Why You Feel Spiritually Drained

And How to Change It

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There’s a weight many of us carry that often goes unnoticed.

It’s not the weight of pride or ambition, but the quiet, relentless pressure to provide—to make sure the bills are paid, the kids are cared for, and the family is secure. It’s a good desire, even a noble one, but it can quickly consume a person’s life.

In the effort to provide for your family, you often sacrifice time with the very people you’re working so hard to care for. Worse, your relationship with God—the wellspring of peace, purpose, and strength—becomes a low priority, not out of rebellion but sheer exhaustion. Over time, the relentless demands of life take their toll, leaving you spiritually drained and emotionally distant.

Maybe this resonates with you.

Maybe you’ve felt the struggle of balancing the need to work hard with the desire to be present for your family and for God. It’s easy to think that you just need to push through, to carry the weight a little longer. But what if the answer isn’t in working harder, but in surrendering more?

Jesus speaks directly to this in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

What if the peace you’re seeking and the strength you need isn’t found in working more hours or squeezing in one more task, but in sitting at the feet of Jesus? What if, like Mary in the story of Mary and Martha, the answer is to choose the better portion—not because the work doesn’t matter, but because your soul matters more?

This isn’t about abandoning responsibility; it’s about aligning your life with God’s priorities. When you make time to meet with Him, everything else finds its proper place.

Devotion to Jesus can not only restore your spiritual life but transform your work, family, and purpose. Because the truth is, when you put Him first, He gives you the strength to handle it all.

Mary and Martha

Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42?

Jesus is in their home, and Martha is running around trying to make everything perfect. She’s cooking, cleaning, hosting—all the while feeling overwhelmed. Mary, on the other hand, sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach.

Martha is frustrated—can you blame her?

She’s doing all the work while Mary seemingly sits and does nothing! But Jesus gently reminds Martha that Mary has chosen what is better: spending time with Him.

This story hits home, doesn’t it? It’s easy to get caught up in life’s distractions and miss out on the simple joy of being with Jesus. Mary’s example teaches us that our relationship with Him should come first, and when it does, everything else falls into place. Let’s unpack how we can build that kind of relationship and devotion to Jesus—and how it can change everything.

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The Power of Devotion: Start Small, Go Deep

Relationships thrive on time and intentionality. Imagine trying to stay close to a friend without ever texting, calling, or meeting up. It wouldn’t work!

The same is true with Jesus.

Mary understood this. Instead of being pulled into the busyness, she chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. That’s devotion. But how do we build that in our daily lives?

1. Begin with Prayer:
Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy or long—it just needs to be real. Start your morning with a simple conversation: “Jesus, thank You for today. Help me to focus on You and trust You.”

2. Set Aside Time for the Word:
Mary listened to Jesus’ words because she knew they were life-giving. We have the privilege of holding His words in our hands through the Bible. Start small—maybe with 10 minutes in the Gospels or a devotional.

3. Schedule It Like an Appointment:
Let’s be honest—if it’s not on the calendar, it probably won’t happen. Carve out a specific time in your day to meet with Jesus. Whether it’s in the quiet of the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed, guard that time fiercely.

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Making Every Moment Count

I love how Mary’s posture before Jesus reflects worship. Worship isn’t just singing; it’s a way of life. It’s choosing to honor Jesus in everything we do—our work, our relationships, even our attitude.

Let’s look at another example: King David. David was known as a man after God’s own heart, not because he was perfect, but because he lived a life of worship. In 2 Samuel 6:14-22, we see David dancing with all his might before the Lord as the ark of the covenant is brought into Jerusalem. His worship was passionate and uninhibited.

1. Worship Through Music:
Turn on your favorite worship song and sing your heart out. Whether you’re in the car, at home, or in church, let the music remind you of God’s goodness.

Here are a few songs that have impacted me lately.

2. Worship Through Gratitude:
David’s joy overflowed because he was grateful for God’s presence. Make it a habit to thank Jesus for something every day—big or small. Gratitude shifts your focus and fills your heart with worship.

For years, I wrestled with the question of why we couldn’t seem to purchase a home. It weighed heavily on my heart, and I often felt like I was falling short as a provider for my family. There were so many factors at play, and I’ll admit, there were moments when I wallowed in self-pity.

But as I sought the Father’s heart, He revealed something profound to me. Like Abraham, I wasn’t called to build a permanent home in a place where I was only meant to pitch a tent. God had a bigger picture in mind, and His plan was—and always is—perfect.

When I shifted my focus from what I didn’t have to gratitude for what I did, I realized just how faithful God had been all along. He had always provided exactly what we needed, and in His wisdom, He kept us free from the burden of selling a home when it was time to move.

Now, as I look to the future, I know homeownership is part of God’s plan for us, and I can rest in His timing. I thank God daily for His faithfulness and for the reminder that His ways are higher than mine. Through it all, He continues to reward our obedience, and I am in awe of all He has done for us.

3. Worship Through Excellence:
Colossians 3:23 says:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

Whether you’re folding laundry, writing emails, or playing guitar on the worship team, do it for Jesus. When your work becomes an offering, it transforms into worship.

I’ve always been the go-to person in ministry when it comes to technology. Whether it’s fixing a stubborn printer, troubleshooting a technology issue five minutes before service, or helping someone figure out how to unfreeze their PowerPoint, people know they can call on me.

At first, it would have been easy to get frustrated—why was I the one always picking up the pieces? But as I leaned into this unique role, I began to see it differently. Each question, each request, became an opportunity. Instead of viewing it as a burden, I started seeing it as a way to serve others with excellence and reflect the love of Jesus through my actions.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16:

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

By sharing my knowledge and being patient with others, I’ve been able to build trust and gain influence—not for my own sake, but to point others to Him. Whether it’s calming someone’s nerves before a big presentation or ensuring the gospel reaches people through our technology, I’ve realized that even the smallest acts of service can carry eternal significance.

So now, I embrace these moments. Each interaction is an opportunity to show Christ’s love in a practical, tangible way. And in doing so, I’m reminded that no task is too small when it’s done for His glory.

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Prioritize What Matters

It’s one thing to talk about devotion and worship; it’s another to live it out. Let’s return to Mary and Martha for a moment. Martha wasn’t wrong to serve—it’s important to take care of responsibilities. The issue was her priorities. She let the work take precedence over her relationship with Jesus.

How often do we do the same? Our schedules fill up with meetings, deadlines, and activities, and Jesus gets the leftovers. But here’s the good news: we can choose differently.

1. Audit Your Time:
For one week, track how you spend your day. Be honest—include everything from work to Netflix to scrolling on your phone. Then ask yourself: Does my time reflect my values?

2. Create Margin:
Sometimes we’re so busy we don’t leave space for Jesus. Start saying “no” to things that drain you or don’t align with your priorities. Use that extra time to rest in His presence.

3. Make Jesus a Daily Priority:
Draw near to God by building small habits. Read a Psalm over your morning coffee. Pray during your commute. Spend 10 minutes in worship before bed. It’s not about perfection; it’s about persistence.

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The Call to Devotion

Mary chose what mattered most: sitting at the feet of Jesus. David danced with all his might, pouring out his heart in worship. Both lives teach us a simple truth: devotion begins when we prioritize Jesus above everything else.

This week, let’s follow their example. Spend time in His Word. Worship with passion and gratitude. Evaluate how you’re spending your time and make room for Him.

When you choose Jesus first, He transforms your life from the inside out. You’ll find that His peace steadies you, His joy fills you, and His love overflows into every area of your life.

Growing up in the church, I was surrounded by stories of God’s faithfulness and His plan for His people. From a young age, I not only believed those stories but felt something stirring in my own heart—a calling to serve Him. By the time I was a teenager, I knew God was calling me to be a pastor. It was a sense of purpose that I couldn’t shake, even when I felt unqualified or unsure of what the journey would look like.

As I continued to follow Jesus and grow in my faith, I saw how He opened doors I never expected. Small opportunities to serve turned into bigger ones, and with each step, I experienced the truth of Luke 16:10:

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”

Faithfulness in the little things—showing up, saying yes, and trusting Him—became the foundation for everything else He called me to. And through it all, Jesus shaped my heart. He taught me what it means to rely on Him, to trust His timing, and to find my identity in Him alone.

To anyone who feels far from Him, I want you to know this: Jesus is waiting for you. Sometimes it feels hard to press in, especially when life is messy or when you feel like you’ve let Him down. But His promise in Jeremiah 29:13 is clear:

“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”

So, don’t give up. Keep pressing in. Get into a community of believers who will encourage you and point you to Jesus. Dive into His Word, even if it’s just a few verses a day. Pray, even if it feels awkward at first. He’s not looking for perfection—He’s looking for your heart.

Jesus has changed my life in ways I could never have imagined, and I know He can do the same for you. When you seek Him, you’ll find that He’s been pursuing you all along. Keep seeking, because what you’ll find in Him is worth it all.

Let’s journey together, becoming people who, like Mary, David, and so many others, know what it means to truly live devoted to Jesus.

This article was originally published on November 26, 2024.