Practical Ways to Strengthen Yourself Spiritually

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
–Philippians 4:6

What are some practical ways to strengthen yourself spiritually when you are in a bad season?

First, dedicate a time and place where you can get alone with God. Hopefully you have a quiet time with the Lord every day, but I am not talking about that. If you are going through a challenging time, set aside a couple of hours to get alone with God, maybe in an office, a room in your house, or at the park, but someplace where you can get alone and really talk with God.

Second, during the couple of hours you spend alone with God, select a portion of the Bible to read and meditate on. The primary way God speaks to us is through His Word. So when we want to hear God’s voice, we ought to read His Word. What should you read? If you are doubting God, read Psalm 34 about God’s faithfulness. If you need God’s forgiveness, read Psalm 51 about God’s forgiveness. My favorite chapter of the Bible is Romans 8, about the love of God. For a longer portion of Scripture, read the book of Philippians. Paul was going through a bad season of life when he wrote those words. He was in prison facing what could have been his execution, but he said, “I rejoice in these difficult circumstances” and he explained why. It will help you get through that bad period of life.

Third, choose one or two verses in that passage to memorize. As you read, mark a verse or two that really speak to you and memorize them so that those verses come back to you after you’re through with your time with God.

Fourth, read a good Christian book that is centered on the attributes of God. When we are going through a difficult time, we need a reminder that we are not serving a philosophy; we are serving a real person, the almighty God. Reading a book about the attributes of God will remind you that God is in control of your circumstances. A. W. Tozer’s “The Knowledge of the Holy” or J. I. Packer’s “Knowing God” will help you get to know better the Creator who cares for you.

Finally, spend time in prayer. I’m not talking about the thees and the thous and trying to think up every theological word you know and regurgitating it back to God. I am talking about being honest to God by sharing what is really in your heart, not what you think should be in your heart. If you are angry with God, tell Him. If you are disappointed with God, tell Him. If you are afraid, tell Him about it. He knows it anyway. Being honest with God can be a great source of peace. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “When Bad Days Come” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2017.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.