You are encouraged to continue to keep in mind the spiritual dimension of your struggles. We are assured by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the following words: “The more difficulties one sees in the world the more perfect one becomes. The more you plough and dig the ground the more fertile it becomes. The more you cut the branches of a tree the higher and stronger it grows. The more you put the gold in the fire, the purer it becomes. The more you sharpen the steel by grinding the better it cuts. Therefore, the more sorrows one sees the more perfect one becomes. That is why, in all times, the Prophets of God have had tribulations and difficulties to withstand. The more often the captain of a ship is in the tempest and difficult sailing the more greater his knowledge becomes. Therefore I am happy that you have had great tribulations and difficulties . . . Strange it is that I love you and still I am happy that you have sorrows.” (Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice in a letter to an individual, 23 October 1994, published on-line as Childhood Abuse, Ritual)
Whenever I fall into that “why me, God?” whine, I love to be reminded of this quote, with all its practical answers to this question.
Let’s look at each of these concepts from nature one at a time:
- the more difficulties we see, the more perfect we become
- the more we plow and dig the ground, the more fertile it becomes
- the more the ground is ploughed the better the seed will grow
- the more we cut the branches of a tree, the higher and stronger it grows
- the more we put the gold in the fire, the purer it becomes
- the more we sharpen the steel by grinding, the better it cuts
- the more often the captain of a ship is in the tempest and difficult sailing, the greater his knowledge becomes
None of these things are easy. It’s hard work to plow and dig the ground (and the ground or the tree doesn’t feel good about it either). The heat of the fire or the grinding of the steel is excruciatingly painful. Spiritual growth is like that, as we learn to turn our ships and our vision from the lower nature to the higher. If we can accept the above examples to be true, doesn’t it also make sense that the more sorrows we have, the more perfect we become?
I love the last two sentences and can imagine ‘Abdu’l-Baha saying them with a twinkle in his eye: “I am happy that you have had great tribulations and difficulties . . . Strange it is that I love you and still I am happy that you have sorrows.” This helps me withstand the onslaught of tests, difficulties, frustrations and sorrows.
Knowing there’s a purpose to it all, I am grateful!
What jumped out for you as you read today’s meditation? I’d love it if you would share so we can all expand our knowledge of the Writings!
If you liked this meditation, you might also like my book Getting to Know Your Lower Nature
As an older person I appreciate some of the challenging times in my life, ones that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. With one of them I pleaded to God to just kill me, set me in front of a firing squad, anything to get me out of the impossible situation – but He didn’t. And as the pain subsided and growth happened gradually over the years, I matured spiritually. Exactly what I needed to prepare for the next even longer eroding of self; it seems the crisis will keep happening in a particular area until we have learned to grow beyond it’s grip. These patterns have happened all through my life and although I really don’t like to suffer, hopefully I’ve learned that after crisis there is victory – over self – if we patiently learn unconditional love, respect for others and truly internalize what Baha’u’llah has come to teach us.
Wow! My experience exactly. Thank you. I need to hear of the struggles and victories we share. It helps to keep me grounded in my spiritual journey. I’ve stopped asking why and just strap on the safety harness, so to speak.
Me too Eve!
Dear Bertha,
you put it so beautifully. I wish to attain to that unconditional love you mentioned.
Thank you.
Me too Ayshe!
I’ve had many years when I begged to be put out of my misery too, Bertha! I took comfort in the fact that so too did the Central Figures of our Faith. To see what I mean, have a look at these quotes.
Yes, tests, and difficulties are given to us so we grow spiritually, and they come in so many forms. My latest is another health issue, hyperacusis with ear pain to be exact. This affliction/test at this time (from almost the beginning of the pandemic shut down) has prevented me from participating in so much. Now, most of my contact with others is through emails, and texting to friends and family, with the occasional phone call. So no Feasts, Devotionals, Study Circles etc. on Zoom, etc. Too painful.
I’m trying to figure out how I can grow from this difficulty other that more time for reading and prayers… I’m still doing service in my community, but it has had to be cut back. Perhaps I just need more patience and prayers.
I understand well the description “excruciatingly painful”. I agree with your feeling of appreciation of Abdu’l’Baha’s happiness for our tests and for the same reason. Without the Writings to guide the soul and mind’s longing to understand things, oh, how can one survive?
I’m learning we will not understand everything in this life. A new level of learning for me and, admittedly, a little challenging for my natural curious self.
But, if I go back to educate my younger self and lovingly teach her how to reflect on and understand the world and her experiences and guide her how to view and understand things from the point of view of the Truth, as brought and defined by Bahá’u’lláh, it helps her and me to release fears and sadness and know more how to be and do in the present.
Having not been raised a Baha’i, that motherly spiritual and intellectual education upon my true inner reality is not an easy thing to do at age 50. Hoping to make it a consistent and real (beautiful) habit of behavior, learning, growing, and developing.
Prayers for all who are experiencing pain and suffering.
So well said, Barbra. It’s not easy at age 63 either!
O Marian, That sounds so painful on so many levels. I’m so sorry you have to go through this.