Борьба (брань) невидимая

Every step in our invisible struggle is marked by feat, marked by suffering, sprinkled with the sweat of intensified violence against oneself. Now we win, now we are conquered; then there is hope for the breaking of captivity, then again we see that our chains are strong, not in the least weakened by the means with which we thought to weaken them. We are overthrown by natural weakness, and weakness of will, and the darkening of the mind caused by a former sinful life, and the disorder of the heart, which has acquired vicious habits, and the desires of the body, which has tasted bestial pleasures and is infected with their lust; Fallen spirits are attacking us, wanting to keep us enslaved. This is the narrow and regrettable path, covered with thorns, along which prayerful crying before God leads a sinner to reconciliation with God, facilitated by deeds of repentance, deeds of humility, fulfillment of the Gospel commandments, inspired by the fear of God. Be brave, fight courageously, steadfastly, persistently. Out of laziness, do not betray victory to the enemy. After defeat, don’t be discouraged, pick up your sword again and go to battle! Ulcers received in battle are the goals of repentance. Here is a regulation for invisible mental warfare. To whom the Lord wants to bestow spiritual success, he allows warfare. Mental temptation crushes and pacifies a person, like a horse - a race on the line. The winner is allowed entry to the supper of grace. And he enters and eats and enjoys the supper of his Lord, like a warrior at the king’s feast, a warrior who has proven his devotion to the king by constancy, courage, the very wounds, and victory. Without God's help and grace, none of the people is strong enough to resist the invisible struggles that arise in his heart and produce a spiritual storm. Prayer and reading the Word of God help in spiritual storms, but even with this help, it will not be long before a person copes with himself, will not soon ascend to the haven of indestructible calm, because it is not soon that thoughts and Divine sensations are assimilated to our fallen nature, it is not soon that faith becomes alive, as if seeing God with the eyes. From living faith in God comes complete submission to God, and from submission to God comes peace of mind and tranquility of the heart. You might be interested in: