The spiritual life can be full of ups and downs. Sometimes we experience powerful joy, but often we realize that despite our best efforts, we cannot overcome the struggles of temptation ourselves. We find ourselves becoming disheartened, despairing that we will ever be strong enough to rid ourselves of sin and follow Christ. These periods, known as spiritual desolations, can seem incredibly dry and painful, and it can be hard to recognize God working when we can’t feel His presence. However, God will use spiritual desolation for amazing goodness if we let Him! An inspiring analogy for this goodness can be seen in the series The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. In the series, a hobbit named Frodo inherits an evil ring. He joins a few companions to undertake a quest to destroy the Ring by casting it into a volcano. After many adventures, he is separated from most of his companions, and he continues with only his gardener, Sam. Eventually, they reach the evil region of Mordor, and must cross enemy territory to reach the fires of Mount Doom. As Frodo gets closer to the mountain, the ring which he wears on a chain around his neck becomes heavier and heavier, clouding his sight and exhausting his strength. Just like Frodo, we too are on a journey, striving to rid ourselves of the burden of sin which we inherited. Sometimes we walk through peaceful places where the burden is light. More often, like Frodo, we must travel through the wilderness, including the darkness of Mordor. Like the hobbits, we may have felt before that “each day, each mile, was more bitter than the one before, as their strength lessened and the land became more evil” (ROTK 1223). It is in this bitter land that the power of the Ring, the power of sin and despair, increases. Like the hobbits, we experience temptation at its strongest when we are least prepared to meet it–when we are exhausted, alone, and afraid. When Frodo is captured by the enemy, Sam must carry the ring alone. He experiences extreme temptation, yet “In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped most to hold him firm” (ROTK 1178). It is the love of our Master, Jesus, that must hold us firm in our temptations. Unlike Sam, we are never truly alone, though it may seem that way. God is always with us, calling us to remain faithful to Him, and we must try with all our strength to follow Him.

Eventually, Sam rescues Frodo, and they soon reach the excruciating climb up Mount Doom. Here, Frodo’s strength gives out, and he proves too weak to go on. In an act of pure sacrifice, Sam picks Frodo up and carries him up the mountain. We too are carried on our hardest days–carried by the One who carried our burden of sin up another hill, long ago, and who gives us the grace to endure all trials. At the top, the hobbits are attacked by Gollum, “a creature now wholly ruined and defeated, yet filled with a hideous lust and rage” (ROTK 1234), who tries to steal the ring. We, too, are attacked at our weakest moments. The Devil, like Gollum, is ruined and defeated, yet he seeks to ruin us as well. 

In the end, Frodo fails and succumbs to the temptation of the Ring, yet the story does not end in despair. Gollum continues attacking him, but accidentally falls into the fire with the Ring, destroying both it and himself, and inadvertently saving the world. Even when we fail, God still uses our weakness for good. He knows that we will fail. He loves us anyway. God allows us to walk through desolation to teach us to rely on Him. He hides so that we may seek him, but He is never truly gone from us! In periods of spiritual desolation, do not let yourself be discouraged. Continue to pray, to praise God, to seek to grow closer to Him and thank Him for helping you grow, and He will carry you through every darkness. Trust in Him, and He will not let you down!

If you haven’t read LOTR, I highly recommend getting a copy!! The beginning can be slow to get through but once you get into it there are a ton of good Catholic themes. Also, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future posts, please let me know! I am praying for you all and I hope you have a blessed week.