These struggles and trials have wounded the soul. But the deep wound is a longing for God. The absence of God is for the soul a deep darkness. Confusion causes great fear. It knows that the enemy is prowling along seeking for an opportunity to attack.
Every moment brings new challenges, digging up old wounds and causes new fears.
This waiting and longing seems to be eternal. The soul is now in a dark hole, lost, lonely and abandoned. The soul cries out to God that he may return to this garden that he often frequented. It was His presence that made the flowers bloom, the birds sing and all of creation dance with joy. Now that He has gone, there is darkness, death and sadness.