I’m going to admit something that most people think shouldn’t happen to people who serve in ministry.  I have felt spiritually numb.

That’s right!  I have felt like my prayers went up and bounced back off the ceiling.  I have struggled to sit through worship service.  I have wondered whether or not God realized what I was going through.

You see, sometimes life throws so much at you that it can lead you to withdraw.  Sometimes you get hurt when others lie about you, misrepresent you, or treat you terribly.  There are numerous things that can leave you feeling spiritually numb.

To top it off, discouragement leads to feeling numb, and that numbness can then lead to deeper discouragement.  However, this does not mean that you have necessarily lost your faith.  It definitely does not mean that God has abandoned you.  It means that your feelings have brought you to this point.

Praise God!  Feelings change.

God does not change.  In fact, in Psalm 34:18 gives us a promise: “The LORD is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.”  And God has promised: “I will never leave you or abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

So, let’s work through this.

First – Be honest with God.

Say out loud what you feel inside.  God already knows.

Take a look throughout the Psalms, and you will see over and over how the authors brought their fears, feelings, and doubts to God.  You’ll see phrases like, “How long, Lord?  Will You forget me forever?  I am lonely and afflicted.”  They didn’t pretend because they knew that somehow God did hear them.

One of the first things we need to do is be honest with ourselves about what we are feeling by being honest as we call out to God.  And it’s what God wants us to do: “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him.  God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

Then – Start small and move forward.

If you wait for the numbness to end, it is going to harm you further.  Start doing what you know you should be doing – a little at a time.

Try reading one of the Psalms each day.  Read a portion from the Gospels.  Spend a few minutes in prayer.  Write down things that you are thank for, and thank God for them.  And make sure you keep going to church, so you will be surrounded by others who are worshiping.

It isn’t that you are trying to earn something from God.  God already has given you His love and grace.  But these things help you refocus as you begin the process of reclaiming where you should be.

Then – Begin being honest with yourself.

It’s time to determine what lies below the surface, so ask God to help you see what’s happening inside you.  In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

So, come to Him.

You may be hurt, grieving, overwhelmed, tired, fearful…  It’s time to get the truth out in the open.  You cannot work on what you don’t know needs to be worked on.

And know that the same grace that saved you is available to help you in your pain.

Then – Lean on your Faith Family.

Sadly, many people in our churches are not reliable.  They are quicker to spread gossip than to carry another’s burden.

However, many Christians are reliable.  Many are trustworthy.  Many are willing to walk with you, and you need them.

The heaviness of spiritual numbness often gets worse when you are on your own.  You need someone who can encourage you, pray for you, and help you.  Let them know that you need them.

Finally – Keep trusting God.

I cannot tell you how long the numbness will last.  But, I can tell you (from experience) that it does not last when you keep trusting God.

Remember that your feelings may affect your spirit, but your faith is not based on feelings.  Your faith is based on who God is, what He has done, and what He has in store.  And God does not change.

Keep trusting Him.

Keep doing what you know you should as you ask God to help you out of the numbness.  He will come through.

A great book to check out for more on this subject is Invitation to Solitude and Silence. Click the picture below to find out more…