WHY DOES GOD LET US SUFFER?

[@nancyincanada5553]

Coming out of a protestant background, I found Orthodox Christianity online. It was as if I had come home. There is no Orthodox Church where I live. It's your channel and others like it that feed my soul. I cannot thank you enough. God bless you.

[@m.s.5065]

Peace and Joy Get babtized so your can also take in GODs flesh and blood.

[@rasimoo999]

Nancy inCanada Christ is risen My wife and I live in smiths falls ont let me know what city u live in and I will find you your nearest Orthodox Church.in The Risen Saviour, Gerasimos

[@Προκείμενον]

Axios!

[@claudiusxcv]

Only Jesus Christ feeds your soul. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Know that only God feeds. Pray, pray and pray since prayer is the strongest form of communication. No matter where we are in this realm, Christ is with us. God bless.

[@anna14campbell]

The same happened to me.

[@Dylbr00]

Very good answers to the problem of evil. I think consumerism is the great heresy of our age.

[@katherinecross8059]

I am guilty of not being patient in suffering.

[@johngoutzoulas1046]

Me to in 10 years iv suffered chronic pain cancer & addicted to pain meds were all in the some boat brother so it's ok to loose it as long as we don't mean it & go to our spiritual father

[@TheRealRealOK]

John Goutzoulas Have you considered a diet change? Keto or carnivore heals many of serious ailments.

[@cuttlefisch]

You look familiar. Did you once attend St. Nicholas Church in Manchester, England decades ago??

[@katherinecross8059]

@@cuttlefisch Yes, who are you?

[@cuttlefisch]

I'm Anthony, remember me? I converted to Orthodoxy at St. Nicolas's then joined St. Aidans for a while until 2012.

[@noblemansvision]

"The road to heaven is the way of Cross"!!

[@OldeCountryHomesteading]

O Stavros Nika!

[@Gabriel13099]

Your sick in the head

[@jayant9151]

@@Gabriel13099 wht

[@Maria-g1o3z]

Amen 🙏

[@fractaldreams1822]

If they persecuted our Lord, don't be surprised when they persecuted you; a follower of the Truth. Stay strong, courageous, and faithful. Much love to all my brothers and sisters in Christ.✝️💖

[@xrfepalo758]

Lord Jesus Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner 😢👏

[@antonkirani2758]

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Thank you for your words Father.

[@anilomd]

Thank you for this Father. I am a Roman Catholic who is going through some misfortune presently. I needed to hear this.

[@antonkirani2758]

Lord Jesus Christ , Son of God , have mercy on me a sinner. Thank you Father for your words.

[@thattimestampguy]

0:07 Longing for Ease 0:43 Struggle, Repent, Overcome 1:02 Expect Nothing accept to be crucifixed 1:45 Life of Ease leads somewhere else 2:00 Belief in Future Life, Enduring with Patience 2:40 Good Attracts Affliction 3:48 Endure Set the Heart straight And Patiently Endure

[@heuganian7252]

thank you :)

[@frankrotondo3771]

I am a Catholic of the Eastern rite and I find some of your sermons really good thank you

[@HudsonFamily7]

I am amazed that I had the teachings in my head and heart that did not come from the Protestant Church of Christ. Been in that all my life until one day I heard an interview with the author of "Thinking Orthodox" I was so excited she was speaking the same language I went home bought the book and have been more in love with my lord Jesus and God the Father ever since

[@Alex462047]

Thank you, Father. I've just had a pretty tough week, my truck broke down on a trip and, in the course of repairing it, I damaged the radiator because my hands were frozen through, which lost me an extra day while I had clients and company management on my case. What these five days have shown me is how weak my faith truly is. But I haven't arrived home yet and there is a reckoning to be had about the cost of repairs and lost time on this trip, which is liable to be blamed on me (one thing at a time, of course), this week isn't over yet. This wisdom of the Fathers you have shared has given me the courage to meet whatever is to come with forebearance and make a good ending to this short period of suffering. I'm only sorry I didn't make better use of it, instead of feeling sorry for myself. At least there will be a welcome opportunity to go to Confession and make a good beginning. Glory to God in the highest for everything! His Will be done in everything.

[@kevinegan4829]

Thank you Father for this and all your videos. Your words are obviously guided by God. May God bless you and all your work.

[@joerhodes8785]

George MacDonald 1824-1905 "the Son of God suffered unto the death not that we might not suffer but that our suffering might be like His". Amen to this video

[@MyselfTheodore]

@@jediineducation Didn't Christ sanctify suffering? Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'” Luke 9:23

[@AbideWorship33]

One must deny himself and take up the cross 🙏

[@aurelius1964]

Once again a timely reminder! Uncanny.

[@elenihelenmelb]

Glory be to God Fr - Fr Bless + It it so very true- Scriptures speak to us- thank you again - Demons attack a person that starts seeking God and more so when we humbly pray- Let’s all imitate the lives of Saints - who are ALIVE as God is of the living notvthe dead+ Thank you IX

[@hsi-enlee-ez8fh]

Galatians 6:14 “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

[@rationsofladyfingers]

Indeed, my life is far too easy & comfortable & I am simultaneously full of self-pity, which is why my spiritual growth is stunted.

[@stefano.gambetta]

Χρόνια Πολλά για την Ονομαστική Σας Εορτή

[@elenihelenmelb]

Many years to you on your name day ... IX

[@WBell]

Beautiful place that you are. Stay warm. I have gotten your newest book and am hoping to carve some time to have it read soon. Thank you.

[@karooboermeyer1115]

Orthodox Christianity has a real presence and real wisdom which is lost in in the numerous western denominations

[@johngoutzoulas1046]

Father its john again at the moment I can live without fornication I wanted a wife but I stoped asking .because i wanted a companion as I'm getting older but now I'm trying to live life like a monk & im happy I just whant to con q ure my lazines & go see my spiritual father for confession for spiritual strength & to help me understand the bible if it wasn't for u tube like your self I'd be confused. I try prey daily & live a clean life if you got some advice I'd apreciate thank you father & im looking forward to all meet on mount athos .thank you father & may God bless you

[@ivygarcia9525]

John Goutzoulas Good for you my dear brother. May the Lord grant you strength, patience, courage and at the end, a beautiful crown as reward for your struggles and your efforts 🙏

[@wade43671]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It really touched my heart. I think everyone needs to hear this message all of the time. Please continue to post these wake up calls. Thanks again!

[@LukiaSierra]

THE LOVE OF COMFORT IS INDEED A SICKNESS!!! We must love the Cross! Embrace the Cross! Share in the sufferings of our Christ! 🙏☦️

[@PaurRoo777]

Thanks father spyridon :)

[@OwainapDewi]

Keep warm Father, very cold here right now.

[@FolkBoyify]

Orthodoxy is the faith of joy, not the faith of questioning God. May Christ bless all of you.

[@fogo1832]

Very nice, I like, thank you father 👍

[@lupinthe4th400]

Thank you Father!

[@paulwilliams9207]

Happiness is not found in the world, in what is considered to be 'normal'; far from it, in fact. In patience and in humility, in silence and in prayer we know something of happiness, be without crucifixion, we cannot be Christians. Thank you Father, keep well, and keep warm.

[@jpage99999]

Father I am going through absolute hell right now, a level of personal suffering that is quickly leading to despondency. Please help, someone please. Lord have mercy , where are you Jesus. You have been my all my everything and now the bottom has fallen out and i'm left looking up to heaven and there is silence.

[@falso4054]

non stop Jesus prayer

[@theendtimeswarrior4967]

What is happening can I help you"

[@jpage99999]

@@theendtimeswarrior4967 yes please anything you can say? I have been living in this personal hell for almost three years. Depression and anxiety are crushing me and I am losing faith. Dear brother or sister please help if you can.

[@theendtimeswarrior4967]

@@jpage99999 The same thing happening to me I loose my physical strength but I didn't loose my faith something you see with your own eyes How can I Denny that! But yes sometimes I tempted when I didn't pray to Holy Rosary why I am leaving in Hell my parents make my life difficult..... No food no water.... I will pray for your side God can do anything and everything do not loose the Hope.... *If you loose the Hope* *you loose Every thing* !

[@GimbalLocksOnly]

Jesus prayer, brother. ☦️

[@JoshAlicea1229]

No cross, No crown!

[@donmiller4885]

Excellent video thank you !!

[@McIntyreBible]

Believers don't seek after suffering, but it is something that faithful saints will definately encounter (2Tim.3 vs.12)!

[@emiliosman820]

Thank you Fr.

[@jphanson]

Amen.

[@funnywarnerbox300]

Blessed. Thank you.

[@WowFan991]

Father, I have to ask, what about spiritual suffering? There is suffering that stems from disease, from persecution, from loss of a loved one, etc. Opposed to these, somewhat external circumstances, what about the suffering of someone who cannot, at times, find God? One monk, in his biography, stated that there were times that even when he confessed, when he tried his best to defeat sin, God would not show himself, and he would argue with God as David has in his Psalms. Of course, he stayed faithful to the end and eventually he found his peace. So how should we treat this kind of suffering? If we find our peace and joy in Union with God, (which should be the right thing to do?) does God help this happen by not making this happen? Forgive the paradox.

[@irene1234]

Interesting. But what do you mean by the monk was upset because God would not show Himself?

[@ArdeshirBanerjee]

Do read about the dark night of the soul and spirit.

[@teresapavani4799]

WowFan991 Yes - I have read a few in regards to this - I guess we all question God because of our flesh- we do more to please the flesh/eg to see God and have Him answer upon our request - it’s our fallen nature that seeks this - our soul thirsts for knowing God and although prayer should suffice, our flesh of this world begs for more- we must humbly accept our struggles for the benefit of our soul -suffering and struggles accepted humbly with no anger is more beneficial then we realise - if we lived in comfort all the time- we forget God + I guess it’s a blessing in disguise+

[@teresapavani4799]

WowFan991 WowFan991 Our prayers are indeed heard, but are we worthy / by worthy I mean/ confession/ repentance / is our soul immersed in Love of all men? Sometimes the struggles and sufferings we experience are our own sins(missing the mark) because our soul is pure LOVE/ hate or any injustice cannot experience peace of mind and body - so by praying more or humbly accepting our true struggles and suffering , we begin to understand that free will is given to all men and although each suffering is different for each person ( depending on their soul ) we wait for Gods Will to be done, and not our will- like the Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come , thy WILL BE DONE... I’m sorry if I’m confusing you... I guess God knows us better then we know ourselves- sometimes we think we are good and then realise that it wasn’t a good thing-

[@Etihwkcirtap]

Short and to the point.

[@landonboone2948]

love this guy.

[@joecappello6043]

Amen

[@LittleNoob131]

There is also godly suffering, swimming against the flow for example.

[@gradymeek8288]

I love how you sound like rob stark

[@Aegianlulz]

So, if I do not suffer in my life, does that mean there is no way in going to heaven? Will having an easy life lead me to hell?

[@TheRealRealOK]

Aegianlulz It often can because of the choices one makes. Most people who have an easy life reject God.

[@Србомбоница86]

@@TheRealRealOK true,most people sadly need to suffer in order to want to get closer to God

[@michelalkinnab8593]

Merry Christmas Father how are you ?I am an orthodox christain from Lebanon(middle east)if iwant to talk to you father sometime to ask you some questions how can i communicate with you?

[@FatherSpyridonROCOR]

If you go through my Facebook page you can send private messages.

[@nicolasfarah2092]

An Orthodox brother from 🇱🇧❤️

[@maxjenkinsss6060]

Very interesting

[@Moriartyismine]

Thankyou 😇

[@nicolasfarah2092]

❤️❤️❤️❤️From🇱🇧

[@falso4054]

from kousba .

[@nicolasfarah2092]

@@falso4054 im from Btaaboura

[@nicolasfarah2092]

@sireena _ I'm fine, do I know you?

[@nicolasfarah2092]

@sireena _ thank you so much for asking you have a great humanistic side and a good heart, I appreciate it and may God bless you always. I'm fine, the explosion was unbelievably huge and it came across every corner of the city. Hope your country does not have corrupted officials like we do, because corruption is the door for evil to come inside our countries and homes.

[@nicolasfarah2092]

@sireena _ thank you for the encouragement and your uplifting words, sometimes the problem is the people themselves, they may be praying to God for something better to happen but then something worse comes the way when they were waiting for solutions, but this is only God telling them to change their ways because if they won't they can stay stuck there for years without change never happening. We are people of faith in Jesus Christ in Lebanon, and we know everything (good or bad) happens for the good for those who believe in the Lord. Take care and God bless you.

[@irene1234]

What about suffering from physical attacks and abuse?

[@teresapavani4799]

Irene D Because we each have free will - please pray Prayer helps - Saints lives a life pleasing God and imitating His life so we too, should also try and imitate Jesus Christ - we are all called to be saints - and asking a prayer from a Saint by interceding on our behalf is humbly accepting because these Saints lives Christ and dwell with the Living God - IX

[@alexissashanicolle8675]

I don’t know your situation, but if you are in an abusive relationship of some kind please do what you can to get out of it. We do not have to endure abuse or physical attracts from others in our lives, esp. not a significant other or friend.

[@McIntyreBible]

1:03, the brother's comment of dying to the world is Biblical and Historic Orthodoxy!

[@Thailova]

Hello Father thank you so much for these amazing videos. God bless you and He may protect you. I have a question for you. I'm on Orthodox. I do believe in the intersection of St Mary and Angels. I used to get good answers when I asked the intercession of Saint Mary. She has never failed me. However in the last few years, Her intercession has not been working for me. Could you tell me what went wrong? Thank you so much for your time

[@FatherSpyridonROCOR]

We mustn't try to test prayer in this way. Prayer is not a button we press and get a result, it is a means of aligning ourselves with the will of God ad growing deeper in the knowledge of His presence and purpose for us. Keep asking for their intercessions, their prayers surround us.

[@irene1234]

Sometimes I think we see prayer as a spiritual vending machine when we get answered speedily and often. I think it's good to know God will answer when He is good and ready. It humbles us. I say this as someone who has experienced both sides to prayer: quick relief and feeling ignored.

[@joshwoodcock8555]

Sure it's Josh Mr bailey what good man

[@Funny1budgie]

Can I count my depression as form of suffering?

[@michelalkinnab8593]

Okay father thank you I will contact on facebook.

[@deborouspattersonjr6620]

To me, the first question should be is God responsible for our suffering? I know the answer.

[@EverythingInane]

but you're not truly suffering if you're not pitying yourself... you have an awareness of your souls' value and needs, and if those are being punished/maligned then your pain IS your awareness and grievance of that abuse. So no, I don't feel guilty for pitying myself.

[@banditnip0345]

Is this guy an actual legitimate ordained catholic priest? What order of Orthadox is he? Where in Austrailia does he reside?

[@rbeck3200tb40]

He is an Orthodox Christian priest in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He lives in England

[@remingtonsloan8331]

The last two verses are from Ecclesiasticus not Ecclesiastes. I assume that's just a typo. The futility of pleasure is relevant to your topic though.

[@nobody845]

Hey mate

[@oneofjesus]

ITHANKTHEEFATHER

[@aaronschernig8345]

the longing for eas is very right, just not at any cost. the Holy Spirit is our comforter, therefore much suffer can show the lack of the set-apart Spirit of YHVH!! what is this speech about? it isn't selfpitty to want to be whole as a human.

[@vincecomuna]

This has no logic what so ever to me.... If your god created everything, is 100% wise and can do everything I, then I simple don't understand he's racionality. Can't he undo those evil deeds? Then he's not that powerful. Doesn't he know about the evil happenings? Then he's not that wise. If he's the only creator, did he created the pain? Than he's not that good. And on the terrible cenario of the answer to any of those questions being "he can do the moraly right if he want", then the only possibility left explanation is that he's an _accomplice_ of the evil letting his supposedly beloved creations on the hands of evil, at miserable state for no plausible reason. And here's the thing that I'm gonna tell you, priest. I'm an atheist and I simply CANNOT accept the "freedom" speech because if it was to make the ENTIRE UNIVERSE happy, healthy and peaceful I would be willing to give up on ANYTHING I have including my own satisfaction of being free. Fuck, I would go to extremes of giving up on my own existence. I'm not even talking about death, I'm talking about ceasing to exist, to be forgotten by all who I love. So you see, atheists are not monsters. We just don't accept shallow explanations. And no, this is not me playing the good guy, it's a matter of pure mathematic LOGIC. It is better for a single volunteer to suffer alone on the torture chamber you chistians call hell then let billions of alive creatures (both humans and and other animals) to starve and despair. It would be a fair deal, but your god is uncapable of rationality because it doesnt exist. I wouldn't even want something back, I fully accept just the miserable parts if he could keep his end of the deal and leave everybody else out of the business. BE LOGIC, the is no amount of so called greater good provided by free will that could pay for the painful deaths of babies who never done a thing to deserve it. And I am telling you, there are ppl on this world who follow the pacifism rules and would be willing to give themselves up in order to archieve this very greater good. Heck, I'd rather be tortured in silence and never complain about it in your hell than to hurt someone... My conscience wouldn't stand that thought. So explain to me priest, because I don't understand your faith. It lacks logic to me.

[@Guezfye]

Sounds to me like God is working with evil. He created everything didn't he.

[@Dd-po2ij]

Except nothing but to be crucified. Wow

[@betshabeveronese5039]

Was.12.30..pm..next.door.neighbor.ar.very.noisy..she..have.demecia..him.tu.so.every.night.beaten.oane.tu.anather screm.is.omg.i.just.move..is.21.days.she..and him.have.mental.situation.so.only.god.make.them.quaiet.is.not...???way.jesus.take.over.i.m.pray..i.m.shure.them.ar.posess.by.unclean.spirit...god.you.take.over.jesus.christ...

[@Malkaline56]

its mr bailey

[@josh35639]

which school u from?

[@SuperGogetem]

This is good except I've heard that Seraphim Rose is a fraud.

[@FatherSpyridonROCOR]

I wonder where you heard this? Father Seraphim is widely read,and loved in Orthodox countries such as Russia and Greece. In western countries there are converts who have embraced his writings less, but there are still many who understand his importance. "Fraud" is a strange charge - everything I have read and heard indicates he was a genuine believer who lived his monastic life with great courage and love for God. My personal feeling is that he is a saint, but this is not official teaching.

[@SuperGogetem]

Toll Houses.

[@hughanon]

SuperGogetem His belief in Toll House teaching (something which wasn't unusual to believe in in the 1800s) warrants calling him a fraud?

[@SuperGogetem]

@@FatherSpyridonROCOR I must apologize. I was much too hasty in putting down Fr. Seraphim. I've done much reading on him and am now convinced he truly was a man of God.

[@FatherSpyridonROCOR]

Thank you for sharing that, it is good to know. God bless you.