What happens if we want to do something but cannot

7 comments

Feb 06 2017

If we want to do something but cannot, then before God, who knows our hearts, it is as if we have done it. This is true whether the intended action is good or bad.

Based on Saint Mark the Ascetic

If you want to pray for you or to donate, click here.

Related Portfolio Items:

« The absolute renunciation of our own life: fearlessness of death

From death to life »

RiffRaffWL111
Perhaps similar also from 2 Cor 8,10-12 but only quoting 12: ‘For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.’ The emphasis is on ‘it is’. New King James Version.

07/02/2017 at 16:13 Reply
- Ioan Toma
  Yes. The spiritual reality is so complex that it needs many sayings to try to describe its mystery.
  
  09/02/2017 at 12:10 Reply
RiffRaffWL111
I have read where St. Paisios said if a person wants to be a monk, but life circumstances do not allow this, that he (St. Paisios) believes God will ‘see’ him as such and count it as done. This is a similar kind of meaning to today’s post. But certainly, to want to do something, to plan to do something, then to start doing that thing is a different category. I think God deeply loves the person that lives like this, rather than dreaming all of ones life but never acting on that dream. Those who act on their dream are living from their heart, and if God put that thought into their heart, He would be most pleased. Certainly, the thought for today is something to wisely think about.

07/02/2017 at 00:42 Reply
- Ioan Toma
  Of course. God cannot be cheated. If you want to do something good then try to do it with all your power, without crossing the God’s law. The post above is about what if you try as much as you can and you did not succeed – not about daydreamers like me 🙂
  
  07/02/2017 at 11:54 Reply
  - e.s.
    This comment is another Spiritual Gift for us. Thanks a lot!
    
    Congratulations for being so humble! Humility is the greatest virtue which make it possible to achieve all other virtues.
    
    I am a real daydreamer, not you there in Mount Athos…
    I have to try hard to change, and maybe it could be possible if I will promise God.
    
    Have God’s Grace all the time!
    
    08/02/2017 at 14:05 Reply
    - Ioan Toma
      The change is possible always. Just to really want it and to have prayer, patience and hope.
      
      09/02/2017 at 12:11 Reply
      - e.s.
        Thank you very much for your kind answer!
        I’ll try in this way.
        God bless you always!
        
        09/02/2017 at 15:40