“When we are overwhelmed by stress due to the frantic nature of life, it is difficult to think clearly. We might tell ourselves, “As soon as I finish this project…as soon as our festival is over…as soon as the weekend rolls around, I’ll be at peace.” The problem with this thinking is there will be, almost inevitably, something that will keep us busy and—likely—stressed just around the corner. Unfortunately, we allow life’s “business” to distract us from our spiritual focus.” (Center for Family Care, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America)
“People feel unhappy and they don't know why. They feel that something is wrong, but they can't put their finger on what.... They have everything, yet they want more. And when they get more, they are still left ... dissatisfied. They want happiness and peace, but nothing seems to bring it. They want fulfillment, but it never seems to come. Everything is fine, and yet everything is wrong.... It is covered over by frantic activity, and endless running around.... It is drowned out by television programs and video games. But when the movement stops, and the power is turned off, and everything is quiet ... then the dread sets in, and the meaninglessness of it all and the boredom and the fear. Why is this so? Because the Church tells us that we are really not at home. We are alienated and estranged from our true country. We are not with God in the land of the living. We are spiritually sick, and some of us are already dead [spiritually]. (Father Thomas Hopko)
“…we overcommit our schedules and live lives of frantic faithfulness. But when we experience life at the Center, all is changed. Our many selves come under the unifying control of the divine Arbitrator. No longer are we forced to live by an inner majority rule which always leaves a disgruntled minority. The divine Yes or No settles all minority reports. Everything becomes oriented to this new Center of reference. The quiet evening can be enjoyed to the fullest because our many selves have been stilled by the Holy Within.” (Richard Foster)
“Quiet is a blessed gift. In this frantic world how we must cherish every moment of it, and carve it out for ourselves every chance we get.” (Anne Ortlund)
“Christ can be trusted to keep His Word that He will exchange our drab existence for joyous living, abundant life! And while true love, total acceptance and complete security are rare in our frantic world, the biblical evidence that our desires in these areas will be fulfilled in Christ is abundant.” (Josh McDowell and Dale Bellis)