Hidden treasure Quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
““There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve -- even in pain -- the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Cost of Discipleship, 1937
Loss leaves a void that reminds us of the loved one, and gratitude can turn that ache into quiet joy.
In simple terms: Missing someone creates an empty space that can become a treasured memory.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the emptiness as a sign of deep connection.
Themes
grief
memory
gratitude
Mood
reflective
comforting
Type
spiritual
philosophical
When to use this quote
- mourning a bereavement
- spiritual reflection
- creative writing
- counseling sessions
Key Concepts
existentialism
theology
attachment theory
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the emptiness teach you about love?
- How can gratitude reshape painful memories?
A Different Perspective
Some find comfort in religious explanations, which may conflict with this view.
