We will all go through spiritual droughts, but they do not need to take over our lives. Sometimes great victories are followed by great temptations. I remember after preaching at large conferences or singing at large concerts worrying about the impending crash that would come. Moments of euphoria and exhilaration would be tempered by a persistent lull that I just couldn’t explain. If you can empathise with me, firstly, breathe. It’s normal and there is a way out. Even Jesus went through the wilderness after great glory on the river Jordan. During Joseph time, 7 years of plenty quickly turned to 7 years of drought. In this post, you will learn practical tips on how to get through your spiritual drought.
1. How you respond in the drought will determine how long you will stay there. Israel had a journey in the wilderness that was supposed to a last short time, but because of their wrong reaction to the wilderness, that journey lasted 40 years. Jesus on the other hand, went through the wilderness in only 40 days because His response was epic. He spoke the word, whereas Israel complained in the wilderness.
2. The Holy Spirit can lead you to the wilderness, but only the Holy Scriptures can guide you through it. Jesus was led to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, but He battled through it through the power of the Scriptures. Rely on what you KNOW from the Word, and not on momentary feelings when you are in spiritual wilderness. (Psalm 1:2 -3)
3. God’s silence is NOT God’s absence. Like a teacher is silent during a test, God may be ‘quiet’ while you are in the midst of a test. During a physical test in a class, one must rely on what was already learned and what a student committed to memory while the teacher was speaking. Then the teacher speaks again as soon as the test is over. Likewise, during God’s tests, He can be quiet. A believer must rely on God’s prior teachings to get them through the test, and God WILL show himself. (2 Chronicles 32:31)
4. If you’re going through hell, keep on going. David said; though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. Walk through, don’t live in it. Paul said; put on the armour of God to withstand on an evil day. Don’t let an evil day or the valley of death become your life by building a tent. (Psalm 23:4)
5. God does not just reward us when you find Him, but when you seek Him. “Blessed are those who HUNGER and THIRST for righteousness,” not those who ARE righteous. Just for pressing into God through fasting and prayer and seeking Him, God will reward you and give the breakthrough you need. God is a rewarder of those who seek Him. David was called a man after God’s heart, it does not mean David had God’s heart. It just means that David was after it and God blesses that. (Matthew 5:6)
6. Suffering is not an excuse to stop serving. For example, Job prayed for his friends when his own life was in shambles, and Jesus healed even while he was getting arrested. Abraham prayed for healing for others when his own wife was barren. We do not serve for ourselves, but for God out of obedience and love for Him. Life is like tennis; those who serve well seldom lose.
7. Sometimes the best thing you can do on your worst day is to take a nap. When your body is tired, emotions take over and affects your spiritual life. The enemy WILL take advantage of your weariness. When Elijah was running from Jezebel, the angel of God offered him nothing but food for strength and sleep for rest. Jesus also napped, and He was the only one who was able to calm the storm. Be refreshed. Get rest. Nap.
8. If you miss devotions, that does not mean you have lost your devotion. Devotions are your time spent with God, and devotion is the life you give to God. If you question your devotion for missing a few days of reading the Word, it is a lie of the devil. You are in a RELATIONSHIP with God, not a CONTRACT. Christians should not feel guilty when they miss a day of prayer, but they should feel hungry! Devotions are your time spent with God, and devotion is the life you give to God.
9. DO NOT make permanent decisions when you are spiritually dry. Decisions like relationships, moving, career, and other commitments need to be made when you are out of that brokenness. It is when your mind is alert, your spirit is receptive and your emotions are stable.
10. Develop stamina and patience. God allows dry seasons in our lives to establish the fruit of patience to make you complete. A fruit develops from sour to sweet, and that takes time. Likewise, patience needs time. Therefore in the midst of dry seasons, do not complain or give up because God is making you more complete. You become a person who is not swayed by emotions or circumstances when patience grows to ripeness.
Ultimately remember that God is still on the throne, however, this doesn’t mean he is far away from us. God is not on some mountain, He’s not to be reached for. For the believer, God is very present and he is with us. In over 98 Places in the Bible, God speaks about himself as being with us and not some abstract thing we have to find.
Here are some examples:
- Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
- Joshua 1:5 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- John 15:14 – We learn about the deep and abiding presence of the holy spirit which will follow the believer wherever he goes
The feeling you feel will move on, just like every other feeling! God will never leave you.
