God's Glory Church

Calling to be a support for others

Life often brings us together with people whose destinies have been broken by circumstances, addictions or losses. Sometimes an ordinary trip can become the moment when a person who has sunk to the very bottom due to addictions and despair finds the way to repentance and spiritual renewal. Even after passing through the crucible of war, injuries and loss of brothers, such a person is able to maintain a connection with faith and return to the source of hope.

This emphasizes an important truth: we are to be a hope and a blessing to others. As said in the prayer Saint Francis, true maturity consists not so much in seeking consolation for oneself as in consoling others; not so much to seek understanding as to understand; not so much to look for love as to love. Everyone longs for warmth, security and empathy, but the problem arises when we seek it exclusively for ourselves. God gave man two ears and only one mouth, which is an eloquent reminder of the need to learn to listen to others before giving advice. When we stop just waiting for good and start doing it ourselves, we receive a true blessing and inner healing.

The Nature of the Human Spirit: The Source of Vital Energy

The central idea of understanding our inner state is revealed in the Book of Proverbs:

“The spirit of man endures his infirmities. And a wounded spirit, who can strengthen it?”
(Proverbs 18:14)

Today’s society is extremely focused on the external: proper nutrition, diets, body care and appearance. However, there is nothing more important than taking care of your inner state. In Jewish tradition, the word “spirit” (ruach/‏רוּחַ‏‎/rȗaḥ) literally means wind, symbolizing strength, power, emotional energy and enthusiasm for life.

A healthy spirit gives the will to live and the strength to deal with life’s challenges, because problems and crises are an integral part of our earthly journey. Instead, a broken (struck) spirit is characterized by a loss of the will to live, despair, giving up and a lack of strength to solve accumulated problems. This state can range from mild depression to severe depression and even suicidal thoughts.

The paradox is that a strong spirit is able to support even a deeply traumatized or sick body – we see this in the example of warriors who have lost limbs, but find the strength to move on and create something new. But no body, even the strongest and healthiest, can support a person if his spirit is broken. Our joy and ability to overcome difficulties do not depend on external circumstances, but on how we respond to them from within.

Information hygiene and pitfalls of modernity

Scripture warns of the dangers of improper focus:

“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25).
“Hope that is not realized for a long time makes the heart dull…” (Proverbs 13:12).

In times of war and constant crises, people often start and end their day watching the news, constantly relaying disturbing news to each other. Consuming negative information, especially before going to sleep, directly affects the spiritual person, because the tired psyche is not able to properly process this burden. Also, unfulfilled hopes, born of empty promises of a quick end to problems, only make the heart even more depressing when faced with reality.

Strength in the inner man

The Apostle Paul, writing to churches that were under constant threat of persecution and arrest, did not pray for a change in external circumstances or the overthrow of a brutal government. His prayer focused on something else:

“…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you through his Spirit to be strengthened with power in the inner man.”
(Ephesians 3:16).

God’s purpose is not to build grand human institutions or to display outward success. Its purpose is to make a person whole and strong from the inside. Scripture is given to us not just as a collection of knowledge, but as a means of building a living relationship with the Creator.

True prayer is not an attempt to “wring God’s arms” or to manipulate Him by incessant knocking. If we have sincerely appealed to our Heavenly Father, the next step should be to calmly trust and stand in faith that He will answer in due time.

Factors affecting our spirit

Life is full of challenges, and our existence will not be wise unless we recognize the complexities of the inner life. There are several key factors that inevitably affect us:

• War and Injustice: War is a global factor that suppresses emotions and forces people to give up. Absolute justice cannot be found on earth; it is only with God, therefore relying solely on people leads to disappointment.
• Physical factors: Diseases, viruses or simply severe physical fatigue can quickly lead to emotional decline. In a state of exhaustion, a person can easily lash out at loved ones, so the need for rest is natural.
• Emotional and relational factors: Longing can destroy a person, so we critically need the support of society. Communication in the church, simple listening or a timely shoulder can save a person from the deepest despair and even suicidal thoughts after heavy life losses.
• Moral factors: The feeling of guilt radically changes the perception of the world. As stated in Proverbs 28:1, the wicked runs away even when no one is chasing him, perceiving everything around him as a threat.
• Factor of existence (mortality): None of the people can avoid the queue to the cemetery. The loss of loved ones, especially when parents have to hide their children, brings unbearable pain and can completely break a person’s inner state.

Prism of Eternity: The Only Way to Healing

The wise king Solomon said that it is better to be in a house of weeping than in a house of joy, because facing death makes us think about eternity. Avoiding thoughts of death or trying to ignore this factor is futile, because we will all face it. It is very important to overcome the fear of death and deal with your thoughts about it.

There is no person who would avoid suffering. But when we begin to look at life, sickness, loss, and even death through the lens of eternity and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, everything changes. The realization that earthly life is short, that we have a definite mission, and that a meeting with our relatives in heaven awaits us, gives strength to our spirit not to break under the weight of circumstances. It is such a view that forms a healthy and indomitable human spirit.