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"Black streak". How does the Church feel about the streak of failures? How to support your husband?translated

September 10, 2026 · 1 min read

Reader question:

Hello! My husband often says that he has begun to experience a “dark streak”: at work (he has already found a new one, but works for a month and then moves on), the feeling that everything is falling out of hand, lack of finances, misunderstanding in the family. His condition greatly affects our relationship. I advised him to start with confession and communion, establish a relationship with God - it will become easier. But he said you need to be prepared. I go to church myself. How can I help him get in a spiritual mood? How does the Church relate to the “dark streak”?

Priest's answer:

Priest Victor NIKISHOV

God bless you!

What is sometimes called a “black streak” in the Orthodox tradition is called God’s permission or temptation. This is not a punishment, but a time when the Lord gives a person the opportunity to see his weak points, repent and turn to Him. Remember Job: he lost everything - children, health, wealth - but did not renounce God, and the Lord returned him twice as much.

The Church teaches that the “black streak” is not an accident or a curse, but a reminder of the wrong guidelines. A person left God, relied on himself, on work, on money, on luck - and suddenly all this collapses, showing that his support...

Source: Журнал ФОМА  ·  Read the full story →
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💬 Comments (1) 🌐 Show original
M
Michal Šimko
I've already experienced it when everything was falling out of my husband's hands and the money was running out. The example with Job always gets me, because he really didn't break. I would try to suggest that he go to the church at least once without much talk about "readiness", just stand by the candle. What do you think, Father Viktor?
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