His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the real issue is not the circumstances, but how a person looks at them. One person sees with a white, faith-filled view, and another sees with a black, dark view that leads to distress and loss of peace.

🔹 1. The spiritual effect of one’s outlook

• Circumstances are the same for everyone, but it is the way of looking that creates joy or fatigue.

• The white view is based on faith in God’s working hand, even if unseen.

• The black view leads the person to despair and closes all doors before him.

🔹 2. Dealing with problems

• Everyone faces problems, but some see them as impossible and fall into fear.

• While the believer sees the problem as a chance for spiritual experience and trust in God’s intervention.

• What troubles a person is not the problem, but his inner reaction toward it.

🔹 3. Biblical and spiritual examples

• Peter and Judas: both fell, but the white view led Peter to repentance, while the black view destroyed Judas.

• Adam and the devil: both looked at what they lacked and ignored God’s gifts.

• Christ Himself always saw the white point in every person.

🔹 4. The outlook toward people and life

• Whoever looks for the good in others finds love and peace.

• Whoever sees only faults lives as a harsh critic, complaining, aggressive, and full of suspicion.

• Many psychological troubles arise from the black view: doubt, fear, depression, and the feeling of persecution.

🔹 5. The power of hope and faith

• The white view is tied to the virtue of hope which turns darkness into light.

• Hope gives the ability to encourage others and bring joy into their hearts.

• Even death is not seen with fear, but with hope in the resurrection and eternal life.

🔹 6. A practical call to live with joy

• God can transform ruin into beauty, as in the beginning of creation.

• You must lift your eyes above the problem and trust God’s arrangement.

• “Rejoice in the Lord always” — joy is God’s gift for those who look through the eyes of faith.

For better translation support, please contact the center.