As we walk with the Lord, we inevitably encounter difficulty, disappointment, and anxiety. At times, what we experience may not inspire passion or stir our hearts toward God.
Our expectations may go unmet, and in our disappointment, we may feel frustrated with God. The spiritual vitality we once enjoyed can begin to waste away.
Even when we’re not in moments of distress, we may lose interest in the things of God.
Life happens. We still have to work, tend to our families, and manage life’s responsibilities.
Some seasons are busier than others, and our priorities can shift as the demands of life pull on us. In these periods, we may forget to spend intentional time with God.
Church may feel like another chore, added to the long list of tasks in our lives. Efforts to cultivate love for others just don’t seem worth our time.
When we find ourselves in a spiritual slump, having a few tools in our toolbox can be helpful.
5 Ways to Navigate a Spiritual Slump and Revive Your Passion
As a woman learning to depend on the Lord daily, my spiritual journey hasn’t been immune to challenges.
Here are five tools I’ve discovered to navigate a spiritual slump and move toward reviving your passion for the Lord.
1 – Simplify Your Relationship with Christ
“Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. For I am God, and there is no other.” – Isaiah 45:22 HCSB
As life moves forward, we’re saddled with distractions.
We can become so preoccupied with the routine of ministry and home life that we miss Jesus. He can get lost in the busyness, our spiritual senses dull, and we slip into a spiritual slump.
To revive our passion, we need to periodically reset.
We should strip away everything keeping us from turning to the Lord and return to the basics of the faith.
When we do this, we reaffirm God as our source of fulfillment, our loving anchor, and our wise guide.
2 – Connect with Others
“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.” – Matthew 18:20 HCSB
We often devote most of our energy, time, and emotion to the people and responsibilities closest to us. We want to take care of everything in our sphere.
While this focus is important, it can create tunnel vision.
When life is good, we revel in the joy and excitement that fill our lives. But when things go wrong, it can become all-consuming, dampening our passion.
We can combat tunnel vision by connecting with others. When we gather in community, we witness what God is doing in the lives of those around us.
We can see God heal our neighbor’s mother, provide financial breakthrough for a church friend, or answer a coworker’s prayers. These testimonies become fuel for our faith, and our joy for the Lord reignites.
3 – Try a New Routine
“He said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.’ ‘Master,’ Simon replied, ‘We’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.” – Luke 5:4-5 HCSB
Beauty exists in the mundane. A routine can bring safety and peace without chaos or strife—and this is praiseworthy.
Yet, too much predictability can lead to a spiritual slump.
In Luke 5, Peter was used to fishing. Each day, he went out and cast his net. Whether he caught any fish or not, it was just another day on the job.
But when Jesus challenged Peter to do something new, he experienced Christ’s power.
Stepping out of our routine and doing something new can be the spark we need for our faith.
Whether we meet God in a new place, change the time of our quiet time, or pray for a new thing, we can trust the Lord and follow His lead into something different.
4 – Meditate on the Gospel of Jesus
“More than that, I also consider everything else to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” – Philippians 3:8 HCSB
Spending uninterrupted, undistracted time with the Lord can be difficult. Without the usual passion driving us to seek Him, we may struggle to stay connected.
One powerful way to reconnect with God is to meditate on the gospel of Jesus.
Ruminating on Jesus reminds us of His beautiful sacrifice and why we’re passionate about Him in the first place.
Contemplating the gospel recenters our focus, reestablishes our priorities, and provides a fresh foundation for our devotion.
5 – Rest
“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 HCSB
We should avoid pushing harder when we’re in a spiritual slump. This may drive us deeper into feelings of apathy and disconnection from God.
Rest helps us resist this downward spiral.
Rest is a command from God (Ex 34:21). The Lord understands we need rest, especially when our spiritual fire grows dim.
Rest allows us to recharge, assess the roots of our dispassion, and reconnect with God in a meaningful way.
We Can Overcome a Spiritual Slump with God’s Help
Naturally, our passion for God may come and go. We may have seasons of zeal and periods of indifference.
But the Lord will meet us in every ebb and flow along the path.
Psalm 139:7–10 HCSB reminds us, “Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I live at the eastern horizon or settle at the western limits, even there Your hand will lead me; Your right hand will hold on to me.”
God always walks with us and offers grace. His powerful hand leads and upholds us so we can overcome spiritual slumps.
The Lord will never abandon us.
May you accept the Lord’s mercy in every season and trust He will restore your passion in His perfect timing.
Charis Massaquoi
Charis is a wife, nurse, and dog mom with a passion for writing, Jesus, and trying new restaurants. Over the last few years, she has explored her love for writing by maintaining a blog, contributing as a guest blogger, and penning a devotional. She hopes with every word, others fall in love with Christ and know Him more than before. Find her on Substack.
