Have you ever felt like you were in a slump, a spell so dry that all of the water in the ocean couldn't quench the thirst? I think if we were all honest (and very rarely is that the case) we would say, "Yep, I've been there." Yet others may say, "I am currently there."
For those currently there, the symptoms didn't seem so extravagant at first (fires don't typically die all at once), but they have since exacerbated into something that seems eternal. The joy found in the Lord seems like a distant memory that is a bit hazy to our remembrance. The mercy and grace that we experienced (many times) in our distant past seem like they were just a good dream, but we question their reality, their very existence in this moment. Forgiveness for our own shortcomings seems impossible, and we struggle through the internal aspects of forgiving others; while on the outside, it seems like we are (to steal a southern phrase) "fine and dandy."
In reality, our emotions are either out of control or we feel nothing at all. There seems to be no middle ground in our state of mind. And really it comes down to a head issue. Our hearts can still be on the right track, but our head gets in the way. We fill our time with everything but what we should. The solution is simple, but by no means is it easy.
We must let our brains remember what our hearts never forgot.
Force ourselves to spend time in prayer, personal time of worship, and time in the word. In these times, we never feel like doing these things, and at first it feels like we are going through the motions. Then we reach the point where it feels like out prayers are not able to get through the ceiling of our prayer closet, the worship is just music and the music is just noise, and the Word seems like hieroglyphics. It is as this point that Romans 5:4 can be an encouragement to us because it can define our circumstance.
3Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character;and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.…
When we push through, our heads begin to look forward to our quiet times, and the hope and joy is renewed within us. Our faith is revived. Our lives are renewed! Our fire is burning brighter than ever!
There is no set time of how long this process takes, but don't give up. Sorrows may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning!
