So… you’re in a spiritual funk (been there). You read your Bible, but don’t learn a thing. You pray, but nothing happens. You sing, but don’t feel God’s presence. All your Christian friends seem to be “on fire for God,” yet you’re doubting your faith. While you should be grateful for the sense of God’s nearness, and the times when you’re rapidly progressing in godliness, this is not always the norm. The Christian life can be filled with peaks and troughs, and sometimes you’ll hit a funk.

So here’s five things to consider if you find yourself in a season of spiritual funk:

1. Pray

During this time, it is important to stay connected to God and seek Him [through prayer], even if you don’t feel like it. Prayer is how we stay close to God and hear from Him. It helps give us a different perspective and requires our submission. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings with God. Seek Him for help. Ask Him as many questions as you need to. Reflect on what has happened. Ask Him to reveal things to you and speak into your life. He wants to hear from you and help you, but you have to seek Him in order to do so. Don’t neglect it!

2. Examine your devotional life

Without regular, extensive time spent with the spiritual disciplines (Bible reading, prayer, etc), you simply won’t experience much spiritual strength. Feed on Christ daily. The Word of God, ministered to you by the Holy Spirit, will heal you in every way. It will encourage every discouraged heart. It will lift up every downcast soul. It will shed light on every dark situation. It will bring you into all truth, because Jesus is the Truth, and the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth.

3. Consider your idols

Some form of idolatry might be the number one strain on your spiritual growth. Elevating things like marriage and money and success to the place of God in your life will hinder your progress. And it could be that God is using this season to reveal your idols, as it were, and wake you up. Nevertheless, idols must be replaced, not just removed. If you don’t replace an idol with the gospel, another will grow. In the context of community and prayer, consider the idols that may have led you to this funk.

4. Have accountability

Tell someone you’re in a funk. Ask them to pray for you. Meet with them regularly. God has placed people around you to help. I love love love being part of a connect group with God-fearing women, discussing God’s Word and growing in our faith. We were meant for community. The author of Hebrews says it well, we must continue meeting together spurring each other on [see Hebrews 10:24-25].

5. Thank God for everything

When I am in a funk, the Holy Spirit gently reminds me of all the things for which I should be thankful. Thankfulness is essential to the Christian life, and unthankfulness is actually offensive to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says ‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus’.

God is so faithful. Even if we wander, God remains true. He loves you. He cares for you. He pours out on you blessing after blessing. So please, if you’re in a funk, start thanking Him for everything you can think of. It will help you come to your senses.