Injustice and False Accusation by St Theophan the Recluse

Available from ArchangelsBooks.com

Have you ever wondered what is the most effective way to respond
to slander, false accusations and injustice? When the ego goes into 
self-preservation drive, it can be pretty hard to hold back and 'do
nothing'. From what I read from the Church Fathers and holy 
monastics, I learn the unanimous counsel from them all, "Forgive
your enemies, pray for those who hurt you, etc" I have to confess
that at times I have been quite annoyed by these 'unrealistic
expectations'. Life can be very 'unfair' and something in my 
personality demands that all wrongs be made right, all evil 
confronted.

So I kept reading; and coming up with the same counsel decided to
take a look at what modern cognitive behavioral therapy has to say
about the subject; and in the process, received a great lesson which
finally settles this question for me.

In their book, "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" p.329, by Rhena
Branch and Rob Wilson, published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
West Sussex, England, the authors write "Sometimes, life's just
plain unfair. Sometimes, people treat you unjustly and nothing
gets done to put the balance right. On top of being unfair, life's
unpredictable and uncertain a great deal of the time. And really,
that's just the way life is.You can still strive to be fair yourself,
but if you accept that unfairness exists you may be less outraged
and less horrified if and when justice simply doesn't prevail."

Notwithstanding my personal feelings during a moment in which
I have to face the 'injustices' of this life, I know that the well
trodden path of our monastics and holy ones is the path to the
healing of my soul. As such, I do not need secular science to
validate this truth. Much of secular psychology stands in
opposition to the patristic method for the healing of man but in
this case, cognitive therapy concurs with the ancient wisdom
of the Orthodox Church.

For example, St Theophan the Recluse, in his letters to a young
Russian lady which are compiled in the book, "The Spiritual Life
and How to be Attuned to It", published by St Herman Press,
Platina, CA 1996, writes in Letter no. 78 p.307,

"May the Grace of God be with you!
Again?! Injustices, wrongful accusations! It is probably from
somewhere outside. No matter where it is from, I would say to you,
do not just be courageous and stand fast , but rejoice. It means that
things with your soul are going well. The Lord is leading you to
cleansing, and the enemy is encountering strong opposition within
you. Stand your ground firmly. There is no need to be troubled by
injustices and wrongful accusations.

He who causes them will be judged by God, and he who 
suffers them must bear them with good cheer and give
thanks to God. Do not forget that there is another life in
which everything here will be answered for, in praise or
in remorse. What if you endure injustice? There will be
praise. If you do not? Remorse. Do not say, "That is not right."
Whether something is right or not is not your business to judge,
it will be said,"Why did you not bear it?"

Injustices do not come from God, but are permitted by God for
the good of the person to whom they are permitted. Truly for the
good! These are not just words, but a real thing. I cite for
you the example of the martyrs, who were tormented in every way
possible. And where was the Lord? He was there indeed, and
appeared to them comforted them, lessened their suffering, but
all the same left them to bear their torments to the end, so as to
receive the full crown. Similarly, each falsehood and
wrongful accusation prepares a crown. But the person to 
whom they befall must endure them. Now you have encountered
this necessity. Endure them with good cheer, if you will, as if they
did not exist. God wants this from you for your own benefit.

You say it is terrible to give yourself over to falsehoods for an
entire lifetime. Of course it is terrible. That is why it is said of
those who follow the Lord, "Be thou strong and of good courage!"
Deut. 31:6. Ahead of you is a cross. It appears that nothing more
remains other than to give yourself over to sorrows, privations
and wrongful accusations. This self denial, I would say to you,
is the beginning of the true path. Give yourself over to that! The
very moment you deny yourself, you begin following the Lord.
Think over all this and decide, if you will, in a Godly manner.
All success is from the necessary resolution of this point."

"Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again."
Mr. Beaver in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe'
p.74-75, C.S. Lewis, Collier Books Macmillan Publishing Company,
New York, 1970