Consolation & Desolation

11-03-2024Weekly ReflectionJen Arnold, M.A.

Each of us is on our own spiritual journey with a natural ebb and flow. Sometimes, we feel great in our relationship with God, and everything is smooth sailing, while at other times, it feels like we are fighting against the tide. Today, we will examine a couple of terms popularized by St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises to describe these interior movements of the soul and our relationship with God: consolation and desolation. It is important to recognize that both consolation and desolation are normal parts of the spiritual journey. Even Jesus experienced moments of desolation, most notably in the Garden of Gethsemane. By learning to recognize and respond to these spiritual states, we can deepen our faith and navigate the challenges of the spiritual life more effectively.

Understanding Consolation

Spiritual consolation, according to St. Ignatius, is a state in which the soul feels drawn toward God and experiences a sense of peace, joy, and spiritual vitality. It is important to note that consolation is not simply a feeling of happiness or contentment. Rather, it is a spiritual experience deeply rooted in the soul that orients us toward God and increases our faith, hope, and love. In times of consolation, it is common to experience a deep sense of God's presence and love, an increased desire for prayer and spiritual practices, greater clarity in discernment and decision-making, a heightened awareness of God's work in our lives and the world, and tears of joy or sorrow that lead us closer to God.

Consolation is a gift from God, and there is nothing we can do to create it for ourselves. Therefore, St. Ignatius wisely counsels us on how to respond to consolation and use these periods to prepare for future desolation. First and foremost, recognize the consolation you are receiving as a gift and remain humble and grateful for receiving it. Savor it and don't take it for granted! This is a good time for establishing, solidifying, or expanding your prayer routine so the framework is in place for the times when it will be more challenging. Study scripture and spiritual writings while your heart and soul are energized, open, and receptive to God’s transformative love. This is also a great time to journal about your awareness of God’s presence in your life so you can return to it as a reminder in periods of desolation.

Understanding Desolation

Spiritual desolation, on the other hand, is characterized by a sense of distance from God, spiritual dryness or aridity, and a lack of fervor in our faith. You may feel a spiritual heaviness, sadness, and a lack of clarity. It is common to experience a movement to earthly things and attachments to worldly desires over spiritual goods. There may be a diminished sense of faith, hope, and charity as well as an increase in sloth and tepidity toward your prayer and spiritual life. Overall, you will experience feelings of distance or disconnection from God.

St. Ignatius emphasizes that spiritual desolation is caused by the influence of the “evil spirit” and is contrary to consolation. It is important to note that desolation itself is not sinful, though it may tempt one to sin. St. Ignatius provides three main reasons why God may permit spiritual desolation. The first reason is due to our own fault. Sometimes, desolation results from our negligence or tepidity in our spiritual practices or our sinful choices. The second reason is to test our faith and perseverance in serving God without the "payment" of the good feelings that come with consolation. The third reason is to serve as a reminder of our dependence on God in recognizing that spiritual consolations are purely gifts from God and not something we can attain (or maintain) on our own.

While St. Ignatius primarily focuses on spiritual desolation, it is important to distinguish between spiritual and natural desolation, as they can often be intertwined. Spiritual desolation is characterized by a loss of spiritual fervor, doubts about faith, and a sense of distance from God. St. Ignatius primarily addresses this type of desolation in his rules for discernment. Natural desolation, on the other hand, arises from natural causes such as physical illness, lack of sleep, stress, or difficult life circumstances. While not directly spiritual in nature, natural desolation can significantly impact our spiritual life and contribute to spiritual desolation. For example, prolonged stress or lack of sleep can lead to irritability and difficulty concentrating, making prayer and spiritual practices more challenging. This natural desolation can then contribute to a sense of spiritual dryness or distance from God, potentially leading to spiritual desolation. It’s important to recognize the connection between natural and spiritual desolation. Addressing natural causes of desolation can often alleviate spiritual desolation as well. However, it is important not to reduce all spiritual experiences to purely natural causes, as this can lead to neglecting the spiritual dimension of our lives.

Just as St. Ignatius provides practical advice in times of consolation, he does the same for periods of desolation. First, be patient, knowing that consolation will return. Remember that journal you kept during your periods of consolation? This is a great time to read and reflect on it. Intensify your spiritual practices by increasing your prayer, meditation, and self-examinations, even though they may be difficult and you don’t receive any good feelings from them. Satan loves these periods, so stand firm against negative impulses and resist temptations. Practice gratitude, thanking God even amid difficulties. Trust that He is allowing this experience for your personal growth. Finally, one of St. Ignatius's most crucial pieces of advice is never make significant changes during periods of desolation. This wisdom is rooted in the understanding that desolation can cloud our judgment and lead us astray.

Given the complexity of discerning between consolation and desolation, St. Ignatius also highly valued spiritual direction. A skilled spiritual director can help us navigate these experiences, offering guidance, perspective, and support. As you mature in your spiritual life, consider finding a good spiritual director for yourself.

Our spiritual lives will inevitably experience both consolation and desolation. The key is not to be overwhelmed by these movements, but to learn to navigate them with wisdom and grace. We can develop a more nuanced and mature spiritual life by understanding and applying St. Ignatius's teachings on consolation and desolation. We learn to praise God in times of consolation and to pray fervently in times of desolation, coming to see both experiences as opportunities for deepening our relationship with God. This week, reflect on the periods of consolation and desolation you’ve experienced in your life and how you have responded to them. If you are moved to do so, journal about those experiences so that you can reference them later.