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Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies
Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness. You’ll also
• What to do when you are tired, burned out, or overwhelmed by life
• How to respond when you feel burdened or confused in prayer
• What it means when the enemy causes a disturbance in your soul
• Spiritual tactics to employ when you are experiencing struggles
• What to do when you experience disquiet from worldly agitations and temptations
• How to push back when the enemy threatens your confidence in God and His work in your life
All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.
With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.
In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness. You’ll also
• What to do when you are tired, burned out, or overwhelmed by life
• How to respond when you feel burdened or confused in prayer
• What it means when the enemy causes a disturbance in your soul
• Spiritual tactics to employ when you are experiencing struggles
• What to do when you experience disquiet from worldly agitations and temptations
• How to push back when the enemy threatens your confidence in God and His work in your life
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2022
51 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 22, 2023
I always love reading Fr. Gallagher! His examples are very relatable and highlight the small decisions in daily life that can have a big impact in our spiritual life.This book was very encouraging and pastoral.
January 15, 2023
A simply written application of St. Ignatius’s rules for the discernment of spirits in a progressive series of practical examples. Worth the read especially for the distinctions drawn between natural and spiritual desolation and the caution against conflating the two.
September 13, 2022
Father Gallagher fans will not be disappointed. Father Gallagher uses clear real life examples to help one understand both spiritual and non spiritual struggles and clearly presents their remedies. Great for spiritual directors or mentors.
October 14, 2023
Not as deep as some of his other books--it's mostly case studies--but a good refresher on Discernment of Spirits.
October 22, 2024
I love spiritual reading with solid practical advice.
Fr. Gallagher makes an important distinction between spiritual and non spiritual desolation and gives advice for each.
Fr. Gallagher makes an important distinction between spiritual and non spiritual desolation and gives advice for each.
January 7, 2023
relaaaaateable
March 20, 2024
This is a highly accessible introduction to ignatian spirituality, aimed at lay people, about how to address and think about problems in their spiritual lives. It takes case studies of various individuals going about ordinary lives, who are trying to maintain some spiritual integrity or renew their faith, and goes about explaining how a given priest might talk them through the issues. This pedagogical tool will probably work for many, but I did wonder how reflective it was of the real world. Perhaps there are people who go to their parish priests to address such issues, but with the current shortage, it's a long shot that they'd be free to provide intricate spiritual direction, and I'd wager many lay people would feel guilty for asking.
Those who already know a lot about ignatian spirituality may not find anything new in this book. My knowledge was limited to a few school retreats in years gone by that watered it down quite significantly, so I definitely did derive some insights from it. For some reason, when I was a student and trying to pick up knowledge about these things, only evangelical Protestants I came across were comfortable talking openly about their struggles, while Catholics seemed to be reluctant to acknowledge the existence of any spiritual desolation or dryness. This lack of acknowledgement of trials always comes at a price, in my opinion, so ignatian spirituality is definitely a valuable tradition that has much to say to our world that worships noise and busyness.
Those who already know a lot about ignatian spirituality may not find anything new in this book. My knowledge was limited to a few school retreats in years gone by that watered it down quite significantly, so I definitely did derive some insights from it. For some reason, when I was a student and trying to pick up knowledge about these things, only evangelical Protestants I came across were comfortable talking openly about their struggles, while Catholics seemed to be reluctant to acknowledge the existence of any spiritual desolation or dryness. This lack of acknowledgement of trials always comes at a price, in my opinion, so ignatian spirituality is definitely a valuable tradition that has much to say to our world that worships noise and busyness.
August 10, 2023
Helpful but not as deep as his other books
Mainly excerpts from emails of those experiencing difficulties in prayer or in their relationship to God. Responses are categorized with suggested approaches following the Ignatian spiritual exercises, but theses bits are brief and don't offer much detail. Good as a reminder of what you should or could do rather than a deep exploration of solutions. Recommend Fr Timothy's other books.
Mainly excerpts from emails of those experiencing difficulties in prayer or in their relationship to God. Responses are categorized with suggested approaches following the Ignatian spiritual exercises, but theses bits are brief and don't offer much detail. Good as a reminder of what you should or could do rather than a deep exploration of solutions. Recommend Fr Timothy's other books.
January 31, 2024
I think an alternative title for this book could be “Discernment of Spirits for Beginners”. The real-life examples are helpful, and if you’ve struggled reading Fr. Gallagher’s book Discernment of Spirits, definitely give this one a try. Personally, though, I like Discernment of Spirits better. This was a good refresher though, and I’m inspired to pick up Discernment of Spirits again in the near future.
June 3, 2025
I would give this one a three and half star rating. I enjoyed how practical the book was about how to deal with desolation and thought the chapters breaking down nonspiritual desolation and spiritual desolation were very insightful. I felt like the book was a bit repetitive, if experiencing desolation, don't do it alone, and don't faulter on commitments to prayer, was repeated after most chapters. Helpful insight for sure, just made me feel like the book could have been simplified.
February 11, 2023
An Inspirational Read
Fr. Gallagher shares such great wisdom when dealing with struggles in our spirituality. This book is such an insightful read; one that has helped me to grow deeper in my prayer life.
Fr. Gallagher shares such great wisdom when dealing with struggles in our spirituality. This book is such an insightful read; one that has helped me to grow deeper in my prayer life.
May 17, 2023
excellent
A concise very readable book for those experiencing consolation or desolation ( who isn’t ?) the reasons why - and the proper action to take. An invaluable modern guide for all.
A concise very readable book for those experiencing consolation or desolation ( who isn’t ?) the reasons why - and the proper action to take. An invaluable modern guide for all.
February 21, 2024
A Great Help
Thank you Father for this valuable information for spiritual warfare.
The book is a fantastic read.
I hope you will be blessed with reading this book.
Thank you Father for this valuable information for spiritual warfare.
The book is a fantastic read.
I hope you will be blessed with reading this book.
August 31, 2024
A must for anyone who wants to take the spiritual life seriously
Brilliant! Clear, easy to read, consoling and encouraging. This is a book to treasure and read and reread. Whether a complete novice or someone striving for decades this is a sure guide.
Brilliant! Clear, easy to read, consoling and encouraging. This is a book to treasure and read and reread. Whether a complete novice or someone striving for decades this is a sure guide.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews