By Jill Miller
Anyone who works in an office with an Information Technology (IT) staff learns one thing fast: Before you call the helpline with a problem, shut down your computer, restart it, and try again.
It’s surprising how many times this works.
I can’t begin to comprehend the inner workings of computers, but sometimes they just need to reset.
This concept of resetting holds true in the spiritual sense as well. Sometimes we need a spiritual reset.
In order to reset, your beginning “set” mode needs to be in place.
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For those of us who have already committed our lives to Christ and pursue following the Lord out of that commitment, let’s pause and consider a reset in our spiritual lives.
Develop a Pattern of Remembrance and Reflection
While the word “reset” may not be found in the Bible, we see a pattern of remembrance and reflection.
From the prescribed Israelite feasts listed in Leviticus 23 to Christ’s words at the Last Supper to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19b), we see God’s plan for us to regularly pause and ponder.
While January is a natural time to look back over the last year and remind ourselves of how God worked in our lives, we can hit the reset button during any season.
Reading over journal entries from the prior year or going through our calendars can prompt us to remember God’s work in our lives.
3 Ways to Experience a Spiritual Reset
#1 – Recapture Our First Love
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
The opening chapters of the book of Revelation list God’s commendations and admonitions to seven churches.
After exhorting the church in the city of Ephesus, God admonishes them for forsaking their first love—the Lord (Rev 2:4).
God doesn’t give specifics, but we can imagine their zeal for the Lord waned over time. Their love for Jesus grew cold even though they possessed solid theology and had weeded out false teachers.
The Lord encouraged the church in Ephesus to correct this problem by remembering the first days of their love for Him (Rev 2:5).
A component of a spiritual reset should include an assessment of where we’re at spiritually compared to the previous year:
- Is our knowledge of the Bible broader?
- Is our relationship with God deeper?
- What lessons have we learned?
- Are we as motivated to participate and serve in our local church?
- Has a spiritual discipline waned or stopped?
Recognizing a lapse in any of these areas marks the first step to protect ourselves from slowing down our spiritual growth. The second step involves taking action to reignite our love for the Lord.
In what practical ways might you recapture your first love this week?
#2 – Stay on God’s Path for Us
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV
We also need to consider the path we’re on:
- Have we unconsciously drifted from the direction God gave us?
- Are we intentionally going in another way rather than God’s path?
- Are we at a crossroads where God changed our plans and sent us in a different direction?
If the Holy Spirit shows us how our path doesn’t align with His plan, we should reorient ourselves by making a course correction or changing direction based on God’s leading.
In what practical ways can you get back on track this week?
#3 – Listen to the Holy Spirit
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 NIV
As we take the time to pause, ponder, and reflect, we may find God points out an instance or pattern of sin in our lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any potential sin or sinful practice using the following questions:
- Is there a bad habit we’ve developed?
- Have we allowed a root of bitterness to grow in our hearts?
- Have our minds drifted toward worldly ways of thinking (perhaps from social media or other forms of entertainment)?
- Do our attitudes, actions, and words build others up or tear others down?
If the Holy Spirit reveals any area of sin, repent.
Part of our spiritual reset may include a time of confession, acknowledging our sin, and receiving the forgiveness only God can give.
Reflect and Respond for a Spiritual Reset
It is crucial to identify areas where we need to restart, reenergize, reorient, or repent. However, we also need to respond to what God reveals to us.
Ponder what the Holy Spirit revealed during this time of reflection.
Let’s make a commitment to set aside time to quiet our hearts and minds. Let’s make space for the Holy Spirit to speak and show us areas we may need a spiritual reset.
Jill Miller
After using her math and computer skills in the health insurance industry for more than 30 years, God granted Jill’s desire to retire early. This gives her the freedom to spend her time using her God-given skills as she pursues volunteer ministry opportunities. In her spare time, Jill likes to be physically active to balance out her love for cooking and baking. She also enjoys crossword puzzles and watching the birds and other critters God brings to her feeder.
