Finding your way out of a spiritual dry spell.
I am sure that any Christian, even those that you would say have a strong faith, will find themselves in a season that is hard. This might be because of circumstances in our lives or in the lives close to us, or it may just be that we have slid into a place where we become disinterested in the things of God.
I know from my personal experience that I have had a hard time finding the things of God interesting during different seasons of my life. I remember there were times that my spiritual life felt like a desert. I was still going to church, serving, reading my Bible, and yet I felt so distant from God.
After 30 years of following Jesus, I realize that my spiritual dry season doesn't change anything about how God loves me. So what do you do when you are going through a spiritually dry season? The first thing, rest in the fact that your feelings do not change who God is and your standing with Him. Even if you don't feel close to God, it doesn't mean that is reality.
I want to share some ideas of what to do when you are going through spiritual dry spells in your faith. Remember though, your relationship with God is just that a relationship. There is no formula for ending a dry season. The only thing that can truly get us out of our dry spell is the power of the Holy Spirit working in our life. However, I am claiming God's promise from the book of James, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8a).
Navigating the Spiritually Dry Season: Finding Spiritual Refreshment in Dry Seasons
In the journey of faith, there are seasons of spiritual highs, where our souls are nourished by the what seems to be a flood of the living waters of God's presence. Typically in a believer's life we are draw into a regular day to day relationship where we feel engaged with our heavenly father, and life is good.
However, there are also seasons of spiritual drought, where we find ourselves wandering in the dry desert of doubt and uncertainty.
So, what can we do when we find ourselves in the midst of a spiritual desert?
1. Cling to God's Word
In times of spiritual dryness, the Word of God becomes our source of water in the desert. Just as King David wrote, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path" (Psalm 119:105), we must prioritize Bible study and meditation. Why? Because the Bible tells us that our hearts are deceptive and can lead us to not "feel" close to God, or "feel" saved. Believers that rely on their emotions to determine their relationship with God will be lead astray, and tossed about in the waves of our emotions.
Believers need the compass of truth to be our guide. The Bible will tell us what is true about us. There are so many verses that tell us who we are in Christ, that our response should be to believe the one who made us, and not our own thoughts and emotions.
Let the Scriptures be the compass that guides you through the wilderness of doubt and confusion.
When we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we allow His truth to penetrate our hearts and minds, bringing refreshment and renewal to our souls. The Bible is not merely a collection of stories and teachings; it is the living and active word of God, capable of transforming our lives and sustaining us through even the driest of seasons.
Here is a truth from scripture that you need to know when you are going through a spiritual dry season: The presence of God has not left you! Hebrews 13: 5b says this, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." He has not left you, and I pray in Jesus' name that if you are reading this that that truth will sink down into your heart and mind, anchoring you in your faith.
2. Lean into prayer
In the dry times, our prayer life can feel like a barren wasteland. It truly maybe the hardest thing to do. Even though you may have a difficult time praying, it is precisely in these moments that we must press into prayer even more fervently.
Jesus Himself spent time in prayer during His toughest season in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11). Remember that prayer is not just about asking for things; it's about cultivating intimacy with God and aligning our hearts with His will.
Prayer is our lifeline to God, our direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe. In prayer, we can pour out our hearts to God, expressing our doubts, fears, and frustrations. We can also lift up our praises and thanksgiving, acknowledging God's sovereignty and faithfulness in the midst of our trials and season of dryness.New Paragraph
3. Foster Community
Don't journey through the desert alone. Surround yourself with a supportive small group or community of believers who can walk alongside you during the tough times. The people of Israel understood the importance of community when they journeyed through the desert together, relying on one another and on God's guidance.
Many times just hanging out with your Christian friends can help you find joy again in your faith. Their joy can often reignite your desire for the things of God.
I know that when I've been in the midst of a dry season that laughing and spending time with Christian friends takes my mind off the current situation and allows me to enjoy the good things in life like, friends, family, and laughter! It's truly the best thing! I highly recommend finding a community of Christian friends to be around during the dry season.
In community, we find strength and encouragement to persevere through the desert seasons of life. When we share our struggles and victories with one another, we realize that we are not alone in our journey.
We can learn from each other's experiences and support each other in prayer and practical help. Many times people sharing about their period of spiritual dryness will spur thoughts and ideas in our own lives of how God met them and drew them out of it!
4. Trust in God's Promises
During spiritual droughts, it's easy to lose sight of God's promises. But just as the people of Israel trusted in God's provision during their desert journey to the promised land, we too must cling to the promises of God. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).
There are countless promises of God that we can cling to. If I listed them all here this blog post would be way too long and no one would read it!
God's promises are a source of hope and assurance in the midst of our trials. Even when our circumstances seem bleak, we can trust that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). His promises are not empty words but are backed by His faithfulness and unfailing love for us.
God's promises are always something we can bank on. God cannot break promises. If he did he would not be true, he would be telling us lies. Lies are not from God, and therefore we know that just because of the character of God is good and true, those promises are always yes, and always true!
5. Engage in Spiritual Disciplines
When our faith feels weak, engaging in spiritual disciplines such as fasting, worship, and silence can help to rekindle the flame of our love for God. Make time for regular Bible reading, meditation, and reflection. Remember that spiritual formation is a lifelong journey, and God often uses the dry seasons to deepen our understanding of Him.
We will never know the living water that Jesus spoke about until we are in need of a drink. While no one wants to walk through dry periods, it helps us recognize that when our soul thirsts we need living water!
Spiritual disciplines are like spiritual exercises that strengthen our faith and draw us closer to God. Just as physical exercise requires discipline and effort, so too does spiritual discipline. By intentionally setting aside time for prayer, worship, and study, we create space for God to work in our lives and transform us from the inside out.
It may feel like you are doing these things on autopilot. But to move out of a dry place sometimes it requires us to keep walking through it to get to the other side. Keep those habits you have been engaging in (prayer, study, worshiping, giving, serving) because God is always working, even when we do not 'feel' it.
6. Seek Deeper Understanding
In the midst of spiritual dryness, seek to understand what God may be teaching you. Perhaps He is refining your character, strengthening your faith, or preparing you for a new season of growth. Trust that God is at work even in the desert places of your life.
We know that when difficult times come we should look to this promise found in the book of James: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).
Some of the most effective methods God has for making our faith stronger is using the hard and dry seasons in our lives. These hard and trying things are a good work. They make us more reliant on him, and allow us to know God in new ways.
Bonus: Free Printable Download -26 Ideas to Stir Up Your Affections for the Lord
In addition to all that I have mentioned about, I'm excited to offer you a free resource that will help reignite your passion for God. Download a printable list featuring 26 ideas of things to do that will stir up your affections for the Lord. These simple yet powerful activities are designed to help you deepen your spiritual walk and cultivate intimacy with God.
I am a very practical person and I am always looking to develop habits that will grow my faith. This printable is packed with inspiration to help you thrive in your faith, even in the midst of spiritual dryness. Here's a sneak peek at some of the suggestions:
Start a gratitude journal to record God's blessings in your life.
- Brain dump and pray over what you wrote down.
- Spend time in nature and reflect on God's creation.
- Create a play list & put worship on in the back ground of life.
- Create a routine for reading your Bible that is something you look forward to. Think coffee & cozy blanket.
- Attend a worship service regularly.
These things are not a formula but should serve as inspirations of how to lean into your relationship with God when it's hard. With 26 ideas to choose from, you're sure to find something that resonates with you and helps you draw closer to God.
So go ahead, download your free printable, and find ways that fit how you want to draw near to God when you are in a spiritual dry season.
In the midst of spiritual dryness, it's essential to take proactive steps to nourish your soul and stir up your affections for the Lord. By prioritizing God's word, fostering community, leaning into prayer, trusting in His promises, engaging in spiritual disciplines, seeking deeper understanding, and utilizing resources like my free printable guide, so that you can navigate through the desert seasons with confidence and hope.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey.
God is with you every step of the way, ready to pour out His grace and mercy upon you.
So take heart, dear friend, and press on toward the prize of knowing Christ more deeply. Our God is faithful and good!