I was just baptized into the Eastern Orthodox Faith. The 2 weeks leading up to my baptism were brutal, I was restless, waking up in the middle of the night, fighting off anxiety and depression, etc. things improved dramatically after my baptism and first communion. The struggle is real, the devil wants to keep us from Christ at all costs.
It's coming up on a year since I was baptized into Eastern Orthodoxy. I have never struggled so much with dark thoughts and temptation to sin in my life as I have in 2024. I hear you!
Thanks this is a great explanation. I’m an orthodox married into the faith from a life of Evangelicalism. I’ve noticed I’m less faux positive and more realistic. The persecution has increased and internally very difficult but all in all grateful to be on the right path.
As a latin catholic, I fully endorse all those teachings. Point 1 is very, very true. Point 2 and 3 are so difficult to teach in our modern time. People just don't want to believe us when we teach it. Importance of the body, importance to engage our whole humanity, and not just part of it. The recent papal encyclical about Sacred Heart is all about this. The points 4 and 5 are of outmost importance to progress is spiritual life. People seek extraordinary. They struggle to accept that we need to accept God in the banality of our life, and struggle to welcome the subtleness of the Spirit... Many people want miracles everyday, and question the faith when miracles don't happen. It all comes back to point 1. The spiritual struggle. The need for purification.
Thanks dear brother. I'm being Chrismated in two weeks and the struggle has become each day harder and I often have become scared so much to the point of being so distracted in prayer and in Liturgy. Only these last few days I was reminded of the Lord visiting Martha and Mary and saying "Martha you worry about many things and only one is important, Mary chose the best part and it's not being taken away from her" and been asking for that kind of contemplative spirit in prayer, in stead of being so overwhelmed by the struggle. I'm also preparing for my confession and I'm asking for much more contrition, because there are things I had already confessed many times in the past and contrition is not the same anymore, but I know there's still much to heal about those things because I've never stopped repenting and hurting for them, I'm asking for the tears of repentance. Please pray for me that I can prepare in a healthy way in this final period before Chrismation, and most of all in true repentance. Thanks... God bless
Thank you for this, I recently begun my journey towards Orthodoxy and I’m trying to avoid polemics and arguments and focus on my spirituality (it’s tough ngl) but I really appreciate stuff like this
I to have recently begun my journey. It’s such a burden lifted from me not to feel compelled to argue, dispute, or carry the burden of persuasion. God bless you
Thank you. I am drawn to the Orthodox faith but very much at the curiosity stage. I found the part about the body interesting, and also about routine and habituation. It’s an important point because it sets common sense expectations.
Excellent short and clear explanation of what converts will experience. I have heard similar points being made, but not in such a direct way with no theological terms. Definitely a subscriber.
Great video. The whole point about not relying reason and intellect alone is crucial. A lot of people i talk to see some of the Orthodox practices or beliefs as un-reasonable or unnecessary. Its a tough one for a lot of people
Thank you for this video. I’m new to Orthodoxy. Catholics put their hands together when praying and non denominational people will put hands together or pray with arms open. Do Orthodox people put hands together for ex. when praying over meal? Also is their a specific prayer to pray over meals? Thank you and May God bless you big time
It depends on the Orthodox denomination. I'm a Coptic Orthodox Christian, and we often lift up our arms horizontally, with elbows bent and palms facing up. It's a sign of humble entreaty, surrender, offering ourselves to God, lifting up our hearts, and a vulnerable posture ready to accept God's grace. When praying over regular meals, it's often unprescribed, but we do have some beautiful prescribed prayers (which I can send you on request); they're just not used frequently. Of course, it's not so important, but yes, different external postures do affect our internal dispositions, so it's certainly good to be concerned with the small and the big in the spiritual journey. God bless, and thanks for your comment.
@@Struggle_for_Christ coptics are Monophysites (mixture of Gnosticism and Christianity). In the fifth century they departed from Church and created their own organization. Of curse they will say “no, we are usual Christians”
@@Struggle_for_Christ coptics are Monорhуsitеs (mixture of Gnоstiсism and Christianity). In the fifth century they departed from Church and created their own organization. Of curse they will say “no, we are usual Christians”
It’s like getting air-dropped into the middle of a war. Because you are. You are in a spiritual war with yourself and your Passions and the World and you are no longer blind to this. The difficulties that manifest as roadblocks in life are innumerable and frustrating. But endure. Christ asks us to endure. Especially when it’s people close to you with EZ passes right through life and you are getting your ass kicked by life. Strong temptation to focus on that. God bless ☦️❤️
All people in this world face spiritual warfare and opposition. Some people experience tougher struggles than others and that has to do with the way people deal with The Lord God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit and whether man has God's Spirit or not. It is not for nothing that Christians are warned to put on the Spiritual Armor of God. By the way, it is not God's will that His Children suffer spiritual or physical pain, so let us not hold The Lord God responsible for things that man is confronted with. It is also very unbiblical to glorify or pursue human suffering, as if human suffering were pleasing to the Lord God. The Orthodox religious people should think about whether they are in the right church or belief system? You can't serve 2 masters.
Thanks for commenting. Please note the difference between suffering and struggling. Spiritual struggle is a central component of the Christian life. It's missing in "American Christianity" despite it being a biblical principle. If it's not clear, I'd be happy to make a video on the biblical premises for the centrality of struggle in Christian spirituality. I encourage you to dig a little deeper rather than falsely accusing Orthodox Christians of glorifying suffering. I take it you are coming from a place of sincerity, though, and I appreciate your engagement. God bless.
I was just baptized into the Eastern Orthodox Faith. The 2 weeks leading up to my baptism were brutal, I was restless, waking up in the middle of the night, fighting off anxiety and depression, etc. things improved dramatically after my baptism and first communion. The struggle is real, the devil wants to keep us from Christ at all costs.
Amen!
Glad you held strong my brother in Christ!! God Bless you! 🙏☦️😇
Amen!☦️
Same thing happened to me. We are not alone! God is with us 😊❤
It's coming up on a year since I was baptized into Eastern Orthodoxy. I have never struggled so much with dark thoughts and temptation to sin in my life as I have in 2024. I hear you!
Thank you for making this video. Not enough people talk about the reality of spiritual warfare when you are going deeper into Orthodox Christianity.
Great video. ❤❤❤
Thanks this is a great explanation. I’m an orthodox married into the faith from a life of Evangelicalism. I’ve noticed I’m less faux positive and more realistic. The persecution has increased and internally very difficult but all in all grateful to be on the right path.
As a latin catholic, I fully endorse all those teachings. Point 1 is very, very true. Point 2 and 3 are so difficult to teach in our modern time. People just don't want to believe us when we teach it. Importance of the body, importance to engage our whole humanity, and not just part of it. The recent papal encyclical about Sacred Heart is all about this.
The points 4 and 5 are of outmost importance to progress is spiritual life. People seek extraordinary. They struggle to accept that we need to accept God in the banality of our life, and struggle to welcome the subtleness of the Spirit...
Many people want miracles everyday, and question the faith when miracles don't happen.
It all comes back to point 1. The spiritual struggle. The need for purification.
Thanks dear brother. I'm being Chrismated in two weeks and the struggle has become each day harder and I often have become scared so much to the point of being so distracted in prayer and in Liturgy. Only these last few days I was reminded of the Lord visiting Martha and Mary and saying "Martha you worry about many things and only one is important, Mary chose the best part and it's not being taken away from her" and been asking for that kind of contemplative spirit in prayer, in stead of being so overwhelmed by the struggle. I'm also preparing for my confession and I'm asking for much more contrition, because there are things I had already confessed many times in the past and contrition is not the same anymore, but I know there's still much to heal about those things because I've never stopped repenting and hurting for them, I'm asking for the tears of repentance. Please pray for me that I can prepare in a healthy way in this final period before Chrismation, and most of all in true repentance.
Thanks...
God bless
I’m being chrismated in two weeks too. I’ll pray for you. Please pray for me if you can. My name is Blaise.
8:43 I love what you said at the end there. We need to experience Christ so that we can offer Christ.
Thank you for this, I recently begun my journey towards Orthodoxy and I’m trying to avoid polemics and arguments and focus on my spirituality (it’s tough ngl) but I really appreciate stuff like this
I to have recently begun my journey. It’s such a burden lifted from me not to feel compelled to argue, dispute, or carry the burden of persuasion. God bless you
Same here I’m learning to speak less & make sure I grow in understanding the basics & applying them practically/daily.
Well, my brother your way of putting this treasure out is linguistically potent and spiritually charged. You have a gift. Keep it up
Thank you. I am drawn to the Orthodox faith but very much at the curiosity stage. I found the part about the body interesting, and also about routine and habituation. It’s an important point because it sets common sense expectations.
Great video. I don't have an Orthodox church near me and no way to move to be near one. So i watch online . It brings comfort.
Excellent short and clear explanation of what converts will experience. I have heard similar points being made, but not in such a direct way with no theological terms. Definitely a subscriber.
Great video, very insightful and helpful. Lord, help Orthodox Christians to struggle ...
Thank you for this very helpful and informative video.
thanks! God bless us all
This was a really great video and channel. Thanks for posting them
Great video
Thank you so much for this video. It's such a great topic and very relevant. Well presented here.
Great job, brother. Very helpful.
Thank you
What a very nice video ! Thanks for your help
Thank you ❤❤❤❤❤
Great video.
The whole point about not relying reason and intellect alone is crucial.
A lot of people i talk to see some of the Orthodox practices or beliefs as un-reasonable or unnecessary. Its a tough one for a lot of people
Thank you for this video. I’m new to Orthodoxy. Catholics put their hands together when praying and non denominational people will put hands together or pray with arms open. Do Orthodox people put hands together for ex. when praying over meal? Also is their a specific prayer to pray over meals? Thank you and May God bless you big time
It depends on the Orthodox denomination. I'm a Coptic Orthodox Christian, and we often lift up our arms horizontally, with elbows bent and palms facing up. It's a sign of humble entreaty, surrender, offering ourselves to God, lifting up our hearts, and a vulnerable posture ready to accept God's grace. When praying over regular meals, it's often unprescribed, but we do have some beautiful prescribed prayers (which I can send you on request); they're just not used frequently. Of course, it's not so important, but yes, different external postures do affect our internal dispositions, so it's certainly good to be concerned with the small and the big in the spiritual journey. God bless, and thanks for your comment.
@@ReasonableReligion can I ask why coptic and not sort of eastern orthoodx
No, it’s strange. Before meal we even stand while praying (I am Eastern Orthodox)
@@Struggle_for_Christ coptics are Monophysites (mixture of Gnosticism and Christianity). In the fifth century they departed from Church and created their own organization. Of curse they will say “no, we are usual Christians”
@@Struggle_for_Christ coptics are Monорhуsitеs (mixture of Gnоstiсism and Christianity). In the fifth century they departed from Church and created their own organization. Of curse they will say “no, we are usual Christians”
It’s like getting air-dropped into the middle of a war. Because you are. You are in a spiritual war with yourself and your Passions and the World and you are no longer blind to this. The difficulties that manifest as roadblocks in life are innumerable and frustrating. But endure. Christ asks us to endure. Especially when it’s people close to you with EZ passes right through life and you are getting your ass kicked by life. Strong temptation to focus on that.
God bless ☦️❤️
All people in this world face spiritual warfare and opposition. Some people experience tougher struggles than others and that has to do with the way people deal with The Lord God, Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit and whether man has God's Spirit or not.
It is not for nothing that Christians are warned to put on the Spiritual Armor of God.
By the way, it is not God's will that His Children suffer spiritual or physical pain, so let us not hold The Lord God responsible for things that man is confronted with.
It is also very unbiblical to glorify or pursue human suffering, as if human suffering were pleasing to the Lord God.
The Orthodox religious people should think about whether they are in the right church or belief system? You can't serve 2 masters.
Thanks for commenting. Please note the difference between suffering and struggling. Spiritual struggle is a central component of the Christian life. It's missing in "American Christianity" despite it being a biblical principle. If it's not clear, I'd be happy to make a video on the biblical premises for the centrality of struggle in Christian spirituality. I encourage you to dig a little deeper rather than falsely accusing Orthodox Christians of glorifying suffering. I take it you are coming from a place of sincerity, though, and I appreciate your engagement. God bless.
Thank you