Escaping the Relentless Grip of New Age Darkness
Guest: Johanna Wilson
Raised in a household where faith was a cornerstone, Johanna faced a pivotal moment in her early life when her parents' divorce challenged her beliefs and set her on a path of exploration. This quest for understanding propelled her into a deep dive into the history and philosophies outside traditional Christianity, leading her to explore the esoteric and occult. However, Johanna's story is a testament to the saying that sometimes we must wander far to find our way home. After years of exploration and a series of life-altering experiences, she found herself at a crossroads, confronted with the realisation that the answers she sought might have been within reach all along. It was in this moment of surrender, of pausing and seeking guidance beyond herself, that she rediscovered her faith in God. Johanna's return to Christianity was not merely a return to familiar ground but a journey into the heart of her faith, enriched by her experiences and trials. She found solace and strength in the practices of the Greek Orthodox Church, which offered her a historical and spiritual continuity that resonated with her deeply.
Here’s a summary of this week’s story:
In a time where the appeal of new-age belief systems poses as insight, Johanna Wilson’s quest demonstrates the resilience of an established faith in combating the potential for confusion that new-age ideas can bring. This larger story is one of personal growth, redemption and the need we all share for a real spiritual experience and the snares of a self-focused belief system. Johanna’s time lost to the attraction of Wicca and the occult, and her return to the traditional fold of the Orthodox church, is one that clearly resonates with many struggling with similar spiritual doubts today.
Transformation Through Crisis
It’s a story that’s been heard before, a tale as old as time: crisis comes before transformation. In Johanna’s case, her fall from grace was more than just a fall, it was part of her journey out. It seems that often, when we reach a place of brokenness we realise that we really aren’t in control, or even visible to the world around us. It’s then, in our vulnerability, that we can start to look for help and guidance, and ultimately find the kind of lasting peace that only Christ can bring.
The Dangers of Self-Centered Spirituality
In a world so focused on self-improvement and individualism, Johanna’s story is a cautionary one. The New Age movement, with its emphasis on self-focus and the pursuit of personal enlightenment, often leads individuals down a path of isolation and spiritual darkness. But Johanna’s experience is an example of what can happen when we start to believe that lie. The time she spent trapped in this belief, and her return to the reassuring paradoxes of Orthodox Christian thought, show that in chasing after personal enlightenment, we might well be wandering further into oblivion.
The Illusion of Control
One of the main things that she learned in all of this was that control was an illusion. And once she found herself in a position of despair, there was nothing else she could do but relinquish her need to be in control. It was then that she was able to place all of her trust in God, and once that trust was set in place, she began to feel peace again. This act of surrender, far from being a submission to fate, is a powerful affirmation of faith—a faith that restores peace, offers clarity, and redefines our understanding of power and purpose.
In sharing her story, Johanna not only sheds light on the pitfalls of new age ideologies but also reaffirms the enduring beauty and truth found in ancient faith.
Links & Resources from today’s story
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