He who "fights" us with conceptions and thoughts, constantly putting "obstacles" before us, aims to throw us into despair. Despair deprives us of our disposition, disappointing us and keeping people in perpetual inactivity, where all is black and nowhere is there light and hope.
The mind and thought remain focused only on the obstacle that is presented and does not believe that there is anything beyond.
The obstacles in our lives are meant to be overcome and not to stop us.
Despair means hopelessness.
Does despair suit the Christian when their hope is Christ?
To "fall" is human, not to get up is demonic.
Despite our falls, we will "get up" and continue our course, no matter how difficult it may be, with struggle and effort. Christ is the Hope, He is the Way, He is the Light.
We no longer live in uncertainty, in despair, we live in the confidence and certainty that, despite the difficulties and the Golgotha which we ascend, the resurrection comes.
You see, on the night of the resurrection in the midst of joy and light, we have already "forgotten" the sorrow of Great Friday! So don't despair, get up and move on!
Christ is Risen!
Archimandrite Bartholomew,
Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Esphigmenou
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
