Do Not Despair

No matter how weak your spiritual life is, do not despair, as desperation is one of Satan's wars by which he wants to weaken your morals, abolish your ability, to fall in his hands.

If you despair of yourself, never despair of the grace of God. If your deeds do not lead you to repentance, God's works for you might do. Sometimes in your spiritual life, the cause of despair could be the placement of ideals above your level, or taking steps to which do not comply with the necessary gradual progress. And because you cannot achieve what you want, you despair. Therefore, it is better that you put before you a gradual system in the limits of your power and abilities. Be aware that God wants only one step from you and if you take it, He will lead you to the next and so on.

You might despair because you cannot stand before the Lord unless, first, you make yourself better. It is preferable to say to Him, 'I cannot reform myself and then come to You, but I come to You so You can make me better'.

Do not despair if you feel that you do not love God. Do not say: What is the use of all my works if I do not love Him. Say: If I do not love God, it is a comfort that He loves me and with His love He can make me love Him.

If you are using the spiritual means and you do not have a true relationship with God, do not despair. Keep on the spiritual readings, even if it is without understanding. Keep on praying, even if it is without warmth, also in confession, even if it is without penitence. Perhaps because of your perseverance, the grace of God will seek you and give you the understanding, warmth and penitence.

Your pure perseverance in the spiritual means puts God in your mind even without repentance! But if you despair and repeal these commandments, you might go downwards and forget God completely. Even if you are in a weak state, do not despair. It is better for you to stay as you are than being pushed to worse.

By H.H Pope Shenouda III

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