Stewarding Consolation By Dr. Zenet Maramara

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” – Psalm 94:19

Consolation is a state of spiritual wellness where one feels uplifted, encouraged, and drawn toward God’s love, often accompanied by joy, hope, and faith. It is a positive movement of the soul that fosters greater trust in God, love for others, and a deeper sense of purpose. Consolation goes beyond positive emotions—it strengthens faith, hope, and love, even in difficult times, leading to greater alignment with God’s will and a deeper commitment to one’s vocation or mission.

In Ignatian spirituality, consolation is seen as a gift from God, meant to strengthen our faith and deepen our relationship with Him. This experience of inner peace, joy, and closeness to God is often marked by clarity and purpose, encouraging us to trust in His love and guiding us toward deeper communion with Him. Through consolation, we are empowered to face challenges with renewed strength, live out our calling with courage, and find peace in the assurance that God is with us.

Growing Oneself and Others

For a steward leader—someone who views leadership as a form of service rooted in faith, responsibility, and a commitment to God’s will—consolation can be a profound indicator of alignment with God’s desires and personal growth. This inner sense of God’s presence strengthens and clarifies, helping leaders make decisions deeply rooted in their faith and values.

Stewarding consolation involves more than just enjoying the experience; it calls for discernment and action. Whether it leads to a particular decision, a deepened prayer life, or acts of love and service, stewarding consolation requires responding to God’s guidance. It also involves sharing these experiences with others. Offering encouragement, insight, or simply witnessing how God works in one’s life inspires and strengthens the faith community. Sustaining consolation, especially during times of desolation (the opposite of consolation), involves practices like prayer, reflection, or seeking spiritual direction to maintain focus on God’s presence and guidance.

Consolation reinforces a leader’s sense of purpose and mission and provides spiritual resilience, enabling them to lead confidently through difficult times with God’s support.

Fostering Generosity

Fostering generosity is a natural outcome of a steward leader experiencing consolation. Feeling connected to God’s abundance and love, they are more likely to share resources, empower others, and make decisions that benefit the broader community and the Kingdom of God. This state of consolation often radiates positivity, peace, and purpose, creating a more collaborative and inspired environment within their organization or community.

Staying Grounded in Times of Consolation

The enemy, the devil, can enter our lives, subtly distracting us and corrupting consolation. Kevin O’Brien cautions us in his book The Ignatian Adventure that there is a potential danger in consolation. The evil spirit can distort it—zeal can turn into self-defeating overwork, confidence into arrogance, and enthusiasm into scattered effort. Sincere piety can become self-righteousness and close-mindedness.

By stewarding consolation well, we ensure that these spiritual gifts are used for God’s greater glory, contributing not only to our growth but also to the growth of others in faith.

####

Dr. Zenet Maramara is the founder and president of the Christian Stewards, Philippines, and co-founder of Christians in Conversation, a Rocha-associated project. CSA promotes biblical stewardship, giving, and generosity. She served as chair of the Global Trust Partners and was a professor of biblical stewardship at the Asian Theological Seminary in Manila.