95. Defeating the Demon of Despondency | Thirty Steps to Heaven

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Raised & Redeemed

Michaela Nikolaenko

108 episodes

4 days ago

I’m Michaela—a wife, mom, and Jesus follower who was radically saved from child abuse trauma, substance abuse, New Age deception, sex work, and ungodly relationships. Now, I share what it means to live a raised and redeemed life after a life of sin. This podcast is for those who’ve been to the dark side and back—and are ready to grow in holiness, confront the battle within, and pursue sanctification through spiritual discipline. Rooted in Orthodox Christianity, this is real talk for the soul that longs for God. Reach me and find out more at www.michaelanikolaenko.com

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

Raised & Redeemed

13 minutes 21 seconds

5 months ago

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

Feeling spiritually weary? Defeat the noonday demon of despondency with ancient wisdom that actually works.

Ever felt like God isn't hearing your prayers? Like your spiritual motivation has completely disappeared? You're not just dealing with a bad mood—you're facing one of the enemy's most subtle attacks: spiritual despondency (acedia). This episode reveals how to fight back.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

✅ What despondency really is (and why it's not just depression)

✅ The 3 gateways that let this demon into your life

✅ Why modern solutions fail at addressing spiritual warfare

✅ 6 powerful weapons from the Church Fathers to defeat spiritual sloth

✅ How to break the despair cycle with hope, faith, and action

💡 Powerful Quote from This Episode:

"We drown in entertainment to avoid the silence where God speaks—then complain when He is silent..."

Scripture Focus: Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

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📚 Books Referenced:

The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus

Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou

🎧 Start from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGT8kg7CzX8

📖 Find the show notes here 👉

🔔 Subscribe and join me each week as we climb this ladder together—step by step, passion by passion, virtue by virtue.

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🌐 Explore More:Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com (blog, book updates, merch, and more)

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Social:

Instagram → @michaelanikolaenko

TikTok → @michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → Raised & Redeemed

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🕒 Timestamps:

00:00-1:18 Intro

1:18-5:42 What is Despondency?

5:42-8:32 Personal Testimony

8:32-11:17 How to Combat Despondency

11:17-13:21 Closing