One of the most common laments I hear is, “I feel spiritually dry” or “I’m going through a spiritual drought” or “I feel far from God.” Before we jump into some practical methods to catch fire, be aware of these realities:
- It was common for our Bible heroes to go through dry seasons. If they did, we will. David in Psalm 13:1 (NIV) prayed, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” He felt a distance from God. Job said in Job 10:1 (NIV), “I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” No explanation needed. Asaph cried out in Psalm 77:7 (NIV), “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?”
- You’re not alone. Know that others around you are experiencing the same lackluster feelings. They, too, are longing for their flame to be reignited.
- Feelings are fickle. We may feel God is far, but that doesn’t mean He is. Trust God is near to you even in dry seasons: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4a, ESV).
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
If you’re trudging through a season of spiritual dryness, here are four ways to overcome the spiritual doldrums:
1. Be honest about your life.
What is really going on? Are you carrying so much that it simply wears you out? Are you not sleeping enough? Are you eating well? Are you going through a health scare or a divorce or some other relational turmoil? Sometimes our lives are so preoccupied they leave little room for God. It could be the pressure of raising kids, the stress of your job, or just plain exhaustion.
The prophet Elijah was so emotionally dry that he cried out, “I have had enough, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4, NIV). God indeed ministered to Elijah, but maybe not in the way we would expect: He allowed him a time to rest and gave him a hot meal. Sometimes we may say, “I have had enough, Lord,” but it’s really because of physical and emotional exhaustion. Sleep and a good meal aren’t always the prescription for spiritual dryness, but it might be a good place to start.
“The prophet Elijah was so emotionally dry that he cried out, ‘I have had enough, Lord.'”
2. Catch Others’ Fire
It’s very difficult to be around others who are spiritually aflame and for it not to rub off on you. Fire is contagious. Find a church that’s on fire for Jesus. Have you ever walked into church lackluster, then walked out of church spiritually lit up?! We all have! 
On the other hand, when someone misses church for work or sickness or travel back-to-back weeks, they can often tell a huge difference:
- Their attitude toward God becomes more callous.
- Their attitude toward church becomes, “Ehh, whatever. I don’t need this anyway.”
- Spiritual fires dim.
But then, their first Sunday back, they can’t believe the difference!
- Tears run down their face.
- Life feels re-centered.
- They’re all fired up.
- They get re-sensitized to the Lord.
I remember after the COVID shut-down, that first Sunday back in person, the looks on everyone’s faces, the tears, the excitement—it was palpable.
“Fire is contagious.”
3. Live with eternity in mind
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV)
This implies there is something we can DO to fan our own flame. He’s speaking of the gift God gave Timothy. God has given you a gift as well—not to serve yourself, but to serve others, to bring others into the Kingdom of God.
Every time someone comes up out of the waters of baptism, there’s a surge of joy in the church—especially among everyone who had a part of that person coming to faith, whether it be the inviter, the sharer, the usher who walked that person to their chair, the children’s worker who checked them in on the first visit. Use your life, your time, your treasure, your talents for God’s purpose.
Few things will light your fire more than that.
“Every time someone comes up out of the waters of baptism, there’s a surge of joy in the church.”
4. Ask God
David once prayed, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:12, NIV). He’s asking for that same joy he used to have regarding his relationship with God, and asking for his spirit to be renewed. God can do this for you too. He promises in Isaiah 44:3a (NIV), “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground.”
Be honest with God. Pray something like this: “Lord, I feel dry. Will you please set me on fire for Jesus again?”
He might just do it.
