Antoine de Saint Exupéry was a passionate searcher. He was passionate about life, about spirituality, the depth of mystery. But, for a long time, for him too the skies remained silent. Notwithstanding all his sustained trials, his prayers were not heard. Until one day he discovered that the biggest mercy of prayer consists in – not being heard.
Prayer itself is mercy.
Every human being sooner or later is confronted with sorrow, suffering, saying goodbye, and come across questions that are not answered or are confronted with problems that cannot be solved. We try everything, but nothing succeeds, nothing works, nothing moves – not through willpower, not through sustained prayer. Sooner or later we ask ourselves: why?
We want an answer.
A sign. In this way in spite of ourselves, we imagine what is good for us. We create an image that we need to be helped and how and when this should happen. It is exactly at this point that de Saint Exupéry discovered that the answer to his prayer did not coincide with the images he had in mind. He realised that the answer to his prayer exceeds the image created by us. It does not allow to be steered, or the use of words and is only to be understood by the heart. From a heart that exists through… trust.
Only belief that trusts completely can accept the holy ground of ‘not understanding’.
When we touch the bottom of intense doubt with our problems – and yet trust – true belief surges. Something becomes visible and tangible which we would otherwise never see, feel or experience.
Then we may discover with surprise, with an inner certitude that does not need a rational explanation, that -in essence- we are inspired.
And stronger : right through the agony of doubt, paradoxally enough, we find inner peace.
– BZN Movement Without a Name – Proverb of the month
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Additional reading:
- A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow
- Rejoice even though bound to grieve
- The soul has no rainbow if the eyes have no tears
- Trouble is coming
- Do not be so busy adding up your troubles
- Life’s challenges may not paralyse you
- A small trouble is like a pebble
- Remembering from times of trouble
- Anxiety is the gap between the now and the later
- If your difficulties are longstanding, try kneeling
- A problem not worth praying about isn’t worth worrying about
- Give your tears to God
- Crying and trusting ones do not get disappointed
- Call unto God so that He can answer you
- Let God’s promises shine on your problems
- Don’t put a question mark where God put a period
- Don’t wait to catch a healthy attitude
- Fearing the right person
- Trust the future to God
- Stick to one God
- Trust God to shelter, safety and security
- God is my refuge and my fortress in Him I will trust
- Be convinced that we are loved
- Love been perfected with us
- Faithfulness when most necessary
- Have a little talk with the Potter
- Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement
- A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses
- A Living Faith #1 Substance of things hoped for
- What loneliness is more lonely than distrust?
- Confidence
- Hope begins in the dark
- It is not try but trust
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