Episode Summary
In this revealing episode, host Nate Labadorf explores a hidden struggle in the Christian life: the temptation to pursue spiritual feelings instead of pursuing God Himself. Drawing from Chapter IV of Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of the Cross, Nate guides us into the subtle but dangerous habit of seeking joy, peace, and emotional highs in our faith—and mistaking them for the presence of God. This pursuit, called “spiritual luxury,” is not about sin in the traditional sense, but about how even the most sincere devotions can become distractions if we cling to the feelings they produce more than the God who gives them.
We often assume that our faith is at its strongest when we feel the most emotionally moved—during a powerful worship song, a comforting sermon, or a moment of spiritual connection with others. But what happens when those emotions fade? What if God invites us into a season of silence, dryness, or stillness? According to St. John of the Cross, this “dark night” is not a punishment but a purification—a necessary stripping away of our dependence on consolations so that we might learn to love God for who He is, not for how He makes us feel. Nate’s reflections offer a challenge that is also a gift: the call to deeper intimacy through detachment from emotional dependence.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
In Segment 1, Nate introduces the idea of spiritual luxury and how it subtly infiltrates our spiritual lives. Drawing from historical theology, he explains how our bodies often translate spiritual joy into emotional pleasure—and how we can easily begin to chase the feeling rather than the Giver. He outlines St. John’s understanding of this struggle, where even moments of deep prayer can be tainted by an unconscious desire to feel good rather than to simply be with God. The segment explores how God uses the “dark night” to wean us off these attachments so that we might learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
Segment 2 offers an evangelical critique of St. John’s approach, raising the concern that his sharp distinction between body and spirit can sometimes feel like a rejection of God’s good design. Nate presents a balanced view, showing that Scripture portrays human beings as integrated—body, soul, and spirit all working together for God’s glory. He discusses how Jesus affirmed the value of emotions through His own tears, compassion, and joy, and how the Psalms invite us to bring our whole emotional selves into worship. The challenge, then, is not to reject emotions but to hold them loosely, allowing them to support rather than drive our relationship with God.
Segment 3 brings the teaching down to earth with a practical guide for those who want to grow beyond emotional dependency in their faith. Nate shares steps for spiritual inventory, silent worship, fasting from emotional supports, and learning to trust God in the dry seasons. He includes a story of someone who once relied heavily on worship music to feel close to God, but later found deeper rest in Scripture and silent prayer. This segment encourages listeners to explore the silence, embrace spiritual stillness, and allow God to draw them into a more rooted and steady faith.
In Segment 4, Nate closes with a powerful word of freedom. He reminds us that God is just as present in our sorrow and silence as He is in our joy and celebration. The soul that rests not in emotions but in God alone is the one that walks toward maturity and peace. Drawing from Scripture and St. John of the Cross, Nate encourages listeners to let go of their need for constant affirmation, spiritual excitement, or emotional reassurance, and to anchor themselves instead in the quiet, abiding presence of God who never leaves nor forsakes.
Key Quotes from the Episode
“The soul that rests not in joy nor in sorrow but in God alone, walks steadily to the summit of perfection.” – St. John of the Cross
“Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
This Episode Is for You If:
You often feel disconnected from God when your emotions are low.
You wonder why worship or prayer sometimes feels dry or empty.
You’ve chased spiritual highs but still feel spiritually unsatisfied.
You’re longing for a more grounded, mature walk with Christ.
You want to learn to love God for who He is, not for how He makes you feel.
Practical Reflections and Action Steps
Nate offers a thoughtful process for reflecting on your own spiritual dependencies. Begin by identifying the practices or experiences that make you “feel” close to God. Are those practices helping you know Him more, or simply feel good? Try setting aside some of those comforts—such as emotional worship music or stimulating podcasts—and instead spend time in silence, Scripture, or quiet prayer.
Nate suggests journaling your thoughts, asking questions like: “Am I seeking God or a feeling?” or “What remains when the emotions fade?” Consider spending a few minutes a day in silence, repeating a simple prayer like “Lord, I am here with You,” without striving for any particular feeling. These small practices can retrain your heart to rest in God’s presence, regardless of emotional outcome.
Finally, Nate encourages you to embrace spiritual dryness not as a sign of failure but as an invitation to deeper faith. Like Elijah on Mount Horeb, sometimes the most profound revelation comes not in fire or wind but in a gentle whisper. Learn to listen there.
A Word of Hope
The Christian life is not a performance. It’s not about how much we feel, how consistently we cry in worship, or how emotionally stirred we are by Scripture. It is about abiding—remaining with God in all seasons, whether full of joy or heavy with silence. If you’ve found yourself wondering where God is when the feelings fade, know this: He has not moved. He is in the stillness. He is in the ordinary. He is in you. And He’s calling you to a deeper kind of love—one that isn’t moved by emotion, but by faith. One that doesn’t grasp for spiritual highs but rests in the quiet assurance that He is enough.
Next Week’s Episode
Join us next week for The Fire Within: Anger on the Spiritual Path. How do we handle anger in our spiritual lives? Is there a place for righteous indignation, or is anger always a threat to our walk with Christ? We’ll explore how even this powerful emotion can be used by God for transformation, justice, and healing.
Stay Connected
Visit freshgroundtheology.com to find resources, journaling prompts, and community conversation starters related to this episode. Subscribe to The Distracted Christian Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Send us your thoughts at freshgroundtheology@gmail.com. We love hearing your stories and reflections.
Until next time, may you rest in God’s unshakable presence and learn to love Him for who He is—not just how He makes you feel.
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