Stepping off the track: Consolation / Desolation
Whenever it is a good time to “step off the track” and meditate on what I’m feeling, what that means about how I see Jesus, and how I can respond. Very simply I ask these questions…
- Consolation: These are moments we're easily able to focus outside and beyond ourselves. We can see the joys and sorrows of other people. We bond close in community. We're inspired to foster new ideas and innovations. We feel overall refreshed and energetic. We easily sense God's activity in our lives - and enjoy it.
- Good Questions
- Where did I feel most genuine and rested today?
- Where did I feel the most joy and peace?
- Who was God to me at that moment?
- Can I thank God for this?
- Desolation: These are moments we turns in on ourselves. They drive us down the spiral ever deeper into our own negative feelings. We feel cut us off from community. We want to give up on the things that used to be important to us. We ignore all our landmarks [the signs of our journey with God so far]. We feel drained of all energy.
- Good questions
- Where did I feel most disjointed today?
- Where did I feel the greatest tension or anxiety?
- Who was God to me at that moment?
- What does trust look like here?
- Can I repent and celebrate God’s answer for this?
As you build a steady practice of this, you’ll notice an increased awareness of when it’s happening in real time. You’ll be quick to pray, and quick to apply the good news of how God sees you and what he has done.
Try this once a day, then move to twice a day. Feel free to try this in written or spoken prayer. Feel free to change the questions according to you personality and needs. Hope this is helpful.