The World is INSANE! What Do I Do?
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- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- What if we're living in the time of the Antichrist? Wars, oppression, conspiracies, plague, demonic darkness -- all these bedevil our world at every level. How should Orthodox Christians respond when evil happens to ourselves, our families, our communities, our churches, our nations, and our world? How did our fathers and mothers in the faith respond?
In this video I mention the Lament for the Fall of Constantinople by Manuel Chrysaphes the Lampadarios. You can listen to that recording here: • Lament for the Fall of...
The version of the Bible I quote from here is the ESV.
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I contemplate every day on that saying from St. Paisios.
“What I see around me would drive me insane if I did not know that no matter what happens, God will have the last word.”
- Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain
I struggle with this. I suspect no other way to bear other than to nearly 'drive me insane'. It is the path to salvation. Often, the spirit of this insanity flows thru me. My sister, my clients, my work environment, people I come in contact with day to day. Don't they see!?? Helps me to not only remember final word will be God's (which can support sense of self righteousness), but more so 'help me to my own transgressions/failings and not to judge my brother'...my heart is the battleground I should concern myself with, I am half guilty for nearly all I judge. Glory to God for the vision to see my own failings...God help me to rise above *in Him* and The Eternal Church, His Body. It is the Christian life being lived out in the struggle of our generation. I am failing often...pray for me.
Father I don’t know if you’ll ever know the full impact you’ve had on people like me, whose entire life path was changed for the better because of your work. I’ll always appreciate you for what you’ve done for me and so many others.
Pray for me, faithful ones who read this, that the enemy not prevail in tempting me with annihilation of the self. I lack fellowship with humanity, even with other Orthodox. We are given two commandments; to love God and humanity. Yet my disconnect with humanity runs deep. This lonesome agony of isolation has birthed great tribulation and pain.
Lord have mercy on me, an unworthy speck. Pray for me strangers in the faith. As I pray for you too. - Boris.
Boris, keep the faith and stay the course that god has assigned to you. I also struggle with wanting to not be here anymore and disconnecting with humanity, but I know that is probably not gods plan for me, so I keep asking for his guidance and wisdom. I believe that retracting into a lonely shell, like a cocoon , is good if it’s for spiritual fasting and seeking a closer relationship. Otherwise it might be harmful to your growth towards a closer relationship to god. God made us all, and we need you to be out there helping us on our journey of truth. I will pray for you and if you will pray for me also I would appreciate that.
@debidaniels2201
I will most certainly add you to my permanent prayer list.
And remember the words of Fyodor Dostoevsky: "1000 years of meaningful suffering, is greater than 1000 years of meaningless hapiness." Christ suffered unto the end, and allowed us the blessing of faith to carry our crosses and follow him. Some say the Christian walk is for the weak. Far from it. To carry our individual crosses and follow Him, is the ultimate faith. At the end of it all awaits the resurrection and triumph over even death. To many, death is the defining feature of life, as light is to dark, but to Orthodox, life is the defining feature of life, for HE is risen.
Revelation 21:23 "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
@Ds74-pmrq
A grand apathetic assumption good sir... I am not whining or self pitying. Which is why I asked for prayer, not for pity. We are commanded to pray for one another for things we can change and can overcome by the Holy Spirit. (James 5:17)
Hi Boris 👋
Im an Orthodox catechumen and new Christian since last year, im not an expert on Orthodoxy as I ask God for the building of my faith.
I RARELY write yt comments, but I relate to you in that I also struggle to love others as myself. I am very guarded and full of shame and pride as I grew up socially isolated and rejected, with a bully narcissistic dad, and emotionally distant mother. But I want to share that Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery ministry (like 12 steps but with the beatitudes and Christ), has helped me so much in softening my heart. Its a safe space to get honest about our pain, to confess our sins to each other and pray for one another. I was blessed with a sponsor who has really given me love, but the community as a whole is loving. No one can look down another because we are all aware we are all sinners (well I guess internally I do sometimes because of my huge pride but I snap out of it).
I still have a lot of work to do to become Christ-like for sure, but CR has helped me so much in softening my heart towards others. There are CR locations worldwide. I will pray for ❤🙏
You too? We're not alone! I'll keep you in my prayers, and please keep me, (Anna), in yours. I hope you have a Great Holy Week and Pascha! Keep listening to the services online, and never be afraid to ask your Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters for help.
Anna
Being an Orthodox Christian for almost 30 years, in a country that considers itself Orthodox on paper, I can tell you that I have learned a lot from you and and father Stephen De Yung, about the religion in which I was born. Special in The Lord of Spirits podcast.
God bless you all.
And I bought you book, The Lord of Spirits, it's traveled for month. Excellent reading.
I have to admit, I love the title. The World Is Insane, What Do I Do? If that doesn't fit our current local, national and global situation, I don't know what would. Thank you for this very timely message. On the one hand I want to go hide and let the world go on without me, and on the other I want to try to do something to help someone. Thank you, your guidance is much appreciated.
Start w charity in the home…AND help someone in need ..like he said we have to work on us and “become saints” People are drawn to love and kindness and shy away from toxicity as long as we focus there
Yayyyy, Father Andrew! I really love this talk. I have been exploring exactly this topic for my 2024 self betterment - living out my repentance. I just found Orthodoxy and I have a lot of hurdles to getting to our church as often as I wish I could, and I can’t afford anything for an icon corner. But I am still trying to figure out a prayer routine that works, I’ve been teaching my kids, fasting as best i can, reading the scripture, talking to clergy, and watching UA-cam(obv). But at some point, I realized that I had been deep-diving to the point of selfishness. So I’m trying to wake up every day and intentionally think of things I can do to serve my family and enhance their lives. I have had horrible depression my whole life which has been treatment resistant, but the more I fall into my Christian life, the better I feel, even though life is ostensibly not excellent at the moment. And that has come from my doing what I have the power to do, living with with the goal of serving others, and reading stories about the saints who did good during hard times. It gives me so much hope.
I struggle with both anxiety and depression where the Church has personally helped me just by the repetition of going to Liturgy. I'm not really "allowed" to do anything else.
@@sundaybest27 I need to talk to my priest about limitations, I had planned on attending Sunday and meeting afterwards, but my 7 year old had surgery last week and my 5 year old is transitioning medications so everything was too hectic. Nothing wrong with limiting yourself, there’s a great deal to be proud of about obedience.
Really enjoyed the video. Also, great point: “If you spend all your time cursing the darkness, you have not helped anyone.” Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick. There is no shortage of people out there cursing the darkness.”
Thank yu.
Thank you Father Andrew for edifying us especially during lent.
The title drew me in. It's exactly my sentiment to the point that I've had a great need to talk to a Priest about it. Thank you for posting.
Read a KJ Bible. Talking won't
save you. Jesus will.
From childhood on I have been easily confused, that was then, but no longer. Suffer your fears in the carrying of your cross, and know, that we cannot question what God has in store for us. Survive and do battle, fight at each crossroads, and should you lose to the forces of evil, but would win, have faith in God and make your last stand with courage.
i noticed that i was still attched to worldly things and this world, i went on my knees into a prayer and died off this world infront of my Lord after that prayer i felt way more calm, its about trusting God fully, he can give and he can take
This is true I think. Under all the thoughts, objections, pain and 'insanity' in reaction to the world is the very path to salvation, unity with Christ.
Just seeing this, Father, and it was, as it usually happens through Divine Providence, at the exact time I needed to hear and receive it and actually reach both my mind and heart to understand and digest what you said, via Christ. Thank you so much! God bless!
…..Permanently delete social media.(Everyone except Fr Turbo, Fr Stephen De young , Fr Stephen Damick, and athonite audio)
He says while using a social media platform.
@@mikelandsman8993 Yes I agree, and laugh with you at the irony. 😂
This is the only one that seems to have some utility left.
Why
@@ducky1016 why should we keep it? Is it the most useful tool for why you want to keep it?
@@LadderOfDescent it has some good use yes
Great video, Father. Very uplifting. I appreciate your mention of St. Ignatius. "Bearing God," published by Ancient Faith, is my favorite book about him. I'm thoroughly enjoying this channel!
Wonderful message and thank you for taking time out of your busy life to share this. Christ has Risen
(Where I live things have gotten dark and evil. The other day I was walking in the park and something from the lake reached out and snatched my pony)
Thanks for this, Fr Andrew. I often see something and say "Something must be done about this." It is then I hearken to the Lord's words "Feed my sheep", IOW, tend to myself and those immediately closest. Seems too often that when we're removed from those affected by our actions, we _will_ do more harm than good .
So Faith, Hope and Love abide these three, but THE GREATEST of these is LOVE... 1Cor.13:13...
You are putting to words what I have felt for a long time. There is hope. One thing I keep going back to is; the older I get the more I realize the things we think are unique to our generation, or experience, are just the human experience. We glorify our history and reality can’t live up to it. I think one of the solutions is to be honest about suffering and evil, so that we recognize it and look to those who have overcome it before us.
The spirit in you leading to express to others how it is of major importance to light a candle rather than curse the darkness is of utmost importance in our time, like you said there are endless numbers of individuals cursing the darkness but what fruit is it bearing in our world? At best it maybe open the eyes slightly to those around them but the actual fruit it produces is quite nil. Thank you for standing strong and letting the holy spirits reason come over you and lead you to this conclusion at this time.
The way I see it, it's either the end of the world or the end of the world government system (secular republics like the USSR, USA, or 98% of the nations)
We should prepare either way by fasting, living self sufficiently, helping and comforting others, and building a community. No reason to fret about anything else barring the priority.
i have been overwhelmed with all the chaos and despair recently that i have become so tired and burnt out...i have recently began my journey to become a Christian and im drawn to Orthodoxy. i have never been religious but there has been a hole ive spent my adult life trying to fill and its always temporary... i really hope i can find an orthodox church in Houston that will accept me. i have heard so many stories about how orthodox churches are not welcoming, but ive gone to 3 different protestant churches and it feels like im in a childrens program about Christ...i see the appeal for people who want a surface level religion but i got holes to fill and spoonfuls arent working...idk if that makes sense or if im being heretical.
Wow. The timing of this! Thank you Fr. I needed to hear that☦️❤️
PERFECT!! BRAVO!!! LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME A MISERABLE SINNER! ☦️🙏💞🕊️
I say the same❤God bless love!!
Balance on UA-cam from a priest. I’m very happy to hear your message.
A hearty "amen!". It's so tempting to seize any opportunity to escape the hard work of my own sins (with the news and social media in particular offering ample opportunity) and to instead busy myself with what others are or aren't doing.
Thank you Father ☦️
Quite an excellent message!❤
An excellent video, thank you Father Andrew!
Thank you Father for these truely important words. It is a good to remind ourselves of the sacrifices the Saints are doing and to cut out the noise arround us to be good and to remember to be Christ-like. Have a bessed day.
Glory to God for this video thank you father
Good video! Thank you, father!!
Ears deaf to idle talk.
Modest eyes.
Hands busy doing good.
Sweet odors are welcome.
Taste and eat what is good.
A mind and heart set firm upon the Lord .
Pray and be still and know that He is the Lord, God Almighty.
Rest in Jesus Christ.
Trust in The One, for He is the power and the glory now and forever.
Be ye kind.
Thank you
Grana Rose
My Father told me so.
You can't refer to the "Late Great Planet Earth" without mentioning the movie "A Thief in the Night." That trilogy of films terrified me when I was only 7 or 8 when I saw them.
This was really helpful. Thank you 🙏
This is excellent thank you Father.
Thank you Father. This helps.
Yea! Love the message and your icon wall! God bless.
Excellent message Father. Thank you.
Thank you father
Thank You Father Andrew.
Follow Jesus Christ. Pray to only Jesus Christ and lets pick up our cross and follow Jesus . Amen!
Thank you, Fr. Andrew.
Amen!
Great channel and content. Very practical, applicable and wide reaching. Onya, big man
The original sin of consuming knowledge of good and evil. Translated into modern understanding is paying attention to all the evil around you instead of trusting God.
Great talk, thank you. Your introductory words reminded me of a story from my Catholic days. It concerns St Theresa of Avila, who during one stage in her life when everything was going wrong, totally flipped at the indignity of being flung into the mud when the cart she was traveling in overturned. She raised her fist to God and said: If this is how your treat your friends, no wonder you have so few!
I want to laugh but I'm a little afraid to laugh.
Great explanation.
Thank you
I'm glad the military is standing up to Netanyahu and having 11 hours of peace to get peace and aid to Palestinians
Amen.
Father has a channel now?
Yeah, kinda weird.
Thank you.
Thank you
When I was exploring Orthodoxy I found the revanchism regarding Constantinople very off-putting. On the one hand, the Orthodox often say they are less concerned with politics than the average person, and this seems somewhat true. But if you get them talking about 15th century politics it seems like they are suffering from delusions.
Don’t fight with your brothers and sisters.
Help one another.
Do your work well.
Dad said.
Grama said.
Dad and mom said.
Honor your Father and Mother.
Our Creator said.
I will and I do and I am.
Thank you
All of good will.
Grana Rose
Amen
Ephesians 6-11
STAND
Cultivate virtue and beauty.
We are indeed living in the time of the AntiChrist. Every night I pray I will return home to Jesus soon, I do not want to be on this rock much longer. At least I am old enough to leave this rock.
In the orthodox world is there any merit in redemptive suffering? That is i can unite my current suffering with the suffering of Christ for the redemption of ?
Human suffering is not redemptive in itself. We can make it edifying for ourselves if we use it for our repentance, that is, to make us more like Christ. And if suffering comes because of our faithfulness, then that refines us to be even holier.
Thank You Father. You have taken the time to answer my question. Again Thank you.
🙏🙏🙏
G-d's kingdom nor man's kingdom. St Anthony's quote about madness.
If you have nothing pleasant to say, be silent.
My mom taught me that.
Hello - This is the Black Age of Kali, the fourth of a Manvantara (Round) where we learn the most. It is an ILLUSION. The New Golden Age is due at the fifth-dimensional frequency of advanced spiritual development of the Earth by 2032. Blessings - RevDrD/Ministry
Is stand bull
Read your KJ Bible and resist false prophets.
A calamity? Forgive me Father but Greeks still suffer and nobody talks about it. They are still threatening them. A genocide is not a calamity. They still send military helicopters flying above the Aegean islands (such as Ikaria). They still mock Greeks about Agia Sofia. These were Greek grounds were Saints have touched with their hands. Just like in Cyprus.
It is not just about “taking Agia Sofia” back.
I know it's not. I wasn't talking only about one event or even the bad things that happen to just one people. It's much more general than that.
Sounds like the United States now.
in modern so-called secular language the message of this video is essentially gaslighting: gaslighting from the Fr teaching ppl how to self-gaslight. While all are sinners and all, that does not whatsoever explain, let alone justify what is happening to so many people. And when we say "good" people, we rarely if at all mean "perfect." No one is perfect, no one is without sin, but there are lots and lots of good people who do not deserve what happens to them; there are lots and lots of children who are innocent and suffer; the whole animal world suffers at the hand of evil people. So, to start what is essentially "victim blaming" and/or self-gaslighting is disingenuous at the very least, and shameless in the face of what people suffer. Sometimes I wonder if all these "Frs" actually pray before delivering such harmful drivel, don't they ever think of what God would respond to such self-gaslighting/victim blaming?... pathetic
Everything happens to us for our repentance. That doesn't mean that it's our fault bad things happen to us. It means we can turn everything to our advantage. Those who perpetrate evil against the innocent will still be held responsible by God, whether in this life or the next.
@@frandrewstephendamickThank you for fixing a little bit more of my Calvinism!!! It's really hard not to hear it as "You didn't do perfect so God is punishing you so you do better, be grateful". Now I can try flipping this to "I can turn anything to my advantage because God is with me".
@@frandrewstephendamick please, tell me what kind of advantage is there for victims of ped0f!les, for example?... or for victims of serious physical abuse?... or forever emotionally traumatized people?... or people/children/animals used in all sorts of s!ck sacrifice rituals?... or the children who end up in ped0 rings where they get abused beyond any therapy? .... or all the broken people beyond any help who simply live out their days?...
there is none. At least, none you can speak of -- and, therefore, a little humility can go a long way: instead of talking like you know why and know what to do about all the real evils of this world, a simpler, humbler, and more honest way to say "I don't know" and simply offer validation and true heartfelt comfort (if there is some in your heart). Otherwise, whatever you've said is just all sorts of condescending gaslighting and victim blaming, that's all it is. Granted, God may be able to turn many things to our good, but it's completely different from suggesting there is inherent "advantage" in every s!ck, perverted, abominable ev!l in this s!ck, ev!l world.
What I observe in many of such "preachy" vids is all these church clergy most of whom live essentially sheltered lives, with what in secular terms is "job security" and all; and they truly lose touch with reality, actually forget what it is actually like out there.
@@zzc8505 The advantage is not inherent. It has to be made advantageous through repentance, through bearing up under suffering in a Christlike manner and even loving one's enemies. I am not speaking theoretically here, because we have the examples of many saints, especially martyrs, who received evil done to them by others and became holier people because of it -- including children. These are all real-life examples. As we see in Scripture (Rev. 20:4), the martyrs are the first to be co-enthroned with Christ. And that is because this is the example of Christ Himself, Who is the least blameworthy Person Who ever lived and yet showed how suffering rightly borne can become beneficial -- in His case, for all of us.
No one is beyond help. It is essential to Christianity that everyone has the possibility for help from God, and the abused are especially close to that help.
As for those who inflict suffering on the innocent, they will be brought down by Christ on the Day of the Lord, while the oppressed will be vindicated and raised up. This is the essential Christian hope and vision for justice for the world. It will not go well with those who did such evils and did not repent.