Michaela Nikolaenko

Raised & Redeemed

Michaela Nikolaenko

  • 95. Defeating the Demon of Despondency | Thirty Steps to Heaven | The Ladder of Divine Ascent

95. Defeating the Demon of Despondency | Thirty Steps to Heaven | The Ladder of Divine Ascent

Wednesday 11th June 2025

Explore ancient wisdom to defeat spiritual despondency and reclaim your path towards faith with Michaela Nikolaenko.
13 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Hopeful
Compassionate
Supportive

About this podcast

Raised & Redeemed
Author:
Michaela Nikolaenko
Overview:
Categories:
Religion & Spirituality
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Healing Relationships
Recovery from Trauma
Spiritual & Personal Growth Journeys
Links:
Visit site
Episodes:
96 (View all)
Rounded Button Dark
Do you want to link to this podcast?
Get the buttons here!

Battling Spiritual Despondency: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Souls

Episode Overview

  • Recognise despondency as a spiritual attack, not just a bad mood.
  • Use prayer and hope as weapons against spiritual paralysis.
  • Understand the teachings of St. John Climacus on despondency.
  • Act in faith despite feelings of despair.
  • Learn from Church Fathers' strategies for overcoming acedia.
We drown in entertainment to avoid the silence where God speaks, then complain when He is silent.
In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, Michaela Nikolaenko tackles the elusive and often misunderstood spiritual challenge known as despondency, or acedia. If you've ever felt like your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling or wondered why your spiritual zest has evaporated, you're not alone. Michaela draws on ancient wisdom from the Ladder of Divine Ascent, providing listeners with practical tools to combat this spiritual malaise.
Despondency isn't just a bad mood or a bout of depression—it's a subtle attack that can leave you spiritually paralysed. Michaela shares her personal experiences, reflecting on her journey from New Age beliefs and substance abuse to finding solace in faith. She discusses the importance of recognising despondency for what it truly is—a spiritual attack—and how identifying it can be the first step in overcoming it. Through the teachings of St.
John Climacus and the Church Fathers, Michaela offers six powerful weapons to fight back, including prayer, hope, and patience. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to understand the deeper spiritual battles that can disrupt their journey towards God. Michaela's insights are not only rooted in historical teachings but are also incredibly relatable, especially for those juggling the demands of modern life.
By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to recognise and combat spiritual despondency. Michaela encourages you to act in faith, even when you don't feel like it, because each step taken towards God is a victory in itself. Are you ready to break free from spiritual paralysis and reclaim your path? Dive into this enlightening discussion and arm yourself with ancient wisdom.
alcoholfree.com
Published by The Mindful Drinking Company Limited
4 Providence Court, Pynes Hill, Exeter, Devon, EX2 5JL, England
Registered in England and Wales.
Company Number: 1195057. Vat Number: GB320915135.
Registered address as above.
© Copyright 2005-2025 The Mindful Drinking Company Limited.
All Rights Reserved.
alcoholfree.com is a participant in the Amazon Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.