Are you feeling discouraged, disconnected, or disillusioned with your faith? If so, you may be experiencing spiritual fatigue.
Spiritual fatigue is feeling tired or exhausted in your Christian journey.
Spiritual fatigue is also referred to as spiritual weariness or a lack of strength to push forward; in other words, when you feel spiritually drained, defeated, and at times sick of trying.
Everyone experiences spiritual weariness. It is part of the process of growing in deep relationship with Jesus.
I have experienced spiritual fatigue and weariness and have learned from these low points that God always walks beside us.
When spiritually drained, if we press into Jesus, we come through stronger, closer to God, and more mature in our faith.
Spiritual fatigue is inevitable because of the seasons and trials of life. But you don’t have to stay there.
For Christ-followers there is hope for what troubles your mind, body, or soul. Jesus doesn’t promise to take despair away, but He does promise to carry you until you see glimpses of His love and hope once again.
Spiritual fatigue reminds me of the times I tried to become an athlete. Yes, I have attempted to become a runner, swimmer, volleyball player, and tennis player.
But I have never found success. I am a really good walker, but I am not an athlete.
When I try to participate in sports, it seems I have weights on each leg that won’t let me move quickly. It also seems as if the ground becomes harder and I feel awkward. Can you relate? Probably not if you are an athlete!
When I try to force my body to accomplish things it can’t, I feel defeated and drained. The same sense of exasperation hits when we focus on what we can’t do in our faith instead of what Jesus wants us to do.
When we don’t trust God to guide us, it can lead to spiritual weariness.
Although I haven’t succeeded as an athlete, I have learned how to overcome spiritual fatigue by turning to God and recognizing when my spirit is drained and needs a recharge.
“I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain!”
Habakkuk 3:18-19 MSG
What is Spiritual Weariness?
There are many examples of spiritual weariness in the Bible.
Studying the Word of God helps us realize that characters in the Bible struggled, experienced spiritual fatigue and weariness, and needed healing.
Mary Magdalene Understood What is Spiritual Weariness
Can you imagine Mary’s despair after witnessing the crucifixion and death of her close friend Jesus?
But the presence of Christ comforts her weary heart just as He is available to comfort you.
When you experience loss and other sorrowful emotions, you can feel spiritually drained.
“Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her.
“Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?”
She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said.
John 20:11-16 NLT
Moses Understood What is Spiritual Weariness
As Moses and the Jewish people fled Egypt, they grew physically and spiritually weary.
Although God fulfilled promises, the Hebrews felt they made a mistake, did not like the changes, and had unmet expectations. These factors left them spiritually drained and questioning God.
When you make a mistake it can leave you spiritually and emotionally drained. But God redeems your mistakes.
“Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep whining to me, saying, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!”
Numbers 11:13-15 NLT
Job Understood What is Spiritual Weariness
Job lost everything, and spiritual weariness followed. In disappointment and sorrow, he calls out to God honestly and authentically.
During periods of confusion and feeling distant from God, He hears your cries and surrounds you with His grace and peace.
“Is not all human life a struggle? Our lives are like that of a hired hand, like a worker who longs for the shade, like a servant waiting to be paid. I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery. Lying in bed, I think, ‘When will it be morning?
‘But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn. My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle. They end without hope God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again feel happiness.”
Job 7:1-7 NLT
Paul Understood What is Spiritual Weariness
After being commissioned by God and changing the direction of his life, Paul experienced trials and defeats within the church.
He worked tirelessly preaching the good news only to face danger, betrayal, conflict, rejection, and lack of enthusiasm.
But through his spiritual weariness, he stayed on purpose and was used mightily to spread Christ’s message of redemption.
When you lose sight of your purpose or experience disappointment in relationships, God can bring spiritual healing.
“I have traveled many weary miles and have been often in great danger from flooded rivers and from robbers and from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the hands of the Gentiles.
I have faced grave dangers from mobs in the cities and from death in the deserts and in the stormy seas and from men who claim to be brothers in Christ but are not.
I have lived with weariness and pain and sleepless nights. Often I have been hungry and thirsty and have gone without food; often I have shivered with cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”
2 Corinthians 11:26-27 TLB
You learn from these Biblical characters that it is OK to call out to God from a place of physical and spiritual weariness.
When we understand what is spiritual weariness we avoid trying to fix our spirits alone or ignoring the problem. We learn isolation is dangerous and can cause us to replace God’s peace with a mixed bag of negative emotions about ourselves and others.
If you feel spiritually drained remember this place of emptiness can draw you closer to Him: God sees you. God understands. God will walk beside you.
Why do I Feel Spiritually Drained?
When you wonder, ‘Why do I feel spiritually drained’, it can cause you to question your faith and become discouraged.
But it helps to push through and persevere when you realize feelings come and go and do not dictate your identity in Christ, purpose, or who you are unless you let them.
When you feel spiritually drained it may seem like you are carrying a heavy suitcase filled with disappointment, mistakes, unforgiveness, confusion, or fear.
Many things lead to spiritual fatigue. By identifying what causes you to feel spiritually drained, you can address the issue before you start to feel hopeless and distant from God.
Here are five causes that seem to visit often:
It helps to recognize triggers to spiritual fatigue and try to manage and eliminate them as much as possible.
It requires us to examine your relationships, habits, and spiritual disciplines.
Although you experience many unpleasant situations, they don’t have to hold you captive and diminish your trust in God, His love and faithfulness, or His ability to guide you toward spiritual healing and fulfilling His plans.
“When there is no longer any opportunity for doubt, there is no opportunity for faith either.”
Philip Yancey
How to Overcome Spiritual Fatigue
To learn how to overcome spiritual fatigue we need to begin by admitting we are struggling, and that spiritual fatigue is a real problem that isn’t evaporating on its own.
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Pray
Does your prayer life need some refining? Are you struggling to communicate with God? Are you praying specifically for what is troubling you?
Prayer is simply talking to God and enjoying a growing relationship with Him.
We can call out to Him and express that we feel spiritually drained. We can ask for guidance and the comfort of His peace and love.
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Read the Bible and Other Christian Inspiration
There are many approaches and systems to reading the Bible.
There are no wrong ways to open up God’s word and hear from Him.
But when we are learning how to overcome spiritual fatigue, it helps to be very intentional in finding scripture that speaks to us exactly where we are.
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Talk to a Spiritual Mentor or Trusted Friends
Sometimes it is easy to ramble to anyone listening to our feelings. It just feels good to get things out!
But if we are experiencing spiritual fatigue it is best to work through our feelings with someone we trust who can mentor us and lead us back to Jesus. I have a friend who has mentored and set a great example of overcoming spiritual fatigue.
When I feel stuck, I have called her because she has walked before me in many situations. When we share with wise, trusted friends we get encouraged by hearing their stories of how God met them when they had to overcome spiritual fatigue.
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Attend a Retreat
Attending a spiritual retreat can refresh your mind, body, and soul. Many years ago, I attended an eight-hour silent retreat.
I was hesitant because that was a long time for me to be unable to speak! I signed up because I sensed the beginning of spiritual weariness settling on my spirit. The daylong retreat was a lifesaver that helped my connection with God and ignited my purpose.
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Celebrate Small Victories
When feeling spiritually drained, we have to establish new patterns and activities. We may experience one moment or day of relief but get discouraged when weariness returns.
We can learn to praise God in the moment and have a restart until we reach a victory in our souls.
Spiritual healing comes when we surrender control and celebrate God’s grace and mercy…one step at a time.
“The deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of pain, thanking God during a trial, trusting Him when tempted, surrendering while suffering, and loving Him when He seems distant.”
Rick Warren
Bible Verses to Overcome Spiritual Fatigue
God will speak to you when reading Bible verses.
Your spiritual health will improve through scripture especially when you recite and memorize verses.
6 Helpful Bible Verses
Here are six bible verses to overcome spiritual fatigue to nourish your soul and lead to spiritual healing and freedom.
- “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 NLT
- “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NLT
- “I’ll refresh tired bodies; I’ll restore tired souls.” Jeremiah 31:25 MSG
- “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NLT
- “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 MSG
- “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Books for Spiritual Healing
Although it is normal to experience spiritual fatigue, it is dangerous to stay in a place of drought. God wants to lead you to spiritual healing and freedom.
3 Helpful Books
Here are three books that may provide insights into your spiritual healing path.
Reaching for the Invisible God by Philip Yancey
“Life with God doesn’t always work out like you think it should. High expectations slam against the reality of personal weaknesses and unwelcome surprises. And the God who, you’ve been told, wants a personal relationship with you may seem remote, emotionally unavailable.
Is God playing games? What can you count on this God for? How can you know God? This relationship with a God you can’t see, hear, or touch–how does it really work?”
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
“Living out the purpose you were created for moves you beyond survival or success to a life of significance–the life you were meant to live.
You will discover the five benefits of knowing your purpose:
- It will explain the meaning of your life.
- It will simplify your life.
- It will focus your life.
- It will increase your motivation.
- It will prepare you for eternity.”
Winning the War in Your Mind by Craig Groeschel
“Are your thoughts out of control–just like your life? Do you long to break free from the spiral of destructive thinking? Let God’s truth become your battle plan to win the war in your mind!
We’ve all tried to think our way out of bad habits and unhealthy thought patterns, only to find ourselves stuck with an out-of-control mind and off-track daily life.
Pastor and New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel understands deeply this daily battle against self-doubt and negative thinking, and in this powerful new book he reveals the strategies he’s discovered to change your mind and your life for the long-term.”
Overcoming Spiritual Fatigue Leads to Spiritual Healing
Are you experiencing spiritual fatigue? If so, call out to God and tell Him; be honest with how you are feeling.
Wait on Him and He will meet you right where you are and lead you out of despair and into the joy of His spirit.
Overcoming spiritual fatigue is possible and leads to spiritual healing and an invigorated relationship with Jesus!
Author
Mary Rooney Armand
Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing is featured on multiple Christian websites. She is the author of, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I Am in Christ” and Life Changing Stories—a collaboration with 34 authors available on Amazon.
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This is so true…especially the retreat and silence part for me, more recently.
Spiritual fatigue is a thing!
Thanks for reading and so glad you found spiritual healing through a retreat! I love retreats too.
Love the advice, Mary! I think I am struggling with this. I just feel like there are so many people around me suffering that I get discouraged. But, I think because I am praying about, God is sending me help…. my devotion this morning was related to this and now your article too. I can already feel my attitude shifting to the positives!
Kay, I understand and get weary too! But God does always show up…Thanks for reading!
It’s really an eye opener especially after realising the situation I’m experiencing and this message really helped and I believe will bring more guidance and spiritual health.
thanks Author
This was SO timely! I had lately been feeling a tad un-motivated, not getting back into worship leading ever since we moved from TX to FL two years ago. I don’t think I had pegged this as spiritual fatigue, but maybe it’s worth pursuing why I’ve been feeling like this. Thanks for writing and sharing.
Coppelia, may God guide you to find spiritual peace! Thanks for reading and I pray it is helpful!
Thanks so much for putting a name to this for me.
Lauren, thank you for reading and I pray it was helpful!
Silence is a good idea every day. Jesus called the disciples to rest in lonely or quiet places, the secret place of the Most High. Learning His rest, the Sabbath rest of Hebrews for is key.
Mary, thanks for not only the explanation for what we all experience at times, but giving such good, practical, biblical responses.
Donna, thanks for stopping by and reading!
Thank you for such a deeply sensitive response to a real problem for many of us. I appreciate the resources you provided by way of books, verses, tips, and advice to overcome or prevent spiritual fatigue.
Suzette, thanks for reading and so glad the resources were helpful!
Thank you so much for your response i was so exhausted physical and emotional but your verses helped me to remember
oh i love this so much! thank you for sharing this. I can so relate especially lately. I attended a retreat (online) this weekend that helped refresh me. All your suggestions are great for refreshing our hearts in Him.
Mariel, thanks so much for reading and I am grateful it was helpful!
I have been through a lot in the last few years and though I seem to have let go of those things, I still feel stuck and not moving forward. I feel spent and cannot put in all the work I normally would. Something led me to type a statement about feeling spiritually weak on the internet and I find myself here. I hope I can really get some of those books you recommended and read them. I hope things get better for me and mine soon. Thank you for the article.
[…] Rooney Armand of Butterfly Living gave me a name for something I did not know I was experiencing in What is Spiritual Fatigue? And How to Overcome It. The author gives us signs to look for to “diagnose” this “condition” and […]
[…] not whole and complete in Christ, I struggled to keep expectations in check. I expected others to fill my empty spots or complete […]
[…] When challenges and struggles arrive, preparation on how to overcome obstacles is important to help us stay focused on God and not grow weary. […]
Hey Mary,
Thank you for this. I’m not done reading yet, but this has been insightful and comforting so far. May God continue to use you to be a blessing. In Jesus name. Amen.
Love from ??
Hadassah,
I am always thankful when God uses my words to touch others. Thank you for reading and I pray you are continually blessed!
Hi there
This was so insightful, I definitely have my days of spiritual fatigue. Today was one of them so i was looking for encouragement and scripture. I found that here. My trigger is unmet expectations & just feeling stuck. In all things I believe that God is good. Thanks for the advice & God bless.
Nancy,
thanks for stopping by and I pray God will continue to bless you and surround you with His encouragement. Unmet expectations can get to most of us but lead to a more intimate relationship with Jesus…He never lets us down! Many blessings!
Hello want to thank you for your advice and guidance. I’ve heard heard about spiritual fatigue before but you really broadened my understanding and you where so spot on. I can definitely relate to Jobs experience. The 5 reasons that could bring this fatigue are basically and similar to my experience. Your experience and advice altimitly and, right understanding will restore us.
Thanks for all advice and wisdom.
Alejandro, Thank you for your kind words and we pray you find encouragement through ButterflyLiving. Many blessings!
Hi, thank you for your article and I can relate to it. Thank you also for the very important message to throw your burden on Jesus.
I want to add another reason for spiritual fatigue which is wrong companionship. I just realized it yesterday evening. We were in an online prayer meeting and had so much fun and were amazed about Gods wonders he did. Then a person came in and it started to get strange. He just listened and when we asked him and tried to involve him, he told us, he just wanted to “check us out”. And when I asked him about his prayer requests (because it was a prayer meeting) my spirit was on high alert because of his answers and how he answered. It was like somehow the spirit(s) behind this person were sucking out my joy and strength.
Thanks to God it was already very late and the meeting ended soon after that. So afterwards I met in private with my brother and we had the Lords supper and forgave and blessed this man. That helped. So this made me aware of how other people can influence you in a wrong way (or in a blessing way).
Elisabeth, thanks for adding your wisdom to my article on spiritual fatigue. The relationships in our life are definitely important and either lift us up or drain us. Many blessings and thanks for reading and contributing to the conversation!
incredible motivation in your blog.
Thank you and God bless!
Thank you for this page; I’m experiencing spiritual fatigue at the moment. It’s quite tough at times to consistently overcome our sins/weaknesses, especially during the severe moments of said sins. A life committed to His ways is full of responsibilities & a high standard & when I fall, it can be super exhausting to even want to get back up & get back on the straight & narrow path.
Anyways, this page has been a nice reminder that whatever I’ve gone through & am going through, it totally pales in comparison to what Job, Moses, David, Paul & others went through before us & makes our struggles microscopic in comparison.
Thanks again & may God continue to bless your work!
Greg, I pray the Lord guides you to strength and a closer walk with Him. Thanks for reading and I am always encouraged when God’s message is spread and helps others through my writing. Many blessings!
Just want to say thank you for taking time to share your thoughts and experience. I am glad I found this post.
God Bless and Keeps You
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! God bless your journey!
I was saved in 1986. Back then and for the first few years, the bible was interesting to me and I grew quite close to Jesus. But like everything else in life, the relationship grew old and soon faded away. I’ve moved on now and can honestly say that I am happier for it.
Thanks for reading and commenting. My prayer for you is to experience a relationship with Jesus that never fades away. You may have moved on but He never will!
Am from Kenya, honestly I need God to help me I feel so drained am almost zero am an orphan my mum just passed away am straining friends, help me with prayers I saw my dad ailing and died
Thank you very much for this article and information. I was looking for something to identify how I feel and my concerns and this nailed it. I would love to share this info and give credit to use on our podcast via youtube.
– Church Folks be Talking.
Again, this info is needed and the message has been received.
Dr. Frankie, I am glad the article was helpful to you. Please feel free to use it on your podcast just credit Mary Armand at ButterLiving as the source. Many blessings and I hope the information is helpful to your listeners!
[…] Although not all depression is linked to discouragement, repeated, unchecked discouragement can cause us to become depressed and ineffective for God’s work. […]
[…] the reasons I have repeatedly questioned whether God can help me overcome fear with faith is that I was not investing enough into my faith to trust […]
Hello, I so needed this lesson, it is very insightful because it put a name to what I had been experiencing, now that it has been identified, I can break free. Thank you and may God continue to bless you to reach the masses of people with His Word that brings healing.
Thank you for sharing your journey with me! I pray God continues to guide you to break free from fatigue and discover the joy of the Lord…moment by moment. Many blessings to you!
[…] are five triggers that can contribute to spiritual […]
[…] are five triggers that can contribute to spiritual […]
Hey MARY,thank you so much for sharing this knowledge, this is what i’ve been going through for the past two months , its been hard to serve in the worship team and to even understand what could this be. i later stated feeling is not right in my spirit and thats when i got the revelation could it be spiritual fatigue , i thought of searching if there something like that and i landed on this article, and i can say am encouraged and i hope and pray to find spiritual healing soon
Praying you are guided by the Spirit and this Psalm (40:1-8) brings you hope. “I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing a hymn of praise to our God.”
This is what I needed to hear I have insight now how to move forward, but also tools what to do, I am feeling exactly at describe, drained and helpless, but I also know even in the valley I must praise Him
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Mary thanks for the positive and motivating word. This came at right time for my case because i have been facing the problem, often times. Thanks indeed.