Consolation & Desolation

The last episode of Joan of Arcadia aired here on Sunday night. Right near the end something her mom said struck me:

"In your life you get periods of Consolation, and periods of Desolation. Consolation is when life goes smoothly, God is near and you know where you're headed. Desolation is a time of emptiness, when God draws away and you don't know what the future will hold." (briefly summarized)

Her dad asks how long Desolation lasts. She says "as long as it takes".
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Sometimes it feels like I've been in a place of Desolation for a very, very long time. I can remember those times of Consolation - like the good old days, full of golden light and warm happiness. I'd like them back, but there's nothing I can do to get there on my own.

My only consolation (scuse the pun) is that Desolation isn't forever, unless you make it so yourself and turn away from the Light.

And that's what gives me hope.