Have you ever wondered whether God forgot your address when you were sitting in your car with tears in your eyes? Is there a moment when the silence seems overwhelming and your prayers seem to disappear? I’ve been there. Everybody has.
“Why have you abandoned me, my God?” (Psalm 22:1)
These statements are not merely passages from ancient scripture; they are the soft murmurs of innumerable hearts who have experienced the agonizing absence of God’s presence. These unvarnished, unadulterated moments of honesty are frequently when the path to spiritual rebirth starts.
Spiritual Drought’s Cruel Honesty
Imagine this: You’re doing the “right” things, including attending church on Sunday and participating in daily devotionals. However, there is a gnawing emptiness within. Your once-bright faith seems to have dimmed, and you’re afraid to tell anyone about it. Prayer used to feel like breathing, worship music used to make your heart skip a beat, and God seemed as close as your next heartbeat.
Right now? You appear to be speaking into a void at the moment.
And that is precisely the starting point for spiritual rejuvenation.
1. Accept the Desert (Really, Yes)
“Although he was still a long way off, his father ran to embrace and kiss him after seeing him and feeling sorry for him.” (Luke 15:20)
Don’t try to pass it off. God isn’t scared of your questions, your tears, or your rage. Try this:
- Write a letter to God that you would never read at a church service. Empty everything.
- Take five minutes to sit quietly and simply feel whatever you’ve been avoiding.
- Say to someone you can trust, “I’m afraid, and I’m having trouble believing.”
2. In Spite of the Chaos, Discover Your Sacred
How did you discover periods of time you were unaware existed when you were first in love? Your place of worship could be:
- The valuable fifteen minutes you spend in your car before work.
- The coffee cup warms your hands in the quiet kitchen at five in the morning.
- You finally let yourself cry in that corner of your bedroom.
3. Go Back to the Original Language of Love
“My love for you will endure even if the hills are carried away and the mountains shake.” (Isaiah 54:10)
Do you recall your first encounter with God’s love? Before disappointment set in, before church politics, before theology became complicated? Let’s return:
- Examine the Psalms as though they were entries in your personal journal.
- Pray as though you were speaking to your best friend.
- Worship loudly, with tears streaming down your face, in your car.
- Pick a verse that makes your heart bleed, then hold on to it.
4. Locate Your Heart’s People
We require those who:
- When you say, “I’m not sure I believe anymore,” don’t wince.
- Tell their own terrible tales without attempting to correct yours.
- Remember to check in with you when you stop showing up, and sit with you in quiet when words can’t express how you feel.
5. Find Sacred Rhythms Again
Religious obligation is not at issue here. The goal is to rediscover your heartbeat:
- Avoid anything that makes you feel numb, such as social media, busyness, or even “Christian” pursuits.
- Walk in prayer and take in the beauty all around you.
- Jot down any time you sense even a hint of God’s presence.
- Make a playlist of music that serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
6. Empty to Fill Up
God’s presence can occasionally reappear when we cease seeking it and begin being it:
- Allow room for the skepticism of others.
- Work at a shelter for the destitute.
- Even when you feel empty, write words of encouragement to others.
- Telling someone about your struggles could be a lifesaver for them.
7. Have Faith in God’s Slow Work
“I have faith that He who started a good work in you will see it through to completion.” (Philippians 1:6)
Spiritual rejuvenation is not so much a light switch as it is a sunrise:
- Record your few moments of hope in a notebook.
- Honor little triumphs.
- Have faith that growth is occurring even if you can’t feel it.
- Keep in mind that every wonderful tale has a dark side.
The Desert’s Secret Gift
What if this season serves as a preparation rather than a punishment? Suppose that God is utilizing this moment to:
- Eliminate religious performances
- Increase your ability to have genuine faith
- Get ready to assist others in overcoming their own adversities
- Change your belief system from inherited to owned
A Personal Note
I’m crying as I write this because I’ve experienced periods of spiritual apathy myself. On some days, all I could say in prayer was “Help.” However, I’ve discovered that our strongest faith can occasionally be built upon our deepest doubts.
Your doubts do not exclude you from God’s love. He is not surprised by your difficulties. And a father who has never taken His eyes off of you is watching your return trip, no matter how clumsy or sluggish.
Going Ahead
Today, take a single, modest step. Only one. Perhaps it’s:
- “I miss you,” I whisper to God
- Flipping to Psalms in your Bible
- Sending a text to the person who consistently provides you with hope
- Just stating, “I’m here.”
Spiritual renewal meant moving forward to where God was leading you, not going back.
A Request
Remember that these remarks are from someone who has walked—and occasionally crawled—over similar terrain if you’re going through a period of spiritual drought. I would adore hearing your story, walking with you, and reminding you that your narrative doesn’t end with this season.
Saying “Me too” to one another can sometimes be the most effective thing we can do. I get it. You’re not by yourself.
With sincerity and a tremendous deal of hope,
