Listen to your struggle

Posted on July 8, 2012 by elizabeth

Often we go to good men and women with our problems in the secret hope that they will take our burden away from us and free us from our loneliness. Frequently the temporary relief they offer only leads to a stronger recurrence of the same pains when we are again by ourselves. But sometimes we meet and hear that exceptional person who says: “Do not run, but be quiet and listen. Listen attentively to your own struggle. The answer to your question is hidden in your own heart.”

–Henri Nouwen, pg. 84 “The Essential Henri Nouwen”

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  • Grandmother

    Yes.  I have met and heard  that “exceptional person”  in therapy and spiritual direction. Beginning to experience the fruit of listening attentively to my own struggle. This is a beautiful quote for me to read and consider this morning as the onion peeling continues.

     

  • Patricia

    How true.  I’ve really grown into understanding this as I’ve gotten older.    Unfortunately, this wisdom just isn’t available from, or affirmed by, our noisy, reality-tv culture.

  • Truthseeker

    What a succinctly wise statement.  It was just 7 months ago that I finally decided I would embrace my pain-spiritual-and all its painful side dishes, the loneliness, the rejection of family and friends, everything, that I finally began experiencing peace in lasting though incremental measure.  I  had been reading Henri Nouwen and other Catholic and Quaker mystical writers, almost exclusively at that time.  It has been very helpful.

  • Anonymous

    Love this. Love that you’re a Nouwen fan. Love that you are you. 

  • http://twitter.com/Saint_Upid Chad Thomas Johnston

    This is a great quote for me right now. Thank you for this. With my own struggles with OCD, I walked through the fire and came out the other side with help to offer to others who found themselves in similar predicaments. But there are still those personal pains that I need to attend to without unloading them on others in hopes of finding alleviation there. Henri Nouwen was such a wonderful person and writer. I appreciate this. Thank you. :)

  • Mark S.

    Love that you are sharing Henri Nouwen.  He lived a well examined life and sought out those who were marginalized.  His words always seem to find a home in my heart and in my hands and feet.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_4QMUQWAZLLY4IXV7UKUW42HTSQ jeanelane

    Do we ever really listen to others? 
    We speak.  They speak.  We take what they say and try to validate what we say with it.  If they don’t agree with us, we throw out what they say.  Then later, maybe, we find out who was right.

    No one can take away our pain.  We must just go through it to the other
    side.  If Jesus is with us, the trip is easier, in a way.  Easier is probably not the right word.

    I am the only one who can live my life.  You are the only one who can live yours.  Almost 60 years and I am finally learning that.  I am trying to learn to keep my mouth shut.  I am trying to learn to ask questions instead of giving answers.  My kids will thank me for that, someday.