Affliction Quote by John Eldredge
““Simone Weil was absolutely right- beauty and affliction are the only two things that can pierce our hearts. Because this is so true, we must have a measure of beauty in our lives proportionate to our affliction. No more. Much more. Is this not God's prescription for us? Just take a look around.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Spiritual Reflections, 2010
Beauty and suffering together shape the soul; balance them to avoid excess of either.
In simple terms: Both beauty and suffering are needed, but in balance.
Key Takeaway
Seek a balanced life of beauty and challenge.
Themes
beauty
affliction
spiritual balance
divine prescription
measure
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
philosophical
spiritual
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- art appreciation
- overcoming adversity
- spiritual practice
- life planning
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
psychology
human experience
balance
Questions to Reflect On
- How much beauty do you allow into your life?
- What role does suffering play in your growth?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on either can lead to imbalance or neglect.
![“the essence of sin is not [primarily] the violation of laws but a wrecked relationship with God, one another, and the whole created order. “All sins are attempts to fill voids,” wrote Simone Weil.” quote by Timothy J. Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a0c/timothy-j-keller-3733_relationship-with-go_the-essence-of-sin-is-not-primarily-the_1694853.jpg)
![“There is a satisfaction we don't want to come to until we come to it in God…[Disappointments] serve to remind us every day that we cannot make life work the way we want…If we'll let it, the disappointment can be God's way of continually drawing us back to himself.” quote by John Eldredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/830/john-eldredge-1487_disappointment_there-is-a-satisfaction-we-don-t-want-to_71871.jpg)
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
