Consolation and Desolation

The interior life knows two climates. At times the soul feels close to God, drawn toward him, filled with peace and courage: this is consolation. At times it feels far from him, in darkness and dryness, tempted to give everything up: this is desolation. These two states return in every spiritual life.

Consolation

Consolation is every interior movement that turns the soul toward God. It takes varied forms: a peaceful joy, a surge of fervor, tears of repentance, a renewed taste for prayer. It is known by its effects: faith is strengthened, hope grows, charity widens. Everything in it fortifies the soul and makes it freer for the good.

Desolation

Desolation is the opposite state. The soul feels in the dark, heavy and dry, as though cut off from God. Prayer becomes painful, the taste for spiritual things fades, and the temptation rises to give way to doubt and discouragement. This state does not mean that God has abandoned the soul. Christ himself, in the garden of Olives, knew anguish: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.” Matthew 26:38.

Passing Through Desolation

In desolation, a first rule holds: change nothing in the resolutions taken in the light. Desolation is a poor counselor; to go back on a good decision born in peace would be to let oneself be led by it. The natural slope pushes toward slackening prayer and giving way; one must go the opposite direction: hold firm, pray more, return to meditation, take up again the practices one had let weaken. In his distress, the psalmist speaks to his own soul: “Why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God.” Psalms 41:6.

Scripture offers the great model of this in Job, the just man whom God allows to be tried. In a single day he loses his herds, his servants, and his ten children; soon illness covers him with sores. Stripped of everything, he does not turn away from God: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: as it hath pleased the Lord, so is it done: blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21.

If God permits this trial, it is to make the soul grow: sometimes to rouse a soul become lukewarm, slack in its service, sometimes to strengthen it and teach it to serve God for himself, without waiting for the felt sweetness of his presence. The hand that permits the trial also marks its end: “In the evening weeping shall have place, and in the morning gladness.” Psalms 29:6.

The Tempter’s Tricks

In desolation, the evil spirit is at work. It pushes toward discouragement, whispers that all is useless and that it is better to give up. It works above all in secret: as long as the soul keeps its dark thoughts to itself, it feeds them; when the soul confides them to a priest or a spiritual guide, they lose their force.

Living Consolation

Consolation also calls for a way of acting. The danger would be to cling to it as to a possession, or to believe one has produced it oneself. The wise soul profits from it otherwise: it gives thanks to God, from whom consolation comes, and it lays up strength for the times of dryness. As one sets aside during abundance for the days of want, it takes root in trust while consolation lasts, so as to hold when it withdraws.