Do you ever go through a spiritual slump?

I would read through some Psalms. Every time I go through periods of distrust, they get me back on track.
I have learned that whatever God allows to happen - its right and its just. We dont see the whole, we only see in part.
If you dont trust, you are only robbing yourself from the peace and joy that await when you give it all to Him.
I'll be praying for you.

 

Sweetie, don't be afraid of this time. We can't be on mountaintops all the time. I do very much remember those times in my early walk with the Lord.

You said your personal growth has stopped. No, it hasn't. Not really!

You are Mom. You know that your kids have growth spurts and then there are times when you thank the good Lord they have stopped for awhile so you don't have to keep buying new clothes!

We have growth spurts spiritually, too. This part still happens with me. There are times when something I read, in or out of the Bible, seems to spark a spurt of new understanding and joyful prayer and deeper study. But there are the times between those times when all is quieter and life simply goes on.

What I have learned is that each time passes. There is a season or a time for everything and I am no longer nervous about the changing seasons of my life.

There are things you are doing which will keep you from fussing: taking care of your family, catching up with scrapbooks, maybe. Take soup to sick friends or older people and most especially make sure that those in your church who are sick or lonely get a little visit from you. Serving keeps you on track even when your mind and heart seem to be 'resting.' Experiment with cooking or baking something new and thank God you live in a country and in an economy which permits that!

As you move yourself out of your normal habits of daily life, you will find yourself grabbing on to God with greater thankfulness and understanding than before. And there will be people thankful to Him for you, too.

TaterTot is right about Psalms. Most are short and just reading a couple at a time and sort of thinking about them as you go about your day will also help a LOT.

One of the most encouraging books in the New Testament, for me, is Philippians. I love that book! So I would recommend that one, too.

I've been with the Lord for 30+ years now and I have learned that stale times come and go. This is the post-Christmas season and it's yucky out and sometimes yucky in, too. Don't worry. Spring comes. We haven't missed one yet!

It's not all a cosmic joke. You know Jesus. Feel free to strip away everything else in your areas of doubting and staleness and know that you know Jesus and HE, at least, is real!

And the seasons come and the seasons go. If you did not go through this time, how on earth would you reassure your children later when they are young adults and go through the same thing? God is closer than you think.

 

You have some very good advice here. Remember... God WONT let anything happen that He knows that you can't handle. Not too long ago my youth pastor was teaching on a short series on stages you go through spirtually called Medicine, Dry Cereal, and Peaches-n-Cream. The medicine stage was when you didn't want to read ur Bible but u did it anyway because u knew it was good for u. The dry cereal was when u got into the habit of reading ur Bible everyday but it got stale, boring, and u weren't really getting anything out of it. Peaches-n-cream was where when u read a passage in the Bible, applied what u read to ur life, and started to see the results; blessings, God answering prayer,etc. TaterTot made a very good point in reading Psalms. Sometimes when I get tired of reading all the bad things that I'm doing I like to renew myself by reading Psalms. It has stuff in there that talks about praising God, trusting Him, etc. that I find very...refreshing. Does this make any sense? I also read Isaiah not too long ago and found it dry... i didn't get much out of it. Proverbs, Psalms, and the NT I like alot because it teaches what I should/shouldn't do and it is has stories of Jesus and parables. Hang in there and don't give up! Keep reading even if it is getting stale. God lets things happen for a reason good/bad. God isn't basing outcomes on ur feelings... He isn't like that. He bases outcomes on what He knows is best for you no matter how it may hurt. Believe me I know (i wont go into details)
He knows the outcome for ur life; trust and obey.

 

Psalms is great to read and meditate on, and I would also suggest reading, meditating and praying through Isaiah 40-66. There is a lot there to encourage and guide in times of slumps. We all go through them and God uses them to grow us in our relationship with Him.

 

I believe every christian goes through 'spiritual slumps' from time to time. It is during those slumps that we must rely on Christ to carry us through as in the little story, 'Footprints in the Sand'.

 

We all go through spiritual slumps whether we like to admit it or not.There is a song (I can"t remember the title)that has a line that says,"thankyou for the valleys I walk through today,the more I walk the more I learn to pray." The key is to keep on keeping on.
Have you thought about doing some topical Bible studies?I am sure you have some questions you would like to get answers for.You could do a search in Naves Topical Bible or R.A. Torrey's "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" that might help you.
Your honesty in your post tells me you are on your way to healing and the battle is partially won already.

 

I have a favorite song that goes:

Now, some may argue, but that is for the broken and contrite, searching sinner's soul. Maybe, but it can also apply to the new convert who suddenly finds his enthusiasm going stale.

Preachers sometimes wake up with no desire at all to open the Bible, no desire to pray, just like you. In a kind of spiritual vacuum. But the secret is persistence. Keep on keepin' on.

This is the fourth stanza:

When we get to that point in our walk that you're describing, remember that Jesus was the One who hang on that tree, and you in Him. Paul said:

>>Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27).<<

Just git down on your knees, pray, pray, pray, and let the Spirit take over.

The last stanza of the song:

 

I've been through the valley and been on the mountain. The key is to ground yourself on the truths found in Scripture and remind yourself of the promises of God. Continue to pray and read Scripture. Don't give up. You will get through this.

 

Thankyou Seth&Matt'smom for your honesty, that is the first step of getting back on track, so you are already on the way there!

Keep listening to Charles Swindoll, he is a solid man of God and will encourage you in the faith. He has many good sermons, and I think that you may well be interested in his new book called "Getting through the tough stuff" As listed here -

http://orders.koorong.com.au/product/details?code=0849991315

Another suggestion I have for you is to throw yourself into the fellowship of Christians and surround yourself with people that encourage you in the faith. Why not consider if you have the time becoming a volunteer at your local Christian radio station? That can be a great way to be encouraged, meet new people and at the same time take part in service for the kingdom which in my experience has been the best way to shake off those shackles!