Going insane

Hermit76 · Jun 22, 2018

I know we're supposed to keep a positive view on things, but recently I've been feeling like St. Paisios,

"What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word."

It seems that the world is going insane. Christianity is an entertainment based, individualist, secular institution. People can't even discern their own God given identity. We are all being pulled into the darkness.

I think of my own journey to Orthodoxy and how long and difficult that it was and I wonder how anyone can escape when they're so deceived.

Then I realize that many days I'm losing the fight. How do we escape? Do we need to forsake everything? How with a family and job?

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus

Kevin Snow · Jun 22, 2018

Yes.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. ~Matthew 10:37-39

Pack your bags for exile. America's destruction is written of in scripture and my book proves it to be the case:

The Sounding of the Horn, an Ebook by Kevin Snow

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“Paisios” · Jun 22, 2018

Hermit76 said:
"What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word."

Thank you for sharing this quote from St. Paisios. I found it very helpful and surprisingly comforting.

FineLinen · Jun 22, 2018

Hermit76 said:
I know we're supposed to keep a positive view on things, but recently I've been feeling like St. Paisios,

"What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word."

It seems that the world is going insane. Christianity is an entertainment based, individualist, secular institution. People can't even discern their own God given identity. We are all being pulled into the darkness.

I think of my own journey to Orthodoxy and how long and difficult that it was and I wonder how anyone can escape when they're so deceived.

Then I realize that many days I'm losing the fight. How do we escape? Do we need to forsake everything? How with a family and job?

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus

FineLinen · Jun 22, 2018

Please turn on your sound

archer75 · Jun 22, 2018

I find it hard to even think of myself as a Christian.

But it does seem there's a fairly ancient distinction between monastics and layfolk. Not the same calling.

LaSorcia · Jun 22, 2018

archer75 said:
But it does seem there's a fairly ancient distinction between monastics and layfolk. Not the same calling.

Both the Contemplative and the Active have places in this world. We are both needed. One is not better than the other.

ArmyMatt · Jun 22, 2018

Hermit76 said:
I know we're supposed to keep a positive view on things, but recently I've been feeling like St. Paisios,

"What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word."

It seems that the world is going insane. Christianity is an entertainment based, individualist, secular institution. People can't even discern their own God given identity. We are all being pulled into the darkness.

I think of my own journey to Orthodoxy and how long and difficult that it was and I wonder how anyone can escape when they're so deceived.

Then I realize that many days I'm losing the fight. How do we escape? Do we need to forsake everything? How with a family and job?

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus

go to Church, pray, remember that Christ has the last word, and keep up your labor, as that is what Christ's followers will be doing when He returns.

ttcmacro · Jun 22, 2018

I'm in California at the moment....I'm really feeling the same way.

Hermit76 · Jun 22, 2018

ArmyMatt said:
go to Church, pray, remember that Christ has the last word, and keep up your labor, as that is what Christ's followers will be doing when He returns.

That's the problem Father, my works currently feel like chaff. It's not really guilt, but an awareness. I just had the thought, "I'm doing very little to prepare for my death." The world is very seductive and deceptive. For a while I've been blaming it on being a new convert. Maybe it's time to walk past that designation.

gurneyhalleck1 · Jun 22, 2018

I find it very hard to pray much of the time. Half the time these days I feel like I'm just saying the same things over and over, and there are days I question if I'm talking to myself or if God is listening. But ultimately I look around me, go to liturgy, do a little reading, and wake myself out of my cobwebbed stupidity. Right now I'm having a tough time praying. I'm a bit sick of the folks with whom I go to church also. I'm in a bit of a spiritual rut. It doesn't help that my wife has started a 6-day 12-hour/day night shift run. I'm on summer vacation from work, and I still get the blues. Not sure why sometimes. I guess it's just being human.

Doing little to prepare for your death? JOIN THE CLUB. I think a lot of us need a lot, and some of the folks who make it 'seem' like they're really investing in their death preparedness are putting on an act.

Hang in there, bud. God bless us both!

Hermit76 said:
That's the problem Father, my works currently feel like chaff. It's not really guilt, but an awareness. I just had the thought, "I'm doing very little to prepare for my death." The world is very seductive and deceptive. For a while I've been blaming it on being a new convert. Maybe it's time to walk past that designation.

ArmyMatt · Jun 23, 2018

Hermit76 said:
That's the problem Father, my works currently feel like chaff. It's not really guilt, but an awareness. I just had the thought, "I'm doing very little to prepare for my death." The world is very seductive and deceptive. For a while I've been blaming it on being a new convert. Maybe it's time to walk past that designation.

since the labor is your labor for the Church, it's not on us to worry about how it looks. so it might feel like chaff, but in the eyes of God it might not be. trust that He will make use of whatever you are doing.

if you want to prepare for death, I suggest paying close attention to the prayer right before communion next time.

~Anastasia~ · Jun 23, 2018

I'm not sure we are "supposed to keep a positive view" ... unless you mean that we know God wins in the end, and we don't sink into total despair over our own salvation.

With that said, I'm a generally joyful person. Maybe it's somewhat genetic. (I don't know - I wasn't as a child.) Sometimes I think I simply cocoon myself and focus on whatever brings joy. Yes, the world looks like it's being flushed down the toilet, though bright spots and beacons of doing truly good things shine out there sometimes. But I don't think we have to forcefully be happy. Some of the Saints didn't seem to be (though by and large they are a pretty joyful lot?).

As to our works being chaff? Well I guess it depends on our motivation? If we do what we do out of love for God and others, then I think that's all we really need to worry about? Very often it's the work of the Holy Spirit we try not to stand in the way of - but without Him nothing could be done. His work isn't chaff? But sometimes people turn away, at least that we know and can see. Anyway, I don't think it's outcomes we need worry about. Just our faithfulness and love.

As far as personal spiritual development - ugh. I struggle with that one a lot. I think we all do? If it seems totally effortless is when I think maybe we need to worry - most of the time I think maybe that's due to pride or not really caring or not truly knowing our state and so on. I mean we get these easy and lofty seasons but they always pass and we spend time in the day to day struggle that seems to be what tests us and sharpens us? And I think that IS preparing for death - at least a little, though better to listen to Fr Matt and ask your own priest about that.

I think we all have things to work on. We are not perfected. So it makes sense that we have struggles as God helps bring us through these things. It's not for nothing. Our job is to cooperate with Him. And we learn even from failures. Myself very much so, since humility is a treasure I wish I could attain. Struggles and failures help teach it - slowly in my case.

I'm just rambling here. Trying to be of help because I want to be. But in reality I don't know much what I'm talking about. Especially as it applies to someone else.

Prayers, and God be with you.

Lukaris · Jun 23, 2018

There is good & bad within & without us. I try to direct my love, faith, & hope in prayer & alms giving ( 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 ). Without God I could love no one & I am pathtic still but the Lord tells us to love Him & neighbor by keeping His commandments ( John 13:34, John 15:1-10 etc.). I actually find much solace in contemplating the salvation of non Christians & that God will not foresake anyone ( John 5:22-30 , Philippians 4:8 ). I also remember the fear of the Lord ( Romans 11:22 ).

gurneyhalleck1 · Jun 23, 2018

Lovely sentiments and very Christian....love it

Lukaris said:
There is good & bad within & without us. I try to direct my love, faith, & hope in prayer & alms giving ( 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 ). Without God I could love no one & I am pathtic still but the Lord tells us to love Him & neighbor by keeping His commandments ( John 13:34, John 15:1-10 etc.). I actually find much solace in contemplating the salvation of non Christians & that God will not foresake anyone ( John 5:22-30 , Philippians 4:8 ). I also remember the fear of the Lord ( Romans 11:22 ).

buzuxi02 · Jun 23, 2018

Unfortunately it's going to get worse. Lord have mercy on us sinners.

archer75 · Jun 23, 2018

If we could see the times and places that look not insane to us...we'd see plenty of insanity, I believe.

Going insane

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