Dark Night of the Soul
Drawing Near to God When He Seems Far Away

Bible studies begin this week and next!

“God who is everywhere never leaves us. Yet He sees sometimes to be present, sometimes absent. If we do not know Him well, we do not realize that He may be more present to us when He is absent than when He is present.” Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island

Symptoms you are in a “dark night of the soul”:
• Feeling spiritually dry or dead
• Little interest in spiritual disciplines, (Quiet Time, bible reading, prayer, serving, sharing, worship, etc.),
• God seems far removed; “my prayers seem to hit the ceiling;” does He care about me?”
• Asking, “Is it really worth it to follow God?”
• Asking, “What’s wrong? Is it me? My church? My small group? My pastor?”

SPIRITUAL FORMATION:
These symptoms and feelings are a normative part of the Christian journey. Not only are they normative, but they’re necessary! Not only are they necessary, but God takes us through dark nights (years?) of the soul.