Болезнь

It rarely happens that a healthy soul lives in a healthy body, but for the most part, and almost always, in a weak one (see 2 Cor. 12:10). The health of the body opens doors for a person to many whims and sins, but the infirmity of the body closes it. A fierce and untrained horse goes berserk and often strives for its own destruction, but it restrains itself with the bridle, and beats, and suffers, and becomes depressed, and so becomes meek. Our flesh, through sickness and infirmity, is like a bridle, restrained, tamed, and submissive to the spirit. Oh, what great mercy God shows to those who are sick! He crushes his body so that the soul becomes healthy, he gives over the flesh to exhaustion, so that the spirit can be saved on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 5:5). The disease multiplies from impatience. Many pious people suffer from various diseases: some rot in wounds, others lie in relaxation, others dry up and their flesh melts away day by day, others are tormented by another disease. To everyone, no matter what their illness, the following, in my poor understanding, I offer consolation, which, suffering soul, apply to the ulcers of your sad heart. 1. Doctors suggest different causes for various diseases or ailments, but I, leaving this to their consideration, repeat what was said above, that is, that illness does not happen without God’s providence and is God’s paternal punishment with which He humbles us. Take comfort in this, that your illness is God’s fatherly punishment for you, with which your body is struck, so that your soul may recover and be saved. Your illness is for you, and not against you, although it is sorrowful to your flesh; and all punishment of the flesh is painful, but beneficial for the soul. If you endure your illness with gratitude, it will turn out for your good. 2. Many saints were sick and sick. Job was struck with a plague from head to toe and suffered (see Job 2:7-8). Timothy, the holy apostle, had frequent illnesses (see 1 Tim. 5 and 23). Lazarus lay covered in scabs and after death was carried by the Angels to Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:20,22). We also read in church history that many pious people suffered from various illnesses. And you endure illness with thanksgiving, so that you may share with them in the next century. 3. Although illness weakens the body, it strengthens the soul; it kills the body, but gives life to the soul; it corrupts the outer man, but renews the inner man. Even if our outer man is decaying, our inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). How is it updated? – He learns humility, patience, memory of death and from that zealous repentance, prayer, contempt for the world and worldly vanity. Who wants to be proud when sick? Who, seeing death approaching through illness, would desire honor, glory, wealth? Who fearlessly dares to sin, seeing the coming fear of God's judgment? When does a person pray more earnestly than during illness? Oh, illness, bitter but healthy medicine! Just as salt repels rottenness from meat and fish and does not allow worms to arise in them, so any disease preserves our spirit from the rottenness and corruption of sin and does not allow passions, like spiritual worms, to arise in us. Everyone knows this truth both in himself and in others. You see that although illness torments your flesh, it saves your spirit. 4. Remember how many, living in good health, became corrupt and perished. God, who is merciful through your illness, does not allow you to do this and wants to save you when you gratefully endure. Be patient and thank God who seeks your salvation. 5. Death will conclude your suffering. Although the disease will continue throughout life, it will end in death. The end of all our misfortune is death. With this, console yourself in your illness, that it will end, and from there you will move to eternal coolness, where you will forget all suffering. You will endure a little, but you will be forever comforted when you endure with thanksgiving. What is any long-term present suffering if not one small point in comparison with the eternal? And all the time from the creation of the world to the end is nothing more than a small point against eternity, especially one person’s life and age. Eternal suffering is scary, as it is cruel and endless, but temporary suffering is not scary, because it happens briefly and with coldness; There is no suffering here for which God would not give some consolation. For He knows our weakness, and for this reason He does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength (1 Cor. 10:13). Take into consideration time and eternity, temporary and eternal suffering, temporary consolation and eternal suffering, temporary suffering and eternal consolation - and your illness will be alleviated. Nothing eases grief more than the hope of relief from grief and eternal consolation. Soon there will be an end to everything: there will be an end to both temporary consolation and temporary suffering, and either coolness or eternal suffering will come. Death for everyone is the door to eternity, either blissful or unhappy, and it is already closer to you today than it was yesterday or the day before. And when he comes, he will put an end to your suffering, and you will move from temporary suffering to eternal coldness. You, dear sufferers, do not faint in your soul! Although your body is decaying, your holy souls are healed and receive their health. Even if our outer man is decaying, our inner man is being renewed day by day (2 Cor. 4:16). You and the beggar Lazarus suffer here, but with him you will inherit Abraham’s bosom (see Luke 16:22).