By: Rachel Brown
As we do in any area of our lives, sometimes we fall into a rut, spiritually speaking. We know God and we love Him, but for some reason or another, we don’t feel connected to Him. We feel uninspired or detached, and we’re not really sure what to do about it. So what should we do when we feel far from God? How do we find the motivation we need to dig ourselves out of a rut? Check out some of the ideas and encouragement below, and in the comments section, share some of the ways that you’ve reconnected spiritually in the past – we’d love to hear your input!
Embrace Community
God was so intentional when He created the concept of community, knowing that because He had made us relational beings we wouldn’t be able to walk through life alone. When we feel ourselves falling into a rut, we can cleave towards our small groups, our accountability partners, our church family, or our friends. By sharing our struggles with honesty and vulnerability, we’ll find the safety and security provided by our community. Not only will we feel less alone in our troubles but we also will receive encouragement and fellowship as we share our feelings, empowering us to continue on in our walk with Christ. As it says in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Embracing our community will allow us to strengthen our souls and find rejuvenation in our spiritual lives.
Pick Up a Good Book
Sometimes the best encouragement and motivation comes from the written word. Turning to the Bible is empowering, certainly, but often times God will speak to us through other written sources, including inspirational books. Check out some of the titles we wrote about here; we have found comfort within the pages of many of these books, allowing us to press on even when we’re feeling like we’re in a rut. Reading can unlock a sentiment within us that allows us to realize that we’re not alone in our struggles, our fears, and our tribulations.
Carve Out Quiet Time
Often times the best thing we can do when we’re feeling stuck is simply to be still. It’s hard to carve out stillness in today’s busy world but if we are intentional about stepping away from our devices and taking time away from all of the noise, we can find the space that we’ve been longing for, the one where we feel close to God. This isn’t necessarily something that will happen right away; it may take some time, as it can feel so unnatural to be still. But as the cliché goes, practice makes perfect, and by continually carving out quiet time we can make strides in regaining our closeness to Christ.
Get Some Fresh Air
Many of us feel closest to God when we’re in nature. Whether we’re sitting on a beach, in the mountains, near a lake, or walking through a park, it’s undeniable that the earth that God created is so breathtaking and stellar. As it says in Romans 1:2, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Getting outdoors can rejuvenate us by reminding us of God’s goodness and realness, of His creativity and artistic ability.
Photo Cred: Chelsea Stellar
Rachel Brown is the Director of Project Development for Touch A Life, an organization committed to the rescue and rehabilitation of children who have been exploited and trafficked in West Africa and Southeast Asia. Though she loves working in the non-profit world, Rachel has always been passionate about writing, pursuing opportunities to put pen to paper outside of her day job. Aside from writing for Darling Magazine, she maintains a personal blog, Coffee & Tacos, where she connects with others through food, travel, faith & community. Rachel lives in Dallas, TX, with her husband and their adorably large English mastiffs.
