A Spirit Running on Fumes
The spiritual journey is a long and tiresome one that never truly ends. It is almost inevitable that at some point, you will have nothing left in your tank.
The signs of spiritual exhaustion are usually subtle at first. You may notice that you have less enthusiasm for communion with fellow believers. Or, you may find it harder to keep up with your Bible study and prayers.
With time, this spiritual burnout can result in emotional outbursts. You may start to experience feelings of doubt or anger toward God. Sometimes, all it takes is one minor inconvenience or something not going according to plan to cause a total meltdown.
Why Are You Spiritually Exhausted?
For the most part, spiritual burnout is inexplicable. It may happen because you have been fighting the good fight for a very long time, and you are human enough to get exhausted.
- Strobel, Lee (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
However, there are scenarios where spiritual exhaustion is more likely to hit you. A few of these could help explain what you are going through:
1. Missionary work
Missionary work takes a toll both physically and spiritually, especially with a volatile situation, such as a war-torn country or among a disease-riddled population. Your faith will be under pressure and put to the test. Sometimes you just run out of energy to keep going.
2. Spiritual mentoring
This commonly affects religious figures and spiritual leaders who often mentor people new to the faith. Spiritual burnout is inevitable if there is no break to recover and grow before pouring out into the next cup.
3. Persistent turmoil
If you have been facing a long-term challenge in your life, you are also likely to suffer from spiritual exhaustion. It could be anything from a persistently bad financial situation to a chronic illness.
As with missionary work, this occurs due to the constant pressure on your faith that forces you to keep believing against all odds.
4. Lack of quality time with God
Finally, your spirit may get tired if you’re focusing more on spending quantity time with God over quality time with Him.
Now, there is nothing wrong with praying and reading the Bible as often as possible—even all the time if you wish. However, it is important to remember that you are human and occasionally need a break. Even Jesus slept on the boat after a long mission (Luke 8:23).
Keep Calm and Let God Be Your Fuel
The best way to deal with spiritual burnout is by allowing God to be the fuel you need. He reassures us multiple times in the Bible that He will provide sustenance not only for our bodies but also our spiritual life.
How does God refuel our spiritual tanks?
1. Through God’s Word
Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:4
Sometimes all you need to get out of your spiritual funk is to take in the powerful words of God through the Bible. It could be an inspiring story relevant to your situation or a random feel-good scripture that reminds you of your Heavenly Father’s great love.
2. Through faith in Jesus Christ
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
John was not just talking about sustenance for the afterlife; this promise from God includes our current lives. If you find yourself struggling to find energy to keep walking on your spiritual journey, meditate on this verse to develop your faith.
3. Through rest
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”
Psalm 23:2-3
You would be surprised how much of a difference taking a break from your spiritual responsibilities will make. Whether you are a missionary, a pastor, or just active in your Christian community, it is crucial.
God uses rest to heal and restore so you can go back to your mission stronger and more revitalized than ever.
Plugging into the Right Energy Source
If you are struggling with your Christian journey and spiritual goals, let God be the fuel that keeps you going. In a nutshell, all you need is to rest, have faith, and be open to His wisdom and sustenance. You will be back up and running in no time.
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