Understanding Spiritual Desolation

In the book “Discernment of Spirits” by Timothy Gallagher, he breaks down periods in a believers life based on the accounts of St. Ignatius Loyola.

One of the key aspects of that is this idea of spiritual desolation.

It’s a common period (or time & season) experienced by a believer, where they may feel like they hit a low in their spiritual life.

Here is a summary of it.

Spiritual versus non-spiritual desolation

In the book, it talks about this difference.

There is a difference between spiritual and non-spiritual desolation.

Spiritual desolation is confined within the spiritual activities or aspects of a believer’s life.

Activities such as:

• Church

• Bible reading

• Prayer

• Fasting

• Service

• And anything else spiritual

What does that look like ?

In the book, it gives several accounts of many dedicated believers on their walk with their God.

Here are some:

Helen:

Alice:

As we can see from these accounts, there is a common pattern of this “felt experience” or internal turmoil within the believer.

Where they may feel like they are spiritual in a lower state than usual.

That leads to the “fourth rule” discussed in the book by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Fourth rule

In addition, it also discusses such a reason for the spiritual desolation.

God purposefully permits it, and withdraws His grace in order to teach believers lessons.

“Darkness of soul” and “Disturbance in it”

There are movements by the “bad spirits”, mainly coming in forms of thoughts and imaginations.

These are things like:

• Confusion

• Anxiety

• Lack of peace of mind

• Upset

• Internal disturbances

These come as illusions from the “bad spirits” to pull us away from being rooted in the truth of the word (bible).

“Movement to Low and Earthly things”

In spiritual consolation, there is an “upward” movement towards “heavenly things” like prayer, bible reading and other activites.

Whereas it's the opposite in desolation.

Some “Earthly things”:

• Material comforts

• Gratification of the flesh in various ways

• Diversion through media

• Busyness

• And more

Not that any of these things are necessarily bad, but what is conveyed in the book is that these movements are more acute than usual in a spiritual desolation.

So, that means some of these things in this area are made more apparent.

“Disquiet from various agitations and temptations”

There is a sense of “heaviness” internally, and that is mixed in with temptations from the “bad spirits”.

All these are stirred up within us, the main goal is to get us to stop living righteously or to devote ourselves to the spiritual things.

Jane:

“Moving to Lack of confidence, without Hope, without Love” / “Finding oneself slothful, tepid, and sad”

The book talks about these as the decrease in the “felt” experience of these virtues rather than in reality.

Some accounts the book gives:

• “Sees herself as a complete failure”

• “Distracted and dry prayers”

• “Stirring of hopelessness”

• “Unable to sense God’s loving presence”

• “Without spiritual energy” (for spiritual activities)

• “Has become sad in her life of faith”

These are accounts and descriptions described in the book by devoted men and women of God.

It shows the extent of how spiritual desolation can bring about this “felt experience” in a believer’s life.

In addition, such experiences are felt by even the most devoted believers as mentioned in the book.

“And, as if separated from One’s Creator and Lord”

In the book, it talks about how there is a feeling that God is distant from the believer during this time.

Such feelings can manifest in various forms like unanswered prayers, doubting the Lord's presence in their life, “abandoned by God” and more.

Some of my key takeaways

• Half the battle is being aware of spiritual desolation when its happening

• This experience is permitted by God for us to learn certain lessons

• Know that this spiritual desolation experience is not limited to “beginners” but experienced by even the most devoted believers (as seen above)

• Understand the “felt experience” or illusions and imagination (from the “bad spirit”) versus the truth that is in the word of God

• Understanding yourself and having a level of self awareness can quite helpful in this period

• Such period illustrates the importance of how one should stay in the truth in the word of God and in prayer

Overall, it’s a very insightful book and I highly recommend it if you’d like to better understand or become aware of the spiritual aspect in your walk with God.

Especially when you are in that season or period of feeling low in your spiritual life.