Have you ever thought that everything that concerns you concerns Me too? For everything that concerns you concerns the apple of My eye.
You are precious in My sight, of great value, and I have loved you, and therefore it is a special joy for Me to raise you. When temptations arise against you, and the enemy comes like a flood, I want you to know that it was from Me.
That your weakness needs My strength and that your safety lies in allowing Me to fight for you.
Are you in difficult circumstances, among people who do not understand you, who do not take into account what is pleasant to you, who push you away - It was from Me.
I am your God , who disposes of circumstances.
It is not by chance that you ended up in your place; this is the very place that I have appointed for you.
Didn't you ask Me to teach you humility? Well, look, I've placed you in precisely the right environment, the right school, where this lesson is taught. Your environment and those who live with you are only fulfilling My will.
If you are in financial trouble, having a hard time making ends meet, know that it was from Me.
For I have your material resources at my disposal. I want you to run to Me and depend on Me. My supplies are inexhaustible. I want you to be convinced of My faithfulness and My promises. Let it not be that they say to you of your need, “You did not trust the Lord your God” ( Deut. 1:32–33 ).
Are you going through a night of sorrows, are you separated from those near and dear to your heart, - It was from Me.
I, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, allowed this so that you might turn to Me and find eternal comfort in Me. Were you deceived in a friend, in someone to whom you opened your heart—it was from Me. I allowed this disappointment to touch you so that you would know that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and speak to Me. Has anyone slandered you? Leave it to Me and cling closer to Me, your refuge, with your soul, to hide from the “strife of tongues.” I “will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday” ( Psalm 37:6 ). Have your plans been shattered, are you downcast and weary in spirit—it was from Me. You created your plans and brought them to Me so that I might bless them. But I want you to let Me manage the circumstances of your life, and then the responsibility for everything will be on Me, for it is too difficult for you, and you alone cannot cope with them, since you are only an instrument, and not an actor.
Have you been visited by unexpected failures in life and despondency has gripped your heart, know that it was from Me.
For I want your heart and soul to always be flaming before My eyes and to conquer all faintheartedness in My name.
If you haven't heard from your near and dear ones for a long time, and through your faintheartedness you fall into despair and murmuring, know that it was from Me. For with this languor of your spirit, I test the strength of your faith in the immutability of the promise, the power of your bold prayer for these loved ones. For wasn't it you who entrusted them to the protection of My Most Pure Mother? Wasn't it you who once entrusted their care to My providential love?
Have you been visited by a serious illness, temporary or incurable, and found yourself confined to your bed? It was from Me. For I desire that you come to know Me even more deeply in your bodily infirmities, and not grumble about this trial sent to you, not try to penetrate My plans for the salvation of human souls by various means, but rather meekly and submissively bow your neck to My goodness toward you. Have you dreamed of doing some special deed for Me and instead found yourself confined to a bed of illness and infirmity? It was from Me.
For then you would be immersed in your own affairs, and I would be unable to draw your thoughts to Me. But I want to teach you the deepest thoughts, that you are in My service. I want to teach you to recognize that you are nothing. Some of My best coworkers are those who are cut off from active activity, so that they may learn to wield the weapon of unceasing prayer.
Are you suddenly called to a difficult and responsible position? Go, trusting in Me. I entrust these difficulties to you, for for them the Lord your God will bless you in all your deeds, in all your ways, in all that you do. This day I place this vessel of sacred oil into your hand. Use it freely, My child. Let every difficulty that arises, every offensive word, every obstacle in your work that could cause frustration and disappointment, every revelation of your weakness and incompetence be anointed with this oil—it was from Me. Remember that every obstacle is God's instruction, and therefore lay to heart the word I have spoken to you this day—it was from Me.
Keep them, know and remember—always—that every sting will be dulled when you learn to see Me in everything. Everything was sent by Me for the perfection of your soul—it was from Me.
***
St. Seraphim addressed this text, written in verse, to one of his spiritual children, a bishop who was imprisoned. It contains a glimpse of the profound mystery of prayer, revealed in God's conversation with the human soul. This is the elder's spiritual testament, addressed to all of us.
Metropolitan Manuel Lemeshevsky
Selected Passages from the Diary (Conversation with God)
Not a single cry of yours, not a single groan of yours, not a single heavy sigh of yours, not a single drop of tears - nothing that suffered in you and trembled in your tired heart, I left in vain.
My mercies surrounded you precisely at those moments in your life when you least expected them and therefore, due to your sins, did not notice. They sometimes clearly testified to My care for you.
***
When sorrows and despondency begin to torment your soul, remember how many joys I gave you in the days of childhood and adolescence.
***
Now I do not look upon your vile deeds, but I hear the cries and tearful lamentations of your repentance - and they are dear to Me, because they are now sincere and timely.
You are dear to Me, and all your sufferings are dear to Me, as they were sincerely experienced by you.
You are dear to Me, and that is why I have helped you so often, turned you away from death, destruction and various shocks of life.
You are dear to Me because the image of sincere repentance does not leave you and the desire to improve grows stronger in your mind and heart.
***
Fainthearted one! How did you not notice in your darkest moments that My hand, guiding you, always strengthened you; My help, even at the last minute (when it seemed to be out of reach), came to you. For all this was from Me. For My wrath is for a moment, but My favor endures a lifetime. For " weeping may endure for a night , but joy comes in the morning" ( Psalm 29:6 ).
Remember that all these experiences and moods should not be yours, for you are walking the path of self-restraint and ruthlessness. You must not allow them to reach you, recalling in such melancholy moments the joys with which I led you to a new life during the years of your search for God.
***
Take heart, weary traveler!
Trust in My caring hand for you!
You see that I lead every Christian soul to salvation by different paths. And I lead you too, even in the eleventh hour of your life, by a special path.
Follow Me.
I wanted you to be as trustworthy as you once were. So follow Me without hesitation. You must therefore be holy in everything, in all your actions, in all your thoughts, so as not to offend My sanctity.
***
"Overcome," says your inner voice. "Overcome all that is bad within you," it repeats. So overcome and prove that you have irrevocably turned away from sin.
Be a person who is not ashamed to show attention to small, poor, inconspicuous people, mostly defenseless, showing indulgence towards their weaknesses.
Be a person who can always be supported, so in your dealings with people, do not allow yourself to show callousness and insensitivity, which you have sinned so many times in previous years.
***
You are alone, but do not forget and always remember that I am with you. It is not easy to experience feelings of acute melancholy and loneliness, but this is the inevitable path of all people with heightened intuition and sensitivity to the grief of others.
I want you to begin right now to justify the trust that I have placed in your heart.
I have the right to demand all this from you, for I have given you too much.
How many warnings have I given you about correction and repentance!
I expect from you a sincere answer, warmed by the impulse of your soul.
What's left for you now?
Strive for the deep silence that is found at the bottom of lakes or in wells and deep storage areas, and more often close yourself off in the desert of your heart, without falling into drowsy silence.
***
I want you to be the master of your thoughts. Notice what they are like... When work is precise and easy, thoughts are fresh and free; they come short, clear, and fluid. You just need to organize them, summarize them clearly and precisely. And you need to think about them a lot, discarding the unnecessary and alien ones.
I want you to work on them and create a treasury in your heart for the creation of the unceasing Jesus Prayer.
***
You are dear to Me also because you have loved My Most Pure Mother with all your zeal and in the simplicity of your heart you turn to Her as to your Dear Mother.
You are dear to Me, and therefore My watchful eye follows you everywhere. Have you not noticed in your life and among those around you those who sincerely or hypocritically and favoritistically care for the alleviation of your bitter lot and your suffering—have you not noticed My care for you?
***
I want you to be a person with a good character, so that you never lose your sense of justice, so that you always act as you should, i.e. as your conscience tells you, so that people learn from you nobility, thoughtfulness, prudence, generosity and maturity in every action and word.
I want everyone who knows and surrounds you to always be able to say about you: here is a person who can be relied upon in everything and everywhere and who can be trusted.
I want you to be sensitive to those around you, to the grief and misfortune of your neighbors.
I want you to always give more, but not ask for yourself.
I want you to strengthen your precision in work and determination as the main stimulus of modus vivendi.
I want your thoughts and actions to be in sync.
Strive for this, for I want you to be a person of strong character, one who never loses your fortitude, your diligence, and your ability to give your all to the work you're called to and do. Such a person never stops doing things halfway, and this is the fundamental trait of their character.
***
Remember that everything that happens to you is providential, and therefore any thoughts or attempts on your part to hasten the progress of your affairs are unworthy of you and criminal. Believe that everything happens according to My will, and nothing in this world, especially not to you, happens before its time. Therefore, endure all the suffering associated with the trials of time, ignorance, and expectation with all the more courage, knowing that it all came from Me.
Prayer to do God's will
Compassionate Shepherd, good and gentle, desiring the salvation of all who believe in You, have mercy and hear this prayer of mine. Do not be angry, do not turn Your face away from me, but teach me to do Your will! For I do not seek my will, but Yours, that I may please You, Merciful One.
Source: https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Serafim_Vyritskij/ot-menja-ehto-bylo/
You are precious in My sight, of great value, and I have loved you, and therefore it is a special joy for Me to raise you. When temptations arise against you, and the enemy comes like a flood, I want you to know that it was from Me.
That your weakness needs My strength and that your safety lies in allowing Me to fight for you.
Are you in difficult circumstances, among people who do not understand you, who do not take into account what is pleasant to you, who push you away - It was from Me.
I am your God , who disposes of circumstances.
It is not by chance that you ended up in your place; this is the very place that I have appointed for you.
Didn't you ask Me to teach you humility? Well, look, I've placed you in precisely the right environment, the right school, where this lesson is taught. Your environment and those who live with you are only fulfilling My will.
If you are in financial trouble, having a hard time making ends meet, know that it was from Me.
For I have your material resources at my disposal. I want you to run to Me and depend on Me. My supplies are inexhaustible. I want you to be convinced of My faithfulness and My promises. Let it not be that they say to you of your need, “You did not trust the Lord your God” ( Deut. 1:32–33 ).
Are you going through a night of sorrows, are you separated from those near and dear to your heart, - It was from Me.
I, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, allowed this so that you might turn to Me and find eternal comfort in Me. Were you deceived in a friend, in someone to whom you opened your heart—it was from Me. I allowed this disappointment to touch you so that you would know that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and speak to Me. Has anyone slandered you? Leave it to Me and cling closer to Me, your refuge, with your soul, to hide from the “strife of tongues.” I “will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your judgment as the noonday” ( Psalm 37:6 ). Have your plans been shattered, are you downcast and weary in spirit—it was from Me. You created your plans and brought them to Me so that I might bless them. But I want you to let Me manage the circumstances of your life, and then the responsibility for everything will be on Me, for it is too difficult for you, and you alone cannot cope with them, since you are only an instrument, and not an actor.
Have you been visited by unexpected failures in life and despondency has gripped your heart, know that it was from Me.
For I want your heart and soul to always be flaming before My eyes and to conquer all faintheartedness in My name.
If you haven't heard from your near and dear ones for a long time, and through your faintheartedness you fall into despair and murmuring, know that it was from Me. For with this languor of your spirit, I test the strength of your faith in the immutability of the promise, the power of your bold prayer for these loved ones. For wasn't it you who entrusted them to the protection of My Most Pure Mother? Wasn't it you who once entrusted their care to My providential love?
Have you been visited by a serious illness, temporary or incurable, and found yourself confined to your bed? It was from Me. For I desire that you come to know Me even more deeply in your bodily infirmities, and not grumble about this trial sent to you, not try to penetrate My plans for the salvation of human souls by various means, but rather meekly and submissively bow your neck to My goodness toward you. Have you dreamed of doing some special deed for Me and instead found yourself confined to a bed of illness and infirmity? It was from Me.
For then you would be immersed in your own affairs, and I would be unable to draw your thoughts to Me. But I want to teach you the deepest thoughts, that you are in My service. I want to teach you to recognize that you are nothing. Some of My best coworkers are those who are cut off from active activity, so that they may learn to wield the weapon of unceasing prayer.
Are you suddenly called to a difficult and responsible position? Go, trusting in Me. I entrust these difficulties to you, for for them the Lord your God will bless you in all your deeds, in all your ways, in all that you do. This day I place this vessel of sacred oil into your hand. Use it freely, My child. Let every difficulty that arises, every offensive word, every obstacle in your work that could cause frustration and disappointment, every revelation of your weakness and incompetence be anointed with this oil—it was from Me. Remember that every obstacle is God's instruction, and therefore lay to heart the word I have spoken to you this day—it was from Me.
Keep them, know and remember—always—that every sting will be dulled when you learn to see Me in everything. Everything was sent by Me for the perfection of your soul—it was from Me.
***
St. Seraphim addressed this text, written in verse, to one of his spiritual children, a bishop who was imprisoned. It contains a glimpse of the profound mystery of prayer, revealed in God's conversation with the human soul. This is the elder's spiritual testament, addressed to all of us.
Metropolitan Manuel Lemeshevsky
Selected Passages from the Diary (Conversation with God)
Not a single cry of yours, not a single groan of yours, not a single heavy sigh of yours, not a single drop of tears - nothing that suffered in you and trembled in your tired heart, I left in vain.
My mercies surrounded you precisely at those moments in your life when you least expected them and therefore, due to your sins, did not notice. They sometimes clearly testified to My care for you.
***
When sorrows and despondency begin to torment your soul, remember how many joys I gave you in the days of childhood and adolescence.
***
Now I do not look upon your vile deeds, but I hear the cries and tearful lamentations of your repentance - and they are dear to Me, because they are now sincere and timely.
You are dear to Me, and all your sufferings are dear to Me, as they were sincerely experienced by you.
You are dear to Me, and that is why I have helped you so often, turned you away from death, destruction and various shocks of life.
You are dear to Me because the image of sincere repentance does not leave you and the desire to improve grows stronger in your mind and heart.
***
Fainthearted one! How did you not notice in your darkest moments that My hand, guiding you, always strengthened you; My help, even at the last minute (when it seemed to be out of reach), came to you. For all this was from Me. For My wrath is for a moment, but My favor endures a lifetime. For " weeping may endure for a night , but joy comes in the morning" ( Psalm 29:6 ).
Remember that all these experiences and moods should not be yours, for you are walking the path of self-restraint and ruthlessness. You must not allow them to reach you, recalling in such melancholy moments the joys with which I led you to a new life during the years of your search for God.
***
Take heart, weary traveler!
Trust in My caring hand for you!
You see that I lead every Christian soul to salvation by different paths. And I lead you too, even in the eleventh hour of your life, by a special path.
Follow Me.
I wanted you to be as trustworthy as you once were. So follow Me without hesitation. You must therefore be holy in everything, in all your actions, in all your thoughts, so as not to offend My sanctity.
***
"Overcome," says your inner voice. "Overcome all that is bad within you," it repeats. So overcome and prove that you have irrevocably turned away from sin.
Be a person who is not ashamed to show attention to small, poor, inconspicuous people, mostly defenseless, showing indulgence towards their weaknesses.
Be a person who can always be supported, so in your dealings with people, do not allow yourself to show callousness and insensitivity, which you have sinned so many times in previous years.
***
You are alone, but do not forget and always remember that I am with you. It is not easy to experience feelings of acute melancholy and loneliness, but this is the inevitable path of all people with heightened intuition and sensitivity to the grief of others.
I want you to begin right now to justify the trust that I have placed in your heart.
I have the right to demand all this from you, for I have given you too much.
How many warnings have I given you about correction and repentance!
I expect from you a sincere answer, warmed by the impulse of your soul.
What's left for you now?
Strive for the deep silence that is found at the bottom of lakes or in wells and deep storage areas, and more often close yourself off in the desert of your heart, without falling into drowsy silence.
***
I want you to be the master of your thoughts. Notice what they are like... When work is precise and easy, thoughts are fresh and free; they come short, clear, and fluid. You just need to organize them, summarize them clearly and precisely. And you need to think about them a lot, discarding the unnecessary and alien ones.
I want you to work on them and create a treasury in your heart for the creation of the unceasing Jesus Prayer.
***
You are dear to Me also because you have loved My Most Pure Mother with all your zeal and in the simplicity of your heart you turn to Her as to your Dear Mother.
You are dear to Me, and therefore My watchful eye follows you everywhere. Have you not noticed in your life and among those around you those who sincerely or hypocritically and favoritistically care for the alleviation of your bitter lot and your suffering—have you not noticed My care for you?
***
I want you to be a person with a good character, so that you never lose your sense of justice, so that you always act as you should, i.e. as your conscience tells you, so that people learn from you nobility, thoughtfulness, prudence, generosity and maturity in every action and word.
I want everyone who knows and surrounds you to always be able to say about you: here is a person who can be relied upon in everything and everywhere and who can be trusted.
I want you to be sensitive to those around you, to the grief and misfortune of your neighbors.
I want you to always give more, but not ask for yourself.
I want you to strengthen your precision in work and determination as the main stimulus of modus vivendi.
I want your thoughts and actions to be in sync.
Strive for this, for I want you to be a person of strong character, one who never loses your fortitude, your diligence, and your ability to give your all to the work you're called to and do. Such a person never stops doing things halfway, and this is the fundamental trait of their character.
***
Remember that everything that happens to you is providential, and therefore any thoughts or attempts on your part to hasten the progress of your affairs are unworthy of you and criminal. Believe that everything happens according to My will, and nothing in this world, especially not to you, happens before its time. Therefore, endure all the suffering associated with the trials of time, ignorance, and expectation with all the more courage, knowing that it all came from Me.
Prayer to do God's will
Compassionate Shepherd, good and gentle, desiring the salvation of all who believe in You, have mercy and hear this prayer of mine. Do not be angry, do not turn Your face away from me, but teach me to do Your will! For I do not seek my will, but Yours, that I may please You, Merciful One.
Source: https://azbyka.ru/otechnik/Serafim_Vyritskij/ot-menja-ehto-bylo/