On Despair

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A soul that is close to despair doesn’t know that it’s already standing on the brink, beyond which there lies a new path.”

— Elder Barsanuphius of Optina
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  • B_Schebs

    What a wonderful quote that rings with truth. In my personal live, I was at a point where I thought things were never going to get better. Few good people took notice and helped me make a few small changes, and viola! the new path on the other side is wonderful. Thanks for sharing this quote!

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  • http://twitter.com/bigwalnutfly Cory Zurcher

    Great Quote, I have had quite the year of despair stroke, Death of both my Dad and my Grandad all in 6 months. I am 98% recovered, truly a miracle, In Death by Suburb Goetz says “no growth comes without suffering” that coupled with the above quote makes me think. No growth comes without suffering and no suffering without despair. Similar to 2 Peter 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. thanks for always bring a great thought to the day.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YWFOPRUNCR3C72QA6PWAUR74GI Blair

    Thanks for sharing this comment. Currently, I feel I am getting closer and closer to dispair (not quite there yet). I think this quote really does show how important it is to continue to move forward.

    • zoie

      Keep looking toward Jesus, the light He is great keeping you heading in His direction!

  • http://gailbhyatt.wordpress.com/ Gail Hyatt

    One must NEVER give up. There is always a new path.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      This is one of the thousands of reasons I love you SO much! You definitely walk your talk.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      This is one of the thousands of reasons I love you SO much! You definitely walk your talk.

  • http://twitter.com/doughibbard Doug Hibbard

    I’m seeing this after my morning walk in the woods, which other people would refer to as “deer hunting” since I wear orange and carry a gun. However, you have to see deer to hunt them.

    As we went out, to cross the rice field between the truck and the woods, I walked across a rice levee (muddy hill separating irrigation sections). It took a long time, it seemed, picking across a narrow muddy hill by moonlight. After the sun came up, I saw how close the truck was. The walk back was much, much shorter.

    It’s always a longer walk in the dark.

  • http://twitter.com/doughibbard Doug Hibbard

    I’m seeing this after my morning walk in the woods, which other people would refer to as “deer hunting” since I wear orange and carry a gun. However, you have to see deer to hunt them.

    As we went out, to cross the rice field between the truck and the woods, I walked across a rice levee (muddy hill separating irrigation sections). It took a long time, it seemed, picking across a narrow muddy hill by moonlight. After the sun came up, I saw how close the truck was. The walk back was much, much shorter.

    It’s always a longer walk in the dark.

  • http://twitter.com/mycaalford Myca Alford

    Odd how random comments like this seem to come at the right time to make a difference in your life. Thanks for sharing.

  • http://myscatteredstones.blogspot.com/ chrisd

    A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

    I needed to see this quote today–thank you and thank You.

  • http://twitter.com/ThatGuyKC K.C. Procter

    That is a great perspective. I think another quote that mirrors this idea is:

    “The night is always darkest just before the dawn.”

    Looking back on my own life this seems to ring true repeatedly.
    Thank you for sharing.

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I have a friend who has a comedic version of this. He says, “It’s always darkest, right before it goes completely black.” ;-)

    • http://michaelhyatt.com Michael Hyatt

      I have a friend who has a comedic version of this. He says, “It’s always darkest, right before it goes completely black.” ;-)

  • http://liveoutlife.com/ Hona Amer

    Great quote! Full of hope. Thanks for sharing!

  • Desertrose5173

    This takes on a new meaning as I work through childhood issues buried deeply.

  • http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan Biddulph

    Beautiful quote Michael, thanks for sharing.

    When at wit’s end, know that you aren’t there yet. Any feeling of despair is simply the little you bossing the Big You around. Remember who’s in charge here or more importantly put the Big You in charge 24-7, 365.

    An idea that’s helped to carry me past despair: every situation is a vehicle for our advancement. Whatever happens God intends for you to turn it to good. All is good. Our human eyes eventually see this.

    Have a powerful day!

    RB

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  • Forrest

    What a great quote. I often find myself walking along the edge of despair- brought about by things I have been through over the past decade, yet I sense it to be an edge along a brick wall, when in reality I need to step off to a new path, and leave the despair behind. Those Optina Elders have a richness of wisdom!

  • http://charlesjaymeyer.blogspot.com/ Charles Meyer

    I must say that is a beautiful quotation. It reminds me of so many challenges in life and the times where someone might feel despair. We focus so much what is going on currently that we forget that we are one step away from growing, changing and experiencing a new beauty to life.

  • http://blog.cyberquill.com Cyberquill

    A fish doesn’t know he’s wet.

  • Karen Jordan

    Just read this quote today – a few days after you first posted it – but perfect timing for me. Thanks!