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Elder Joseph the Hesychast on the purpose of trials and patience
16:54
What the video says
The writer addresses his spiritual sister with comfort about the heavenly homeland where passions and envy cease, and the soul awakens to see Christ, the Theotokos, angels, and departed loved ones. He urges her to review her life, recall God's benefactions, and practice patience in temptations, explaining that God hears prayers instantly but answers according to wisdom, not human timing, often delaying to heal hidden passions.
The writer testifies from his own experience that severe temptations bring subsequent consolation like paradise, and that enduring involuntary trials purifies the soul like soap and a mallet, making it fit for the Bridegroom. He advises constant prayer and fasting to burn the devil, general confession for the whole family, and acceptance of God's will whether for healing or continued illness, since afflictions are a grace showing God's love.
The writer describes a recent visible spiritual battle with Satan on the eve of St. Catherine's feast, praying all night for the sister, and warns that the enemy never rests but temptations come according to one's stature for victory and perfection. He counsels prudence, redeeming the time, and ceaseless prayer to settle nerves, concluding that sorrow in this life indicates a life pleasing to God, for the Lord chastens those he loves.
Key moments
- Opening comfort: heavenly homeland without passions, envy, or crafty people; the great gulf fixed between this life and the next.
- The nearness of death: noetic eyes open, seeing parents, angels, the Theotokos; all interaction in purity and holiness.
- Call to patience: God helps but not on our timeline; saints rush to aid before we cry out; prayer must be joined with work and waiting.
- God delays answers to heal hidden passions; fulfillment comes when the request is forgotten, granting both the request and healing.
- Writer's personal witness: temptations like a flaming furnace followed by paradise-like consolation; Christ allows trials for purification.
- Writer's declining health: keeps letters for future afflictions; God works miracles for upright souls; the Theotokos prays and does not abandon.
- Visible struggle with Satan on eve of St. Catherine's feast; prayed all night; the prayer of surrender: make me well to bless you, but your will be done.
- No place without temptation; struggle lasts throughout life; win where you are fought; constant prayer settles nerves; afflictions are grace proving God's love.
Elder Joseph the Hesychast writes to his spiritual sister about the heavenly homeland where passions and envy cease, and the soul awakens to see Christ, the Theotokos, angels, and departed loved ones. He urges her to review her life, recall God's benefactions, and practice patience in temptations, explaining that God hears prayers instantly but answers according to wisdom, not human timing, often delaying to heal hidden passions.
The elder testifies from his own experience that severe temptations bring subsequent consolation like paradise, and that enduring involuntary trials purifies the soul like soap and a mallet, making it fit for the Bridegroom. He advises constant prayer and fasting to burn the devil, general confession for the whole family, and acceptance of God's will whether for healing or continued illness, since afflictions are a grace showing God's love.
The elder describes a recent visible spiritual battle with Satan on the eve of St. Catherine's feast, praying all night for his sister, and warns that the enemy never rests but temptations come according to one's stature for victory and perfection. He counsels prudence, redeeming the time, and ceaseless prayer to settle nerves, concluding that sorrow in this life indicates a life pleasing to God, for the Lord chastens those he loves.
The letter draws on Psalms 102, 67, 32, Luke 16:26, Matthew 11:28 and 10:29-30, Ephesians 5:16-17, Job 1:6-12, Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, Hebrews 12:7, and a saying of St. Macarius of Optina.
Main points
- The heavenly homeland has no passions, envy, or crafty people; a great gulf separates this life from the next.
- God hears prayers instantly but answers according to divine wisdom, often delaying to heal hidden passions.
- Severe temptations are followed by paradise-like consolation; involuntary trials purify the soul like soap and a mallet.
- The elder fought a visible battle with Satan on the eve of St. Catherine's feast, praying all night for his spiritual sister.
- Temptations last throughout life; constant prayer settles the nerves, and afflictions are grace proving God's love.