"Armed with the power of Thy name nothing can ever hurt me, and with Thy love in my heart all the world's afflictions can in no wise alarm me."
Spiritual Forces
Changing our perspective doesn’t make the test, in itself, go away, but it allows us to stay grounded even when the strong waves of emotion and doubt hit us, and allows us to remain hopeful even in the darkness and dreariness of our pain and anxiety! We will make every effort to draw on the power of spiritual forces and instead of dwelling on our sufferings; we turn our attention away to the great and many sources of our joy.
“The spiritual Kingdom never causes sadness. A man living with his thoughts in this Kingdom knows perpetual joy. The ills all flesh is heir to do not pass him by, but they only touch the surface of his life, the depths are calm and serene.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 110)
“Be not sad nor sorrowful over what hath occurred. What hath transpired is for the best and in it is a sacred wisdom concealed which ere long will become manifest.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 457)
“Be not in despair, but rather smile by the mercy of thy Lord; and be not sorrowful when meeting with worldly difficulties and depressions, for they pass away -- and thine shall be immortality during ages and centuries, times and cycles.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 177)
“If material anxiety envelops you in a dark cloud, spiritual radiance lightens your path.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 111)
“There is a tremendous darkness in the world today, the darkness caused by mankind's going against the Laws of God and giving way to the animal side of human nature. People must recognize this fact, and consciously struggle against pessimism and depression." (written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 115)
“… When such a crisis sweeps over the world no person should hope to remain intact. We belong to an organic unit and when one part of the organism suffers all the rest of the body will feel its consequence. This is in fact the reason why Bahá’u’lláh calls our attention to the unity of mankind. But as Baha’is we should not let such hardship weaken our hope in the future….” (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a Bahá’í family, April 14, 1932)
It is in God that we place our confidence, it is the life processes which the Faith has set in motion which we trust, knowing that it takes time and includes many setbacks, but we stay confident in the blessings which the future has in store for us, and for mankind as a whole.
"I swear by My life! Nothing save that which profiteth them can befall My loved ones. To this testifieth the Pen of God, the Most Powerful, the All-Glorious, the Best Beloved." (Baha’u’llah- quoted byShoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 82)
“Rest thou assured in the gracious favour of thy Lord. The eye of His loving-kindness shall everlastingly be directed towards thee. The day is approaching when thy agitation will have been transmuted into peace and quiet calm." (Baha'u'llah, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, p. 149)
“Thou art but one step away from the glorious heights above and from the celestial tree of love.” (Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words, 7)
“Do not feel sorry; do not brood over the loss; do not sit down depressed; do not be silent; but, on the contrary, day and night be engaged in the commemoration of thy Lord in the greatest joy and gladness.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v1, p. 133)
“This is the time of happiness; it is the day of cheerfulness and exhilaration. For, praise to God, all the doors are opened through the bounty of the Glorious Beauty. But one must show forth perseverance and self-devotion and consecrate his thoughts, until the tree of hope may give fruit and produce consequences.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 320)
“If sorrow and adversity visit us, let us turn our faces to the Kingdom and heavenly consolation will be outpoured.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 110)
“Be patient in the time of affliction and trial, endure every difficulty and hardship with a dilated heart, attracted spirit and eloquent tongue in remembrance of the Merciful. Soon thy Lord will extenuate thy straitened circumstances even in this world.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 375)
“Do ye not look upon the beginning of the affairs; attach your hearts to the ends and results. The present period is like unto the sowing time. Undoubtedly it is impregnated with perils and difficulties, but in the future many a harvest shall be gathered and benefits and results will become apparent. When one considers the issue and the end, exhaustless joy and happiness will dawn.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 264)
“Be thou not unhappy; the tempest of sorrow shall pass; regret will not last; disappointment will vanish; the fire of the love of God will become enkindled, and the thorns and briars of sadness and despondency will be consumed! Be thou happy; rest thou assured upon the favours of Baha', so that uncertainty and hesitation may become non-existent and the invisible outpourings descend upon the arena of being!” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 557)
“When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of God's compassion and He will send us heavenly calm! If we are imprisoned in the material world, our spirit can soar into the Heavens and we shall be free indeed!” (Abdu'l-Baha, Paris Talks, p. 110)
“Rest assured in the protection of God. He will preserve his own children under all circumstances. Be ye not afraid nor be ye agitated. He holds the sceptre of power in his hand, and like unto a hen he gathereth his chickens under his wings. "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to keep silent and a time to speak." Now, friends, this is the time of assurance and faith and not fear and dread.” (Abdu'l-Bahá:- Star of the West, Star of the West - 5)
“I know that thou art in difficulty, but this difficulty is conducive to the everlasting felicity and this weakness is followed by the supreme strength.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v2, p. 264)
“Unless the season of winter appear, thunder roll, lightning flash, snow and rain fall, hail and frost descend and the intensity of cold execute its command, the season of the soul-refreshing spring would not come, the fragrant breeze would not waft, the moderation of temperature would not be realized, the roses and hyacinths would not grow, the surface of the earth would not become a delectable paradise, the trees would not bloom, neither would they bring forth fruits and leaves.
Therefore, be not distressed on account of those adversities which fell upon thee; nay, rather, arise and render thanks that the ultimate goal is the attainment to this eminent bounty and the enjoyment of this highest gift of the Almighty God.” (Abdu'l-Baha, Tablets of Abdu'l-Baha v3, p. 655)
“Persevere and never feel depressed or discouraged. May the Almighty enable you to mirror forth the glory and splendour of this stupendous Revelation.” (Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance v II, p. 25)
"We must always look ahead and seek to accomplish in the future what we may have failed to do in the past. Failures, tests, and trials, if we use them correctly, can become the means of purifying our spirit, strengthening our characters, and enable us to rise to greater heights of service." (Shoghi effendi- Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 601)
“When our thoughts are filled with the bitterness of this world, let us turn our eyes to the sweetness of God's compassion and He will send us heavenly calm!”
(Abdu'l-Baha)