266. Помыслам высокоумия противопоставляй помыслы смиренномудрия. Вся наша земная жизнь должна проходить в борьбе со злом

You ask how to make yourself count as nothing. Thoughts of arrogance come, and it is impossible for them not to come. But you must resist them with thoughts of humility, as you do, remembering your sins and various shortcomings. Continue to do so. And always remember that our entire earthly life must be spent in the fight against evil. In addition to considering your shortcomings, you can also be humble: “I have nothing good of mine, and I don’t have any advantages of my own. My body is not mine, it was created by God in my mother’s womb. The soul was given to me from the Lord. Therefore, all mental and physical abilities are gifts of God. And my property is only my countless sins, with which I have daily angered and anger the mercy of the Lord. What should I be vain and proud of after this? “Nothing.” And with such reflections, prayerfully ask for mercy from the Lord. In all sinful inclinations, there is only one cure - sincere repentance and humility. You might be interested in: