SISL9 – I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor explore the theme of spiritual desolation and the power of spiritual companionship in overcoming discouragement. They discuss a man named Bob who meets with a priest, Father Reed, to discuss tensions in his marriage and his struggles in his spiritual life.

Bob feels discouraged due to unresolved tension with his wife, leading him to question his worth as a husband and father. Father Reed listens and helps Bob recognize that these feelings are spiritual desolation, which Fr. Gallagher explains is the enemy’s tactic to induce self-doubt and hopelessness. By reflecting Bob’s own words back to him, Father Reed helps him to see his love for his family and his commitment to his spiritual growth.

Spiritual desolation should not be faced alone: this includes having support systems such as a spouse, spiritual director, or faith group. By sharing his struggles, Bob finds clarity, hope, and a renewed commitment to his spiritual practices, such as Ignatian principles, like the need to resist making changes during desolation and to stay accompanied through spiritual friendships and community support.

These struggles can deepen one’s relationship with God and others. Through grace, individuals can grow in charity, which enhances all relationships—both with God and within one’s community and family.

You can pick up a copy of the book here.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Identify Moments of Discouragement: When have you experienced discouragement in your spiritual life, and what thoughts accompanied it?
Reflect on Support Systems: Who are the spiritual companions in your life that help you stay grounded in faith, and how do they support you?
Recognize God’s Role in Desolation: How might God be using your current struggles to draw you closer to Him?
Examine Your Vocation and Relationships: In what ways can your spiritual growth strengthen your relationship with your spouse or loved ones?
Challenge Hopelessness with Truth: What negative self-talk do you need to reject, and what truths can you embrace about God’s love and grace?
Commit to Staying Accompanied: Who can you reach out to when you feel spiritually isolated, and how can you deepen these connections?

An excerpt from the chapter, “I’ll Try, but Nothing Will Come of It”:

“With Father Reed’s help, Bob recognizes a tactic of the enemy, another form of spiritual desolation. Ignatius describes this as “lack of hope.” When we experience this form of desolation, our thoughts are like Bob’s: we lose hope of any real progress in loving God, in prayer, in holiness, and in living our vocation well. If we think like this, we will be tempted, like Bob, to give up — precisely the enemy’s goal.

All of this is a lie! If ever you feel “defeated before you begin” in your spiritual life, recognize the lie of the enemy and reject it. Do not relinquish your efforts to grow spiritually. God’s love and the power of his grace are with you in these efforts. Compared with this, the enemy’s lies are a very small thing. Further, we can prepare to reject such lies even before the enemy brings them (Ignatius’s rule 10). After this attack by the enemy, for example, Bob can prepare himself to reject similar lies should the enemy bring them again.”

Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy ; Gallagher O.M.V, Fr. Timothy. Struggles in the Spiritual Life: Their Nature and Their Remedies (pp. 59-60). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.

To find more episodes from this series, visit the Struggles in the Spiritual Life Podcast

From the book’s description:

“Here is a powerful, life-changing book that will help you understand and conquer the struggles you face in your spiritual life. It’s a book for those who love the Lord and desire holiness yet often feel adrift or stagnant in their search for spiritual growth.

All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord — those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness.

With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each. You’ll learn how to discern whether your struggles derive from medical or psychological conditions or whether those struggles are spiritual and permitted by the Lord for reasons of growth. In each case, you’ll be given the remedy for the struggle. You’ll also learn the forms of spiritual dryness and of the Dark Night — and how to respond to them.

In chapter after chapter, Fr. Gallagher presents a particular struggle as experienced by fictional characters and then provides the advice he gives to those who come to him for spiritual direction about that struggle. You’ll gain confidence as you journey through desolation, and you’ll learn to reject the enemy’s ploys to infect you with a sense of hopelessness.“

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

TM4 – Overcoming Scruples – St. Therese and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcast

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BA6 - "Refuse to Accept Discouragement" - Begin Again: The Spiritual Legacy of Ven. Bruno Lanteri with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Episode 4 – Overcoming Scruples – St. Thérèse and Marie: The Story of Two Cousins with Fr. Timothy Gallagher

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor continue their discussion on St. Thérèse of Lisieux and her close relationship with her cousin, Marie, through their letters. They explore a particular letter from Marie to St. Thérèse, written during a challenging period in Marie’s life wherein she is debating whether or not to join the Carmelite order.

Marie confides in St. Thérèse about her scruples, inner torments, and spiritual struggles, particularly around purity and her desire to enter the Carmelite order. This letter reflects Marie’s vulnerable spiritual state and her need for guidance and consolation. Thérèse responds with both empathy and wisdom, affirming Marie’s heartfelt struggles while gently guiding her to trust in God’s love and mercy, even in her moments of doubt.

A recurring theme is that of of spiritual direction, the importance of wise counsel, and the struggles inherent in spiritual growth. Fr. Gallagher connects these personal stories to the broader spiritual teachings of St. Thérèse, particularly her “Little Way”—a path that finds strength in weakness and trusts fully in God’s grace. Many of us may identify with Marie’s feelings of inadequacy and desire for reassurance, illustrating how timeless and relatable these spiritual struggles are. Together, they explore the value of seeking counsel from spiritually mature and experienced individuals who can offer clarity and encouragement on the journey of faith.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

Trusting Spiritual Authority – How do I discern and trust spiritual guidance from those with experience and wisdom in the faith?
Struggles with Scrupulosity – When I am overly burdened by feelings of inadequacy or guilt, do I seek support and clarity, or do I allow these feelings to isolate me?
Transforming Weakness into Strength – Can I embrace my weaknesses as chances for growth, allowing God’s strength to work through them?
Seeking Consolation in God – In times of inner turmoil, do I turn to God for comfort, or do I seek distractions elsewhere?
Value of Spiritual Friendships – Are my closest relationships helping me grow spiritually, and am I willing to share my faith journey with them?
Handling Spiritual Dryness – How do I approach prayer and the sacraments when they feel dry or arid, and do I trust God is still present in these moments?
Living Out the Little Way – In what practical ways can I imitate St. Thérèse’s Little Way by offering small acts of love and sacrifice throughout my day?

About this Series

Fr. Timothy Gallagher reflects upon the enduring legacy of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, exploring how her life and spirituality, deeply influenced by her family and how it offers profound insights into everyday holiness. He examines the role of family and spiritual friendships in nurturing faith, the importance of compassionate care for others, and how Thérèse’s example can inspire listeners to seek sanctity in their daily lives. He also brings forth more details of the spiritual bond between the Martin and Guérin families, offering a model for fostering deeper connections within one’s own family and community.

Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org

Did you know that Fr. Timothy Gallagher has 14 different podcast series on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts?
Visit here to discover more!

TSP6 – Obstacles to Contemplative Spirituality – St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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Episode 6 – Obstacles to Contemplative Spirituality – St. Teresa, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul with Dan Burke

Dan Burke and Kris McGregor explore spiritual growth through St. Teresa of Ávila’s fourth mansion in The Interior Castle. They discuss how God uses perceived absences to deepen our relationship with Him, removing consolations to cultivate selfless love. This “aridity” — where one might feel God’s presence less tangibly — is actually a time of spiritual purification. Burke emphasizes that while these moments can be challenging, they are essential to detaching from “mercenary love” (love driven by self-interest) and moving toward love that reflects God’s worthiness.

The enemy often tries to exploit these times of dryness by sowing doubt, attempting to make believers question past spiritual experiences. Saints like John of the Cross and Catherine of Siena encourage recognizing such trials as opportunities to grow in humility, reaffirming our dependence on God. He highlights the importance of maintaining spiritual virtues and a disciplined “rule of life” to resist temptations and strengthen virtues, much like keeping physical fitness.

Reflecting on the wisdom of the Desert Fathers, especially regarding battling vices with corresponding virtues, they mention the importance of practices like fasting, which help one gain control over appetites and attachments, allowing for a more disciplined spiritual life. St. Teresa’s practical approach, such as avoiding spiritual pride and learning to respond to wandering thoughts in prayer with humility.

Discerning Hearts Discussion Questions

Understanding Spiritual Dryness: How can I embrace moments of perceived absence from God as opportunities to grow in faith and selfless love?
Recognizing the Enemy’s Tactics: In what ways might the enemy try to create doubt in my spiritual journey, and how can I guard against these thoughts?
The Importance of Virtues: Which virtues in my life need consistent reinforcement, and how can I establish daily practices to cultivate them?
The Role of Humility in Prayer: How can I respond humbly when my mind wanders in prayer, acknowledging my dependence on God?
Developing a Rule of Life: What specific spiritual disciplines or rules can I incorporate into my daily routine to strengthen my relationship with God?
Detachment from Consolations: How can I shift my focus from seeking consolations in prayer to seeking a deeper, more selfless love for God?
Striving for Union with God: In what ways is God calling me to deeper purification, and how can I open myself more fully to His transforming love?
Healing Through Awareness: How can I allow my wounds to become channels for God’s healing grace, rather than opportunities for the enemy to lead me astray?
Learning from the Saints: Which insights from St. Teresa of Ávila and other saints can I apply to my own spiritual struggles and growth?
Trusting in God’s Patience and Mercy: How can I more fully appreciate and rely on God’s ongoing patience, forgiveness, and love in my daily life?

You can find the book here.

An excerpt from the book:

“Have you ever considered that the devil is active in your prayer life? In the parish church where you attend Mass? In the lives and actions of people of goodwill all around you? The saints remind us of a key aspect of living the spiritual life that we are wont to forget simply because we can’t see it and because we have been conditioned by the media and popular culture to think the devil works visibly only in “bad” people or in extraordinary ways, as in the movies. And although demons are certainly capable of extravagant or extraordinary manifestations, their ordinary work flies under our radar because it just isn’t that spectacular, though it is deadly.

In fact, subtlety, illusion, and deceit are their preferred methods of attack. An invisible battle for souls is being waged in and around us without reprieve, and we remain ignorant of it to our peril. St. Teresa of Avila, great mystic and Doctor of the Church, is best known for her writings on the way God leads souls along the path to union with Him through prayer. What many do not know about St. Teresa is that she also observed the actions of demons working with militant force to lead even good souls astray in ways that might surprise you. She shares these experiences freely in her autobiography, which she was commanded to write under obedience to her spiritual director.“

Burke, Dan; Burke, Dan. The Devil in the Castle: St. Teresa of Avila, Spiritual Warfare, and the Progress of the Soul (p. 12). Sophia Institute Press. Kindle Edition.

For more episodes in this series visit Dan Burke’s Discerning Hearts page here:

Dan Burke is the founder and President of the Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation, which offers graduate and personal enrichment studies in spiritual theology to priests, deacons, religious, and laity in 72 countries and prepares men for seminary in 14 dioceses.

Dan is the author and editor of more than 15 books on authentic Catholic spirituality and hosts the Divine Intimacy Radio show with his wife, Stephanie, which is broadcast weekly on EWTN Radio. Past episodes can be found, along with thousands of articles on the interior life, at SpiritualDirection.com.

In his deep commitment to the advancement of faithful Catholic spirituality, he is also the founder of Apostoli Viae, a world-wide, private association of the faithful dedicated to living and advancing the authentic spiritual patrimony of the Church.

Most importantly, Dan is a blessed husband, father of four, grandfather of one—and grateful to be Catholic.

SISL8 – I’m Troubled and I’m Tempted; I’m Going to Fail – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

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I’m Troubled and I’m Tempted; I’m Going to Fail – Struggles in the Spiritual Life with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher and Kris McGregor discuss spiritual desolation and temptation, focusing on how these challenges manifest in everyday life. They revisit the character of John, a man experiencing anxiety while awaiting medical results, and struggling to find peace in prayer. Despite his efforts, he faces the pull of temptation and the discouraging thoughts that stem from spiritual desolation. Such temptations are “garden variety” tactics of the enemy, common experiences in the spiritual life, and challenges for us to resist by turning to prayer and trusted support.

We are then introduced to Julie, who, after a spiritually uplifting retreat, finds herself slipping into desolation due to relational difficulties and self-doubt. She begins to question her spiritual growth, underlining how desolation can distort one’s perception of their relationship with God and progress in the faith. It’s important to recognize and reject these lies of the enemy, who uses such tactics to undermine confidence and encourage discouragement.

The Biblical teaching that the enemy is “the father of lies” and an accuser. He encourages listeners to reject feelings of inadequacy and spiritual defeat by holding onto truths of God’s constant presence, support, and love. Through examples and Ignatius’ teachings, Gallagher assures us that desolation is temporary, and spiritual growth often emerges through these struggles.