Письмо 264

You write that you still do not have the strength to tear yourself away from the cares of life, and you are wandering on a stormy sea, in a boat of temptations, grieving your soul about this; To this end, let me tell you that it is impossible to avoid temptations and sorrows, no matter where you are, and no matter what kind of life you go through, whether civil, public, or solitary, removed from society: when we try to fulfill the commandments of God, waves of temptations rise up against us from all sides; the world, the flesh and the devil prevent this; but Christ’s spiritual warriors do not fear them, they have a trustworthy and skillful helmsman, Jesus Christ; in great distress they come to Him and cry out: Lord, save us, we are perishing (Matthew 8:25)! And they receive His all-powerful help. Through sorrows and temptations we recognize our weakness, we humble ourselves, and then we gain God’s help; one godly man wrote that every good deed is either preceded or followed by temptation (Abba Dorotheos); and without this it will not be strong; then, apparently, it is impossible to avoid sorrows in any way, and one must submit to the will of God. If you see that the care and rumors of the world, with all your efforts, are plunging the boat of your soul into the depths of the sea, then pray to the Lord: tell me, Lord, the way in which I will go, for I have taken my soul to You (Ps. 142:8), and He, of course, will enlighten you and lead you to the quiet refuge that your soul thirsts for, and will disperse the darkness from worldly vain cares, darkening her. I have not had any information from N. N. for a long time, but I heard that God saved his property from the fire. Our Fr. L. is in very poor health, he shows his respects to you, as does Fr. And.... Asking for you and your entire family the peace and blessing of God, with my deepest respect I have the honor to wish for your health and salvation and an unworthy pilgrim, the many-sinful I.M. September 9, 1841. You might be interested in: