Through My Own Eyes: A Blog About Biblical Topics

In today’s world, believers need to be highly alert in their walk with God, but often we feel restless, exhausted, and sluggish about our spiritual practices, which we once enthusiastically pursued with Christ. Regardless of where we are in the world, we can agree that maintaining our spiritual disciplines (such as Bible reading, prayer, and serving) is becoming increasingly tiresome and difficult, which means we need to be more vigilant as the end times unfold – rest assured that God will ultimately triumph. Since God ultimately triumphs, we can find encouragement in this truth; so, what should we do when we feel lethargic about our regular disciplines? Based on my previous experiences with lethargy and what Scripture says about it, I will discuss how to overcome these periods of depression. Follow along as we dive into these points.

As we understand it, lethargy refers to intense fatigue and/or a lack of energy towards basic care needs, whereas in biblical terms, it means being drowsy and sluggish towards spiritual matters. Tiredness is a real issue, and spiritual lethargy is no exception; however, Scripture emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and accountable to God, as mentioned in multiple passages, including Romans 14:12, where we are reminded that we will be judged for our actions. As believers, we need to be alert, so let’s start by addressing my first point: overcoming lethargy:

Point 1: Identifying when spiritual lethargy began.

In my opinion, the first and most important step when you’re feeling lethargic is to identify when the sluggishness started. When lethargy sets in and you fail to recognize it, you’ll continue with your daily routine as if nothing is amiss, and eventually, you’ll start to drift away from your regular Bible reading and prayer habits; this happens because Satan is always on the lookout for believers who are struggling in their walk with Christ.

According to 1 Peter 5:8 in the English Standard Version, it is written, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”. As a believer, you’re on the devil’s radar, and he constantly watches for opportunities to influence your thoughts and cause you to stumble, which is why it’s essential to recognize when you feel spiritually drowsy and apathetic.

A major red flag is when we feel less inclined to read the Bible or pray to God, as these activities are essential to our communion with the Lord. Another way to determine if we’re lethargic is if we’re not motivated to help our neighbors. No matter where you are in your life, whether in your walk with God or daily living, there is always someone to serve, someone less fortunate than us, and God wants us to serve them.

When we realize that we have become lethargic, we spare ourselves from unnecessary hardship. Knowing when we become lethargic is the first step to overcoming it, and the next step is as follows:

Point 2: Identifying the causes of spiritual lethargy.

The next step in overcoming spiritual lethargy is defining what made you become lethargic in the first place. Understanding the factors that led to your spiritual lethargy will help you determine the best course of action moving forward.

During times when I felt spiritually sluggish, I found it helpful to examine my attitude towards spiritual disciplines and identify any changes; I’d often go from being passionate about the Lord to feeling bored and apathetic, and I realized that this shift was usually caused by burnout from life’s responsibilities.

I was overwhelmed by constant tiredness and work-related stress, and I suspect you might be feeling the same way. You might be experiencing burnout or fatigue, which is a form of lethargy, but Scripture offers a solution to overcome it.

In 1 Kings 19:4 (ESV), we see an example of burnout in the story of Elijah, who went a day’s journey into the wilderness, sat under a broom tree, and prayed to die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers”.

In this section of the book of 1 Kings, we encounter the influential prophet Elijah, who famously challenged the priests and followers of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah had been on a streak, challenging the priests and Ahab, but when Jezebel threatened him, he started to feel burned out. I can imagine the massive burnout Elijah must have felt after experiencing those spiritual highs, only to realize someone wanted to kill him, which led him to isolate himself in a cave.

When we’re engaged in ministry or serving the Lord and overcoming spiritual battles, there’s often one particular thing that throws us off, leaving us feeling sluggish and burned out – a phenomenon Elijah was no stranger to. God sent a raven to feed him and spoke to him in a still small voice. While we may not have a raven provide for us (which would indeed be unusual!), we can learn to trust in the Lord, take time to nourish, and even cook a meal for someone in need. We will inevitably face tiring times, but when we rest in God, we find ourselves replenished and ready to move forward again.

Understanding the causes of our lethargy will help us move forward; based on my experiences with God, the next step is to revisit the fundamentals of our faith:

Point 3: Getting back to the basics.

What is something that you do to get back on track with God? What is a key part of the process of becoming a born-again believer? Repent!

When the harshness of the world leaves you feeling lethargic, God understands, knowing the world’s cruelty better than anyone. However, He commands you to repent, because He didn’t die for your sins so that you could remain lethargic. It involves an act of the will, to choose if you want to remain in that sluggish state, or get back on fire for God. He knows that lethargy is a real thing, but being sluggish towards Him is unacceptable and needs to be addressed.

As John the Apostle wrote in 1 John 1:9, if we confess our sins to God, He is willing to forgive them. God is faithful and knows we will make mistakes, and He is more than willing to forgive us if we have been lethargic – He forgives us, but He expects us to refocus on Him. It is essential to choose to repent of the sluggishness we might have towards Him, and finally, a bonus tip that helps me:

Bonus Tip

Listening to Christian music, whether hymns or contemporary worship songs, helps me refocus on God. Worship music that glorifies God gives me a glimpse into what heaven will be like, which is an exciting prospect for every believer; it prepares you for the eternal life you’ll lead as a child of God. Worship music can help you remember Who really matters, and it’ll help you stay focused. Take a moment to play “Awesome God” by Rich Mullins or “Lord I Lift Your Name On High” by Maranatha! Songs like these stir up excitement as we await the Lord’s return.

Reading the Bible is very effective in the purpose of getting back on track with God. It is vital to know what the Word of God says, so we can understand what we believe and why, distinguish sound doctrine from false teachings, and to know what the truth is. Knowing who Jesus is and understanding the world through the lens of Scripture enables you to have a firm foundation in Him.

Rest is crucial for overcoming the lethargy that comes with life, and as Christians, we’re no exception – we all need rest eventually. If you’re feeling burnt out or weary, remember that rest is essential, and don’t forget to observe a day of rest, as every believer should. On your designated rest day, take some time to recharge by taking a nap or getting some sunshine when possible, and prioritize taking it easy on yourself. The key is to learn to rest in God, especially when life gets busy and hectic, as He invites you to find rest in Him, starting with the realization that you’re too tired to do it on your own. Being honest with God about your lethargy and tiredness can lead to healing, and if you sincerely want to overcome it, God will help. Rest is very important, so please take care of yourself and get plenty of rest when you can.

Conclusion

In conclusion, lethargy is a real issue that affects us all, and whether we feel sluggish or utterly exhausted, we must overcome this mindset. It is an act of the will to choose to let God help you.

Once we recognize when we start feeling lethargic, we can identify the cause and ask God to help us repent of it.

God knows that we live in a harsh world and that things will weigh us down, so don’t be afraid to go to a trusted individual in the faith to help keep you accountable if needed; they can cheer you on and encourage you in your walk with God.

I’ll conclude this post with a question for you to consider as you go through your week. Is giving in to temporal exhaustion worth forfeiting an eternity of rest?