Vertigo of the Soul

I recently read about a person who experienced a devastating personal loss.  They described the impact on their life by saying something to the extent that they had lost the center of their world and were feeling a kind of vertigo of the soul.

Since my wife (Cheryl) experiences the physiological symptoms of vertigo, I found myself very intrigued with what it could mean to experience vertigo of the soul. 

The physiological symptoms of vertigo are such that you feel that you are moving when you're not.  It’s a sensation that you, or the environment around you, is spinning. You might feel lightheaded, woozy, or disoriented. This feeling could be barely noticeable or it may be so severe that you find it difficult to keep your balance and do everyday tasks.

From those symptoms, I’m thinking that it might be possible to experience vertigo of the soul.  It does seem that we could feel as if our souls are spinning.  It also seems we could feel as if our souls are disoriented or out of balance.

One of the Psalmists once wrote:  “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.”  (Ps 42:11)

While the Psalmist’s words regarding the soul don’t exactly match the words that describe the physiological symptoms of vertigo, I think the words the Psalmist used are still quite similar.  After all, the result of spinning could be the sensation of being cast down.  Feeling disoriented or out of balance could seem very similar to feeling as if your soul is disquieted within you.

So what do you do when you experience vertigo of the soul?  When Cheryl experiences the very real physiological symptoms, she will try to find a fixed point on the horizon to focus on in an effort to minimize the symptoms and regain her sense of balance.  In the same way, we probably need to focus on something on our spiritual horizon that is fixed in order to minimize the symptoms and regain balance. 

Here are some practical examples of what we can focus on:

“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them?  For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”  (2 Chr 20:12)

“Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.”  (Ps 119:6)

“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”  (Ps 119:15)

“Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?  He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.”  (Isa 40:26)

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”  (Phil 3:17)

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Heb 12:1-2)

When my soul seems to be spinning from the circumstances of life and when I’m feeling as if my soul is disoriented or out of balance, it is crucial for me to find that fixed point to focus on.  That fixed point is the Lord and His Word.  When such are my focus, the spinning of my soul seems to abate and I can reorient and rebalance my soul.

What about you?  Are you experiencing vertigo of your soul?  If so, fix your eyes on the Lord and His Word!