SPIRITUAL FALL

Has God abandoned me?


There are times when we can no longer pray.
Where we fall, again and again.
Where sins return like reflexes, and shame with them.
Where God's silence becomes heavy.

It is in these moments that many ask themselves:

Where is God?
Why doesn't He help me?
Why do I always fall into the same mistakes?

Orthodox tradition does not promise a life without struggle.
She speaks of an inner desert, of a hidden fire, of long patience.
The saints themselves experienced the fall. Not once. Hundreds of times.
And yet, they didn't stop. The danger isn't in falling. It's in believing that God has withdrawn.

While He is there. Closer still in humiliation than in enthusiasm. Because that is where we learn humility. True repentance.
And love that does not depend on spiritual “success.”

“He who has fallen and risen again is stronger than he who has never fallen.”
— Orthodox saying

Christ does not turn away from those who fall. He turns away from those who do not want to get up.

What to do in the fall?

- The reflex is often to avoid God. On the contrary, dare to speak to Him. Even if it's just: “Lord, I don't know how to pray to You anymore.”
- A short prayer every morning. An icon before you. A prostration in silence. That's what it means to hold on.
- A page from the Gospel. A word from a Father. Let the Church feed you even when you are not hungry.
- To your spiritual father, to a believing friend, to a monk, even by message. You are not alone.
- Tell God: “I have fallen. But I give You my shame. Do something with it.”

That's what praying is all about.