Faith is a dark night for man, but in this very way it gives him light.~Saint John of the Cross
Dark Night Of The Soul
Let it suffice to say, then, that God perceives the imperfections within us, and because of his love for us, urges us to grow up. His love is not content to leave us in our weakness, and for this reason he takes us into a dark night.
He weans us from all of the pleasures by giving us dry times and inward darkness.
In doing so he is able to take away all these vices and create virtues within us.
Through the dark night
- pride becomes humility,
- greed becomes simplicity,
- wrath becomes contentment,
- luxury becomes peace,
- gluttony becomes moderation,
- envy becomes joy,
- and sloth becomes strength.
No soul will ever grow deep in the spiritual life unless God works passively in that soul by means of the dark night.
Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
Consider the mercy of Jesus Christ that he will not leave us to the whispered lies, but will, for our own sake, lead us through the dark night of letting go.
Have you found virtue growing in the darkness?
Photograph by Melanie Hunt
6 replies on “Sabbath Quiet: Dark Night Of The Soul”
The greatest mystery of this dark night is the fact that, if you’re able to confidently assert that you’re in a dark night of the soul, chances are…you’re not, yet. It is meant to be baffling in all rational ways so that only pure, on-the-ground faith in the hidden God will suffice. It is then we gain infinitely more than we could ever hope or imagine.
Peace, Rob
Perhaps knowing others have walked through it will prepare us to cling to faith in the baffling darkness.
No, I did not find virtue growing in the darkness, and it wasn’t virtue I was looking for….it was the Light that grew in the darkness. Mary
Your insight and experience reminds me of the quote at the top, Mary.
Yes, I have found virtue growing in the darkness.
The seeds of promise from faith, hope, and love grew in the soil of darkness.
Much to my surprise!
I really just knew I trusted The Lord! .. And was crying out to Him!
Psalm 126:5
.. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
!
I love that verse, Ginny.