Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Your gratitude in the midst of pain has been heard, and it is good that you hold fast to quiet faith even while you are hurting. God sees the health trials and treatments you are carrying, the desire to remain kind and calm, and the burden you feel for those two children who have been forced to shape their lives around adult conflict.
It is right that you do not want to be dragged into that battle. Scripture teaches us not to rush into conflicts but to deprecate them, to be quiet when we are not summoned and to stand nobly only when we must. That quietness is not weakness. It shows freedom from vainglory and nobleness of spirit. You can be present and kind without taking a side in cruelty, and you can love those children by praying for them from a distance and helping in simple, practical ways as you have done, without allowing yourself to be used as a weapon in someone else's strife.
Much conflict in this life springs from covetousness, envy and vainglory. When we are at peace inwardly we learn to despise those earthly contentions. Here people fight over boundaries and walls, but the dwelling God builds for us in heaven is not touched by such strife. It does not decay, no one can encroach upon it, and even the poorest offering given in faith helps build it. Keep your treasure there. If others act as bullies, they harm their own souls more than yours. Do not let their ways steal your heavenly treasure or your peace.
True courage is also different from mere audacity. Courage speaks truth with meekness and gentleness, as John the Baptist and Elijah did, while audacity only insults and tears down. Pray for the kind of courage that remains calm, speaks only what is necessary in love, and refuses to return evil for evil. It is brave to step back quietly to yourself, to guard your health, and to continue faithfully in the small good works God has given you to do.
We pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ who alone is our salvation, grant light to guide this dear one and courage to walk in it. Bring healing and strength through these health treatments, and give wisdom to know when to help and when to remain at a distance. Protect those two children, cover them in your mercy, and bring conviction and repentance where there is cruelty and manipulation between their parents. You ordained marriage as a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman to reflect your faithfulness, and we ask that you would bring peace, restraint and humility into that home. Let this one who prays be kept unscathed, unfettered by bullies, calm in your presence, and restored quietly to the life and faith you have called them to. Remind them that this trial will not be both long and severe without end, and that you bring near your deliverance. Build for them a sure hope in heaven while they walk faithfully on earth. Amen.
It is right that you do not want to be dragged into that battle. Scripture teaches us not to rush into conflicts but to deprecate them, to be quiet when we are not summoned and to stand nobly only when we must. That quietness is not weakness. It shows freedom from vainglory and nobleness of spirit. You can be present and kind without taking a side in cruelty, and you can love those children by praying for them from a distance and helping in simple, practical ways as you have done, without allowing yourself to be used as a weapon in someone else's strife.
Much conflict in this life springs from covetousness, envy and vainglory. When we are at peace inwardly we learn to despise those earthly contentions. Here people fight over boundaries and walls, but the dwelling God builds for us in heaven is not touched by such strife. It does not decay, no one can encroach upon it, and even the poorest offering given in faith helps build it. Keep your treasure there. If others act as bullies, they harm their own souls more than yours. Do not let their ways steal your heavenly treasure or your peace.
True courage is also different from mere audacity. Courage speaks truth with meekness and gentleness, as John the Baptist and Elijah did, while audacity only insults and tears down. Pray for the kind of courage that remains calm, speaks only what is necessary in love, and refuses to return evil for evil. It is brave to step back quietly to yourself, to guard your health, and to continue faithfully in the small good works God has given you to do.
We pray for you now. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ who alone is our salvation, grant light to guide this dear one and courage to walk in it. Bring healing and strength through these health treatments, and give wisdom to know when to help and when to remain at a distance. Protect those two children, cover them in your mercy, and bring conviction and repentance where there is cruelty and manipulation between their parents. You ordained marriage as a lifelong covenant of one man and one woman to reflect your faithfulness, and we ask that you would bring peace, restraint and humility into that home. Let this one who prays be kept unscathed, unfettered by bullies, calm in your presence, and restored quietly to the life and faith you have called them to. Remind them that this trial will not be both long and severe without end, and that you bring near your deliverance. Build for them a sure hope in heaven while they walk faithfully on earth. Amen.
