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Bible Questions and Spiritual Discussion
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hitting a wall
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Hello -
Do any of you ever hit a wall spiritually? And if you do, what do you do to get out of it?
About 15 months agoI found myself tiring of hearing what other people had to say about God. I noticed in the Bible it said often to seek His face, to seek after Him. And I told God, "How do I do I seek you?" The answer was very clear. I started copying scripture. I've been copying 20-30 verses per day since then...sometimes I'll miss, but not too often. I've copied about 35% of the Bible---Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Mark, John, Revelations, and other books. There's no particular order, just wherever I've felt led. And there have been days when I could copy for over an hour easily. But lately I've hit a wall. I don't want to write, I don't even want to read the Bible. It's like there's something in me that wants a.... time out(?). Except I don't know if in the Christian walk a time-out is allowed. I mean if we're supposed to seek after God wholeheartedly, does that mean wholeheartedly only when we feel like it? Sometimes when I'm in the midst of writing and the writing is feeling good and I could go on forever I pray that God will keep me in this way always.
I don't want to settle for lukewarm, it doesn't work anymore. I feel like I've tasted something, found that it's good, but don't always have the taste for it. I know nothing satisfies like copying scripture...eating doesn't, sports I'm caring less and less about(I'm a Packers fan and could only watch a few minutes of the game), work is okay but not tiresome these days. My family's going to volunteer at a soup kitchen this summer, and my daughter and I are going to Mexico to build houses with her youth group this summer, and I'm looking forward to those sorts of things.
so....back to my original question.....what do you when you hit a wall spiritually? I feel like I'm on dangerous ground when I don't read and write, that's for sure.
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Ken Mikkelson 02/09/2011 11:13 |
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Craig from Illinois
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02/10/2011 11:15 |
There were probably many who read this and then had the same reaction as I did. "I don't know what advice to give, so I wont say anything!" I don't know what will help except for prayer and some practical advice.
I change my routine with the things I do turn mundane. Usually a new book or a new podcast takes me to a new place. I like the idea of doing some volunteer work or taking time out to do a short-term mission trip. But those are in the future and you are looking for something now.
Perhaps a visit to a nursing home or hospital to visit with some residents will shift your focus off your own spiritual needs and on to someone less fortunate. Turn towards "other-centeredness" for awhile, even if you don't feel like it right now. I don't think a time-out from God is very good idea. But a time-out from "self" could be just what you need.
praying and caring,
Craig
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Ray
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02/10/2011 12:48 |
Nature?
http://www.myutmost.org/02/0210.html
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Jake Van Horn
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02/11/2011 01:30 |
Hi Ken
You know I think that times like these are good reminders as to who the story is really about and its not about us. This is God's story and its all about Him. There's a lot to be said about continuing in Prayer, worship, and spending time in the word even when we don't want to.
I think that Craig's advice to shift you focus to others is great! You know maybe God is allowing this spiritual "dryness" in your life to shift your focus elsewhere. I'm praying with you Ken
Matthew 24:13 but the on who stands firm to the end will be saved.
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