Consider the following contrasting experiences.
One day, everything is fine. Prayer comes with ease, and I am kindly disposed toward God. The next day, I only want to avoid prayer and have no interest in spiritual things. Sound familiar? Our walk with God can often be something of a spiritual roller coaster. What are we to make of this?
In rules three and four of the “Rules for Discernment of Spirits,” St. Ignatius provides guidance for these experiences, which he calls "spiritual consolation" and "spiritual desolation." The experience of spiritual consolation is marked by “every increase in faith, hope and love.” It brings “interior joy that invites and attracts to what is heavenly and to the salvation of one’s soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator and Lord.” This, of course, is the peak of the roller coaster. Yet, in no time, it can dip into a valley. Spiritual desolation is marked by “darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations which lead to want of faith, want of hope, want of love.” A person in desolation is often “slothful, tepid and sad.”
It is important to know that St. Ignatius understands both spiritual consolation and spiritual desolation to be natural and normal in our life with God. No one will exist in constant spiritual consolation on this side of eternity. The brokenness that entered the world after the fall of Adam and Eve prevents us from living in perfect friendship with God. However, in rule nine, Ignatius explains that God permits desolation so that we might learn to trust Him and love Him — not for the good gifts that He gives us but because of who He is.
Living in spiritual desolation is one of the darkest times of our spiritual journey, and yet, we can grow tremendously in such a time. Faith is refined in spiritual desolation, and we learn to love with a pure heart. When we find ourselves in a time of desolation, our North Star is rule five: When in desolation, never make a change. Stick with the prayer commitments you made before the desolation invaded. Remain firmly committed to them, especially to ones that relate to your vocation. “For just as in consolation the good spirit guides and counsels us, so in desolation the evil spirit guides and counsels.” When in desolation, don’t freak out. Wait as patiently and calmly as you can, trusting that the desolation is never as dark as it presents itself. It will lift, and when it does, God will draw you even closer into His embrace than ever before.