This writerly woman with no religion in her life but lots of stress went on retreat, explained herself to the good sister-director at the Jesuit Center, Wernersville PA:
Sister Barbara listened closely and then said, What I hear you saying, Susan, is that you feel forsaken.
Not dealing with abandonment issues: forsaken. Sister Barbara did not then press me to process my relationship with, say, my mother or to consider that I should own my feelings.
Bingo. Biblical language did it for her. She knew the difference. Words matter.
Blithe Spirit 