Success
His Holiness Pope Shenouda speaks about the meaning of true success which brings joy to the individual and to those around him — the family, the church and the heavens — because the hand of God with a person makes every work he undertakes bear fruit. True success is not merely an external appearance, but an inner success: in the heart, the will, and the relationship with God.
Biblical and historical examples
The Pope cites examples from the Holy Bible and spiritual figures (Joseph and his companion, David, Nehemiah, the Apostle Paul, Athanasius the Apostolic) to prove that a person can succeed in every circumstance when the hand of the Lord is with him, and that success can appear in different roles — son, servant, prisoner, minister or apostle.
Enduring afflictions and inner steadfastness
He affirms that success depends on the steadfastness of the soul before trials: not to collapse from within, to have a strong soul, certain of God’s help, not dominated by despair or fear. True success appears in confronting problems and standing firm before conspiracies and afflictions.
Difference between Godly success and wicked success
He warns that the success of the wicked is often false and temporary and achieved by wrong means, while the success of God’s children is based on God’s blessing and obedience and righteous work. The believer must not envy the wicked’s success because their end is usually bad or transient.
Spiritual and practical components of success
He emphasizes practical and spiritual elements for success: God’s blessing and adherence to the commandments, striving and diligent work, avoiding laziness, patience, endurance, and self-control. He also mentions the importance of inner strength and a calm soul and steady nerves.
Practical conclusion
The Pope calls the listener to keep a pure heart from within and trust in his Lord, and to consider that the beginning is less important than the ending — “what matters is how it ends” — for the believer may suffer but will succeed at last by grace.
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