Mothers Group Reflection #30: Navigating the Highs and Lows of the Spiritual Journey Part 3

Last week I discussed the general definitions of consolation and desolation, those warm times in our lives that draw us closer to God or the alternate feelings of temptation, despair, disquiet, etc. St. Ignatius not only teaches us how to be more aware of our general life direction, whether toward God or away and how to recognize the alternating periods of consolation or desolation, but he also gives much good advice in how to make the most of either place we should find ourselves, in the present moment.

In general, we want to embrace the moments of specifically spiritual consolation, which are guiding us closer toward God, but we want to reject the thoughts that come from spiritual desolation. Again, we’re still discussing spiritual matters, not psychological or physical ones. In part 1, I discussed how we can begin to discern the reason for the desolation, whether we have neglected our spiritual exercises, or God is simply stretching our faith a bit or reminding us that consolations are pure gift and not something we earn. St. Ignatius, therefore, gives us some good principles for proceeding within each state.

Fifth Rule. In time of desolation never make a change; but to be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which he was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation it is rather the good spirit who guides and counsels us, so in desolation it is the bad, with whose counsels we cannot take a course to decide rightly.

Sixth Rule. Although in desolation we ought not to change our first resolutions, it is very helpful intensely to change ourselves against the same desolation, as by insisting more on prayer, meditation, on much examination, and by giving ourselves more scope in some suitable way of doing penance.

Seventh Rule. Let him who is in desolation consider how the Lord has left him in trial in his natural powers, in order to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy; since he can with Divine help, which always remains to him, though he does not clearly perceive it: because the Lord has taken from him his great fervor, great love and intense grace, leaving him, however, grace enough for eternal salvation.

Eighth Rule. Let him who is in desolation labor to be in patience, which is contrary to the vexations which come to him: and let him think that he will soon be consoled, employing against the desolation the devices, as is said in the sixth Rule.

Sadly, at times, I have made bad decisions during these times when they caught me off guard. During times of consolation, we can be so full of clarity and grace and faith that we can see more clearly where God is leading, but in times of desolation, the disquiet can be so disorienting that we have the tendency to just do “something” rather than the right thing because we just want those feelings to go away. Or we can be tempted to listen to the voice of temptation to quit whatever God has called us to do because we feel we are somehow failing in it since we do not experience God’s consolation in the moment and we might instead, encounter internal opposition.

Rather, whenever possible, it would be much better to wait it out a bit and keep seeking God in prayer, because this is the time the enemy can mess with us most and we are most susceptible to his false counsel. Instead, we are called to remain faithful to the guidance we receive in the times of consolation until the desolation passes, and we can see clearly again to make the next decision. Sometimes this will be a short time, sometimes a very long one, but either way, underneath it all, God is still loving and guiding us toward truth, whether we see it yet or not. If anything, we are advised by the sixth rule to step up our game some in our spiritual exercises, taking time to fervently seek God through prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, etc.

St. Ignatius goes on to say in the seventh rule that God does not wish us to remain spiritual infants, but He seeks to strengthen us for the journey. God teaches us to walk, and just as with our children when they are small, He may let us go ahead a little to try out our abilities, but He is always there watching over us, protecting us from serious harm. We may stumble a bit, but we will certainly grow stronger and more confident in our abilities to trust Him and walk with confidence in our faith. His goal is our spiritual freedom. In the end, while we exercise patience and trust in God during these times of desolation, the thoughts of the desolation, in and of themselves, are not from God and should be rejected before they cause harm to our souls, such as discouragement, thoughts of giving up on a calling He has given us, despair, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum, St. Ignatius also shows us how to make good use of the times of consolation, in preparation for the inevitable times of desolation.

Tenth Rule. Let him who is in consolation think how he will be in the desolation which will come after, taking new strength for then.

Eleventh Rule. Let him who is consoled see to humbling himself and lowering himself as much as he can, thinking how little he is able for in the time of desolation without such grace or consolation. On the contrary, let him who is in desolation think that he can do much with the grace sufficient to resist all his enemies, taking strength in his Creator and Lord.

Whether in times of consolation or desolation, it can feel as if they will never end, but they do, as life tends to this pattern of ups and downs. St. Ignatius counsels us to prepare for the coming desolations while we have the strength of consolation. He cautions us against complacency during consolation by choosing humility and confidence in God. This will help guard us against the shock of finding ourselves in desolation and quickly becoming disoriented by it. This confidence in God will serve us well no matter which way we should find ourselves, because ultimately it is the recognition that we are completely dependent on Him for the grace to persevere, no matter how we feel or what challenges we experience. This grace cannot be earned but is a gift freely given, to be humbly received, and by this grace, we will persevere through even the hardest of times.

Questions for further reflection:

Can you remember a time you experienced the anxious effects of spiritual desolation? How did you handle any decisions you made during that time period? What was the result? What is one step you can take today to prepare for the inevitable times of desolation in your own journey with Jesus?