Today I feel like nobody is pouring into my life. I mean, spiritually. I feel dry. I know God hears my prayers but I don't feel his presence. I don't "feel" Jesus in me. Not today. Not for a while. I'm reading "Good To Great" which leaves me with more questions about God and disagreements with the author and sometimes I'm left feeling alone in my beliefs.
As I say this, I know a hundred people are ready to give me 100 suggestions.
"Read your Bible".
"Study your Bible"
"Wait on God".
"Worship, Fast and Pray"
"Read a devotional"
"Call a friend and ask for encouragement" (I have no friends, just business acquaintances.)
"Don't pray on your bed. Get on your knees and pray."
"You must have sin in your sin and God isn't listening to your praises"
"You have A.D.D for God. You need medication to help you focus."
"Watch this devotional - it will change your life".
"Read this book, and this one, and this one -it will change your life".
"Eat these vitamins -it will refresh your soul".
"Take a long walk with God".
"Get up early every day and pray" (Early? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard.)
‘If you can't concentrate on a book, watch 100 Huntley Street or another Bible teaching show"
"Go to Jacob's Well for a week and get refreshed"
"Get more involved in your church" (no thanks)
"Join a Bible study". (I did. It's surface level stuff)
"Join a different Bible study".
"Go to a conference about healing".
"Go to Jacob's Well for a week and soak in it"
"Get the elders to anoint you with oil."
"You need to see a Christian counsellor"
"Just don' worry about it. You worry too much"
And this is my "favourite" -
"You need to go back and break the bondages of sin from past generations"
Man, everyone is giving me "Christian hoops to jump through". I'm too tired to take on all this stuff. Isn't there an easier way?
Traditional Christian answers drive me nuts and make me want to scream! I totally understand where you are coming from and feel your frustration. If I figure it out in my life, I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteHow about, "Let's do coffee"?
ReplyDeleteHere's one that I was told before and it actually did work- do nothing different and don't focus on the dryness in the meantime. We all go through dry times spiritually and sometimes the only way out is to just wait it out.
ReplyDeleteSo many of the things on the list do help in the right time.. but I agree with you when you say it just sounds like one more thing to DO and when you don't have the energy, that is just too much! For me, when I get dry, I connect with a friend. I NEED my friends, I NEED my cell group. They have picked me up, chewed me out, prayed for me, gone for walks with me, made me tea and encouraged me when I get tired and fed up! Most of all, they do not judge me. I NEED real community.
ReplyDelete