Getting Through the Dry Seasons

A few days ago on Facebook a friend asked the question of a group of women what they did when they had a dry spot in their walk with God. She asked the group of women what they do to get close to the heart of Jesus, to pull out of the dry patches of life and take hold of the Savior. I gave a few answers on her post, because I have been in that spot, and then continued to think on it for the past few days. When I read her post it reminded me of 1 Samuel 30. In this chapter, David is facing one of the hardest times in His life. He is in a foreign city, running for his life, and now he returns home from battle to find his family missing. Verse 4 says that he and the people wept until they had no more power to weep. But then comes verse 6:

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

I am always so encouraged when I read this passage to realize that in the midst of one of the hardest seasons of David's life he encouraged or strengthened himself in the Lord. What a reminder that in the hardest times in life that we must turn to the Lord and to His Word for strength to face what lies ahead. I don't mean to spoil the story for you...but I am going too. God came through for David, He was reunited with his family, and God restored all that the enemy had taken.

But there is another thing that is important to see. At the end of the book of 1 Samuel when David faced this situation, it seemed like one of the lowest points in David's life. Everything he had hoped and dreamed for seemed to be lost. God's calling and purpose for His life seemed so far off, but there was something that David didn't know. When the page turns, and 2 Samuel begins David is anointed king. The greatest part of his life was ahead, and he would see God use him in powerful ways, but first he had to face hardship and learn to turn to God in his trials and sufferings.

So what can you do to be like David and encourage yourself in the Lord, and turn to Him when you are facing a dry season. Here are a few ideas:

• Read Scripture. Sometimes in a dry season in life we don't "feel" like reading Scripture, read it anyway. These seasons in life and just one of many reasons that we need to make reading Scripture a habit and part of our daily lives, so that when hard times come, we run to Scripture because it is the only thing that we know how to do.
• Get some accountability. I think it is so beneficial to have some people that are going to keep you accountable to be in God's Word. If you would like to join us for our May Scripture Challenge and have lots of women to be accountable with check out this post.
• Listent to worship music. When I am having a bad day, listening to great music and being reminded of how great our God is helps me get out of my funk. If you would like to check out my favorite songs on my Spotify playlist you can see it here.
• Listen to sermons online. I listen to a lot of sermons online. It is a great way to get God's Word in you while you are busy around the house, or in the car. There are lots to choose from online. I like listening to Matt Chandler from The Village Church.
• Pray. It seems like a no brainer in a way, but it is one that we forget to do. When you are having a hard time getting in the Word, tell the Lord. Ask Him for help. He is there, He will listen, and He will help.

I would love to hear what helps you get out of a dry patch as well. What music or sermons do you like to listen too, or what what passages have encouraged you?