What To Do When You Feel Spiritually Dry

“Knowing God is about a relationship, not religion,” we tell people. This is true! We believe it. If we are honest, though, there are times when our relationship with God can feel pretty religious. We go through the motions without much connection. Dryness creeps in, perhaps even a bit of boredom. What can we do when we feel spiritually dry?

First, if you are experiencing spiritual dryness, you are not alone. Don’t condemn or get angry with yourself. That doesn’t help. We all go through these times, but we don’t have to stay there. We can cultivate a fresh closeness with God.

Discipline And Spontaneity Are Both Needed

To keep our relationship with God alive, we need to be consistent in spiritual disciplines like Bible study and prayer. Everyone knows this, so that is no news to any of us. We also need spontaneous “fun” times with Jesus. Ignore the basic disciplines and you won’t stay spiritually healthy. That is true on the mission field or elsewhere. But legalism kills. When those disciplines become duties and “shoulds”, they no longer give life.

I Don’t Feel Like It

I am a runner, but some days I just don’t feel like running. The blanket is cozy around me. I’m enjoying sitting in my favorite chair sipping hot coffee. What if I skipped my run today? Does it matter that much? No. Not really. But it makes it easier to skip my run again tomorrow. Before I know it, I’m no longer doing the exercise I need to stay healthy. I’ve lost my habit. It is then much harder to start again.

Spiritual exercise is the same way. Sometimes we just don’t feel like it. And, no, if we miss a day or two of Bible reading or prayer, it isn’t going to make God angry with us! He loves us and truly understands when we are just too busy or tired to do our normal devotions. But when those habits drop off, our relationship with God (and spiritual health) is sure to suffer too.

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Tim. 4:8 NIV

2 Ways To Keep Your Spiritual Life Fresh

Keeping yourself spiritually healthy on the mission field has got to be a top priority! If your own spiritual health begins to deteriorate, so will your fruitfulness. No matter how many ministry demands and pressures are present, make time to do what is necessary to keep your own relationship with God growing.

1) Evaluate yourself in light of the spiritual disciplines.

There are two commonly taught lists of spiritual disciplines. The first is found in Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline, published in 1978. Foster writes of three types of spiritual disciplines; inward, outward and corporate.

• Inward disciplines: prayer, fasting, meditation, study.
• Outward disciplines: simplicity, solitude, submission, service.
• Corporate disciplines: confession, worship, guidance, celebration.

Dallas Willard in his book Spirit of the Disciplines gave a similar though slightly different list. His list contains many of the same things as Foster, but with several additions; self-denial, sabbath, secrecy, and soul friendship.

See this excellent article by Bill Gaultiere called Insights and Applications of Spiritual Disciplines.

Gaultiere says that the point with spiritual disciplines is not trying to be perfect or do them all correctly. He says, “Don’t try – train.” 1 Tim 4:7 says “train yourself to be godly.”

I’ve found it helpful to regularly review these two lists of spiritual disciplines and ask myself how I am doing in my godliness training routines. Are there disciplines I have neglected? Get my free checklist with both Foster and Willard’s lists via the form below.

While all the disciplines are important, these are core disciplines we need in order to stay healthy in our spiritual lives. These are: prayer, fasting, study/Bible reading, worship, and service.

It seems strange, but even as missionaries, it is easy for us to neglect these. We get busy doing ministry and fail to stop and take in nourishment for ourselves. We read the Bible, but only in order to prepare our next sermon or Bible study. How are you doing at these five basics?

I love that Foster includes “celebration” as a spiritual discipline. Did you know that it is spiritual to celebrate? God designed us to need celebration. Do you take time to enjoy birthdays, festivals, and special accomplishments? When we celebrate, we are practicing a spiritual discipline designed by God for our overall health.

Silence is another one that many do not practice. It can be very life giving. Have you ever gone on a silent retreat? Taken a day away from work and ministry to be alone with God, not speaking to anyone but Him? Turn off even your worship music and allow your heart to become still. It is amazing what God will bring to the surface if we are willing to practice silence and solitude.

As you consider these spiritual disciplines, do you see any gaps? Areas you need to recommit yourself to spiritual training in? Take a moment and jot down that commitment in your journal. Or send a message to your accountability partner. Let them know that this next few months you will be working to develop in this area of your spiritual life.

2) Consider doing something different, “fun,” and creative, to strengthen your relationship with Jesus.

I am a disciplined and goal-oriented person. Faithful to my routines, I regularly exercise both my body and spirit. I have found that just as in my relationship with my husband, if I want to keep my relationship with God alive, spontaneity is helpful. When things become too routine in my spiritual life, it helps to do something different and new.

Here are examples of things I’ve done. Give one of these a try if your relationship with Jesus is feeling dry. For a few days, skip your normal routines of Bible reading and prayer. Use that time (or choose another time) to do something creative and different with Jesus.

• go for a walk and take pictures of nature. As you notice things God has made and their uniqueness, take time to be amazed and wonder at the creativity of God.
• go on a date with Jesus, just you and him. Dress up nice, and take your Bible and journal to a lovely restaurant. Have a meal and spend the time in fellowship with Him, the lover of your soul.
• write a poem or a love song to the Lord, telling Him what you most enjoy about who He is.
• make a special meal and take time to enjoy the flavors. Eat slowly as an act of worship, savoring each bite and allowing gratefulness to well up within you for the pleasure of eating good food. Recognize God’s presence there with you and tell Him what you like about the food.

There are many creative, fun ways to stimulate your love relationship with Jesus.

What have you tried that brought new life? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or on the Missionary Life Facebook page!