Seraphim of Sarov named 3 main reasons why people get sick

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Saint Seraphim of Sarov claimed that illness occurs for three reasons, and all because we do not care about the health of the soul and body at the same time...

Saint Seraphim of Sarov, a revered saint, dedicated his life to solitude, prayer, and deep contemplation in the Sarov forests. His wisdom, passed down from generation to generation, remains a source of spiritual insight and guidance.

The life of St. Seraphim was a testament to his teaching. He lived in a hut in the forest, in solitude and prayer. He cultivated a deep respect for nature and all living things. Stories of wild animals visiting his hut and of how he tamed a bear as a pet are astonishing.

Among his many instructions, Saint Seraphim identified three main reasons why people become ill, emphasizing the relationship between spiritual and physical health.

1. Many illnesses arise from the fact that a person becomes sad and gloomy.

St. Seraphim believed that many ailments stem from a state of apathy and sadness. “We must constantly strive to have a ‘joyful spirit,’” he advised, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive and joyful outlook on life. He viewed joy as a powerful force that could overcome any difficulties.

A joyful and happy person, he argued, can achieve anything. This idea resonates with modern understandings of psychosomatic illnesses, where emotional states significantly affect physical health. Seraphim’s call to encourage joy reminds us that our emotional well-being is a vital component of our overall health.

2. You can also get sick if you are constantly angry and resentful towards others.

Another cause of illness, according to St. Seraphim, is hidden anger and other negative emotions.

"You must not allow negative feelings to penetrate your soul," he warned, emphasizing the importance of inner harmony and peace.

He is known to have said: "Find peace in your soul, and thousands around you will be saved."

His words highlight the destructive potential of anger and negativity, which can disturb our inner peace and manifest as physical ailments. By cultivating calm and avoiding harmful emotions, we can protect our health and make a positive contribution to the well-being of those around us.

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3. The risk of disease increases if a person constantly commits some bad deed/sin

Saint Seraphim also taught that constant misdeeds lead to illness. He viewed illness not as a punishment, but as an opportunity for reflection and transformation.

"God is not the cause of evil, it is not God who sends us illnesses. More often than not, we bring ourselves to such a deplorable state," he explained.

When we do bad things, it can upset our spiritual and physical balance, leading to illness. This view encourages self-improvement and the development of virtues such as patience, gratitude, and joy to maintain health.

The wisdom of Seraphim of Sarov is a call to self-awareness and moral integrity, suggesting that a righteous life with a pure heart can prevent many physical ailments.

As a result, some disease appears. It does not happen so that a person suffers, but is given so that a person has time and an opportunity to change his heart, become better and understand what he did wrong. Seraphim of Sarov said that we should avoid regrets, and cultivate patience, gratitude and joy in ourselves in order to maintain health.

“For many people, the body weakens with age, but the soul becomes stronger,” – Seraphim of Sarov.

The wisdom of St. Seraphim is a profound reminder that true health encompasses both body and soul.

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