Письмо 131

I sincerely rejoice that family peace is being established between you; thank the Lord for this and try to establish peace within yourself and with everyone. But unless you know yourself, what is in you, you cannot correct yourself; Do not be embarrassed by this, that the sea of ​​passions is agitated in you; it will subside, but not suddenly; you need to fight them, recognize your weakness, poverty and humble yourself. To humble yourself is not only in words, but it is a guarantee in your soul that you are bad; see your sins like the sand of the sea; when this happens, then know that your soul has begun to return to health. You feel zeal and say that: I have no condolences for sins; and you don’t see that you would please God; the feeling remains that you are bad; It’s impossible not to be sick about this. Remember how you used to dream about yourself, that you already had God’s love; but she is tempted by the nasty. Every good deed is either followed or preceded by temptation, so that it is stronger; for through temptation we acquire humility, and humility strengthens virtues: without it, not a single virtue can be firm, even love itself is closely associated with humility. You say: I rarely restrain my ardor; Having come to my senses, I ask the Creator for my forgiveness: therefore, it cannot be said that you do not regret your sins. I’ll tell you, in our opinion, simply about ardor: it is anger and rage that comes from pride, and not from nature; and moreover, because everything that she did before seemed good and she accepted praise, and sometimes reproach, and in everything she made up her own will and reason; That’s why they gained strength, now they need to be healed by the nasty ones. Read from St. Cassian on anger. The sinful hieromonk Macarius. November 16. You might be interested in: