Having a pessimistic outlook on the world

[Dorothea]

I am guilty of this. All I see is the moral decline in this country and other countries around the world. When I see the news and all the horrible stories, it depresses me. Then I start thinking, "oh, well, that's the sign of the times. It's only going to get worse."

I just read on the site of Fr. Seraphim Rose that repentant posted where he talks about the end times and a paragraph on not being depressed or negative about everything. In fact, some of the quotes he used as examples could've been mine!! :blush: I read this and realized that I can't be thinking this way. When he said to be aware of the signs and prepared and watch, he said to not think that these were the signs that the worst was to come and the Antichrist, but to look at these signs as the return of Christ. Anyway, I'm going to work on that.

Does anybody else have this problem and any suggestions on how to deal with it?

[Komnenos]

I am guilty of this. All I see is the moral decline in this country and other countries around the world. When I see the news and all the horrible stories, it depresses me. Then I start thinking, "oh, well, that's the sign of the times. It's only going to get worse."

I just read on the site of Fr. Seraphim Rose that repentant posted where he talks about the end times and a paragraph on not being depressed or negative about everything. In fact, some of the quotes he used as examples could've been mine!! :blush: I read this and realized that I can't be thinking this way. When he said to be aware of the signs and prepared and watch, he said to not think that these were the signs that the worst was to come and the Antichrist, but to look at these signs as the return of Christ. Anyway, I'm going to work on that.

Does anybody else have this problem and any suggestions on how to deal with it?
Yes I sometimes have the same Problem. It feels suffocating in an Islamic country sometimes. All I can suggest is prayer. It has always helped me. I agree the moral decline in the USA is disturbing. Giving contraceptives to middle school children among other things. It very sad sometimes. In my prayers
Alexander

[Dorothea]

Thanks, Alexander. Prayer is wonderful.

[Komnenos]

Thanks, Alexander. Prayer is wonderful.
I just wish I could help you more! :)

[Dorothea]

I just wish I could help you more! :)
:hug:

[Philothei]

Sometimes i wish they could translate those elder's sermons into english and put them up in the Ancient radio or something.... i was listening something very similar by an elder yesterday and it made me feel that my focus need to change and be attentive to my life. How modern times and secular society is depriving me from my spiritual freedom and that we do live in the end times......i am sad too but hopeful that I still have time to repent and correct my life....One thing that stick to my mind was that saying by St. John Chrysostome:

"there are two reasons why one should be really sad about when his salvation is at stake or the salvation of his/her neighbour"

Philothei

[Dorothea]

Thanks, Philothei. That's a wonderful saying by St. John. :)

[Mytheodos]

Here's something i found on patience during trials and on struggling..(Hope this helps Dorothea:) )

An elder said,

Today Monastics are saved only through temptations because virtue does not exist.
Those who endure temptations will be numbered among
those fathers of the past who achieved great things
As long as one endures the temptation,because patience without grumbling is equal to prayer.Satan does not tempt us as much as he would like to but as much as God allows him.
With his tricks the ememy tries to weaken one's
conscience,he inspires a state of despair and hopelessness,or manages to bring about a state of haughtiness and boasting for "Holiness" that does not exist.
The devil's wiles and crafts are innumerable.
He rushes at those who desire their salvation like a Rabid Dog...I have told him(The devil)
Do whatever you want to me!
You will achieve nothing.
I have a spiritual father,and i partake of the HolY
Mysteries.
What will you achieve with your wiles?
And he added(the elder);

Oh,how many temptations have i not received
from the enemy,and how much did he try to trick me?
I have gained much experience from other places,but
i finally decided to stay here and endure,realizing
that one cannot avoid temptations anywhere!
If you want The Enemy not to fight you,then eat,drink,sleep and do whatever is desirous to him;
he won't bother you in the slightest,neither with temptations,nor with afflictions.
He is like a Dog.
If you don't bother him he stays quiet.
If you do,he rushes at you and tries to bite.

You should have an experienced confessor whom
you respect,because there, within respect,lies humility.

[Dorothea]

Here's something i found on patience during trials and on struggling..(Hope this helps Dorothea:) )

An elder said,

Today Monastics are saved only through temptations because virtue does not exist.
Those who endure temptations will be numbered among
those fathers of the past who achieved great things
As long as one endures the temptation,because patience without grumbling is equal to prayer.Satan does not tempt us as much as he would like to but as much as God allows him.
With his tricks the ememy tries to weaken one's
conscience,he inspires a state of despair and hopelessness,or manages to bring about a state of haughtiness and boasting for "Holiness" that does not exist.
The devil's wiles and crafts are innumerable.
He rushes at those who desire their salvation like a Rabid Dog...I have told him(The devil)
Do whatever you want to me!
You will achieve nothing.
I have a spiritual father,and i partake of the HolY
Mysteries.
What will you achieve with your wiles?
And he added(the elder);

Oh,how many temptations have i not received
from the enemy,and how much did he try to trick me?
I have gained much experience from other places,but
i finally decided to stay here and endure,realizing
that one cannot avoid temptations anywhere!
If you want The Enemy not to fight you,then eat,drink,sleep and do whatever is desirous to him;
he won't bother you in the slightest,neither with temptations,nor with afflictions.
He is like a Dog.
If you don't bother him he stays quiet.
If you do,he rushes at you and tries to bite.

You should have an experienced confessor whom
you respect,because there, within respect,lies humility.
Oh, that's excellent, Mytheodos! Thank you! :hug:

[Mytheodos]

Your welcome dorothea:)
That saying was taken from"An Athonite Gerontikon"
By Preistmonk Ioannikos Kotsonis
I think philothei mentioned that she wished those elders sermons would be translated to english...
This book i mention IS in english and is full of sayings and stories of the fathers of mount athos.
It's available from light'n'life.:thumbsup:

[Dorothea]

That's great! I was just looking yesterday at books I plan to get from that site! :D

[SpyridonOCA]

We are to be dead to the world and alive in Christ. Part of this is recognizing that Satan controls many human events and is the prince of this present age. That's not pessimism, but honesty.

[Dorothea]

We are to be dead to the world and alive in Christ. Part of this is recognizing that Satan controls many human events and is the prince of this present age. That's not pessimism, but honesty.
:)

[SpyridonOCA]

Fr. Seraphim Rose was rather pessimistic about the world. He would even kiss trees since he felt that our sins had caused them harm.

[MsDahl]

I know some may disagree with me but what you described is why I stopped watching the news. It is full of horror stories and I realized that the seeds of constant strife and stress were being planted in my spirit daily. Media is such a strong outlet and especially the television. I catch up on current events either via the newspaper where I can pick and choose what I read about or via my homepage and again, I can pick and choose what I read. In my opinion, the media is more concerned with what is most shocking rather than what is truly newsworthy.

Other things I do to not get down and out about the world we live in is taking daily walks in nature (not hard for me to do as I live in a somewhat rural town) and just enjoy God's creation. It reminds me of how great He is and how awesome His power is. I also recite Scripture, one that comes to mind is: He that is in me is greater than He that is in the world.

[Hoankan]

Over the years I've become quite jaded. I've seen and heard of things that make most people lose all appetite. Reading the way Rome made martyrs of people doesn't phase me like many people. In fact, if I had to give them a grade, the highest they'd achieve is a B for creativity (yes, I've seen much worse).

In order to fight my jaded and pessimistic view, I remind myself of something Elder Paisios said. When he was suffering greatly, he use to comment on how he was thankful for God when he could sit without being in pain. He realized that even sitting is a blessing from God.

Since that time, I try to think of at least one thing I'm thankful for each day.

[TrueHope]

Oh, I love this thread!!! :thumbsup:

I used to get really depressed about watching what was going on in the "World today" so I cut out watching tv. (Not all together...We have satellite and watch cartoons in many languages! lol...and English learning shows too! lol)

But what I realized from so much time mourning what is happening in the world, is that we must live through it. We must focus on the fact that we live in a time filled with temptations, immoralities, and judgment from all corners...and that to survive it, not only must we depend solely upon our Almighty Father, but to understand that this is supposed to happen. To turn inwards and focus on our families and work and strive not to become as the world has...and to take every struggle, test, event as a lesson in our growth towards that very very narrow road. It is humbling, it is...for the average person, unthinkable to choose Not to follow the crowd and do what is now acceptable, and normal....and the one of the tests is to get past the sadness of what we see in the world, and fight it by being a light in the presence of those around you who are caught up in it all.

It is very easy to get depressed by the things around us....the horrifics of many lives....is unthinkable, the suffering, the starvations, the slaveries, the drugs, etc...etc...etc....it seems never ending...But we must praise God daily that He has chosen to exclude us from such horrible things. And if we happened to survive any or many of those horrible things, to thank Him every moment of the day, for here you are! A new person....

The world stinks...but at the same time, there is still so much beauty....and if we take the time to really look, it is amazing how much beauty we can see by just looking over your shoulder.....We can live in this world, but it does not mean, we have to partake in it as others do...Glory to God!

[Slambo]

I guess if I had to describe myself, I'd say I'm a bit of a cynical optimist but sometimes I swing to the hopeful pessimist side. Hope for the best, expect the worst and you won't be dissappointed and all that jazz.

[Dorothea]

I know some may disagree with me but what you described is why I stopped watching the news. It is full of horror stories and I realized that the seeds of constant strife and stress were being planted in my spirit daily. Media is such a strong outlet and especially the television. I catch up on current events either via the newspaper where I can pick and choose what I read about or via my homepage and again, I can pick and choose what I read. In my opinion, the media is more concerned with what is most shocking rather than what is truly newsworthy.

Other things I do to not get down and out about the world we live in is taking daily walks in nature (not hard for me to do as I live in a somewhat rural town) and just enjoy God's creation. It reminds me of how great He is and how awesome His power is. I also recite Scripture, one that comes to mind is: He that is in me is greater than He that is in the world.
I know what you mean. I have stopped watching the news where there are any stories about murder and other such atrocities. I don't watch certain news shows that just center on that too. Not for me. Don't need it.

[paleodoxy]

..We have satellite and watch cartoons in many languages! lol...and English learning shows too! lol)

I just learned the other night that Mayan prophecy says the world will be judged on Dec. 21, 2012. ;)

[Hoankan]

Not judged. It's the end of the fifth world and beginning of the sixth.

[Mytheodos]

Being Pessimistic:(

Could it be, that it is NOT the suffering around us that makes us so pessimistic, but rather our own LACK OF FAITH?

[Chocolatesa]

But what I realized from so much time mourning what is happening in the world, is that we must live through it. We must focus on the fact that we live in a time filled with temptations, immoralities, and judgment from all corners...and that to survive it, not only must we depend solely upon our Almighty Father, but to understand that this is supposed to happen. To turn inwards and focus on our families and work and strive not to become as the world has...and to take every struggle, test, event as a lesson in our growth towards that very very narrow road. It is humbling, it is...for the average person, unthinkable to choose Not to follow the crowd and do what is now acceptable, and normal....and the one of the tests is to get past the sadness of what we see in the world, and fight it by being a light in the presence of those around you who are caught up in it all.

Thanks, that helped:)

I just learned the other night that Mayan prophecy says the world will be judged on Dec. 21, 2012. ;)

A few weeks ago my cousin, who is really into esoteric stuff, sent the family living here an email saying that my city will be really dangerous and not a good place to live in after March of next year. When I asked her where she got the info, she just said that she didn't want to have it on her conscience if she didn't at least warn her family.

Me neither I don't watch or follow any news cause I have no interest in politics or other news stuff, and it's so depressing. I don't watch tv, period. I usually have a classic radio station wake me up in the morning, but I think I'm gonna switch to a station that doesn't have news at 7:05am cause it's no fun to wake up hearing the latest developments in the search for a pedophile.

[TrueHope]

I just learned the other night that Mayan prophecy says the world will be judged on Dec. 21, 2012. ;)
lol:D

Now, How did you go from Foreign Language cartoons to the Mayan Prophecy of 21012??? Are you my husband???:scratch: He does this to me all the time! :help: ROFL! Oh Oh, I get it....You are informing me! heehee!

Just teasing ya!

[Shubunkin]

Being Pessimistic:(

Could it be, that it is NOT the suffering around us that makes us so pessimistic, but rather our own LACK OF FAITH?
With me, I mourn the loss of so many people who remain blind to the truth. They see the spiritual decline, and the result, and make excuses for it, instead.

[Dorothea]

Over the years I've become quite jaded. I've seen and heard of things that make most people lose all appetite. Reading the way Rome made martyrs of people doesn't phase me like many people. In fact, if I had to give them a grade, the highest they'd achieve is a B for creativity (yes, I've seen much worse).

In order to fight my jaded and pessimistic view, I remind myself of something Elder Paisios said. When he was suffering greatly, he use to comment on how he was thankful for God when he could sit without being in pain. He realized that even sitting is a blessing from God.

Since that time, I try to think of at least one thing I'm thankful for each day.
I'm reading a book on the life of St. Necktarios and it is really making a great impact on me. His way of living, his example is wonderful for me to try and emulate. :) I never knew reading about the Saints could be so good for the soul! SILLY ME! :blush:

[Dorothea]

Oh, I love this thread!!! :thumbsup:

I used to get really depressed about watching what was going on in the "World today" so I cut out watching tv. (Not all together...We have satellite and watch cartoons in many languages! lol...and English learning shows too! lol)

But what I realized from so much time mourning what is happening in the world, is that we must live through it. We must focus on the fact that we live in a time filled with temptations, immoralities, and judgment from all corners...and that to survive it, not only must we depend solely upon our Almighty Father, but to understand that this is supposed to happen. To turn inwards and focus on our families and work and strive not to become as the world has...and to take every struggle, test, event as a lesson in our growth towards that very very narrow road. It is humbling, it is...for the average person, unthinkable to choose Not to follow the crowd and do what is now acceptable, and normal....and the one of the tests is to get past the sadness of what we see in the world, and fight it by being a light in the presence of those around you who are caught up in it all.

It is very easy to get depressed by the things around us....the horrifics of many lives....is unthinkable, the suffering, the starvations, the slaveries, the drugs, etc...etc...etc....it seems never ending...But we must praise God daily that He has chosen to exclude us from such horrible things. And if we happened to survive any or many of those horrible things, to thank Him every moment of the day, for here you are! A new person....

The world stinks...but at the same time, there is still so much beauty....and if we take the time to really look, it is amazing how much beauty we can see by just looking over your shoulder.....We can live in this world, but it does not mean, we have to partake in it as others do...Glory to God!
What a beautiful and great post, True!! :bow: :amen: :clap:

[Dorothea]

I just learned the other night that Mayan prophecy says the world will be judged on Dec. 21, 2012. ;)
LOL I brought that up in our Orthodox meeting last night and one of the gals in the class said, "oh, that's just when their calendar ends." ^_^ ^_^

[Shubunkin]

LOL I brought that up in our Orthodox meeting last night and one of the gals in the class said, "oh, that's just when their calendar ends." ^_^ ^_^
That's what I always thought ... that perhaps they just ran out of room on that piece. :)

[Dorothea]

That's what I always thought ... that perhaps they just ran out of room on that piece. :)
lol Could be. :)