Spiritual Life and Troubles
Question:
As I drew closer to God, trials, troubles, and tribulations increased in my life until I became weary of life and grew tired of it. I found no way out except to distance myself from God so that I might rest, like other people who have distanced themselves from Him! What does it mean that God is taking this attitude toward me?
Answer:
When you walk along God’s path and your spiritual life grows, the devils become envious of you and try to turn you away from God’s path through such troubles as those you encounter.
If you distance yourself from God and abandon the spiritual path, you will have fulfilled Satan’s desire, and he will have defeated you in the battle.
Listen to the words of the Apostle: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
If troubles arise against you, be patient and increase your good works even more. Then Satan will despair of defeating you when he sees that the troubles are producing the opposite result. He will leave you and look for another means.
Trust that grace will stand by your side, support you, and grant you victory. Thus, Satan will despair of you, instead of your despairing of God’s mercies. God’s patience and His not intervening to rescue you when the troubles first begin are intended to test your heart and the extent of your attachment to Him.
Do not think that those who have distanced themselves from God live in comfort.
Within them, their conscience troubles them, and they find no rest. In eternity, they will live in perpetual distress. On earth, too, sin leads to many troubles. And if there is any rest, it is a false rest.
Trust that every hardship endured for the Lord has its reward, here on earth and there in heaven, where each person will receive his reward according to his labor (1 Corinthians 3).
The story of the rich man and poor Lazarus gives us a clear picture of this subject. The Lord Jesus Christ told us, “In the world you will have tribulation.” But He promised us that even the hairs of our heads are numbered. He also promised us His many consolations and that He would lead us in His triumphal procession.
You must also understand well that your troubles do not come from God, but from Satan, who envies you. Our teacher, the Apostle James, says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’” (James 1:13).
Will you, then, abandon God, who has not troubled you, and join Satan, who has troubled you? Would you be like someone who makes enemies of his friends and friends of his enemies?!
Therefore, endure, receive the blessing of hardship and its crown, and trust that God will give you rest, for He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Say to yourself: What are my troubles compared with the suffering endured by the saints and martyrs for the Lord?!
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III — Al-Keraza Magazine, Ninth Year, Issue 49, December 8, 1978.
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