If you have ever felt frustrated because you’re not making progress in your spiritual life, you are not alone. Many believers also experience times of spiritual dryness or desolation, those times when they feel they’re not moving forward in their walk with God.
The important thing is that you were able to identify the problem. Now, you can begin to take the necessary steps to re-ignite your faith.
If you would like to find progress again in your spiritual life, you can consider the following:
1. Find a time of silence and prayer
“The beginning of prayer is silence. If we really want to pray we must first learn to listen, for in the silence of the heart God speaks.” – Mother Teresa
The world is too noisy. Quite often, we cannot hear the gentle voice of God because of the overwhelming noise around us.
Find time when you can be still in prayer. Speak to God, but give Him time also to respond to you.
2. Avail of the sacraments
God gave us the sacraments because He wants to give us the grace pouring out through them.
If you haven’t confessed for a long time, schedule one with your parish today. You can also receive the Eucharist more often.
If you can spare more time, visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and there, find stillness and intimate prayer.
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” – John 6:51 (NABRE)
3. Have a deeper devotion to Mary
Mary is the one who leads us closer to her Son Jesus Christ. Do you pray the rosary? Do you reflect upon the sorrows of Mary?
Call on Mary today and ask her to help you make progress in your spiritual life.
“In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart. And that you may obtain the assistance of her prayer, neglect not to walk in her footsteps. With her for guide, you shall never go astray; while invoking her, you shall never lose heart; so long as she is in your mind, you are safe from deception; while she holds your hand, you cannot fall; under her protection you have nothing to fear; if she walks before you, you shall not grow weary; if she shows you favor, you shall reach the goal.” -Saint Bernard of Clairvaux
4. Read the Holy Bible
The Bible is the inspired word of God. Through it, we read about God’s revelation. We discover about Jesus Christ, His teachings and His miracles.
There is something that gives life to our souls whenever we read the Scriptures. If you want to reignite your faith, find time to read the Bible each day.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life,[a] and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” – John 1:1-5 (NRSVCE)
5. Read about the lives of the saints
The saints can teach us many things, not only through what they said but through what they did.
They, too, are human beings with weaknesses like us. But they were able to grow in faith and live holy lives.
Try to live The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux, The Mansions by St. Teresa of Avila or Divine Mercy In My Soul by St. Faustina.
Ask also for their intercession so that you may also grow in faith and overcome spiritual stagnation.
“God would never inspire me with desires which cannot be realized; so in spite of my littleness, I can hope to be a saint.”― St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Story of a Soul
6. Find a spiritual director
Some saints had spiritual directors that helped them identify the areas in their spiritual lives that needed to be addressed.
Pray that you may find a suitable spiritual director who can help you in your spiritual journey.
“Oh, how great a grace it is to have a spiritual director! One makes more rapid progress in virtue, sees the will of God more clearly, fulfills it more faithfully, and follows a road that is sure and free of dangers.” – St. Faustina (Divine Mercy In My Soul)
7. Let God take the lead
We must trust God’s wisdom that if we do our very best, He will not abandon us even when we’re experiencing times of spiritual stagnation.
If there is no sin or lack of devotion that is hindering you, surrender everything to God who knows how to lead you along the right path.
Accept these times of spiritual dryness and offer to Him the lack of spiritual sweetness in your prayers. Let God take the lead for He will never let you down.
“O God, you are my God—
it is you I seek!
For you my body yearns;
for you my soul thirsts,
In a land parched, lifeless,
and without water.”
-Psalm 63:2 (NABRE)
Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation
We must never be lukewarm in our spiritual walk with God. Instead, we must pursue it and never give up until we meet God face-to-face in heaven.
But if despite our best efforts, God allows us to experience times of spiritual dryness, let us not despair. Let us continue to entrust everything to God. After all, we are never alone in this journey of faith. We do our part to live holy lives. On the other hand, God is also doing His part, guiding us in ways only He can possibly accomplish, leading us to safety and drawing us ever closer to His heart.
“You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run.” ― Augustine of Hippo, Confessions
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NABRE)
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You may also want to read “Can You Imagine The Ecstasy Of The Holy Saints?”
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