exposed to this temptation. Therefore, this hour torments and tires them most of all with doubts of the mind; This follows with the force of blasphemy, and sometimes doubt about the resurrection and something else comes to a person, which we should not even be told about. We have learned all this many times through experience and, to the consolation of many, we have described this struggle. Those who are engaged in bodily affairs are completely free from these temptations. A different despondency comes upon them, known to everyone, and in its effect it is different from these and similar temptations. Health and healing (of those who suffer from it) are exuded by silence. This is a consolation for him! In communication with others, he never accepts the light of consolation, and this despondency is not cured by human conversations, but is lulled to sleep for a while, and after that it rises up against the person with greater force. And he needs an enlightened person who has experience in this, who would enlighten him and strengthen him in any case in time of need, but not always. Blessed is he who endures this without leaving the door 682. For after this, as the fathers say, he will achieve great peace and strength. However, this struggle does not end in one hour or soon, and grace does not suddenly come in fullness and settle in the soul, but gradually, and from it the first 683 is born: temptation at time and consolation at time; and in this state man remains until his departure. And in order to become completely alien to this and be completely comforted, let us not even hope for this here. For God has deigned that our life here should be arranged this way and that those who walk this path should remain in this 684. To him be glory forever and ever! Amen. That is, sometimes in temptation, sometimes in consolation. You might be interested in: