As humans, we’re multi-faceted beings—we have physical, emotional, psychological, moral, intellectual, and spiritual aspects to who we are.
We have thoughts that are distinct from emotions and spiritual experiences that are distinct from psychological or emotional states.
It’s important to recognize that, while the aspects are distinct, they are all interconnected.
For example, take a person who doesn’t sleep (a physical phenomenon); as a result of not sleeping, he gets cranky (an emotional phenomenon), then he gets anxious about a situation, which sends him into depression or an anxiety attack (a psychological phenomenon), and then he can’t think or pray clearly (a spiritual phenomenon).
Here the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual aspects are all connected.
On the other hand, you might have someone who has an incredible experience of God’s loving care that gives him a deep peace, which helps him develop his loving relationship with God.
This relieves psychological anxiety that’s been plaguing him, he feels deeply joyful, doesn’t notice his fatigue, and thinks more clearly than he has in a long time.
While our various aspects really do interact with each other, they remain distinct parts, and it’s helpful to talk about them as such.
At each of these levels, we experience desolations and consolations.
Desolations are connected to struggle, dejection, and pain, while consolations are connected to peace, happiness, rest, and confidence.
Exhaustion and hunger are kinds of physical desolations; sadness is a kind of emotional desolation; anxiety is a kind of psychological desolation, etc.
When we’re experiencing desolation, we need to discern on which level it is rooted.
Since our various aspects are interconnected, a spiritual issue may arise from another area of our life, or it may cause problems somewhere else.
Someone who is sleep-deprived is naturally more listless in prayer, and someone struggling with a sense of dryness in his spiritual life may feel moody and sad as a result.
First and foremost, ask if there is a physical cause to your experience of desolation.
Are you getting enough sleep?
Are you hungry?
Are you sick?
Address those issues first: exercise, get enough sleep, eat healthily.
It could also be a transient, passing feeling.
Occasionally, everyone experiences feelings of listlessness that may last for a day or so, but those are passing emotions.
If your experience of desolation is interfering with everyday activities in a sustained or severe way, then you may need the help of a psychological counselor.
If your experiences of desolation interfere with activities pertaining to your life of faith (activities like prayer, asceticism, attending church services, studying the faith, or participating in works of charity), then you are dealing with a spiritual desolation.
If there are underlying physical, emotional, or psychological causes, then those need to be addressed as well.
Insofar as the desolation is specifically spiritual, however, it will need a specifically spiritual remedy.
Spend time in self-reflection.
Are you experiencing physical, emotional, or psychological desolation?
Is desolation interfering with your living a life of faith?
Pray for the grace to see your spiritual life clearly, give thanks for the graces you’ve been granted, and ask for the strength to persevere.
