When my daughter had passed away at the age of 19 in 2019, our family had felt like we had been in a non-stop battle for Taylor's healing and when it didn't happen; when things didn't turn out the way we had hoped, we were physically and spiritually exhausted.
I was so crippled from pain those first few months that I couldn't get the words out to worship in church service, I couldn't bear to listen to any worship songs, and I was without words when it came to talking to God. -All I could say to him was "why her?", " why us?", and "I want my daughter back".
I cried every day, sometimes multiple times a day, for the first year. I tried to sleep in as long as possible and went to bed early because I wanted the days to go by fast so I wouldn't feel time passing so slowly. The grief was incredibly fatiguing and I wanted it to stop but the problem was that I couldn't stop it.
As time went on and I began the process of becoming a certified Life Coach, I was able to navigate the grieving process better. However, I felt like I wasn't back to the level of spiritual strength that I had before my daughter had passed away and that frustrated me.
It wasn't until I acknowledged and accepted that I was spiritually worn out and weak that I began the journey to come back from spiritual fatigue.
Step 1: Acknowledge & Accept that You are Spiritually Fatigued
That seems like a given right? But how many of us take the time for self reflection after a spiritual battle? -yes, I said spiritual battle because the physical and spiritual are linked, both need care.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12
We are in a battle and most of us forget that. When you are tired from fighting and take a break from your faith, that doesn't change the fact that the battle continues. The enemy doesn't rest.
So what's next? Take your stand. Don't give in. Don't give up.
Step 2: Make a Plan to Press into God (even when you have very little energy to give)
If you are too fatigued to worship, turn on worship music and listen.
If you are too fatigued to pray, start with "God help me".
If you are too fatigued to read the Bible, listen to an audio version.
If you are too fatigued to fellowship with other believers, just reach out to 1 friend who will have the spiritual strength to encourage you, lift you up, and pray for you.
Each day you do this, you are strengthening your spiritual self.
Step 3: Acknowledge that You Can't Do it On Your Own
This is one of the hardest ones for me because I'm a very stubborn, self-sufficient, do-it-myself type of person. But I wanted to come back from spiritual fatigue more than I wanted to stay down. I missed my spiritual fierceness.
So after a time of building my spiritual strength up, I finally had the energy to have a real heart-to-heart with God. I surrendered. I told him that I can't do this on my own and I need him to hold onto me tightly no matter how hard I struggle to press in. So he did and still is.
This past year I've felt a noticeable difference. I feel like my strength has been renewed. I'm motivated, inspired, and working on my next book!
I'm coming back from spiritual fatigue and if God is able to help me through it, I know he will help you too.
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