Comfort for a pious soul innocently suffering dishonor

In the work of St. Tikhon of Zadonsky “Consolation of a pious soul innocently suffering dishonor” reveals the theological thought about the double punishment of God - eternal and temporary. Eternal punishment is reserved for wicked and unrepentant sinners, which cannot be avoided. Temporary punishment befalls pious people as a fatherly, merciful action emanating from love. The author emphasizes that the Lord punishes His faithful servants in order to have mercy on them in eternity. Saint Tikhon draws attention to the fact that even pious people are not without sin, and the path to eternal life is inevitably associated with sorrows. Suffering in earthly life is considered a necessary stage of spiritual formation and preparation for eternal bliss. The author argues that the more a godly soul endures reproach, reproach and slander in this world, the more glorified it will be in the next century. The saint calls to patiently endure all sorrows, not to take revenge on the offenders, but to pray for them according to the example of Christ, Who was “a reproach among men and humiliation among the people” (Ps. 21:7). There is a twofold punishment of God: eternal and temporary. Eternal punishment is prepared for the wicked, lawless and unrepentant sinners. They cannot avoid this, no matter how much they caress themselves. “He will bring down snares on sinners: fire, and brimstone, and a stormy spirit - their share is from the cup” (Ps. 10:6). Temporary punishment is suffered by people who are pious, God-fearing and trying to keep God’s commandments. And this punishment of God is Fatherly, merciful and comes from love. For it is thus written: “The Lord punishes whomever he loves; he beats every son whom he receives,” and so on (Heb. 12:6). So the Humane-loving Lord here humanely punishes His faithful servants in order to have mercy on them there, according to the apostolic word: “We are judged, we are punished by the Lord, so as not to be condemned with the world” (1 Cor. 11:32). Like the Father, He beats His children and corrects them in order to give them the inheritance of eternal life. For even the most pious people are not without sin. In the Revelation of John it is written about God's elect, whom he saw standing before the Throne of God: “These are they who came out of great tribulation” (Rev. 7:14). And in the Acts of the Apostles it is written: “through much tribulation you must enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:23, and in other places). You see that the sorrowful path leads to eternal life. So, endure here whatever happens, so as not to endure there, but, having received eternal life with those who have endured all sorrow and punishment here, cool down with them, be comforted and glorified in the kingdom of heaven. In the Proverbs of Solomon it is written: “Humiliation precedes glory, humility precedes glory” (Proverbs 18:33). That is, before the glory that will be given to those who live piously in the next century, they will experience humiliation, reproach, ridicule, reproach, reproach and slander in this world. So, to the extent that a pious soul here in this world endures reproach, reproach, slander, humiliation, slander and other evil, so much will it be glorified in the next century. Endure all reproach, reproach, slander and reproach with all meekness and silence, and do not take revenge either in deed or word on your slanderers and scolders, but first of all, pray for them according to the example of Christ. And so you will follow Christ, Who was mocked by the world, humiliated and dishonored, Who was “a reproach among men and humiliation among the people” (Ps. 21:7), and with Him you will be glorified in His kingdom. Then your temporary dishonor will be turned into eternal honor, your temporary dishonor - into eternal glory, humiliation - into praise, and all sorrow and slander - into eternal consolation and joy. Believe this and be strong, “trust in the Lord, be of good courage, and let your heart be strong, and trust in the Lord,” the Holy Spirit exhorts every suffering soul (Ps. 26:14).