How to Thrive When You Need Refreshing from God

Do you need refreshing from God? Are you dragging through this season of your life with a weary soul? Is your heart reminding you that your spirit is parched? Are you physically worn to your last drops of energy?

When life takes the wind out of my sails or a dismal-looking day reflects the overcast state of my heart, I’m glad I can turn to this verse:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 ESV

He says, “Come.” In this post, I’m giving you some ideas on what you can do to come to Him in times when you need refreshing from God.

Who is this for? Those “who labor.” Are you working hard lately on your job or ministry?

Is your outlook bleak? Are you burdened with problems that lay heavy on your mind?

He says, “I will” give you rest. That’s a promise you can depend on.

Did you know the word rest there is an active Greek verb that means “to refresh the soul of anyone”? I didn’t either until just recently while studying the Bible. But how neat!

5 Ways to Get Refreshing from God

So here’s what to do when you need refreshing from God.

#1: Go to a Secluded Place

In Mark 6, Jesus sent His apostles out in pairs to minister (verses 7-13). When they returned, He instructed them to take a rest from the pressures of ministry:

And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves. Mark 6:31-32 NASB

The crowds followed, and they didn’t get the chance. So Jesus ministered to the multitudes for awhile and fed the 5,000. Then He instructed His disciples to get in a boat and get away from the crowds. After this, He sends the crowds away and practices the same wisdom of getting alone with God.

After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray…and He was alone on the land. Mark 6:46-47 NASB

Where can you go away from distractions? You might need to get creative to find a place.

RELATED: What Jesus Can Teach Us About Interruptions

#2: Ask God for Refreshing

First, let Him know where you’re at; prayer is your connection with God. I love this quote I ran across the other day:

Don’t worry about the words that start you praying. Just don’t let them become a dead end. Let them lead you to higher ground, where self-pity is transformed into worship.

— Eugene H. Peterson

Tell Him how much you want and need His refreshing. Wilted plants or flowers need water. He is the Living Water. Desiring more of Him is a request He is going to fulfill.

John 15:7 (NASB) says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

Then release Him to fulfill the request as He sees fit.

#3: Get into the Right Mindset

When I need refreshing from God, I find it helps when I get into the right mindset. Romans 10:17 tells us faith comes by hearing.

When I declare truths from God’s Word over my life, it helps me remember what God says about me and how He views me. It makes a difference and is uplifting.

The devil might try to take advantage of your need for refreshing and inundate you with lies. He might try to make you feel unworthy of receiving any refreshing from God. Like my friend April says, “You can’t fight a battle in flip flops holding a butter knife!” So begin to declare:

I am a child of God, and I am blessed.

He is with me; I am not forsaken.

I can hear His voice, and I obey it.

My voice is a mouthpiece to share the Gospel.

My heart is clean and righteous because of Jesus’ blood.

I walk in His will because I know His peace.

My faith is firm; I trust in God and believe His Word.

His sword is in my hand and in my mouth.

After declaring these, I am refreshed.

#4: Love God by Lifting Your Voice

Love God by lifting your voice to Him in prayer, praise, and worship. Psalm 100:4 says to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. So begin to thank Him for blessings big and small.

Start telling God what He means to you. Praise Him. Praise means the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something. [Source: Dictionary app] How about some phrases to get you started:

• I extol and exalt You, King of kings and Lord of lords.
• Right now, I lift up Your name, the name above all names.
• All glory and honor to You alone, my God.

Add some worship music and sing along.

#5: Study a specific portion in the Bible

Just like your physical body will become weak if you haven’t eaten for a long time, the same goes for your spirit. After you eat physical food, you are strengthened. Jesus called Himself the Bread of Life for a reason (John 6:48).

Have you been “eating” the Word on a regular basis? If not, you might be in a desolate place and need of refreshing from God.  

In that case, I encourage you to not only read verses in the Bible, but study them. I’ve explained the difference before. It’s pleasantly fulfilling!

RELATED: 5 Tips When You Don’t Understand Your Bible Study Time

When You Need Refreshing from God, Thrive in Christ

Feeling dry or disconnected from God can make you feel stuck. And sometimes, you don’t realize the enemy has gained ground until it’s been a very long time.

But don’t let anything hold you back. God is in the business of new beginnings.

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19 NLT

So do whatever you need to do to keep thriving. And if you don’t know, ask God. He will show you.

How else can you be proactive when you need refreshing from God?

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