Episode 08: When God Feels Far (Part 2)

When prayer feels empty and heaven seems quiet, it’s easy to wonder if God has left you.In this episode of Mind and Spirit, Catholic-integrated therapist, Luke Johanni, explores what the saints called the Dark Night of the Soul; a season when God withdraws the feeling of His presence not to punish, but to purify and deepen our love.You’ll learn how to recognize the difference between spiritualdryness and depression, why God sometimes seems silent, and how therapy and faith together can guide you through the darkness toward renewal. Luke draws from St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Calcutta, and St. John Paul II, blending Scripture, Catholic theology, and psychological insight to show that God’s silence is never absence. It’s the language of deeper love.Whether you’re in a season of dryness or searching for meaning in suffering, this episode will help you rediscover hope, trust, and intimacy with God. Sources:Catechism of the Catholic Church §§164–165, 272–27St. Augustine — Confessions (Book I, ch. 1)St. John Paul II — Novo Millennio Ineunte (2001)St. John Paul II — Salvifici Doloris (1984)St. John of the Cross – Dark Night of the SoulSt. Teresa of Ávila — Interior Castle (Book IV)St. Teresa of Calcutta – Come Be My LightSt. Thérèse of Lisieux — Story of a SoulAPA Dictionary of Psychology – APA.orgAcceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT ) – Contextual Science AssociationCognitive Behavioral Therapy ( CBT ) – NAMI.orgViktor E. Frankl – Man’s Search for MeaningScripture Sources:Book of Job 1–2; 19:25Deuteronomy 31:6Isaiah 49:15John 16:33Lamentations 3:7–8; 22–23Mark 9:24Psalm 22Psalm 42:5Romans 8:28