PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO CHANGE EVERYTHING, EXCEPT THEMSELVES – Metropolitan of Strumica Naum
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People have problems. Stated simply, there is no one without problems. Some problems are acute, topical. Some problems are chronic, long-lasting. Some are resolved, some seem unresolvable. And there are those that are only partially resolved.
Some problems will be solved, then others will come. And at a time when we think that we have solved a big problem and it is a time of peace and tranquillity, then, the shadow of another problem hangs over us.
It is a well-known principle that to a large extent it depends on our inner attitude towards a problem that arises from the outside, as to whether we will maintain our peace and tranquillity. Good (or bad) inner state (attitude) can have an impact on many things: on our general health, the correct response to the problem, the duration of the problem, the solution of the problem and many other things related to us and our fellow man:- from a closer or wider circle.
It is clear to all of us that our inner attitude towards the problem which emerges from the outside is crucial.
Usually, we recognize two types of behaviour:
- First, people try to change only external circumstances; and
- Second, people try to change themselves before anything else.
The most common is the first way of behaving, and it is mainly a wrong approach. Usually, before people come to consult the spiritual father, they have already tried all possible ways to solve the problem: they consulted experts (not that they should not), they also visited all kind of so called “healers”, visited sorcerer and mystics and did some “white” magic to drive out the “black” magic, and who knows what else people do just to get out of the problem, that is, from the misfortune that befell them. However, none of this can completely solve their problem; and they may experience even more harm.
The tendency and willingness of people to change something external rather than to change themselves is obvious. It seems to them that is the quickest and easiest way to deal with the problem, until they realise, sooner or later, that it is in fact the most difficult path; and that it is a path that leads nowhere.
People forget that there is nothing accidental in our lives and that everything happens to us by God’s Providence, just as whatever happens to us, above all, happens in order for us to change ourselves internally, spiritually and to improve our relationship with God. There is no other reason for what is happening to us other than the aforementioned reason.
It would be good for the spiritual father to assess whether what is allowed to happen to us by God is just a warning or if it is already a self-punishment. It is one thing to know if there is a hope for something external to be changed – for example, in the case of illness, and it is another thing to know that there is not.
And why is there self-punishment? Because God never punishes us, but only allows something to happen to us, when we are already out (fallen) of the graceful communion with Him caused by some sin, which only makes us aware that we are in the area of the communion with demons and death. That is why we say, for example, that illness is a gift. Otherwise, everything is a warning from the aspect of eternity.
However, there is only one solution: above all, an inner, spiritual change of thoughts and feelings in accordance with the God’s will, followed by an outward bodily change, by deed (action) and by word, in fulfilment of God’s commandments in our lives.
I have described all of this as the main method of Christian healing of the soul and I called it the “Five Checkpoint Method”.
Let us remind ourselves:
- We accept every problem, from small to big, as a gift from God,
- We thank God for it,
- We do not blame anyone but ourselves for the problem,
- We do not show anyone how we feel, and,
- We continue to pray – in order to build communion (personal relationship) with God, and not asking for help to bring to an end the problem (for a more detailed explanation, read: “Transition from the state of the soul into spirituality”, by Metropolitan of Strumica Naum page 59-67).
We should not forget that we should build a relationship with God of “giving” (of ourselves), not by taking (asking for ourselves). In general, we are mostly selfish, and selfishness does not bring internal changes – as the basis of the overall transfiguration of man. The relationship of “giving” to (towards) God is the only relationship that provides us with inner spiritual change.
God has given us everything – both existence and life; and He constantly gives us so much that everything around us is a gift from God, and it is simply indescribable. But, we are spiritually blind.
Usually, our eyes are opened – at the level of the state of the soul, when we face death. “Giving” (of ourselves) opens our spiritual eyes; in other words it gives us – enlightenment of the mind. And how much we give to Him is measured by the time spent in prayer. That is, you yourselves know, almost nothing.
To sum up: You need to realise that everything that happens to you, happens in order to change yourself, not to change something else or someone else. And we change ourselves in order to harmonise (synchronise) our lives with the life of Christ and to free ourselves of the bondage (slavery) of sin and of the demon and of death. Therefore, do not waste time changing someone else or something else – because problems can only become more complicated, rather, change yourself.
The help of the spiritual father, at least at the beginning of the spiritual life, is necessary. The true spiritual life – which transfigures, exists only in the Church.
Most-Holy Theotokos, save us!
Metropolitan of Strumica Naum
19 / 09 / 2020
