Warning! 4 Signs You Are Spiritually Struggling

If you’ve been a believer for any length of time, you’ve likely been spiritually struggling at some point. It’s possible you even found yourself feeling far from God or wondering, “Why do I feel far from God?”

If so, you’re not alone.

You’re doing your thing, trying your best to grow in your relationship with God. Maybe you’re spending some time in God’s word, prayer, and going to church regularly. You’re even investing in some type of Christian friendships or community.

And Then

Little by little, the distance sets in. Before you know it, you’re drifting away from God, your focus diminishes, and the glory of the cross begins to fade. What seems like all of a sudden, you find yourself planted in what feels like a spiritual desert or season of spiritual dryness, feeling far from God and wondering how you got there. This often leaves us doubting His goodness (or worse, as I have been), existing in an apathetic state.

We all know the enemy loves this. He is all for anything he can do to render us ineffective as examples of Christ or to discourage us from sharing the gospel.

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.  2 Thessalonians 3:3

Today I want to help you stop before you set up camp in the desert.

Quick Summary: Signs You Are Spiritually Struggling

If you’re spiritually struggling, you may notice subtle warning signs before you completely drift away from God. In this article, we’ll cover four common signs of spiritual struggle, including losing focus, losing your hunger for God’s Word, believing condemnation, and withdrawing from Christian community, along with practical, biblical encouragement to help you reconnect with the Lord before discouragement takes root.

You’ll learn:

• How to recognize spiritual drift early
• Why feeling far from God doesn’t mean He has left you
• Four warning signs of spiritual struggle
• Practical ways to draw close to God again
• Bible verses to encourage you when your faith feels weak

What Does It Mean to Be Spiritually Struggling?

Being spiritually struggling doesn’t always mean you’ve stopped believing in God. Often it starts with small compromises, distractions, exhaustion, or simply neglecting your relationship with Him. Before long, you may begin feeling far from God, even though He has never left you.

Warning! 4 Signs You Are Spiritually Struggling

 

Warning Sign #1: Loss of Focus Is Often the First Sign You’re Spiritually Struggling

It can happen so many ways. Seasons of busyness, stress, vacations, new babies, holidays, taking care of others, exhaustion, overwhelm, and the list goes on. When life hits in a hard way, we need to be on guard. One of the earliest signs of spiritual struggle is allowing life’s circumstances to replace our focus on Christ. We need to be intentional to protect our focus and keep it on the Lord first.

If we get swayed by our circumstances, good or bad, we can easily lose focus. Before long, we may begin feeling far from God, not because He moved, but because our focus slowly shifted away from Him. Often, our time with God is the first thing to go. Trust me, I know this firsthand. I am writing this from the perspective of many seasons with way to much going on. In good or bad times, it happens. We need to be aware and fight for our relationship with Jesus starting at this point! If you’re wondering how to get closer to God again, protecting your daily time with Him is one of the best places to start.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Eph 6:11

Warning Sign #2: Losing Your Hunger for God’s Word

You know that awful stomach bug? The kind where you eat less and less and then soon you can’t eat anything at all? Where you have NO appetite? This can be the same with God’s word. Once the loss of focus happens, it’s amazing how quickly we can begin feeling far from God when we’ve stopped feeding on His Word consistently. It’s one of the clearest signs that we’re losing our passion for God, even if we don’t realize it at first. When there is little hunger left for the things of God, we must make a choice. Either we make an extra effort to pursue Him, or we continue to drift away.

We need to choose things like reading Scripture, prayer, podcasts, fellowship with believers, and worship music (if that’s your thing:) even when we don’t feel like it. We must choose to love God with our whole heart, soul, strength, and mind – not just going by our feelings.

This doesn’t mean you have to study or pray for hours, but you should read and attempt to pray. This is where Scripture cards come in handy. Reading God’s word, even in small but consistent amounts, makes a difference. If you’re struggling spiritually, remember that consistency matters more than perfection. Is it hard to pursue Him with no appetite? Yes, it can be. Is it worth it to keep on? Without a doubt!

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Warning Sign #3: Believing Condemnation Instead of God’s Truth

The farther we drift, the harder it is to see the truth. If you’ve been feeling far from God, condemnation will often try to convince you that He doesn’t want you back. Nothing could be further from the truth. When we’re weak in faith, the enemy loves to replace truth with lies. Soon we begin questioning God’s goodness and wondering if He’s really with us. Is He really in control, almighty and always with me?

In my experience, the condemnation will be in any or all areas of my life. I’ll start to feel completely inadequate and hopeless in my Christian walk and as a Wife, mom, and Friend.

{Download our Truth vs Lies Scripture Cards for FREE Here}

Recognize the warning sign and ask yourself who you are listening to. “While the enemy’s condemnation drives us away from God, the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to bring us to the cross. As the Spirit convicts us, He draws us to that place of forgiveness, cleansing, strength, and power, which is found only in Jesus Christ.” – Pastor Chuck Smith

If you’ve been feeling distant from God, remember that conviction always points you back to Jesus while condemnation pushes you away from Him. Do not believe the condemnation when you are spiritually struggling! Ask the one who saves for help!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1

Warning Sign #4: Pulling Away From Christian Community

One of the biggest warning signs of spiritual drift is isolation. There is a lot to be said about community and godly friendships in the Bible. He calls us to it for a reason. Being a generally introverted person (except with those I know well and love:) it is very easy for me to hang back or even withdraw. We have to be sensitive to why we REALLY don’t want to go to that church function or community group.

Often if you’re spiritually struggling, the last thing you want to do is be around other believers.

Here comes the part where I say “please go anyway!” Christian community is often one of God’s greatest tools for helping us grow spiritually again. I have talked with many women in exactly that same spot. Very few – including myself- ever say that they regret going. God uses other believers in amazing ways. It may not even be that day,  but later that you realize why God wanted you there. I encourage you, tough it out and go, really!

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14

How Do You Get Close to God Again?

If you’ve realized you’re spiritually struggling, don’t panic; start with one small step.

• Read a few verses.
• Pray honestly.
• Spend time with other believers.

God is faithful to meet you wherever you are.

So when the next round of crazy life hits, keep your eyes open for these warning signs!

I pray that God would help you keep your focus on Him always, despite the world swirling around you. And if you’ve been spiritually struggling or feeling far from God, don’t stay there. Stop, turn around, and head back to the stream of refreshment. I have had to do this many times, and He is always faithful!

He wants others’ lives to be changed forever by the gospel message you have hidden in your heart! He will never leave you or forsake you. Cling to Him.

And if you’ve been spiritually struggling, don’t let shame convince you to stay where you are. These warning signs aren’t meant to discourage you, they’re an invitation to return to the God who has never stopped pursuing you. No matter how far you’ve drifted, one step back toward Him is never wasted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spiritual Struggles

Is it normal to struggle spiritually?

Yes. Every believer experiences seasons where their faith feels weak or distant. Even mature Christians experience spiritual deserts, but those seasons don’t mean God has abandoned you.

Why do I feel far from God?

Feeling far from God doesn’t necessarily mean He has left you. Often, seasons of busyness, distraction, grief, exhaustion, or even spiritual drift can make us feel distant from Him. The good news is that God promises never to leave or forsake His children. As you turn your heart back toward Him through prayer, His Word, and Christian community, you’ll discover He has been with you all along.  (Hebrews 13:5 ESV).

How do I get closer to God again?

• Start small.
• Read one passage of Scripture.
• Pray honestly.
• Listen to worship music.
• Reconnect with Christian community.
• Obey the next thing God places in front of you.
• Faithfulness in small steps often leads to renewed intimacy with God.

What are the first signs of spiritual drift?

Often they begin with

• losing focus
• neglecting God’s Word
• believing lies
• withdrawing from community

Those are exactly the warning signs discussed in this article.

Key Takeaways: 4 Signs You’re Spiritually Struggling

• Spiritual struggles often begin gradually rather than all at once.
• Losing focus on God is often the first warning sign.
• A declining desire for Scripture and prayer can indicate spiritual drift.
• Condemnation comes from the enemy, while the Holy Spirit lovingly brings conviction.
• Pulling away from Christian community often deepens spiritual struggles.
• God hasn’t abandoned you, even if you feel far from Him.
• Small, faithful steps toward Jesus can restore your relationship with Him.
• Christian community, God’s Word, prayer, and worship are practical ways to grow spiritually again.

But what if you are already in the spiritual desert? What do you do? Here’s some help!

Continue Growing Spiritually

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• Grab our 40 FREE Lie vs Truth Scripture Cards

Looking for deeper encouragement?

The Overflow Table is a new monthly gathering for Christian women who are done guessing and ready to actually live led by the Holy Spirit. Together we’ll grow in faith, seek biblical wisdom, pray together, and encourage one another as we learn to follow God’s leading in everyday life.

Which of these warning signs do you struggle with? Can I pray for you? Please either comment below or contact me. I would love to pray for you!

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