What Do Our Spiritual Highs Tell Us?

Have you ever had those moments when you felt a certain kind of “spiritual high”? By spiritual high, what I mean is that feeling of being in a state of holiness and closeness to God. It may be after hearing a very inspiring Christian song or reading an enlightening Bible verse. It could also be after a very deep and peaceful prayer.

I had those moments. The truth is that there may always be a temptation for me to crave for those moments. Who wouldn’t want to feel clean and good and close to God?

The reason why we suffer so much from sin is that we were not meant to be bad. God created us in His goodness and we were meant to be good! Whenever we sin, we go against who we were supposed to be.

If only we were already there, at that point when we can no longer turn back.

Some saints believe that the reason why those in purgatory are very joyful despite their pain is because they know they can no longer offend God.

Indeed, offending God must be our greatest suffering as human beings.

Blessed indeed are those in heaven who will never depart from the presence of God and who are forever established in goodness!

For us here below, however, our paths consist of many ups and downs. There are moments of spiritual highs and there are times when we fall and we feel so miserable.

The interesting part here is that after those spiritual highs, I often felt some kind of testing. It’s as though I’m being told that those spiritual highs are no guarantee that I will forever abide in that state of elation. In a way, they also tell me that those highs don’t necessarily show how holy I really am.

I recall St. Peter, who had been praised by Jesus for expressing His belief that He is the Messiah and the Son of God. Not long after, however, when he protests against Jesus’ death, Jesus Himself exclaimed:

“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.” (Matthew 16:23, NABRE)

The temptation allowed after our spiritual highs may come for two things. First, it tests us to see whether our hearts are in the right place or if we are merely seeking spiritual pleasure. The second reason is to sometimes help us remain humble. Even if we do not fall into sin, realizing our struggle and our closeness to sin will remind us that we should not be complacent in our faith.

God enables us to feel this kind of spiritual sweetness not to make us boastful or think that we are more righteous than others. In His wisdom, He has many reasons for giving us this experience.

Here are some of the things these spiritual highs may be telling us:

1. God’s revelation of His loving nature

These good feelings tell us how good God really is. It reveals His sweetness, holiness and gentleness.

Many people may fear God, thinking that He is the strict Judge who is ever ready to punish sinners.

When He draws us close to Himself during these sweet moments, He reveals to us His kindness.

2. An invitation to be like Him

These moments of bliss invite us to draw nearer and to be just like Him in holiness and love.

It is said that even those who are not yet in the right path can sometimes feel this sweetness so that they can be encouraged to come to God.

God knows our weaknesses. And if He does not come to us and let us see His light in our darkness, how could we ever come to Him by our own power?

3. God’s plan for us

These moments of closeness to His heart remind us of His plan for our salvation. He tells us that there is something more for us to look forward to in life than the fleeting pleasures we often indulge in.

God gives us hope and points us to heaven when we can no longer be taken away from His presence.

Giving Thanks for God’s Gifts

These spiritual highs are God’s free gifts to us. They help us to turn our eyes towards Him and remember the glory and joy that we can only find in heaven.

Instead of thinking that we deserve them for being righteous, let us keep our gaze fixed upon Jesus Christ, who died for all of us at the cross while we were all in the darkness of sin.

We have a sweet and loving God who only thinks of our happiness and eternal good. Let our hearts be filled always with gratitude and love!

“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow…” – James 1:17 (NRSVCE)

Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book To Love an Invisible God. “How do we know that God loves us? How do we love Him back? Is it possible to love Someone we cannot even see?”