Our Spiritual Roller Coaster

We’ve spoken about this many times—the Saints call it consolation and desolation. Consolation is when He feels near, and our hearts are lifted toward Faith, Hope, and Charity. Desolation is when we find ourselves discouraged, turn in on ourselves, and put on the mind of the world.

We can compare this spiritual roller coaster to eating. We all must eat. Sometimes we have the joy of eating our favorite foods in the company of friends and family. Other times we must eat something simple, all alone. Either way, we all must eat. The food of the soul is the interior life with God. We cannot live without God and without an interior life.

There are times when we are united with him in joy and other times when we are united to him in the bitter food of suffering. In joy and suffering, we are united to him.  

In times of famine, we must go out in search of him more intentionally. In times of abundance, we must savor it and remain in him. 
In both times, we must unite ourselves to him, whether he seems near or far.

Our Lord tells us not to be anxious about our food, what we are to eat, or wear. In the same way, we shouldn’t worry if we are in consolation or desolation.  

He says, if there is pain in childbirth, it will be forgotten when the child is born. If we are suffering, He will return to us soon. If we are in high spirits, we must be aware that it could be taken away.

Why He does this, we don’t know, but we do know that it comes and goes for our own good. No matter what state we find ourselves in, whether richly content or hungering—it is profitable for our souls. 
(Much of this was extracted from Secrets of the Interior Life by Archbishop Martinez.)