#spiritualstruggle

[enchantedruin]

Whispers in the Sanctuary; A Michael Langdon One-Shot

Summary; Michael pays you an unexpected visit while you're praying alone || SFW || Gender-Neutral Reader || warnings: religious talk

word count; 661

-~-~-

The church is quiet—so quiet that the slightest movement seems like a disturbance in the sacred space. I’m alone, or at least, I think I am. The faint flicker of candles casts long shadows across the stone floor, and the air is thick with the scent of incense and the weight of unanswered prayers.

I kneel at the altar, my hands clasped tightly, fingers entwined as if holding on to something—or someone. My whispered prayers are desperate, tinged with doubt and fear, and I can’t help but feel that my words are falling into the void, unheard.

And then, I hear it—a soft, almost mocking chuckle that sends a shiver down my spine. I don’t need to look to know who it is. The air around me seems to chill, the light from the candles dimming as if in response to his presence.

“Praying, are we?” Michael’s voice is smooth, a touch of amusement laced with something darker. “Do you really think your words will reach Him?”

I open my eyes but don’t turn around. “Why are you here, Michael? This place... it’s not for you.”

“Isn’t it?” I can almost hear the smirk in his voice. “Faith, temptation... they’re two sides of the same coin, aren’t they? Besides, I thought you might need some company. After all, it’s lonely praying to someone who’s not listening.”

I finally turn to face him. Michael leans casually against a pillar, his arms crossed, his gaze intense and unyielding. He looks so out of place here, yet somehow, it’s as if he belongs—like a dark stain on something pure, a reminder that even in the holiest of places, sin lingers.

“My faith isn’t something you can manipulate,” I say, though the uncertainty in my voice betrays me. “I’m stronger than you think.”

His smile widens, but there’s no warmth in it. “Are you? You speak of strength, yet here you are, on your knees, begging for answers you’ll never get. Why do you cling to something that only causes you pain?”

“Because... because I believe in something greater than myself,” I whisper, more to myself than to him.

Michael steps closer, his presence almost overwhelming, his shadow threatening to swallow me whole. “And what if that something greater doesn’t believe in you? What if all your prayers, all your sacrifices, are for nothing?”

His words hit me like a blow, and for a moment, doubt creeps in. But I shake my head, trying to push it away. “I won’t let you twist my faith, Michael. I admit you tempt me, but you’ll never have my soul.”

He leans in, so close that I can feel his breath on my skin, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Oh, but I don’t need your soul... I just need you to doubt. Because doubt, my dear, is the first step to falling. And once you fall... well, you know how much I enjoy catching you.”

The intensity in his eyes is almost too much to bear, but I hold his gaze, refusing to back down. “You won’t win,” I say, though the tremor in my voice betrays my fear. “Not this time.”

Michael straightens, a look of something almost like respect in his eyes. “We’ll see,” he murmurs, turning away. But before he leaves, he glances back at me, a smirk playing on his lips. “Keep praying. You never know who might be listening.”

And just like that, he’s gone, leaving me alone in the silence once more. But the church feels different now, colder, darker. I try to resume my prayer, but the words won’t come. All I can think about is the doubt he planted, the seeds of uncertainty that now take root in my mind.

But I close my eyes, force myself to focus. I can’t let him win. Not here. Not now. I take a deep breath and begin to pray again, my voice steady, even if my heart is not.

[fixquotes]

"He who is a slave to his stomach seldom worships God"

- Saadi

[kathybarnes]

Pursuing a spiritual and faithful life can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. The prevailing cultural norms and values often prioritize materialism and individualism, leaving little room for living our lives for God. However, it is possible to live a rich and fulfilling spiritual life even in this spiritual landscape that we are in...

https://www.tonyantonellis.com/a-spiritual-and-faithful-life/

[deathssubbymoondust]

Sleepless Soul

My brain feels like mush, and nothing makes sense anymore... but yay, I finally finished my dissertation. I'm so proud of my tired little self for pushing through, even when everything feels like shadows and mist.

Right now, I feel so jittery and empty, like a fragile ghost drifting through the fog. It's been over a day without sleep, and my head aches like a cursed wound that won't heal. I messed up and stopped taking my potions—antidepressants. That's gotta change, for sure.

Today, I’m just going to be a ghostly shadow of myself, and that’s okay. Even the moon has her dark nights, right? Tomorrow is a new day. Hopefully, with more sleep, maybe I'll catch a glimpse of hope and happiness.

By Sunday, I will have uploaded my dissertation, and perhaps then I'll feel more alive. What a year it’s been... I'm pretty sure I’ll write a big rant about it. Tumblr might just be my brain vomit diary, documenting my mental state and everything in my life.

I like the feeling of being anonymous here. I feel kinda free.

[ragneidr]

Endspiel, mу art, 297×420 , pencil drawing, 2024

conflict between divine virtue and seductive deception…..

draw #pencildrawing #pencilart #artworks #instaart #artgalley #drawings #artragneidr #yuliyakravets #ragneidrart #derwent #derwentpencils

pencilart #ınstaart

TemptationOfJesus

SpiritualStruggle

DivineDilemma

ChessboardArt

SeductiveDeception

HeavenlyConflict

FaithVsTemptation

DivineEncounter

BattleOfWills

SacredArtwork

ChessAndSoul

SpiritualWarfare

DivineSacrifice

TemptedByEvil

RedemptionJourney

[ann-divinepriestess]

Ok so you are gifted. I'm hearing #clairvoyant, #masterteacher and #seer. You have been this way since childhood but you do have some fears around this..Your not sure what to do with this .ok you believe in God...ok a religious family is part of the fears. The key for you is that you can most definitely believe in God and be in the fullness of who you are. Take one step and God will walk with you. You are a very unique individual. Be true to yourself and fears will subside, also you will be happier -as of right now you are repressing and masking sadness. #psychicreads #intune #innerchildhealing #intutiveguide #spiritualstruggle #spiritualhealing https://www.instagram.com/p/CGiyxUEHIJu/?igshid=em4hzobvcjr7

[curnelle100]

Grand Rising Everyone. A lot of times we schedule every detail of life in steps. E.g: - "I starting here. Right after that imma do this. Plus, I will get this one time audit will get me here". It definitely don't work out to steps and schedule. Don't be discouraged. Don't falter or waver in the results your working towards. Have more than faith and hope, but assurance in your diligent, blessed and consistent seeds yielding flavourful fruits. . . . #lifethoughtsandheartblog #life #struggle #struggles #falter #prayer #shortcourse #spiritualstruggles #balance #wholisticbalance #schooling #tertiaryeducation #development #improvement #raisingstandardofliving #wholisticgrowth #lifepurpose #iancar360media #guidance #newthings (at Trinidad and Tobago) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVzr0SrrGWH/?utm_medium=tumblr

[adwaityoga]

Introvert mind is only qualified for spiritual growth. #spirituality #spiritualtransformation #spiritualguide #spiritualawakening #spiritualstruggle #spiritualquotes #adwait #adwaityoga #adwaitfoundation #yogianand (at Adwait Institute of Yoga Mindfulness) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnffjsXHCGf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14i31h13peq41

[glogirl93]

Prevailing Over Plot Twists

Prevailing Over Plot Twists

God will help lift up our heads through chapters we have not yet read. Do you ever feel like the pages of your life have unexpected chapters? When you’re in the middle of reading a really good book, you tend to feel like you have a decent understanding of what’s going on. Unless the genre is mystery, of course, most authors generally like to give you a good idea of what’s going to happen next in…

[enchantedruin]

It amazes me how powerful anxiety is. I don't mean in the way we all know it: debilitating, scary, lack of breaths; we all know that way, and that's not what amazes me. What amazes me is the way anxiety helps me overcome hunger by simply inhabiting it. I haven't left the room all day; I haven't eaten, and I've barely had a sip of water. On a normal day, I'd be in pain, but right now: I feel nothing. For leaving my room feels worse than sitting here in my hunger and thirst. I won't go into why I have this anxiety; it's unimportant and typical. But I want to write about how being closer to God makes me feel like I am not harming myself, for I feel as though I am fasting—maybe not for the right reasons I recognize. But no matter what you say, I truly believe the people outside my door are sickened by me, feel burdened by me, or simply just need a break from me. I'm trying to talk to God again, but it's been harder than ever before. I find comfort in this anxiety, for I get to have control over what I do, through a distorted sense of fasting. A false sense of control, of course, for I could be out there enjoying a meal and a drink if I truly had control over myself. Traveler, have you ever felt comfort in the discomfort, mistaking it for control?

[ann-divinepriestess]

#angelanswers message in regards to any topic or challenge. See what YOUR guiding #Angels want to reveal to you at this time. #25. Angel Answers Message: $7 Link in bio https://ann-divine.wixsite.com/spiritual-guide/divine-readingsbyann 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋 #spirit #spiritualist #spiritualguidance for #spiritualstruggle #soulguide #tarotreader #angelcards #angelcardreader #angelmessages #oracle #oraclereader https://www.instagram.com/p/B539ToYHXd-/?igshid=yrml3bvurohx

[ann-divinepriestess]

Reading #59 Past Present Future You have been enduring a deep inner #spiritualstruggle revolving around a significant relationship and #lovejourney,- that on the outside appears to not be moving- surely you have been fighting to stay on top of it, fighting not to let the darkness of it overcome you. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. ✨You must also realize that this is an important part of your journey. ✨ Victory will ultimately be won by the gaining of spiritual knowledge and making decisions that reflect your deepest wants and desires in a way that also holds moral value. As a result romantic passionate deep love is gained. Link also in bio: https://ann-divine.wixsite.com/spiritual-guide/divine-readingsbyann 🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮🔮 #ibizatarot #tarotreader #tarot #thechariot #thelovers #knightofcups https://www.instagram.com/p/B45YvDjH2aJ/?igshid=1rtoc8f981nu