Consolations and Desolations: Your spiritual friends

Did you know that St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, may have been the first to understand the power of not 'yucking someone’s yum'? St Ignatius didn’t use those terms. He called them desolations and  consolations and offered them as guidelines for deepening one’s spiritual life and making decisions.  I find these categories to be hugely helpful for both big decisions and daily life. It's important to know what replenishes us and what depletes! 

But it's not always obvious which is which. Maybe this will help:
Consolation/Yum!
In Ignatian spirituality, consolation refers to experiences that move a person closer to God and help them recognize God's presence. Signs that a person, event, ritual or place provides you with consolation might include:

• A feeling of being in harmony with God's will.
• Increased faith, hope, and love.
• Inner peace, even in the face of difficulties.
• A sense of spiritual vitality and energy even in tense times.
• Greater compassion and tolerance of others.
• Increased imaginative and creative capacity

Desolation/Yuck!
On the other hand, desolation refers to experiences that pull a person away from God, leaving them feeling distant or disconnected. People, places, activities or rituals that cause desolation leave us feeling

• separated from God
• Angry, doubtful, depleted, or despairing .
• a desire to nurture selfishness, apathy, or harmful tendencies.
• confused restless, or perseverating on difficulties.
• isolated from others.

​Ignatius taught that desolation is part of the spiritual journey, but it should not be allowed to become permanent. It is an opportunity for growth. At the very least, we get ourselves out of the yuck and then evaluate what it was we just stepped in.  We reflect on why we are having that reaction, what it reveals about our inner selves. After we examine it, we may need to avoiding that thing, or address that person, or and create a boundary around our level of exposure.
On the flip side, when we know our consolations, we know how to access replenishment when the yuck is too much.

Both our consolations and our desolations are means to know ourselves and God better.  I encourage you to do as St. Ignatius taught his followers. Examine your life and name your yums and yucks.  The more you do it, the more you will know yourself and grow yourself.  Always a good thing!  

Pastor Rebecca

*this essay began with ChatGBT and was lovingly massaged for personalization and clarity.