The Beautiful Mind of Van Gogh

Earlier today I was looking for a good inspirational quote to post on this site’s Facebook page, and inspiration struck me to search for a quote by a particular person.

I instantly found this one:

“As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed.” – Vincent Van Gogh

This quote punched me in the gut. Hard. Because, when you stop to think how difficult Van Gogh’s life was, how much pain and suffering he went through, the beauty of these words becomes all the more visible. And as his words resonated in my heart, I started to feel color. I felt red and blue and brilliant green, all coming together to form the essence of Van Gogh’s life, his heart. I felt the pain of his soul, yet I saw the joy in his eyes as he painted these words. Because the only way one can say such things is if they have gone through difficulties, if they’ve had to fight for their life.

Van Gogh fought for his life. Every day was a struggle for him as he bounced from the purest of joys and elation, to the lowest of hells and grief, yet he still painted. Even as the world called him insane, as they mocked and ridiculed what is considered to be one of the most creative art styles in history, still he painted. He never lost contact with who he was, and he stayed true to himself, and I believe that is something to be greatly admired.

And I don’t know about you – or even most people – but I personally feel an emotional connection with this masterful artist. Though not as great as he, I too have experienced joy and pain, and when I first heard his story, my heart wept for him. He truly was a visionary with a beautiful mind, and yet, in the end, the sorrows of his own world drowned him – even in his self-portraits, you can see the solemnity in his eyes.

I realize that Van Gogh ended up killing himself, and I concede that some would view that as giving up…

But we don’t have to give up – you don’t have to give up!

I say we need to be more like Van Gogh. And in order to do that, we have to stay true to ourselves. We must push on in the  face of difficulty, for, as he says, that is how the inmost strength of the heart is developed. You must keep pressing on, and see the beauty that is made so readily apparent in this world! God has created so much for you to be joyful and thankful for, so rejoice in that, rejoice in Him, for His love is made manifest in all things.

And if you find yourself awash in your own sea of sorrow, look to the One standing on those stormy waters, for He can lift you up.