You are good

Trouble, comrades, we have a sense of self. Maybe not everyone, but many. And in the Church especially. So, I recently advised girls at a lecture to write out all their positive qualities on a piece of paper and then look at it all. Then she writes one in Direct: “Father Andronic, I can’t. I was taught that you can’t think well of yourself. ” Well, that’s it. A curtain.

I stand in confession and I understand that a similar problem, if not all, then through one. Because they read smart books with immature consciousness and heard a lot of “right” advice. And then those come to confession, who directly say "I'm bad / bad," and whoever just goes between the words. Recently, in very severe cases, I have to confess with people a small dialogue. And since the format of confession implies that you have no more than a minute or two for psychotherapy, you have to develop clear and effective formulations.

So, when the “bad” come to me, I usually spend the next conversation with them. The reaction is usually typical, but for convenience I will tell by example. A familiar girl of about twenty came to me recently for confession:
- Father, I’m bad (Christian, wife, daughter, man - insert the necessary)
I answer:
“Look, if there are two opinions on your question, yours and the Lord God, what opinion should we choose?”
“The Lord God,” he says.
- Well, fine. Tell me, does God have bad ones?
- Not.
- So what are you?
A pause ... Then slowly:
- Not bad ...
- Not bad, but ..?
* obscurely mumbles *
- Speak ...
She raises her eyes and says:
- Good? - and roars. Pleased, she is, joyful, and roars.

Because they shut the man. Because she was ashamed of herself to say that she is good.

And then you need to explain to the person that for God we are all good, but at times idiots. That is, we have problems, there are sins and mistakes, yes. But the Lord looks upon us as beloved children. Stupid, with a fool, but loved. And after such a realization that for God I am good, but I have problems, we can already talk about some adequate spiritual life.

If you have read this text now, and it seems to you that now “everything is clear,” please do me a favor. Sit in an empty room in the presence of God and say aloud: “I am good. But moron. Lord have mercy on me, a sinner. ” And you will understand that in such a mood you also want to repent, and pray, and live.

Good to all. And remember, you are good.

Jerome. Andronic (Pantak)