Why Your Spiritual Life Is Dry, And How You Can Change That
Why Your Spiritual Life Is Dry, And How You Can Change That
Is your spiritual life dry and mundane? Just another part of your routine, but nothing special? You still believe, and you’re not doubting your faith, but you wish it was more alive and vibrant? You’re not alone. Many Christians experience seasons where faith feels dry, worship feels like a routine, and God seems distant. It’s not that you don’t love Jesus—you do. But something feels off, and you’re not sure how to fix it.
Here’s the hard truth most of us don’t like to admit: a dry spiritual life often starts with the way we think. Not what we think, but the way we think. Many of us were taught that in order to be a good disciple of Jesus then we needed to act and think like Him, but were never taught how to intentionally train our minds to seek God first. Instead, we now just hope that one day we’ll wake up with a deeper desire for Him, that it’ll just happen naturally. But let me tell you—spiritual growth doesn’t work like that.
It’s a challenge, no doubt, but it’s possible. The good news? When you learn to train your mind to prioritize God, everything changes. You’ll begin to see the richness of your faith unfold in ways you never imagined. When we understand the mental aspect of discipleship, and how to can take control of that, life awakens.
Seek First the Kingdom
Look with me at Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
This verse isn’t just about priorities; it’s about perspective. It means you see things with a biblical worldview. Seeking God’s kingdom first doesn’t mean you ignore everything else—it means you view everything else through Him. Your job, your family, your goals, your worries—all of it should be filtered through a lens that says, “God, what do You want here?” Discipleship means following in the footsteps and actions of Jesus, but it also means you learn to think like Him.
Seeking God first means that you search for Him in the midst of every situation. “God, what are You doing here? How are You working in this circumstance? Where are You moving in this relationship?” It means you’re looking for Him at work before you contemplate how you feel about something or decide how to respond. God first.
But how do you actually do this?
Step 1: Take Every Thought Captive
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us:
“We take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
This verse reminds us that our thoughts have power. What you think about influences how you live. If your mind is consumed with worry, bitterness, or worldly goals, your spiritual life will feel dry.
Here’s a practical exercise:
Start paying attention to your thoughts. What’s your mental soundtrack throughout the day?
When you catch yourself dwelling on something negative or worldly, stop and redirect your thoughts to God.
A simple prayer like, “Lord, help me focus on You in this moment,” can make a huge difference.
It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional. By aligning your thoughts with God’s truth, you begin to develop a mindset rooted in discipleship and Christian living.
Step 2: Train Your Mind
Colossians 3:1-2 says:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Think of your mind like a muscle—it needs training. You can’t expect to run a marathon without practice, and you can’t expect a rich spiritual life without disciplining your thoughts.
Here are a few ways to train your mind:
Start your day with Scripture: Before you grab your phone or turn on the news, spend time in God’s Word. Even five minutes can set the tone for your day.
Memorize verses: Pick a verse that speaks to you and repeat it throughout the day. Let it sink into your heart and guide your thoughts.
Surround yourself with reminders: Write Scripture on sticky notes, set reminders on your phone, or listen to worship music that points you back to God.
Training your mind to focus on God transforms how you engage with Him and the world around you. It’s a vital step toward living with a biblical worldview.
Step 3: Look for God in the Details
Here’s where things get practical. Seeking God first isn’t just about the big, life-altering moments. It’s about the small, everyday ones too.
When you’re stuck in traffic, instead of grumbling, pray for patience and thank God for the chance to slow down.
When your coworker frustrates you, ask God to give you grace and wisdom in your response.
When you’re making decisions, big or small, pause and ask, “God, what would honor You here?”
The more you train yourself to see God in the details, the more natural it becomes to live a life rooted in discipleship and Christian living.
Step 4: Be Honest About the Challenge
Let’s not sugarcoat this—it’s hard. Training your mind to prioritize God, to see things from a biblical worlview takes effort, and there will be days when you fail. But don’t let that discourage you. Growth comes through struggle, and God’s grace is enough to carry you.
Years ago, I was invited to a gathering of people where I was presented with an “opportunity to make some money on the side”—Amway. Maybe you’ve heard of them. This multilevel marketing company left a lot to be desired in many ways, but in my three or four months of learning from them, I realized why they’re so impactful.
When I started attending their weekly meetings, I was given CDs of speeches and encouraging talks. I was given books about entrepreneurship, finances, sales, and relationships. I gained a new set of friends who were all working toward the same financial freedom that I was. Before long, my entire life was surrounded by resources, people, and activities that focused me on that goal. For a while, I believed.
I got out not long after, but during that time, I realized it was easy to think the way they wanted and act upon those beliefs when my mind was constantly digesting that type of material. When we feed our minds a continual diet of certain things, we become what we eat.
The same is true for your spiritual life. What if you made it a point to read God’s Word daily, watch videos and read articles that were spiritually focused, listen to theologically rich music, surround yourself with people who love God, and seek opportunities to share your faith? Your mind would change, and your life would change!
The Rewards of a Renewed Mind
When you begin to seek God first in every detail, you’ll notice something incredible: your spiritual life starts to feel alive again. You’ll experience joy in the mundane, peace in the chaos, and clarity in the confusion.
Remember what Matthew 6:33 promises: “...all these things will be added to you.” God isn’t saying you’ll get everything you want. He’s saying that when you seek Him first, you’ll find everything you truly need.
Take the First Step
You don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start small. Choose one thought, one habit, or one area of your life to surrender to God today. And tomorrow, do it again.
Your spiritual life doesn’t have to stay dry. With intentionality, discipline, and God’s grace, you can experience the richness of faith that He desires for you.
You’ve got this—because He’s got you.
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