Growing in love, compassion

[Helen]

In the Bible Jesus says something about how love will grow cold. (Sorry don't remember the exact words). What can be done with someone who is cold but wants to be loving and compassionate, change and seek God. How can they change to love and compassion? Aside from praying and at least putting forth the attempt to act in love. Is the act or attempt to show love outwardly a first step towards this love, then God comes in and changes us. or Does Involving themselves in other peoples suffering help them grow in compassion. Does suffering help us grow in compassion and love. I am sure God is the one who ultimately gives this to us, but how should someone who is cold in heart approach this coldness and indifference towards other peoples suffering?

Is there a good story of a saint or example that someone can share that shows someone change from cold and indifferent to loving and caring and compassionate?

[Sunny]

Dear Helen,

Forgive me, I just replied to one of your other posts and now I see this one that I have some small personal experience with also. I can only speak from my own life-I am no Theologian, and know very little. But I have found that for me, the more immersed in the world and the things of the world, the colder my heart is towards God and therefore to others. Of course what I mean is not working at a vocation because we have to work, but rather a LOVE for the world and its' things. Enjoying them and going to them to meet my needs for solace, company, diversion, comfort, etc.., when really what my heart needs is God. But the more I go to the world the more entangled my feet and my heart become and for me, this can cause coldness of heart. So I pray and ask God to deliver me from the love of the world and it's things and I read Orthodox material and the gospels and psalms are wonderful. The more single minded my heart becomes the more I yearn for God and His life in me. And when I am tempted I pray to God no matter how I feel-I choose to pray and ask for His help even in the midst of a temptation. He is teaching me to do this.

Forgive me for going on and on. You are welcome to pm me if you want.

Sunny

[Herman Blaydoe]

I was taught (outside the Church) that if you act enthusiastic, you will BE enthusiastic. Our Lord values and rewards persistance, just as in His parable about the widow who kept knocking on the door of the unjust judge. Because she was persistant, the judge granted her case. So much moreso will the Just Judge harken to those who keep knocking at His Door.

Many Orthodox authors talk about times of spiritual dryness. Bishop Anthony (Bloom) says that when God seems completely absent, that is the true beginning of prayer. God allows us to fall into these times to help us to work ever harder, to challenge and refine us by greater efforts, so that we can better appreciate the gifts we are given.

Sometimes, we have to "go through the motions" because the motions themselves teach us and strengthen us. It is in going through the motions even when no effect is apparent that makes us stronger, even like resistance training does for an athlete.