Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
It’s not uncommon to hear someone going through a dry spell in their Christian walk. During that time there are plenty of Pharisees to throw on the shame and guilt to load you up with more rules and guidelines to “straighten you out”. You may find yourself thinking somehow God is displeased with you and you need to try harder to be a “better Christian”. In this rut, all of the rhythms of the past aren’t working any more.
What do you do?
The following thoughts are not sequential nor are they listed in priority of importance. I am giving you some of the expressions which have helped move me forward.
Abiding for life
- Confessing to Blessing. Your life follows your words, which is especially true in your confession about your feelings.
- What is common in these phrases? I’m no good. I feel like a failure. I can’t do this anymore. I feel so dry. None of these leads to abiding life.
- Speak what God says is true and let your feelings catch up. I am a child of God. I am more than a conqueror. I am loved by God. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- Confess the known sin which so easily entangles. It is amazing how we expect to maintain intimacy with God while we ignore the sin which may be causing the disconnect. The best part is God loves you just as much through Christ regardless of your engagement in sin. But His Spirit is leading you to freedom away from the yuck that makes you stuck
- Pray even when it seems lifeless. Paul says So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. I Cor. 14:15
- Talk with God explaining exactly how you feel…don’t forget to listen to His response, It is a conversation.
- I personally, also, pray in the spirit. Paul says the one who prays in the Spirit edifies himself. In other words, it builds up my spirit man. It is common for me to pray like this in the car for a certain length of time which I set. In other words, I continue to pray even if I don’t feel like it is helping.
- The verse in Corinthians also encourages singing. I find Chrsitian music to be a source of identification of feelings and reconnection. Amazing Grace acknowledges that I was a wretch, but places the focus of grace on God’s redemptive work. You should have a “go to” play list.
- Walk in obedience. Ask the Lord where you may have left the path of obedience to do life your own way. Perhaps God was inviting you to give money to a needy group and you ignored it. Confess and follow through in obedience.
- This is not working to prove to God that you love HIm. Rather, this is a return to Lordship by following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
- Be ye continually filled with the Holy Spirit. When it comes to the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit, we leak. Simply ask God to fill your life, mind, emotions with the Holy Spirit.
- Expect to see the fruit of His presence…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control.
- Understand Rest for your body. Ask the Lord to bless your sleep and your rest. Interruption with good rest and the lack of it has a negative effect on how you feel about life.
- This would also include the rest of a good walk and some slow breathing
- Read the Bible in large sections. Read the whole book of Ephesians or Timothy. Read one of the minor prophets. Read a gospel in a couple of readings. God’s word is life and health to the body.
- Engage with the body of Christ. When God grafted you into the body, He designed you to need others to survive. Every part of the body needs other parts to perform its function. You need community with other believers to walk in health. How do you spend time with other believers?
There you have it. These are some of my go to actions to help me walk in the abiding presence of God which builds up my weary soul.
If you are in a slump, Newton’s laws of motion come to mind. A thing at rest, will remain at rest, unless acted upon by another force. Invite God to get you moving again in the actions leading to life and godliness.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning…great is His faithfulness to you. Even when you don’t feel as close to God as you used to. He is loving you.
Blessings Love y’all