I thought my prayers had been answered. Unexpectantly, the clouds of change left me spiritually disoriented. Joy and thanksgiving became confusion and disappointment. Just as we cheered our family ship sailing safely into the harbor from its treacherous journey, the boat capsized. We were suddenly swept back out into stormy seas on a life raft.
Heartbroken? That would be an understatement. I was Spiritually Disoriented.
Spiritual Disorientation occurs when one’s perception of the circumstances is disconnected from trustworthy Bible verses.
My faith was shaken. My dream project was taken from me, and I was pushed aside after all my sacrifices. My close colleagues doubted me, while newer ones ignored my contributions. I felt erased, as if I no longer existed. They just did not call it cancel culture.
I felt empty and confused. Their unfair words hurt me deeply. My family was suffering, and my future looked bleak. Relationships were falling apart. I was blamed for having a wrong attitude!
My thinking was called irrational. My motives were deemed to be materialistic. Even my integrity was questioned.
We all have blind spots we do not see, and I have them too. Well, I did not see this coming.
What do you do when you feel disappointed, depressed, or defeated? How do you trust God when everything seems wrong, plans fail, circumstances are tough, bad things happen, or well-intentioned dreams get crushed?
The God I trusted seemed distant. I believed God should know my situation and how to help me. This felt more like a disaster than happiness.
I cried more than at any time in my life. I complained more than at any time in my life. I criticized others more than at any time in my life. In retrospect, I was on the verge of crashing emotionally and spiritually.
Any thoughts of love were buried in the fog of self-pity. Any sense of right direction was lost. I was spiritually disoriented. Have you felt like that?
SPIRITUAL DISORIENTATION OCCURS WHEN PERCEPTION IS DIFFERENT FROM REALITY.
Spatial Disorientation refers to the difficulty in determining one’s location relative to a known reference point, similar to a term used in aviation.
Pilots can feel directionally confused while flying through clouds or bad weather that obscure the horizon or ground. Without clear reference points, their perception cannot be trusted.
The pilot’s sight and feelings do not align. The eyes and inner ears send mixed signals, causing blurry vision and balance issues.
The pilot loses perspective of attitude, altitude, and airspeed. He can no longer be certain of the plane’s flight path. He might think he in flying straight while actually turning or be plummeting in a deep dive while perceiving he is soaring to a higher altitude. The consequences can be fatal.
The best way to avoid the risks of spatial disorientation is to rely on the instrument panel. Flight instructors advise student pilots to trust their cockpit instruments over their instincts, especially in stressful situations where perception can differ from reality.
SPIRITUAL DISORIENTATION AFFECTS OUR SPIRITUAL SENSES. OUR PERCEPTION DOES NOT MATCH REALITY.
We lose our way in a relationship, make incorrect adjustments, and fail to realize we are in a graveyard spiral. Unaware of the danger to our soul, we hide our spiritual struggles from others who could help. Instead, we make life-changing corrections based on our blinded perception of right or wrong.
In hurtful situations, our feelings can lead to anger and blame. We may want to retaliate or withdraw, but those reactions can cause more harm, like a disaster waiting to happen.
I have faced spiritual confusion several times, but this time was the worst. The changing circumstances felt as if I were surrounded by a thick fog, clouding my spiritual perception. The darkness in my soul concealed spiritual truth.
Sometimes in life and death circumstances, we cannot see God anywhere.
Some dear friends received the worst possible news this week. My situation is not comparable to theirs. The only similarity is the emotional and spiritual disorientation.
The darkness of the soul obscures spiritual truth. They will find hope and guidance from Jesus in their tragedy, but that does not minimize their hurt.
In moments of spiritual struggle, we often wonder if God is in control or if God exists. When faced with tragedy, we can lose sight of what truly matters.
Bitter pills, broken hearts, and crushed dreams create feelings of hopelessness and despair. The loss of a loved one or a bad medical diagnosis can make the living reflect on life.
How should we live? How do we get ready for death? What truly matters?
WHAT WILL BE OUR INSTRUMENT PANEL OF TRUTH WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE FAILS?
Spiritual guidance needs a reliable source.
What caused me to refocus on my trustworthy spiritual instrument panel?
GOD DELIVERED MY MESSAGE REMINDER THROUGH A TINY SPARROW CHIRPING ON MY FENCE AS IF IT HAD NO WORRIES IN THE WORLD.
I looked out my window and remembered the #1 Textbook instrument panel.
“A sparrow never worries. God never forgets even one of them. There is no reason for you to fear; you are far more valuable to God. He will take care of you.”
Amid spiritual disorientation, I failed to do what I was trained to do, trust the reliability of life’s instrument panel found in the #1 Textbook. Reality was different than my perception.
God is always with me and always for me.
Thank you to all the sparrows who help us remember what is truly important.
Faith is not about knowing everything or having all the answers. Faith is trusting that God has perfect plans and controls all circumstances.
God does not always explain things. Instead, He is there to support us through our struggles and suffering. This gives us help and hope.
When faced with spiritual disorientation, the psalmist declared, I will lift my eyes to the hills. My help comes from the LORD (#1 Textbook).
God is still working all things for our good. All things. Even now. In every season of life. In the face of loss and changing circumstances. Even in the valley of the shadow of death.
I realized my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside…I was senseless…Even so, I am in your presence. You grasp my right hand and guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. You alone are for me on earth and in the heavens. Who else is there to trust? (#1 Textbook).
That’s true. Who else can we trust but the One who is always faithful?
The true horizon will always guide me to safety where love and trust are constant companions.
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord (#1 Textbook).
Hope is not some wish or dream. It is not some brain-washed platitude or spiritual crutch. We have a spiritual guide for our souls. The skies will clear. The storm will fade. We will see hope ahead. God will bring us home safely.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take
The clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and soon shall break
with blessings on your head. (Wm. Cowper)
Thanks to God, I feel spiritually grounded. Throughout everything, God’s love for me has remained unchanged. God never loved me less. What a blessing!
Celine Dion sings, “It’s all coming back to me now.”
My concern is for you who might be experiencing spiritual disorientation. I sympathetically understand the confusion and fears.
Are you trusting Jesus to be your Spiritual Pilot? Are you focused on the #1 Textbook instrument panel?
I have attached the basic truths for review in times of spiritual disorientation.
- GOD ALWAYS WATCHES OVER THE SPARROW AND GOD WILL ALWAYS TAKE CARE OF YOU.
- HOPE IN GOD ALWAYS LANDS THE DISORIENTED HEART IN A SAFE PLACE. ALWAYS.
- I WILL LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS. MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD.
- EYES UP! LOVE YOU!
LOVE FIRST...LOVE MOST 