Do What You Can
You may be interested to know that, within the limits of their capacity and the uncertain circumstances, Bahá’ís inside and outside Ukraine are responding directly to the crisis. The believers in the country are supporting their compatriots to the extent possible, and...
War – Heartbreaking and Terrible
The problem: But war is made for the satisfaction of men's ambition; for the sake of worldly gain to the few, terrible misery is brought to numberless homes, breaking the hearts of hundreds of men and women! How many widows mourn their husbands, how many stories of...
Fearing the Destroyer of the Worlds
The barking of dogs is loud on every side . . . Where are the swords of Thy vengeance, O Destroyer of the worlds? (Baha'u'llah, Fire Tablet, Baha'i Prayers, p. 213) Since the war in Ukraine started, I have been absolutely terrified that World War 3 is about to start,...
War Makes Me Sad
The problem: I hope you are all happy and well. I am not happy, but very sad. The news of the Battle of Benghazi grieves my heart. I wonder at the human savagery that still exists in the world! How is it possible for men to fight from morning until evening, killing...
Why We Don’t Want War
As you know from your study of the Bahá’í writings, the principle that is to infuse all facets of organized life on the planet is the oneness of humankind, the hallmark of the age of maturity. That humanity constitutes a single people is a truth that, once viewed with...
The Relationship Between Suffering and Happiness
"Then it is impossible to attain happiness without suffering?" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. -- "To attain eternal happiness one must suffer. He who has reached the state of self-sacrifice has true joy. Temporal joy will vanish." (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 178) This week I was...
Moving to the Will of God
May your movement and your stillness be guided by the gentle winds of His Will, and may He bestow upon you the enduring bounty of being enabled to serve Him in accordance with His wish. (Universal House of Justice, to the Auxiliary Board members throughout the world,...
Praying for Others
Should a person recite but a single verse from the Holy Writings in a spirit of joy and radiance, this would be better for him than reciting wearily all the Scriptures of God, the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting. Recite ye the verses of God in such measure that ye...
The Importance of Conquering Myself
I want to say a few words now about the Guardianship. "And when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá' passed away, the whole world became dark for him (Shoghi Effendi). All light had gone out. And when he came to the Holy Land, he had in mind, from the things ‘Abdu’l-Bahá' had said to...
Waiting on God’s Direction
However, relying upon God, we conducted ourselves with the utmost patience and submission, resignation and calmness; so much that if one did not know anything about these matters, he would have thought that we were in perfect ease of soul, enjoying the tranquility of...
Have Hope. This Too Shall Pass
Thou wert created to bear and endure, O Patience of the worlds. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Fire Tablet, Bahá’í Prayers, p. 317) Remember My days during thy days, and My distress and banishment in this remote prison. (Bahá’u’lláh, The Tablet of Ahmad, Bahá’í Prayers, p. 210)...
The Truth About Unbearable Tests
No one should expect, upon becoming a Bahá’í, that faith will not be tested, and to our finite understanding of such matters these tests may occasionally seem unbearable. (Universal House of Justice, Lights of Guidance, p. 341) This Plan will test their stamina, their...
The Definition of Heroism
These, indeed, are the days when heroism is needed on the part of the believers. Self sacrifice, courage, indomitable hope and confidence are the characteristics they should show forth, because these very attributes cannot but fix the attention of the public and lead...
Days of Blissful Joy
O my servants! Sorrow not if, in these days and on this earthly plane, things contrary to your wishes have been ordained and manifested by God, for days of blissful joy, of heavenly delight, are assuredly in store for you. Worlds, holy and spiritually glorious, will...