What practical steps can we take to address spiritual drought in our lives? The Burned Pastures—Recognizing Spiritual Drought “ To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the pastures of the wilderness, and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.” (Joel 1:19) Joel looks over a scorched landscape—everything once green now brittle and gray—and the only response that makes sense is a desperate cry to God. Spiritual drought feels just as stark. Joy dries up, prayer feels forced, the Word seems silent. The first step is admitting, with Joel, “Lord, my fields are burned.” The Cry That Opens the Heavens • Joel’s instinct is to call on the LORD immediately—not after conditions improve. • His cry is personal: “To You, O LORD, I call.” • It is faith-filled; even in disaster he trusts God hears. Practical first move: carve out honest, uninterrupted time and speak plainly to God about your emptiness. Avoid polished phrases. Let the still-hot ashes of the drought flavor every sentence. Practical Steps to Break the Drought 1. Return and Rend • Joel 2:12-13: “Return to Me with all your heart… Rend your hearts and not your garments.” • Pinpoint any sin, compromise, or misplaced affection that helped dry the soil. Confess it specifically, repent decisively, and receive God’s merciful pardon (1 John 1:9). 2. Fast and Focus • Joel 1:14: “Consecrate a fast… cry out to the LORD.” • A short, deliberate fast (from food, media, or another comfort) clears room for hunger after God. Use meal times to pray or read Scripture instead. 3. Immerse in the Word • Psalm 1:2-3: The person rooted in God’s law “is like a tree planted by streams of water.” • Choose a gospel or psalm and linger. Read aloud, journal key phrases, copy verses by hand. Saturation rehydrates parched hearts. 4. Worship in the Wilderness • Psalm 63:1: “My soul thirsts for You… in a dry and weary land.” • Play worship music, sing along, and thank God for who He is, not merely for what you need. Praise shifts the focus from drought to the Rain-Giver. 5. Gather with Believers • Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us not neglect meeting together… but encourage one another.” • Attend church consistently, join a small group, reach out for accountability. Mutual encouragement is a spiritual irrigation system. 6. Serve to Be Refreshed • Proverbs 11:25: “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” • Volunteer, write a note, cook a meal. Pouring out for others invites God to pour in. 7. Expect Living Water • John 7:37-38: “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink… streams of living water will flow from within him.” • Believe Jesus’ promise. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill every dry channel. Expectation is faith in seed form. 8. Look for Restoration • Joel 2:25: “I will restore to you the years the locusts have eaten.” • Keep a record of answered prayers, renewed desires, fresh insights. Celebrate each sprout of green as evidence of God’s faithfulness. Daily Drought-Breaker Routine Morning: • Read a chosen passage slowly. • Write a one-sentence prayer of surrender. Midday: • Pause for five minutes of silent thanks. • Text an encouraging verse to a friend. Evening: • Review the day, confess quickly, praise intentionally. • Ask, “Where did I see God’s rain today?” and note it. Anticipate the Rain Isaiah 58:11 promises, “The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land… you will be like a watered garden.” Stay in the cycle of honest cry, humble repentance, Word immersion, worship, fellowship, service, and expectant faith. The God who answered Joel is the same today, and He still turns cracked ground into a garden bursting with life. |
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