10 April 2008

Patristic Quote of the Day

If you want to overcome despondency, take up some handiwork for a short while, or read, or pray frequently. -- St. Ephrem the Syrian (Spiritual Psalter #117)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those three things certainly work for me when I feel the black cloud coming on! It's nice to know that even St. Ephraim the Syrian may have struggled with despondency. It sometimes (at least for me) feels like I'm struggling in the fog all alone.

Julianne said...

Praying is a great thing to get past the fog.

Anonymous said...

It sure is. It also helps me to actually say out loud something like "how I feel doesn't change God's love or my salvation that I have through him". Sometimes I even picture my hands actually holding on to the cross -

km said...

What counts as handiwork?

Julianne said...

What a striking visual.

John Wurst said...

Pastor - thank you for this important reminder. Hobbies, crafts, exercise are all good things to do when we struggle.

Pastor Wurst also has a GREAT nugget from Blessed Martin Luther for pastors at http://thewurstblog.blogspot.com

Rev. Paul T. McCain said...

One word: Bach

Recall Luther's admonition. When the blues settle in, sing hymns!

WM Cwirla said...

Woodworking - nothing finer in my opinion. The handling of material is essential to spiritual and mental health.