Are You in a Dry Spell?
I've heard people say concerning their walk with Jesus, that they are in a "dry spell." In other words, they "don't hear the Lord," or "don't feel anything," or "don't get anything out of the word."
Remember the Israelites back in the Old Testament? They had to wander around the desert, not because God wasn't speaking, and not because they didn't hear a word from Him, but because of their unbelief and disobedience.
Fast forward to Jesus. He said, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." The next verse lets us in on the secret to the living water, "By this he meant the Spirit whom those who believed in him were later to receive." John 7:38, 39
When we feel that we are in a dry spell and can describe our walk with Jesus as quiet, dry, uneventful, unproductive, and simply at a time when we neither learn nor desire to learn, this my friend, is not of the Spirit, but of us. It is a red flag, a sign for us to check ourselves.
Here are some tips to staying out of the desert!
Now, are you in a "dry place"? I challenge you to take a good look at yourself and realize that our God is never far and certainly never with holds good to those who seek His face. Go back to the living water right now!!
Living in the Water,
Natalie!
Enjoy Natalie's other blogs
and
I don't meant to be a party-pooper or disqualify what you might be feeling, but let me offer another suggestion:
Maybe the reason you're feel like you're in a dry spell is because of...you.
Remember the Israelites back in the Old Testament? They had to wander around the desert, not because God wasn't speaking, and not because they didn't hear a word from Him, but because of their unbelief and disobedience.
Fast forward to Jesus. He said, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." The next verse lets us in on the secret to the living water, "By this he meant the Spirit whom those who believed in him were later to receive." John 7:38, 39
When we feel that we are in a dry spell and can describe our walk with Jesus as quiet, dry, uneventful, unproductive, and simply at a time when we neither learn nor desire to learn, this my friend, is not of the Spirit, but of us. It is a red flag, a sign for us to check ourselves.
Here are some tips to staying out of the desert!
1. Humble yourself before the Lord and consider what confession you might need to make. Are you meeting with Him? Are you aware of His presence? Are you walking in habitual sin? Are you reading His word?
2. Begin afresh the discipline of quieting yourself with Christ sometime during the day and making it a point to humble yourself to His Spirit within you. He never stops working. We are the ones who gauge His work based on how we feel.
3. Get your face back in the Word and go to it with expectancy and respect. It will judge your thoughts and minds and motives, but will also teach you, encourage you, and give you insight and discernment that you just don't have all by your onesie.
4. Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to come again! Ask Him to bring that water regardless of your situation or circumstance. He is LIFE! He is the living water and He will be faithful!
5. Get others involved. Find a friend that will ask you if you have made your relationship with Christ your number one priority. Those friends are priceless, and are also fun to shop with.
Now, are you in a "dry place"? I challenge you to take a good look at yourself and realize that our God is never far and certainly never with holds good to those who seek His face. Go back to the living water right now!!
Living in the Water,
Natalie!
Enjoy Natalie's other blogs
and Labels: Natalie Witcher, Prayer, Quiet Time
posted by Natalie Witcher @ 12:01 AM
6 Comments:
Such a wonderful post.
Natalie, I loved what you said about involving others. That is such an important step. Sometimes when we're in the midst of a storm, or a desert, we can't see thru the dust of the moment. Asking someone we trust and love to come along side us, adds strength to prayer. "Where two or more are gathered in My name..."
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Laurel in Canada
The "dry area" was just what I needed for today! I hope to apply those points of growing closer to Him and especially the Holy Spirit. Thank you. Also, I accessed your site because I have a dear Sister in the Lord living in Plymouth, WI. I told her about AGLOW(I am attending in the Cincinnati, OH area)and she is open to being contacted by you. How can I go about getting her connected please. My email is joy.gruber@yahoo.com
Well said...this is me to a T....thank you.
Just what I needed to hear. Thank you
While I am sure your post does apply to some people, there are examples in Scripture where there was a "delay" in answering that person's prayer for whatever reason the Lord had!
One such example is in Daniel 10:1-14, where an angel of the Lord was in battle and did not reach Daniel for 21 days, the time Daniel was praying and fasting to understand the vision he had.
I'm sure there are times when Jesus lets go of our hand so that we can walk on our own, though He is still right beside us ready to catch us if we fall!
Job was in a dry spell... in the eyes of his friends, but it was indeed for the glory of God!
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