Eternal spiritual dryness

  • Thread starter Thread starter chuckbobb
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

chuckbobb

Guest
I can’t hear God’s voice.
I only rely on my conscience and the advice of others to make important decisions, and
I pretty much don’t even ask God what I should do-because I can’t hear him.
I feel helpless-I mean how does one not when the creator of all living things seems to turn his back on you?
I have tried journaling-it doesn’t work.
I have tried speaking to him-I don’t get a response
I have tried to sing to him-I still don’t hear a answer
I have tried listing to his word-yet he is still silent

now what. am. I. doing. wrong???

am I expecting too much?
this seems ridiculous to me as one cannot expect too much of God-who is in and around everything.

am I shutting him out?
this seems more plausible than anything else… but… I hope that I would know if I was.

is this a trial I am supposed to endure for the majority of my lifetime?
I would doubt this for, how is he supposed to comfort me? how is he supposed to be in a relationship with me? how would he tell me-not being entirely sure if there even is a God out there-that he is present in my every moment whether I am awake or asleep?

I have heard that spiritual dryness is one of God’s ways of showing that he chooses to love and be with us. That if we come out on the other side still believing in him, that our faith will be even stronger.

then please tell me how what seems to be eternal-or rather all my life-spiritual dryness can help!!!

Scripture tells me ‘seek and you shall find’ I have sought yet have not found

I know a fifteen year old shouldn’t be in this place-doubting God-especially with all the things I know he has given me… yet here I am

waiting and wondering “what should I do???”
wondering “does the God of the world (who I am told loves everyone) even love me???”
“does he even want me”
“does he care?”

but no answer comes.
 
chuckbobb said:
I can’t hear God’s voice.
I only rely on my conscience and the advice of others to make important decisions, and
I pretty much don’t even ask God what I should do-because I can’t hear him.
I feel helpless-I mean how does one not when the creator of all living things seems to turn his back on you?
I have tried journaling-it doesn’t work.
I have tried speaking to him-I don’t get a response
I have tried to sing to him-I still don’t hear a answer
I have tried listing to his word-yet he is still silent

now what. am. I. doing. wrong???

am I expecting too much?
this seems ridiculous to me as one cannot expect too much of God-who is in and around everything.

am I shutting him out?
this seems more plausible than anything else… but… I hope that I would know if I was.

is this a trial I am supposed to endure for the majority of my lifetime?
I would doubt this for, how is he supposed to comfort me? how is he supposed to be in a relationship with me? how would he tell me-not being entirely sure if there even is a God out there-that he is present in my every moment whether I am awake or asleep?

I have heard that spiritual dryness is one of God’s ways of showing that he chooses to love and be with us. That if we come out on the other side still believing in him, that our faith will be even stronger.

then please tell me how what seems to be eternal-or rather all my life-spiritual dryness can help!!!

Scripture tells me ‘seek and you shall find’ I have sought yet have not found

I know a fifteen year old shouldn’t be in this place-doubting God-especially with all the things I know he has given me… yet here I am

waiting and wondering “what should I do???”
wondering “does the God of the world (who I am told loves everyone) even love me???”
“does he even want me”
“does he care?”

but no answer comes.
Click to expand...
Rest and away.Stop trying so hard… You are shouting so loud you are deafening!

Stop trying. This is not up to you … Get on with your young life. Work and do good for others,quietly and sincerely

yes God is there and yes He loves you and no He is not testing you. He cares. Be assured of that. Stay faithful and rest from agonising, You are thinking in human terms. This is different.

Faith means just that

be gentle with yourself…

All your life in every part belongs to God.
 
Sounds like the “Dark Night of the senses”

Read about that. Google it, research it.

It is where God pulls away all the “warm fuzzies” (i.e. awesome great feelings) you get from being with him and you get this dryness. It is a test: Do you want the giver of the gifts (God) or the gift (of warm fuzzies)?

I know, it is hard. The problem is that eventually we must choose either the giver or the gifts he gives.
 
chuckbobb said:
I can’t hear God’s voice.
I only rely on my conscience and the advice of others to make important decisions, and
I pretty much don’t even ask God what I should do-because I can’t hear him.
I feel helpless-I mean how does one not when the creator of all living things seems to turn his back on you?
I have tried journaling-it doesn’t work.
I have tried speaking to him-I don’t get a response
I have tried to sing to him-I still don’t hear a answer
I have tried listing to his word-yet he is still silent

now what. am. I. doing. wrong???

am I expecting too much?
this seems ridiculous to me as one cannot expect too much of God-who is in and around everything.

am I shutting him out?
this seems more plausible than anything else… but… I hope that I would know if I was.

is this a trial I am supposed to endure for the majority of my lifetime?
I would doubt this for, how is he supposed to comfort me? how is he supposed to be in a relationship with me? how would he tell me-not being entirely sure if there even is a God out there-that he is present in my every moment whether I am awake or asleep?

I have heard that spiritual dryness is one of God’s ways of showing that he chooses to love and be with us. That if we come out on the other side still believing in him, that our faith will be even stronger.

then please tell me how what seems to be eternal-or rather all my life-spiritual dryness can help!!!

Scripture tells me ‘seek and you shall find’ I have sought yet have not found

I know a fifteen year old shouldn’t be in this place-doubting God-especially with all the things I know he has given me… yet here I am

waiting and wondering “what should I do???”
wondering “does the God of the world (who I am told loves everyone) even love me???”
“does he even want me”
“does he care?”

but no answer comes.
Click to expand...
Make an act of faith that He hears you, because He does hear you.

As long as you are not neglecting prayer, then be at peace that He hears you. He will give you a feeling of His love when He desires to do so. Trust Him!
 
Friend!
God is in everything,
He is in the love of your parents for you,

The beautiful day you had today,

Those opportunities at work,

He is in the helping hand a random stranger gives at the moment you need it the most,

There are no coincidences in life, just God-incidences.

If you look back on each day. Week, year, decade and on your education, career, talents, etc over time, you will see God’s caring hand guiding your destiny, leading you down paths that were meant to be.

God can be found in the beauty of nature, in your talents, in your hobbies, in your rest, (you can enjoy God in everything good 🙂
 
Sometimes God speaks through things and often where you wouldn’t expect it. Keep praying and working on your faith to keep the door open.
 
The language of God is silence.

He doesn’t speak to us in an audible voice, although that may happen to some.

Instead, God speaks to us in the depth of our being and as St Teresa of Avila said, its where God’s speaks to us best, because what he communicates to us, takes root and is not confused with words.

Prayer is the key and the place where to develop a relationship with Jesus.

Jim
 
I pray for chuckbobb who is having
trouble CONNECTING w/ God.
may the lines of communication be
restored and his spiritual health, too.
I pray this in Jesus’ mighty Name.
Amen.

Our Father, who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your Name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses as
we forgive those who trespass against us,
(forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors)
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is w/ you,
blessed are you among women,
blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now,
and at the hour of our death.
(x3)
Amen.
 
I think faith does go through dry spells. But I’ve come to view it as simply another phase in or facet of religious life. Sometimes I believe God is close and reveals himself readily; other times you connect with him through action or a particular calling, duty occurring in your life. Think of it as Martha and Mary - sometimes contemplation/prayer/revelation is where you find God, other times through your own actions, choices, commitment in the world (yes, world). After a while, you can just tell which phase you are in - like the moon, it waxes and wanes. I like both really. I think we alternate between these phases our whole life.
 
chuckbobb said:
I can’t hear God’s voice.
I only rely on my conscience and the advice of others to make important decisions, and
I pretty much don’t even ask God what I should do-because I can’t hear him.
I feel helpless-I mean how does one not when the creator of all living things seems to turn his back on you?
I have tried journaling-it doesn’t work.
I have tried speaking to him-I don’t get a response
I have tried to sing to him-I still don’t hear a answer
I have tried listing to his word-yet he is still silent

now what. am. I. doing. wrong???

am I expecting too much?
this seems ridiculous to me as one cannot expect too much of God-who is in and around everything.

am I shutting him out?
this seems more plausible than anything else… but… I hope that I would know if I was.

is this a trial I am supposed to endure for the majority of my lifetime?
I would doubt this for, how is he supposed to comfort me? how is he supposed to be in a relationship with me? how would he tell me-not being entirely sure if there even is a God out there-that he is present in my every moment whether I am awake or asleep?

I have heard that spiritual dryness is one of God’s ways of showing that he chooses to love and be with us. That if we come out on the other side still believing in him, that our faith will be even stronger.

then please tell me how what seems to be eternal-or rather all my life-spiritual dryness can help!!!

Scripture tells me ‘seek and you shall find’ I have sought yet have not found

I know a fifteen year old shouldn’t be in this place-doubting God-especially with all the things I know he has given me… yet here I am

waiting and wondering “what should I do???”
wondering “does the God of the world (who I am told loves everyone) even love me???”
“does he even want me”
“does he care?”

but no answer comes.
Click to expand...
Seek guidance from a priest who does spiritual direction.
 
I would recommend, humbly, that you make a good examination of conscience and go to Confession.

… and then be sure that you seek out intellectually-appropriate materials to help answer specific questions that you have regarding the existence of God. Trent Horn’s Answering Atheism is a wonderful resource. And here are two videos from Karlo Broussard on the subject: youtube.com/watch?v=2pgmh5jncOs and youtube.com/watch?v=1fC3tk9d54c.

Faith is a supernatural gift, it allows you to assent to divine truth, and without it you cannot give supernatural assent, you can only have a human opinion. But we can only receive that gift by being in a state of sanctifying grace. Moreover, the more sanctifying grace we have, the holier we are, and the more supernatural faith we have. Both prayer and intellectual formation are essential to receiving faith, and don’t abandon one in favor of the other.
 
The Elder’s next words transform the conversation from routine direction to profound guidance. Zosima speaks, “And bear in mind, dear offspring (the Elder liked to call him this), that henceforth you do not belong here. Remember that, young man. As soon as God sees fit to let me pass away, you must leave the monastery. You must go away entirely” (p. 104). Elder Zosima informs Alyosha that his time at the monastery is coming to a close. His speech leaves no room for Alyosha to question him. Alyosha will obey his command to depart from the monastery. Alyosha visibly responds to the news of his departure with a shudder. The reader observes Alyosha’s hesitance to walk away from the one place in his life where he has been truly loved by a parental figure. Alyosha is not ready to abandon the acceptance he has found at the monastery.

The Elder elaborates on the need for Alyosha to travel. Zosima imparts, “What is wrong? For the present you do not belong here. I give you my blessing for your great task of obedience in the world at large. You have much travelling yet to do. And you will have to get married, you will have to. You will have to endure everything before you return again. And there will be much work to do. But I have faith in you, and that is why I am sending you” (p. 104). Notice how the Elder states that Alyosha has a responsibility to the world to go. His purpose extends beyond the monastery. Elder Zosima’s use of “will have to” likely foreshadows Alyosha’s future marriage. The reader may wonder if Alyosha will wed Lise after their flirting that transpired on pages 80-81. The statement that Alyosha “will have to endure everything” before returning invokes a larger meaning to the Christian reader, who may draw parallels between this conversation and the exchange between God and his son when Jesus was sent to earth to live as a human and eventually die for the sins of humanity. Zosima chooses to send Alyosha because he has “faith” in him. The Elder does not doubt Alyosha’s ability to serve the world.

Zosima offers advice on completing the mission on which Alyosha is about to embark. The Elder continues, “With you is Christ. Cherish him and he will cherish you. You will behold great woe and in that woe you will be happy. Here my behest to you: in woe seek happiness. Work, work untiringly” (p. 104). Alyosha will not be alone on his journey for Christ is with him. This knowledge brings to mind Luke 1:37 which reads, “For nothing is impossible with God” (NIV). What will Alyosha encounter beyond the gates of the monastery? How will his faith in God help him to overcome adversity? Will Alyosha remain in the light actively following Christ?
 
thank you all for your prayers.

I guess I didn’t say directly that I feel like I am in spiritual dryness… but have been for all my life, maybe I did and it was just overlooked or misunderstood but that is neither here nor there.
anyway.
BobCatholic, yes, I think “Dark Night of the senses” pretty much describes what I am feeling… or lack feeling.

Rosebud77, I think that there is much truth to what you say, thank you for your advice as it has already been helpful, I also must thank you for you wonderful definition of faith

JimR-OCDS, I think that that is the problem… I just feel like prayer is a one sided conversation, and, personally if I was God (with my human weakness) I wouldn’t like that relationship

Again thank you all for your prayers, help, and comments

-chuckbobb
 
chuckbobb said:
thank you all for your prayers.

I guess I didn’t say directly that I feel like I am in spiritual dryness… but have been for all my life, maybe I did and it was just overlooked or misunderstood but that is neither here nor there.
anyway.
BobCatholic, yes, I think “Dark Night of the senses” pretty much describes what I am feeling… or lack feeling.

Rosebud77, I think that there is much truth to what you say, thank you for your advice as it has already been helpful, I also must thank you for you wonderful definition of faith

JimR-OCDS, I think that that is the problem… I just feel like prayer is a one sided conversation, and, personally if I was God (with my human weakness) I wouldn’t like that relationship

Again thank you all for your prayers, help, and comments

-chuckbobb
Click to expand...
Relieved to hear it… I once in sheer desperation stood in a very wet field here in sodden Ireland and yelled and screamed at God for the appalling situation I was in. Really lambasted Him!! .

Then " WELL! OK if this is where you want me to be I WILL ACCEPT IT! BUT I DO NOT LIKE IT!"

The day after that the whole situation opened and changed… I am convinced that it was my act of distressed but sincere acceptance that opened the way forward and it does make sense.

Today I am having to do exactly the same with a terrible and potentially dangerous situation here. Not easy but there we are… Accept where you are at and that will release the block.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top