Do you find, as I do, that there are times when you just don’t feel spiritual. Times of emptiness or a lack of desire or passion about serving God? I think some of you do if you will admit it.

Years ago, when I was a young preacher, I was teaching an adult class during vacation Bible school in the summer time. I was talking about the honesty of admitting that sometimes we have doubts about our salvation or perhaps whether God cares about us at all. One of my deacons piped up and said, “I’ve never had a doubt ever.” His quick retort caught me off guard and I was not sure what to say except that I was happy for him but that some of us have had periods of doubt.

This morning I was reading in Romans 8 about how nothing can separate us from the love of God. It is a great passage that builds confidence in our hearts that everything is okay and that nothing can separate us from God’s love. However, one word caught my eye. That was the word “distress.” I don’t remember seeing that word there or thinking much about it, but it made me dig into the meaning a little deeper.

The word in the Greek text is “stenochoria.” It is translated “distress” here but it is a combination of two words, one that means “narrow” and one that can mean “empty expanse.” It is a little difficult to put those two meanings together, but I think that one application related to our subject today would be that when we have those feelings about God and perhaps question everything relating to our spiritual life, we have a narrow view of God that leaves us with a large emptiness deep within our soul.

I’ve felt it and so have you if you think back on your spiritual existence. But, the good news is the assurance that God loves you and He is very powerful. In fact, no one is as big and powerful as God and He is keeping you in the hollow of His hand, protecting you, loving you, and helping you navigate through this journey we call life here on this earth.

The question in Romans 8:35 is “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” Verse 37 answers, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.”

So, during those times when you feel lonely, empty, and without much desire to keep on going, remember the last verse in that passage, that nothing has the power to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

So, when the devil comes to cause you discouragement, lying to you by hinting that God doesn’t love you or care about you, tell him to quit lying and to be on his way.

The answer to not feeling spiritual is to get your Bible and read God’s encouraging love letter to you. I guarantee it will brighten your day. Keep in the forefront of your mind that God has never stopped loving you. It is only we who question His faithfulness.

God bless.

Ken Lewis, Th.D.