You’re not your sin, your disorder, or your struggle—you’re a child of God called to fight forward, overcome, and be free.

In this episode of The Devil is in the Details, we dive into Rule Eight of St. Ignatius’ discernment framework—perseverance in desolation. But this one hits deeper than you might expect. We talk identity lies, spiritual EMDR, and what it really means to refuse to be ruled by your lower nature. This isn’t just about staying patient in the storm—it’s about realizing you were never meant to identify with it. If you’ve ever said, “I’m just not a morning person” or “That’s just who I am,” this one’s for you. Get ready to fight forward—with clarity, with grit, and with grace.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

00:00 Introduction and Series Overview

00:38 Rule Eight: Perseverance in Desolation

01:09 The Concept of Patience

02:16 Identity and Negative Cognitions

02:52 Personal Stories and Overcoming Challenges

05:51 The Importance of Positive Cognition

12:44 Desolation and Human Nature

16:57 Hospital Experiences and Finding Peace

17:57 A Painful Experience

18:12 Spiritual Conversations in the Ambulance

19:47 Finding Peace Amidst Pain

21:03 A Stressful Drive

22:53 Spiritual Warfare and Vigilance

24:15 The Battle of Life

31:39 Balancing Awareness and Paranoia

34:36 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement

5 Key Takeaways from Rule 8: Perseverance in Desolation

1. You are not your disorder, sin, or struggle.

   One of the biggest lies the enemy tells is that your weakness is your identity. But in Christ, your identity is rooted in grace—not your passions, inclinations, or past failures.

2. Patience is not passive—it’s a choice.

   Rule 8 calls us to work to be patient in desolation. That means engaging your will, choosing to fight even when you feel nothing, and refusing to be dragged by your emotions.

3. Negative self-talk can be demonic bait.

   Repeating phrases like “I’m just not a morning person” or “I’ve always been like this” forms psychological and spiritual chains. These “negative cognitions” reinforce falsehoods that give the enemy a handle on your soul.

4. Victory comes through fidelity, not feelings.

   Desolation often feels like failure, but it’s not. By leaning into prayer, penance, and meditation (as taught in Rule 6), you’re choosing God even when He feels absent. That choice is the victory.

5. Spiritual warfare requires readiness, not paranoia.

   Like a cop prepared for a worst-case call, the Catholic must walk into each day ready for battle—not with fear, but with clarity and peace. “Fight forward” by staying vigilant, grounded in truth, and armed with the sacraments.

Even in desolation, God has not abandoned you. In this episode, Jordan and Dan Burke explore Rule 7 of St. Ignatius’ spiritual exercises, revealing how faith, prayer, and mental discipline can help you recognize God’s presence—even when He feels distant.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

0:01 Overcoming Desolation Through Adjusted Thinking and Spiritual Guidance

3:10 Spiritual Growth Amidst Mental Health Challenges

5:19 Embracing Trials to Achieve Virtue and Strength in Faith

9:31 Balancing Physical and Spiritual Strength Against Life's Challenges

12:50 Delayed Consequences and Human Decision-Making

15:26 Overcoming Sin and Building Virtue Through Divine Grace

18:25 Navigating Spiritual Growth Through Consolations and Desolations

21:42 Strategies for Resisting Desolation in Spiritual Practices

23:41 Renouncing Negative Thoughts Through Faith and Prayer

26:09 Harnessing Divine Help for Spiritual and Psychological Challenges

31:36 Overcoming Trauma Through Faith and Scripture

40:13 Combating Temptation Through Scripture and Spiritual Identity

Key Takeaways:

• Rule 7 of Ignatius’s guidelines provides strategies for overcoming spiritual desolation by recognizing and resisting negative influences with divine help.
• Feelings of weakness during desolation are opportunities to reinforce one's faith, leveraging God’s unwavering presence, even when it is not felt.
• Practical steps include using renunciations to counteract lies and distractions, replacing them with scripture-based truths and prayer to invite divine assistance.
• The episode highlights a robust interaction between faith and psychology, illustrating how spiritual teachings can support mental health and emotional well-being.
• Ignatian spirituality draws deeply from biblical teachings, offering time-tested strategies for personal and spiritual growth.

When desolation strikes, don’t just endure—fight back. In this episode, Jordan and Dan Burke unpack Rule 6 of St. Ignatius’ Discernment of Spirits, revealing how proactive prayer, meditation, and discipline can break the enemy’s grip.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

0:00 Series Continuation

7:24 The Intersection of Faith, Psychology, and Spiritual Warfare

12:51 Fighting Spiritual Desolation Through Prayer and Discernment

18:56 Spiritual and Physical Fitness Require Consistent Training and Endurance

22:18 Overcoming Spiritual Desolation Through Intense Prayer and Discipline

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of acknowledging and addressing the devil's influence in everyday spiritual life.
• Rule 6 from St. Ignatius' spiritual exercises urges intensified prayer and reflection during times of desolation.
• A call for integrating psychological understanding with supernatural faith to maintain spiritual health.
• The potential pitfalls of over-relying on secular psychology in spiritual matters.
• Strategies to combat spiritual desolation include increased prayer, meditation, and doing the opposite of what desolation tempts.

Rule 5 in spiritual warfare: When the enemy turns up the volume, stay the course—never make a change in desolation.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

0:01 The Importance of Rule 5 in Spiritual Warfare

5:00 Challenges of Translating Spiritual Texts and Their Impact

7:39 Spiritual Warfare: Desolation, Sin, and the Voice of the Enemy

15:57 The Importance of Consistent Prayer Despite Physical Challenges

18:33 Resisting Temptation and Overcoming Spiritual Desolation

25:15 Spiritual Decision-Making and the Influence of Desolation

Key Takeaways:

• Rule 5 of Ignatian spirituality teaches that one should not change a spiritual commitment made during consolation when in a period of desolation.
• The enemy's voice is louder and more persuasive during times of desolation, pushing for urgency and causing anxiety.
• It is crucial to rely on prior spiritual decisions made during times of consolation to navigate through the fog of desolation.
• Practical applications of Rule 5 encompass both spiritual and other significant life decisions, reflecting the interconnectedness of secular and spiritual life.
• Discernment and spiritual warfare require active engagement and a firm grasp of spiritual principles to combat the enemy’s tactics effectively.

Learn how the enemy attacks through spiritual desolation—and how to fight back with wisdom from St. Ignatius.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

0:01 Understanding Spiritual Desolation and Its Impact on Faith

3:48 Spiritual Awakening and Psychological Healing Through Therapy

5:45 Understanding Emotions Through Nuanced Language and the Emotions Wheel

8:02 Identifying Emotional Triggers Through Spiritual Discernment and Therapy

15:39 Understanding Spiritual Desolation and Consolation in Daily Life

19:36 Awareness and Vigilance in Spiritual and Psychological Desolation

29:07 Understanding Desolation and Strategies for Spiritual Discernment

Key Takeaways:

• Desolation comprises feelings of disturbance, anxiety, and spiritual heaviness, which may indicate demonic influences.
• Understanding and naming emotions with precision can be a powerful tool against desolation.
• Staying "sober and alert" involves spiritual vigilance and self-awareness to counteract any potential misleading influences.
• Regular spiritual practices such as mental prayer, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the daily examen can aid in maintaining spiritual and psychological awareness.
• Dan emphasizes the importance of discernment in one's journey to becoming spiritually and psychologically awake.

Discover the joy, peace, and clarity of spiritual consolation as we unpack Ignatius’ Rule 3 and its life-changing impact.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Timestamp Summary:

0:00 Understanding Consolation in Spiritual Warfare and Discernment

4:15 From Anti-Catholicism to Embracing Marian Devotion

5:25 A Cleansing Sorrow and Spiritual Liberation

9:52 Understanding Consolation and Desolation in Everyday Life

12:12 Emotional Reflections on the Passion of Christ

14:04 Understanding Consolation and Desolation in Spiritual Discernment

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding Consolation: Spiritual consolation involves an interior movement towards faith, hope, and love, caused by the good spirits, leading to a sense of peace and connection with God.
• The Role of Tears: Tears shed in consolation are not bitter but purifying, often leading to a deeper love and understanding of God's works and one's own spiritual journey.
• The Impact on Perception: Experiences of consolation can lead to clearer thoughts and an enhanced perception of the world, reflecting a profound inner transformation.
• Aligning with Catholic Teachings: True consolation aligns with the teachings of the Catholic Church, Scripture, and Magisterium, reinforcing the believer's faith.
• Daily Experiences of Consolation: Everyday moments of peace and joy that lead one closer to God's teachings can be recognized as low-grade consolation.

Discover how the enemy works to derail your spiritual progress—and how God equips you to overcome every obstacle.

Resources Mentioned in this series:

Immediate Action Plan

Habitual Sin Course:

Examination of Conscience

Holy Habits App

Seven Deadly Sins

Hidden Faults

Free Video Series on Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Avila Institute Class on Discernment of Spirits

Fr. Gallaghers book on Discernment of Spirits

Dans best selling book - Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

⏰ Timecodes ⏰ 0:00 Understanding Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits 3:47 Overcoming Spiritual Obstacles and Finding Support 10:37 Spiritual Strength and Overcoming Temptation Through Encouragement 16:37 The Transformative Power of Consistent Prayer and Self-Awareness 23:38 Understanding Spiritual Warfare and Discernment of Spirits

Key Takeaways:

• Recognizing Spiritual Influence: Understanding how both positive and negative spiritual forces can impact one's spiritual journey.

• Importance of Spiritual Companionship: Having a spiritual director or community prevents over-commitment and supports gradual progress.

• Practical Advice on Overcoming Temptation: Strategies for resisting discouragement and confusion, highlighting the power of prayer and discernment.

• Role of Spiritual Consolation: Identifying how divine encouragement can enhance spiritual growth and faithfulness.

• Daily Spiritual Practices: Emphasizing the necessity of regular prayer and examination to maintain spiritual direction and faith.

Embark on a riveting journey with your host Jordan Burke as he guides you through the incredible story of Teresa Yanaros, a determined journalist and staunch follower of the Catholic faith. Join her on "The Devil is in the Details" as she bravely shares her tumultuous path from a childhood steeped in religious devotion to a adulthood consumed by occult beliefs and practices, and even demonic possession. Through her candid account, we witness her struggle against supernatural forces and how it ultimately led her to rediscover the power of Catholicism. Listen closely as Jordan and Teresa examine the perilous consequences of dabbling in the paranormal, while she recounts spine-tingling encounters with demonic entities and her ultimate escape from their clutches.

Get Teresa Yararos' book here: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/freedom-from-darkness/

Her Site: https://www.spiritsanctified.com/

Timestamp Summary:

0:01 Freedom From Darkness: Teresa Yaneros' Journey From New Age to Faith

2:34 From Catholic Upbringing to Conspiracy and the Occult

9:23 Exploring the Intersection of Spirituality and the Occult

15:59 Healing Through Community and Faith After Trauma

26:35 Building Bridges Through Compassion and Understanding

29:45 A Journey Through The Occult and Spiritual Awakening

37:46 Exploring Moral Relativism and Spiritual Syncretism

42:15 The Dangers of Witchcraft and Demonic Possession

50:07 A Journey from Seminary to Roman Catholic Reawakening

52:56 Spiritual Warfare and Equipping Clergy for Pastoral Leadership

Key Takeaways:

• Teresa Yanaros's journey from Catholic upbringing to occult practices illustrates the spiritual battle many face in modern society.

• Authentic healing and deliverance from the occult involve a return to faith, community, and the sacraments.

• Traumatic experiences often underlie individuals' turn to the occult; compassionate community support is essential in their journey back.

• Engaging in new age practices, regardless of intentions, opens doors to spiritual dangers.

• Recognizing cultural traps and the blending of false beliefs with Christian teachings is key to maintaining spiritual integrity.