Spiritual Rut

[GoingByzantine]

I am in a bit of a spiritual rut right now so to speak. I want to know if any of you have experienced this before.

I love the liturgies of Byzantium, I love the reverence of church services, and the very traditional nature of Eastern Christianity. Yet recently I have felt that something is wrong, I don't feel God's presence working in my life. I pray for help, I pray for him to show me the way, but I feel like I keep stumbling backwards more than anything.

It might just be that I am at University, away from my parish and my family, or it might be something else, but I can tell that I am not my usual self. You see all these Evangelical and Charismatic people who literally claim to feel his presence everyday; they seem so happy, it makes me wonder if I am doing something wrong?

Can anyone give me some advice here on getting out of this rut.

 

[gzt]

Periods of dryness are extremely common. You can't expect to feel great, like something is moving, all the time. I mean, it's like that when you're married, too: you're not always "in love". Sometimes those dry periods, when you look back at them, are actually the most productive times in your life. In some sense, it's about building character: things are easy when they're pleasant, but character is what you do when it isn't pleasant and immediately rewarding. If you turn back from the plow the moment you aren't feeling rewarded by God, how much more when you encounter real trouble?

So one way through is to keep going and developing good habits that will sustain you both in good times and times of trouble. More specific advice would have to involve knowing more about your situation, and this message board is categorically not the place for that, nor are people here in any way qualified to give spiritual advice.

As always, caveat lector, and take my advice at your own grave spiritual peril. May God have mercy on your soul.

 

[Anhelyna]

Do you know - I once mentioned a similar sort of period like this I was going through to a very sensible and down to earth RC Priest.

He smiled, and said he always worried far more about those who seemed to be going through life saying that they could feel God's presence in them all the time.

He reckoned that these dry patches were actually when we grew spiritually.

 

[gzt]

Right, I mean, we know why Christ's ministry was cut short, but after the Resurrection, why leave? Why not just stick around forever? If He had to leave, why not constantly whisper in our ears what to do, that He is there, etc? And why let people get martyred? Not only is this not going to let us grow, it's going to do violence to our wills. I am sure we have all seen the ill effects of overinvolved parents, this would be far worse.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I'll let you in on another little secret - evangelicals and charismatics go through dry patches too. Some of them don't talk about it though, maybe in some cases because some are taught to measure their salvation or at least take their "spiritual temperature" based on feelings. When they don't "feel God" some doubt their salvation even. And there are people out there who will confirm that opinion.

Dry periods in Orthodoxy, at least, are much less frightening than they are to an evangelical or charismatic, on average, I would guess. (Limited experience in Orthodoxy, but I was an evangelical for a long time, and charismatic for part of that.)

Don't let the grass "appearing greener" concern you overmuch, but you might want to talk to your spiritual advisor about it if it does.

 

[Anhelyna]

A thought

GB - isn't this your first Great Fast ?

It can be tough then

 

[GoingByzantine]

You are right everyone, this is probably just a temporary phenomenon. I guess this is the narrow way, and it isn't always going to be sunshine and roses.

I think that being away from my parish is hard especially during this important time of the year.

 

[ArmyMatt]

those dry spells are where real spiritual growth happens. they stink at the time, but we usually learn a lot when we aren't even paying attention to what God is doing during these times.

 

[E.C.]

You are right everyone, this is probably just a temporary phenomenon. I guess this is the narrow way, and it isn't always going to be sunshine and roses.

I think that being away from my parish is hard especially during this important time of the year.

Being away from the home parish is never easy. I'm hitting my three year mark in the military this April. The first year was the hardest on me. Part of it was the three hour commute to church. I remember hitting a point where I had not been to Liturgy in four months, got drunk every weekend (except duty weekends - that's just not smart), and nearly quit going altogether. I couldn't do it. I simply couldn't live without the Liturgy. Sure, it was easier for me to not go without having family or Orthodox friends around; but in the end it was a good thing that that dry spell hit me like it did because it caused me to grow in my faith a bit and to appreciate God and the Church on my own terms.


Yes, part of it coincided with the Great Fast

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Excellent and thoughtful post all the way, g

Periods of dryness are extremely common. You can't expect to feel great, like something is moving, all the time. I mean, it's like that when you're married, too: you're not always "in love". Sometimes those dry periods, when you look back at them, are actually the most productive times in your life. In some sense, it's about building character: things are easy when they're pleasant, but character is what you do when it isn't pleasant and immediately rewarding. If you turn back from the plow the moment you aren't feeling rewarded by God, how much more when you encounter real trouble?

So one way through is to keep going and developing good habits that will sustain you both in good times and times of trouble. More specific advice would have to involve knowing more about your situation, and this message board is categorically not the place for that, nor are people here in any way qualified to give spiritual advice.

As always, caveat lector, and take my advice at your own grave spiritual peril. May God have mercy on your soul.

 

[prodromos]

Sometimes God appears to withdraw from us so that we will struggle all the more to remain close to Him. I believe St Silouan experienced something like this.

 

[FireWithin]

I'll let you in on another little secret - evangelicals and charismatics go through dry patches too. Some of them don't talk about it though, maybe in some cases because some are taught to measure their salvation or at least take their "spiritual temperature" based on feelings. When they don't "feel God" some doubt their salvation even. And there are people out there who will confirm that opinion.

Dry periods in Orthodoxy, at least, are much less frightening than they are to an evangelical or charismatic, on average, I would guess. (Limited experience in Orthodoxy, but I was an evangelical for a long time, and charismatic for part of that.)

Don't let the grass "appearing greener" concern you overmuch, but you might want to talk to your spiritual advisor about it if it does.

I am Pentecostal (and you know how Pentecostals emphasize the presence of God), and I confirm.

I went through a dry spell just recently. Going through a desert is extraordinarily hard sometimes, but when suddenly that oasis appears in your sight again, nothing feels as good as that. There's a Protestant song which says "God on the mountain is still God in the valley." And it's true. God who parted the sea was still God while His people were in the wilderness. You won't stay here forever, He will provide you with spiritual manna along the way, and you will find your land of milk and honey.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I am Pentecostal (and you know how Pentecostals emphasize the presence of God), and I confirm.

I went through a dry spell just recently. Going through a desert is extraordinarily hard sometimes, but when suddenly that oasis appears in your sight again, nothing feels as good as that. There's a Protestant song which says "God on the mountain is still God in the valley." And it's true. God who parted the sea was still God while His people were in the wilderness. You won't stay here forever, He will provide you with spiritual manna along the way, and you will find your land of milk and honey.

This is true. Those oases, or mountain tops, or rich pasture - are always good. No matter what kind of faith background you have.

The first time I had a really dry spell (I began my real life of faith on a very intense high note) - it was absolutely terrifying and dismal for me. I was still outside any denomination and I don't "blame" those feelings on anyone. But I felt as though my life might as well end (except I was terrified of that!).

As time goes on, and we are tempered, maybe it becomes easier. We learn the rhythms. We even learn that God is often doing His biggest work inside us at those dry times.

But I do appreciate where I am now. I love the intimacy with God - I really do. These days I find it at unexpected times and places - during prayer, during the Liturgy, in reflection after partaking the Eucharist. Those little surprises are so precious to me, but because of my own history, I purposely don't do anything myself to try to make such times happen, but simply leave it all to God. For me, I am much more stable that way. There is sweetness now in difficulty, in "normal" times, and during those special times of intimacy - all working together. I'm not saying my experiences are perfect for everyone else, but I am saying that God knows what He's doing, and I can appreciate when I'm able to follow along and not mess it up.

 

[RileyG]

I am Roman Catholic, and have been in a "dry spell" for YEARS.

That being said, I am grateful. I am grateful for confession, for the Eucharist, for my prayer life, for the liturgy. For me, feelings come and go, sometimes I "feel" God's presence and warmth other times I do not.


As one benedictine nun told me the longest journey is believing in your head to your heart.

 

[rusmeister]

Join the club.

 

[ArmyMatt]

That being said, I am grateful. I am grateful for confession, for the Eucharist, for my prayer life, for the liturgy. For me, feelings come and go, sometimes I "feel" God's presence and warmth other times I do not.

yep, we cannot base our faith on our emotional highs and lows. God is usually even closer when He feels like He is not there. we are called to persevere unto the end.

 

[AKBlessings]

I have not yet read what others have responded, so please forgive me if I repeat any of their advice. I think the state of our relationship with God should not be evaluated only by how close we feel to Him. It is wonderful when we can feel His presence, but even when we cannot, that does not mean we are somehow farther from Him. Dry spells, spiritual wilderness, are common. I have found that once we have made it through, once we have persevered in seeking out the Lord even when we feel the farthest from Him, then we find ourselves renewed and closer to Him.

 

[SeventhValley]

Evangelicals are trained from birth to fake happiness lest others think they really do not love God.
Alot of them could be almost in spiritual meltdown and yet appear happy.

 

[fat wee robin]

I am in a bit of a spiritual rut right now so to speak. I want to know if any of you have experienced this before.

I love the liturgies of Byzantium, I love the reverence of church services, and the very traditional nature of Eastern Christianity. Yet recently I have felt that something is wrong, I don't feel God's presence working in my life. I pray for help, I pray for him to show me the way, but I feel like I keep stumbling backwards more than anything.

It might just be that I am at University, away from my parish and my family, or it might be something else, but I can tell that I am not my usual self. You see all these Evangelical and Charismatic people who literally claim to feel his presence everyday; they seem so happy, it makes me wonder if I am doing something wrong?

Can anyone give me some advice here on getting out of this rut.

Well as an ex -catholic ,I needed to become more bible oriented and to create a personal relationship with only Him ,and not with the Church. For me a Church can interfere between you and God ;Apart from the overall story I knew nothing truly profound about what Jesus actually said ,and what the old testament figures like Isaiah said about Him ;It was too filtered and I was ready for undigested food from God . I read the protestant bible explanations on the net ,and I pray every day ,and feel protected and sustained even while alone which is a lot . God has to be sought on an individual level .That is why He gave us the internet .

 

[rusmeister]

I think a lot of posters may not be aware that they are posting in a congregational forum, and that the offense they cause is unintentional.