“Okay, I believe… now what?”
If you’ve ever found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. That listless feeling, the subtle drift from passionate faith to going through the motions – I’ve been there. We don’t talk about it much in church, but spiritual apathy is real, and it can hit at any point in your faith journey.
Maybe you’ve been a Christian for years, and somewhere along the way, the fire just… dimmed. Or perhaps you’re newly believing, and after the initial excitement, you’re feeling stuck, unsure how to move forward. Either way, that feeling of spiritual “meh” can be incredibly frustrating and isolating.
The Reality of Christian Burnout
Let’s be honest: long-time Christians can experience what I call “Christian burnout.” It’s that place where the worship songs don’t move you like they used to, where prayer feels more like a checklist item than a conversation, where you believe but don’t really feel it anymore.
This isn’t a crisis of faith – it’s more like a spiritual fatigue. And it’s completely normal.
When You Feel Unqualified
Here’s something I’ve learned through my own journey: God often calls us to things we don’t feel qualified to do. In fact, I’m writing this blog post precisely because I once felt completely unqualified to write about faith. The voice in my head kept saying:
- “You’re not qualified enough.”
- “Who are you to write about this?”
- “There are people who know so much more.”
Sound familiar?
But here’s the truth: God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.
When I finally started listening to His promptings about writing, the opposition was intense. Every time I sat down to write, doubts would flood in. Yet that very opposition became a sign that I was on the right path.
Breaking Free from Apathy
So how do we move from apathy back into purpose? Here’s what I’ve learned:
1. Listen and Enact
Start by really listening for God’s voice in your life. Not just in church or during designated prayer time, but in the quiet moments of your day.
What keeps nudging at your heart? What makes you come alive? Those nudges might just be divine direction.
2. Take Small Steps
You don’t have to have it all figured out. Start with one small act of obedience. Maybe it’s finally starting that ministry you’ve been thinking about, or maybe it’s as simple as reaching out to someone who’s been on your mind.
3. Expect Opposition
When you start moving in the direction of your calling, opposition will come. Sometimes it’s external – discouraging comments or practical obstacles. Often it’s internal – self-doubt, fear, or that persistent feeling of being unqualified.
This opposition isn’t a sign to stop; it’s often confirmation you’re on the right track.
Faith Without Works Is Dead
This phrase from James 2:17 has taken on new meaning for me. It’s not just about doing good deeds – it’s about actively participating in your faith journey.
When we’re feeling apathetic, the solution isn’t to wait for feelings to change; it’s to start moving.
Ask yourself:
- What are you doing to keep your faith alive?
- What is the world trying to keep you from doing?
- What scares you so much that it might just be God’s calling?
A Personal Note
I remember when I was prayed over at church and was told I was meant to write. That moment was both exhilarating and terrifying. Afterwards, I found myself facing overwhelming opposition to my writing – both internal and external. Inside my mind, voices of doubt constantly whispered that I couldn’t, shouldn’t, wouldn’t succeed. Meanwhile, external circumstances seemed to conspire against my calling, creating obstacle after obstacle.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that this opposition was actually serving a divine purpose. It was “trimming the weeds” from my life – cutting away distractions, wrong motivations, and anything that wasn’t aligned with God’s purpose. This painful pruning process forced me to grow in ways I never would have otherwise.
Each time I tried to write, doubt would creep in, yet each challenge pushed me to dig deeper into my faith and commitment.
Through this struggle, I’ve learned that sometimes the very thing that scares us, the thing we feel least qualified to do, is exactly what God is calling us toward.
That prophecy at church wasn’t just about writing – it was about stepping into a purpose that seemed too big for me and allowing God to qualify me through the growing pains.
Moving Forward
If you’re in a season of apathy right now:
- Acknowledge It: There’s no shame in admitting you’re feeling spiritually flat.
- Take One Step: Don’t try to manufacture feelings – just take one small step of obedience.
- Find Community: Connect with others who can understand and support your journey.
- Stay Open: Sometimes God uses these seasons of apathy to redirect us or prepare us for something new.
Remember: Apathy isn’t permanent, and it isn’t fatal to your faith.
Often, it’s just a signal that it’s time to move from passive belief to active pursuit of God’s purpose for your life.
What step will you take today to move from apathy to purpose?
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your story. How have you dealt with seasons of spiritual apathy? What helped you find your way back to purpose? Share in the comments below.
