Blue sky Quote by Margaret Atwood
““But then I said to myself, What can't be cured must be endured...and I looked up at the branches of the apple tree above me, where the small green apples were already forming and at the patches of blue sky visible beyond, and attempted to cheer myself up, reflecting that only a benevolent God, who had our good at heart, would have created so much beauty, and that whatever burdens were laid upon me were surely trials, to test my strength and faith, as with the early Christians, and Job, and the martyrs. But as I have said, thoughts about God often make me drowsy; and I fell asleep.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, 1985
When faced with suffering, the narrator seeks comfort in divine purpose, yet finds such thoughts weary, highlighting the tension between faith‑based meaning and existential fatigue.
In simple terms: She tries to find meaning in hardship through belief in a benevolent God, but feels drowsy.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge both the comfort and the limits of faith.
Themes
faith
suffering
meaning
resilience
existential doubt
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
hopeful
Type
philosophical
reflective
literary
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- grief
- spiritual reflection
- seeking purpose
- mental exhaustion
Key Concepts
theodicy
spiritual coping
psychological fatigue
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you rely on spiritual narratives to cope with hardship?
- When does faith feel more burdensome than soothing?
A Different Perspective
Faith may not always provide relief and can become a source of fatigue.
