How To Overcome Spiritual Weariness

Are you feeling weary or spiritually exhausted? Here is a Biblical guide and teaching on how to overcome spiritual weariness.

How To Overcome Spiritual Weariness

I have received many messages from my blog readers, asking to know what they could do to break away from the spirit of weariness. 

In this article, we will discuss spiritual weariness—as much as the Holy Spirit gives inspiration—and towards the end of the article, we will will pray against the spirit of weariness.

My prayer is for every Christian today who is currently experiencing spiritual weariness of any sort, is that the Spirit of God guides them to locate this teaching, and by so doing they may obtain lasting solution against this spiritual menace.

What Is Spiritual Weariness? 


Weariness means extreme tiredness, fatigue or exhaustion. It is natural for humans to feel exhausted after working hard for a long time. 

It can also be defined as the unwillingness to continue experiencing a particular thing, due to the fact that one has experienced it for a long time. So that particular experience begins to bore the individual. 

I'd also add that natural weariness isn't as serious and deadly as spiritual weariness. 

You're expected to get bored if you've been watching the same TV programme all day long. You would naturally stop watching it, get some rest, go for a walk or get yourself busy with something else. 

But when it comes to spirituality, weariness becomes very threatening to a man's very existence and to God's purpose for his life. 

For example, a Christian is not expected to grow weary of praying everyday or give up on prayer—despite the fact that prayer may sometimes seem like a boring and tiring daily routine. 

You can get tired of being a fan of a football club—that won't affect your existence. But you cannot get tired of talking to God or walking with Him, and expect your life to remain the same. 

This is so because spirituality is the core of our existence. You can't get tired of being spiritual and expect to find a [better] replacement for it. 

Spiritual weariness is something no Christian should treat lightly. Those who know its effects never wish to experience it.

It is first of all, a serious threat to the spiritual growth and effectiveness of a Christian. It hampers the overall advancement of the end time Church. 

What The Bible Says About Spiritual Weariness


We live in the last days, where Believers go through diverse kinds of life-threatening challenges. We live in the days of intense persecution, spiritual opposition, tribulations, pain and suffering. With all of these hitting the Christian from all sides, it becomes really difficult to stay spiritually afloat, year in, year out. 

No matter how powerful a Christian may be, at some point in their walk with God, they are bound the feel the weight of spiritual fatigue on their spiritual life.

The spirit of weariness isn't scared of the most powerful Christian; it actually goes for the Spirit-filled and blazing Christians—those who are out and about the Father's business. 

Isaiah 40:30-31 KJV
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

No one would think that the spirit of weariness would leave the elderly and go after the youths. But the Bible says that is exactly what it does: the spirit of weariness attacks the strongest. That is something to ponder on.

As young ministers of the Gospel, I can tell that we do everything within our capacity to ensure that Isaiah 40:30 doesn't manifest in our life. But while doing so, it is important that we have a backup plan, which could enable us rise up even stronger, if the spirit of weariness strikes. 

I understand your longing to stay spiritually vibrant and ablaze at all times, but my advice is that you also prepare and equip yourself for the day of slumber. So that you don't become helpless when it comes. 

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
 
In Matthew 11:28-29, our Lord Jesus Christ made us understand that a season of spiritual tiredness is inevitable. Among His sheep, there's definitely going be those who become “weary and heavy ladened”. 

The Lord has also gone ahead of us to make provision for such a time. When it comes, you can go to Him to cast all your cares on Him and find rest for your soul

Let it not sound strange to you that there are many Christians out there today, who are living in a state of perpetual spiritual exhaustion. They are struggling to come out of it, but to no avail. The solution is simple: allow the Lord Jesus to restore and strengthen you!

  • Many who have been in ministry for some time, do experience a burnt-out. 
  • Some are exhausted from regular and daily praying. 
  • There are Christians whose level of spiritual doggedness reduced beyond minimum, due to spiritual weariness. 
  • There are others whose spiritual life keeps on declining daily, instead of skyrocketing. 

Probably, you're someone who has been on fire for God in the past years, but due to the pressures of the world or some other circumstances, you watched that fire dissipate till it eventually quenched. 

You may have lost that fiery zeal you once had for the Lord and His work, but I am here to encourage to you today, that you can get ignited for God and His kingdom once again!

Our Lord Jesus says to you today, “Come to me, I will give you rest.” The “rest” which He promised us here often comes with a revival. If He sent you to do His work, He has also made provision for your revitalizing when you run out of energy. 

Indeed, the Lord is our strength! He will lighten our burden; He will empower us to pick up our cross and run the race once again, full of vigour and vitality!

It is a great thing to be able to keep active watch against the encroachment of spiritual weariness into our walk with God. It is also wise to know how to break loose from the shackles of spiritual exhaustion, if one got caught in it. 

If you are currently in your lowest spiritual state—and you're willing to pick up from where you stopped in your pursuit for God and His Kingdom—I want to assure you again that you can rise above that level you were with God before. It's about determination!

Signs Of Spiritual Weariness


I've had people come to me with concerns like;
“Man of God, I was once very prayerful, but now I don't seem to understand what's happening to me.”
“Sir, I can't even pray for ten minutes these days.”
“Sir, I used to fast and pray weekly before, but these days I cannot fast anymore.”

I understand that feeling of tiredness, because I myself have been there. It is very relatable. You are not alone. 

Sometimes, you could wake up in the morning to start your day but don't feel like praying or doing anything spiritual. There are days you would wake up to realise that talking to God seems like a boring daily routine. That is when spiritual weariness starts creeping in. 

When studying the Word begins to seem boring and tiring to a Christian, spiritual weariness is working its way into the life of that Christian. When you begin to notice that you sleep off whenever you open your Bible to read, the spirit of weariness is at work. 

But understand that, feeling spiritually tired after years and months of consistent walk with God doesn't make you less of a Christian. It doesn't make you a bad Christian. 

If a Christian slacks and slumbers in their walk with the Lord, that doesn't mean they have lost their crown and God has forsaken them. 

Those who are fond of mocking other Believers for going through a season of spiritual exhaustion, need to be reminded that the Bible says, “Let the one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” - 1 Corinthians 10:12. They need to be reminded that they are not an exception. Spiritual weariness can catch anyone off-guard. 

I reiterate that, spiritual weariness is not exclusive to a certain category of Christians. Every genuine Christian will occasionally grow weary spiritually. The fact that it doesn't happen to you yet, doesn't mean you are a better and stronger Christian than others. 

If you are strong enough today and riding on the chariots of fire, thank God for you! But that is not enough reason to look down on and accuse the brethren who are in a place of slumber. Instead of persecuting them, why not give them helping hand? Help them rise again. 

If we could be strong enough to run the race throughout our lifetime without feeling spiritually drained at any moment, how then could we learn to lean on God? 

The possibility of getting worn-out spiritually shows us how much we need God in order to stand. The Lord says, “without Me you can do nothing” - John 15:5.
 
Let us be reminded that a Christian is not omnipotent; only our God is. God is all powerful. He never slumbers nor sleeps. We only draw from His strength. So don't condemn yourself because you slumbered, because the Lord has not condemned you. 

A season of slumber may come, but God doesn't expect us to slumber and remain in that posture. 

Proverbs 24:16 NLT
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.  

The Bible says that the righteous man falls seven times but rises again. The righteous man is not consumed in their slumber. It is the enemy who wants you to remain in that place of slumber so that he can slay you. Don't let him have his way! 

It is needful that we are able to recognize the signs of spiritual weariness early enough, so as to work towards breaking out of it before it does its worst. 

Spiritual Fatigue Symptoms


It is easier to break out of spiritual weariness when it starts creeping in, than trying to revive from it when the harm has already been done. Much better if we can identify the symptoms before spiritual fatigue takes a toll on us. 

Below are some symptoms of spiritual weariness that every Christian should watch out for:

  1. Boredom: When the spiritual things you once enjoyed doing begin to bore you, know that spiritual weariness is fast creeping in. 
  2. Tiredness: When engaging in spiritual activities gets you tired easily, the spirit of weariness is already at work. 
  3. Exhaustion: When you start feeling spiritually drained—like you have no energy left for any sort of spiritual activity—know that the spirit of weariness is working hard to cripple your spiritual life. 
  4. Discouragement: You begin to lack motivation or the driving force to continue walking with the Lord and engaging in spiritual activities.  

It is likely that you have experienced some of the above symptoms (at least once) in your walk with the Lord. But spiritual exhaustion shouldn't be the end of the tunnel for a Christian. I see it as a phase every Christian goes through—you ought to see and treat it that same way. 

Isaiah 40:29 NIV
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

The Bible says that Lord gives strength to the weary. He increases the power of the weak. If you position yourself to receive His strengthening and fortification, He will give that to you just as He promised in His Word!  

Causes Of Spiritual Weariness


Spiritual fatigue doesn't just happen out of the blue. If you feel spiritually drained, try to ponder on how your spiritual life has progressed to its present state. You should be able to pinpoint one or two factors that led to the spiritual weariness. 

Let's take a look at the prevalent ones as follows:

1. Persistent Attacks From The Enemy


The major target for spiritual attacks from the enemy, are often those Christians the enemy deems as a threat to his activities. They are the very ones he will launch all manner of attacks against, in his efforts to take them down. 

One of deadliest but subtle attacks from the enemy against such people is spiritual weariness. The intent is to first of all weaken them spiritually, before proceeding to the offensive. If they are weakened, he can then launch the next line of attacks to eliminate them. 

Some Christians are like war-thorn soldiers. Their entire life from childhood to adulthood is like a battlefield—plagued with spiritual warfare! 

It is natural for such Christians to occasionally experience spiritual weariness. Except you've been there before, you won't understand the pressure that comes from being attacked day and night. 

2. Burn-Out Due To Excessive Stress In Ministry


For some Christians, the only thing that gets them drained spiritually is being actively involved in ministry work, without setting apart adequate time to rejuvenate. 

If the pressure from being in active ministry is slightly mismanaged, it can send the servant of God into a state of spiritual exhaustion—faster than expected. 

3. Spiritual Lethargy Due To Sinfulness


The enemy tempts and works hard to lead a Christian into sin, because that is one of the fastest ways he could get them drained of their spiritual vitality. 

No Christian should expect to live in sin and continually remain full of the Anointing and fire. 

4. Neglecting One's Daily Devotion


It is in spending quality time with the Lord daily, that a Christian receives refilling, strengthening and revival of the Holy Spirit. When there are excuses for not doing that, spiritual weariness will set in. 

5. Delayed Answers To Prayers


Loss of faith due to delayed answers to prayer can leave a Christian feeling drained and spiritually weak. The moment a Christian loses the motivation to continue in prayer (for whatever reason), spiritual fatigue will soon set in.

These are just to mention but a few. 

Steps To Overcome Spiritual Weariness


A Christian can take the steps below to overcome spiritual weariness:

Step 1: Approach The Throne Of Grace 


When our Lord Jesus Christ said, “come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest,” He was simply pointing us to the throne of Grace. 

Hebrews 4:16 KJV
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Approach the throne of Grace by;
  1. Going to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer 
  2. Tell the Lord about your weariness
  3. Ask Him to revive and restore you. 

The Bible says that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. Making it a habit to approach the throne of Grace daily can go a long way to keep us out of spiritual weariness. It can as well refresh, restore, revive and re-energize the already weary. 

Step 2: Prioritize Your Daily Devotion


We either become more spiritual or less spiritual, depending on what we do each day of our life. Make it intentional to treat your daily devotion life as utmostly important. Whether prayer feels boring or tastes bitter some days, pray anyway. 

Develop a healthy habit of not going a day without spending quality time with the Lord in prayer, the Word or in worship. 

Step 3: Watch Out For Future Signs Of Spiritual Weariness


We have been enlightened on the numerous signs of spiritual weariness. You have to watch out for them. The righteous doesn't necessarily have to fall a million times before they get it right. 

Final Thoughts On Spiritual Weariness


If spiritual weariness successfully gets hold of a Christian and cripples them spiritually, that is not the end of that Christian. It shouldn't be seen that way either. 

I understand how difficult it is to raise a Christian who has dwelt in a state of spiritual weariness for a long time, but let this article become your source of encouragement. You will rise again! 

No matter how deep you think you have fallen spiritually, you are not beyond redemption. With the Lord's help, you can pick up yourself and run the race again. Your comeback can be even more powerful!

When you have risen again, the below scripture should become one of your prayer points, and part and parcel of your life. Meditate on it, believe and live by it. 

Jude 1:24-25 NKJV
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

Go on and apply what you've learned in this teaching. Believe the word of the Lord—that He is able to keep you from falling. The power of the spirit of weariness is broken today. It can no longer have dominion over you. It will no longer be able to lay hold of you, in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ!


God bless you. 
Anointed And Gifted Christian Dream Interpreter, Christian Therapist, Writer And Web Designer.