Are you feeling burnt out when it comes to your faith? Does it seem like you're running on empty? You may be in a season of spiritual dryness, where passion for God is gone and his presence seems nowhere to be found.
It can be really frustrating to be in a spiritual dry season. I’ve been there before and many other faithful followers have as well. There will be a season when your first love fades. When apathy sinks in and Jesus feels far away. In that time, your heart is like a desert.
Often this happens slowly over time, creeping up on you until you realize you've hit a wall. Maybe that's where you're at right now. Here are a few symptoms of spiritual dryness to help you discern:
You're going through the motions
You used to feel so excited to be with God, but now it feels like pulling teeth to pray or read the Bible. Even when you muster up the willpower, you no longer really enjoy it or experience revelation from doing so.
Let's face it, not every moment we spend with Jesus will be a profound encounter. Though he delights in revealing himself to us, he also desires our obedience. Seasons of spiritual teaches us that following Jesus involves doing what's good for our spiritual health and souls even when we don't feel like it.
You're giving out of an empty cup
The ways you're serving others is causing you to become excessively tired and drained. What you once did out of an overflow of love now comes from obligation with a side of resentment.
When we find ourselves overextending, it's often because we've become disconnected from our Source of love and life. If we're not going to Jesus to be continually filled, we have no choice but to give from an empty cup. So when we notice we're depleted and dry, it's a sign we need to take time to be refreshed.
You're feeling distant from God
You no longer feel close to God, whether it's struggling to sense his presence or be emotional connected to him. It's like there's a wall between you two and you don't know how to get around it.
Like any relationship, it's natural to go through phases of feeling closer or farther from God. Sometimes, it's because of something that's truly getting in between us, like sin, bitterness, and pain. Other times the distance is meant for us to seek him with more of our hearts. The truth is God's always there, and part of the dry seasons is about choosing to believe and trust him even when we don't feel like that's true.
How to Overcome Spiritual Dryness
When you're experiencing these symptoms of spiritual dryness, it's a sign that it's time for renewal. There’s more of God’s goodness yet to taste. What you need is a fresh encounter with the living God to revive your heart again. If you’re in need of renewal right now, start here:
1. Be honest with Jesus about where you’re at.
2. Take the steps you need to open your heart towards him.
3. Ask for a fresh encounter of his presence.
Renewal is a process that Jesus takes each of us through to transform us in ways only he can. It's something we continually come back to, and each time we find new freedom, joy and rest. If you're in a spiritual dry season now, know that you're on the verge of being renewed by Jesus.
If you're looking for a way to process your wilderness season experience, I created some free journal prompts to help you find clarity. Click here to download.
Photo by Ivars Krutainis on Unsplash
