How To Come Out Of Spiritual Darkness

It's possible that a sin is causing the gap in your connection with God. When we sin, we lose our sanctifying grace, or God's relationship. Consider an instance when a trusted friend betrayed you. Until they apologized, there was a barrier between you two. Reconciliation is where you should go. Through the sacrament of mercy, a priest told me that he enjoys rebuilding our relationship with God. If you haven't been in a while or are unfamiliar with the “format,” the priests will guide you.

What is the reason for spiritual darkness?

At the time of creation, God did not remove darkness. Light was added by God. However, for many people, darkness represents everything that is unpleasant, hurtful, evil, and frightening. Darkness and light were given equal weight by God, and all life, including human life, begins and develops in the dark.

Scientists have noted the relevance of darkness in the circadian rhythm — the sleep-wake cycle — and recommend that we sleep in darkness. Our health may be harmed if this dark/sleep cycle is disturbed. Cardiovascular events, obesity, and neurological issues can all be exacerbated by a disrupted circadian rhythm.

Our immune systems require darkness to function properly. In addition, when we are in the dark, our bodies release the hormone melatonin, which aids in the prevention of diseases such as breast and prostate cancer.

We can comprehend the usefulness of darkness in the scientific realm, but what about in the spiritual world? Because God is light, darkness, the polar opposite of light, has come to signify anything that separates us from God in the experience of religion and the church. Light represents salvation, spiritual development, and discernment. However, we can only comprehend and appreciate beauty when we contrast and contrast it with the darkness.

God can't be stopped by darkness. The response of God to darkness is described in Psalm 139:12: “Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both similar to You.”

We close our eyes to focus and eliminate distractions when we enter darkness to pray. This could be one of the reasons for spiritual gloom. It's a process of turning away from the light's images and diversions and focusing the mind and heart on God. In the dark, this is where we start to grow.

We journey through the darkness of sin to discover Christ, the Light, as our Redeemer. We learn that the Holy Spirit is the wellspring of truth and faith as we go through the darkness of uncertainty. We struggle to understand that Christ is our protector and deliverer while we face the darkness of crisis and issues. We confront death and discover that God provides eternal life. Even if we cry in the dark, joy comes in the morning. We walk through the darkness of sin, temptation, and testing… yet Jesus Christ leads us to the Light of Salvation.

How do I overcome spiritual emptiness?

And he told them a tale about how they should always pray and never give up. (18:1) (Luke 18:1)

We can see from the foregoing verse that persistent prayer is both possible and expected.

Fasting Helps

Fasting: Fasting can be used to support your tarrying in his presence. Fasting humbles us and sharpens our spirit man, which is why we should fast.

I covered the advantages of fasting in part 2 of my piece on prayer keys, so I won't go over it again here.

Analyse How You Got to Current State of Spiritual Emptiness

Perform a root cause study and assess how you arrived at your current spiritual emptiness.

What were some of the things you did or didn't do? You will be able to avoid those things in the future if you take an honest look inward.

For instance, few years ago, I was engrossed in a daily television series. Before I knew it, I was so engrossed in watching the series that I had forgotten about my time with God.

How can I overcome my darkness?

Avoid concepts like “monster spray,” which merely reinforce the idea that monsters exist and must be “sprayed away” in a child's imagination. – Berkley James, a sleep consultant for children

Fear of the dark is a natural part of growing up and one of the most prevalent childhood issues that affects families with school-aged children. Nearly 30% of children have sleep disorders, according to Dr. Jane Sosland, a clinical child and adolescent psychologist, and bedtime disputes can extend well beyond midnight. Children can have behavior and emotional concerns, as well as difficulty concentrating at school, if they don't get enough sleep. So, what is the greatest way for parents to help a scared child?

Talk about your fears. Listen closely to your child to see if you can identify a trigger without playing into their anxieties. A scary story before bed or a stressful experience during the school day could be the source of nighttime terror. Other times, the fear will be completely irrational.

“Just hearing what kids have to say makes them feel heard and acknowledged, which can help them overcome unreasonable anxieties,” says Berkley James, a pediatric sleep specialist.

Be on the lookout for disturbing pictures. When youngsters are winding down after a long day and the darkness of night falls, they may begin to replay frightening images from books, movies, video games, or the news in their brains. When you combine such images with the house creaking at night or an odd shadow on the wall, you've got a wide-eyed kid at midnight.

When your child is around, limit his or her exposure to violent images and turn off the television. Exposure to frequent pictures of terrorism in the media might significantly effect a child's emotional health, according to a 2016 study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics. The researchers write, “These almost live experiences can produce feelings of despondency and helplessness.” They can also make children feel threatened.

However, frightening sights aren't the only source of dread. “Children have a lot of imagination. They conjure up all sorts of things that aren't there in the dark “Sosland explains. Young youngsters frequently can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality. If they imagine a monster in the closet, it must exist in their minds.

Turn on the lights. Relax if your child can only fall asleep with the ceiling light on. Dim the brightness gradually. Gradually progress to a lamp's soft, pleasant glow, then a closet light, and lastly a yellow or orange-colored night light.

“A relaxing tint can be found in salt lamps,” James notes. “Avoid bright or blue lights, which cause cortisol, a wake-up hormone, to be produced in the brain.”

Teach people how to breathe properly. Teach your child coping skills throughout the day that you can use at night if he already suffers from anxiety. To settle down, for example, have a smaller child blow bubbles. Teach older youngsters how to breathe deeply from their stomachs. Inhale for five seconds and exhale slowly, as if you were holding a birthday candle in front of you. “You don't want to blow it out, though. All you want is for the ‘flame' to flicker “Sosland gives his opinion.

Provide a transitional item. To assist your child sleep, give him a plush animal or a favorite blanket. If you've become your child's favorite teddy bear, start weaning him off of you by getting up just as he's about to fall asleep. If he starts to object, tell him you'll be back in five minutes to check on him.

Have him transition to a location adjacent to your bed if he's used to snuggling up with you in your bed and you want autonomous sleeping arrangements. Return his bed to his own room as soon as possible. Set up a token reward system with items like marbles or gold stars that may be cashed in for prizes if getting your child to sleep in his own bed becomes a struggle.

“You can't make kids sleep,” Sosland explains, “but you can reward them for staying in their room.”

Create a sleep-friendly environment. White noise, fans, sound machines, and mild background music can help to drown out the night's oppressive silence. Make sure your child's bed is comfy, the room is cool, and all distracting technological gadgets are put away.

Maintain a consistent nighttime routine. Take some time to reflect on the good things that happened during the day. Avoid using devices and listen to soothing music. Before going to bed, read a relaxing, uplifting book together. Also, as they're drifting off to sleep, encourage them to think on good pictures, such as playing with a favorite pet.

How do I restore my spiritual life?

What does it mean to resurrect? Simply expressed, it means “to restore the functionality or validity of anything.” So, what about your spirit has become inactive or has lost its validity? Here's a simple test to see if you're ready: Do you find yourself ruminating on minor irritations in your daily life? Do you have a hard time recalling the last time you felt truly happy?

It's possible that your inner spirit requires a “waking,” and spring is an excellent time to assess your situation and take steps toward a more positive, anxiety-free outlook!

Here are three suggestions to help you rekindle your spirit, as well as “5 Inspiring Quotes” from our Cancer Fighters members to get you started.

1. Work on your core

Our entire being is conditioned to perform better — emotionally, mentally, and physically – when we focus on growing our spirit, the core of who we are. Some exercises to build your spiritual core may include the following, depending on your personal interests:

Any action that brings you closer to – rather than further away from – your thoughts and feelings might help you live more cheerfully in the present moment. These activities are referred to as “mindfulness” by some specialists. Mindfulness has been shown to increase overall mood, boost emotional, physical, and social well-being, and reduce anxiety, despair, and rage, according to several studies published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Percy McCray, Jr., Director of Faith-Based Programs at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), warns what can happen if we don't take the time to build our spiritual health in his blog, Revive Yourself, Your Spirit, and Your Health.

“It's critical to take a breath and reflect. If we don't, we'll waste our time shopping, eating, drinking, and socializing in vain attempts to resurrect our spirits.” “Instead of re-energizing us, these pleasures might leave us feeling languid and aimless,” explains Rev. Percy. Every human, however, has a thirst, hunger, and yearning for true meaning, value, and purpose in life.

2. Re-establish (or re-establish) healthy relationships

Living with cancer provides many people a new perspective, one that prioritizes relationships over all else. Given the stress of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, it's not unexpected that problems in relationships, particularly between couples, occur frequently. “Fight the cancer, not each other,” says Michael Uhl, MA, MDiv, LMFT, a Mind-Body Therapist at CTCA in Zion, Illinois. He suggests the following ideas for constructing a house:

• Maintain open channels of communication and draw on previous expertise. Whenever a crisis occurs, make an effort to improve communication. Mutual understanding, not necessarily agreement, should be the goal. It may be painful to discuss feelings, yet it is unshared feelings that cause relationships to suffer.
• Make sure you have a strong support system in place. Bringing friends and other family members on board might provide a much-needed reprieve from caregiving obligations, even if your partner is ready to do it all. Both patients and caregivers require “down time” to manage the plethora of experiences and emotions that accompany cancer treatment, recovery, and survivorship.
• Speak with a therapist who has experience with cancer. Speaking with an unbiased therapist who has worked with other cancer patients can assist couples in expressing their emotions and confirming that the sentiments they are experiencing are normal. Discussing all of the emotions—fear, anger, and grief—either together or separately brings them to the surface and aids in the development of useful coping mechanisms.

Relationships with people you care about — a spouse, family, or close friends – and doing things you both enjoy are stimulating. They have a regenerating and restoring effect.

3. Control Your Thoughts

What do you think about when you're not working? It's only normal for people to inquire “When confronted with a catastrophic sickness, one would wonder, “Why me?” Focusing on this question, on the other hand, can leave you feeling stuck and frustrated. Focusing your thoughts on things that give you hope, on the other hand, might make you feel empowered and revitalize your spirit.

We invited members of our Cancer Fighters group, many of whom are cancer survivors, to provide encouraging remarks “It lifts their spirits.” The following are five of them “To motivate you, here are some “Inspiring Quotes”:

“According to Ardua.”

This Latin phrase translates to “The McIntyre family motto is “despite trials.” Richard A. McIntyre, Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, shared this.

“God is in control of the cancer; the cancer is not in control of me!” Viola Jones of Olathe, Kansas, shared this.

David Brown and Kathy Mosley, a patient and caregiver from Fairbanks, Alaska, believe one of Baha'u'llah's Baha'i prayers in the Baha'i Prayer book brings them much comfort and peace:

“O my God, memory of Thee is my remedy, and Thy name is my mending.

My aim is to be near Thee, and my companion is love for Thee.

Thy mercy to me is my salvation and healing in both this world and the next.

“Truly, you are the All-Abundant, the All-Knowing, and the All-Wise.”

Kimalea Conrad, a cancer survivor from Telluride, Colorado, says Bible verses inspire her; one of her favorites is the one below. “To me, this verse signifies that cancer has no ability to make me terrified unless I allow it,” Conrad explains.

“God did not give us a fearful spirit, but a spirit of strength, love, and self-control.” Revelation 2:7

Surviving cancer typically demands a heroic amount of physical, mental, and spiritual courage, as any survivor or caregiver knows. “Rev. Percy believes that connecting to a greater source of power can bring that balance, stability, and grounding. “Many of us overlook the most obvious sources of meaning, worth, and purpose: service, forgiveness, hope, peace, and faith. Connecting to these global forces of empowerment is, in many ways, the simplest method to rekindle our spirit.”

How did God separate light from darkness?

The Separation of Light and Darkness is based on verses 3–5 of the Book of Genesis' first chapter: “Let there be light,” God said, and there was light. God regarded the light as good and decided to separate it from the darkness.

What does God say about hard times?

18:10 (Proverbs) The Lord's name is a sturdy tower, and all who run into it are safe.

41:10 (Isaiah) So do not be afraid because I am with you; do not be alarmed for I am your God. I will strengthen and assist you; with my righteous right hand, I will uphold you.

Exodus 15:2 is a passage from the book of Exodus. My strength and singing come from the Lord, and he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will exalt him—this is the God of my father, and I will praise him!

9:9-10 Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a safe haven for the oppressed and a stronghold in difficult times.

3–4 in Isaiah 26:3–4 You keep those of steady mind at ease because they have faith in you. Always put your trust in the Lord, since he is an everlasting rock.

32:7-8 Psalm 32:7-8 You are my safe haven; you will keep me safe from harm and encircle me with melodies of salvation.

31:8 (Deuteronomy) The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will always be there for you; he will never abandon you. Do not be alarmed or alarmed.

Can God fill my emptiness?

Symptoms of empty spirits include empty bellies, empty lifestyles, empty dreams, and empty motivation. While emptiness is unpleasant, it may also be a benefit if it is dealt with wisely. Even though everything around us stays in empty, emptiness is a wake-up call to go to God, who is the only One who can change emptiness into fullness and fill us with His fullness and blessing.

How do you pray when you feel empty?

I'm lonely, Heavenly Father, and I need your comfort. Help me realize that even when others don't, you notice me. Please stick with me as I go through this ordeal. Help me comprehend that I'm going through this for a reason, and that you'll be there to support me; that I'll be able to overcome this because you're with me. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Thank you, Lord, for your kindness and grace. Thank you for reminding me that I don't have to be afraid because you're beside me. Assist me in overcoming my negative thoughts and anxiety of being alone. I'm sure your presence gives calm in the midst of the storm. Thank you for being there for me through this difficult time. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Greetings, Jesus! I beseech you to investigate my heart. Check to see if I have any nefarious tendencies. Please bring it to my attention so that I can correct it in front of you. Thank you for your understanding. Despite the fact that I believe you are far away, I choose to believe in your promise that nothing will be able to separate me from your love; that you are on my side, not against me. Today, please assist me in walking in the assurance of that promise. Amen.

Thank you, God, that you haven't forgotten about me and will never forget about me. I'll admit that I've been doubting your goodness and not trusting you. In your truth, renew my heart and intellect. In my heart, I implore you to continue your healing work. Repair the damage. Give me the strength to confront today's problems, knowing that you will not desert me. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Father, Right now, I'm feeling lonely. You promised you'd never let me down or abandon me. Lord, I believe in you, but please help me overcome my skepticism. Please come immediately and be near me. Allow me to sense your presence and tranquility. I invite you to come into my life and relieve me of my loneliness. I appreciate your assurance of your loyalty. I am in awe of your devotion to me. Amen, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Lord, I feel vulnerable, bewildered, terrified, and alone, as if there is no one I can truly trust or rely on. Thank you for reminding me that every word you say is correct. I come to you today humbly requesting your protection from those who wish to hurt others, as well as from my own negative ideas. Protect me from the lies of my foes. Only truth should fill my heart and mind. Amen, in Jesus' name.

Greetings, God! I feel alone, yet I know you are there with me through it all. Please instill hope in my mind. I appreciate your word's assurance that your hand will guide me. I can lean on Your strength when I am weak. Help me to accomplish that today; help me to see past my circumstances and believe you when you say you will. Amen, in Jesus' name.

I'm asking for your assistance right now, Heavenly Father. Teach me not to be concerned. Please remind me not to be worried. ‘Don't worry about anything, pray about everything,' says your word. And I'll tell you what I require.' Thank you, God, for your provision. Thank you for the assurances of our presence that your word contains. Please provide the calm and comfort of your presence to my situation. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

What does spiritual dryness feel like?

Spiritual dryness, a state of feeling exhausted or empty, can occur during wilderness seasons. Reading the Bible and praying feel rote and monotonous. Your enthusiasm and enthusiasm for God and life have diminished. You're perplexed, befuddled, and exhausted.

Why do I get so scared at night?

There are a variety of reasons why your anxiety is worse at night. Nighttime anxiety and panic episodes can be exacerbated by daily stressors, poor sleep patterns, and other health concerns.

There are, however, a variety of treatments that can help you feel less anxious and sleep better. If you're worried about how your nightly anxiety and lack of sleep are hurting your life, it's never too late to seek out the mental health help you need.