Transformation

How to Ignite Your Faith When You Feel Spiritually Stagnant

We’re driving through farm country when I hear my little boy singing with the radio in the backseat, “I gotta get that fire, fire back in my bones.” He’s three, and he’s not easy to understand, but I hear him loud and clear.  His words get me thinking.  I want to be a woman of fiery faith.  Maybe you want to learn how to ignite your faith in a dry season, too.

You are in the right place.

The idea of fiery faith lingers in my mind for days after our moment in the car.

I consider it as I sit by the sliding glass door in the early morning light.

I think of it when the cashier with the sad glint in her eyes hands me my groceries later in the afternoon.

A friend invites me to walk, and she’s fired up for what God’s doing in her life.  Her faith inspires me, and I want to get that fire back.

How to Ignite Your Faith

In the cool glow of a dusky summer night, the crickets sing their chorus from the goldenrod.  I open a new book and ask God to help ignite my faith.

It’s written by a woman who has been encouraging me through her online writing for close to a year.  When I heard she’d written a book, I was eager to read it.  I had no way of knowing God was about to use her words to put the fire back in my bones and fan the flame of faith in my spirit.

As I devour the words in the book The Gift of Prophetic Encouragement, author Debbie Kitterman reminds me that following God is not meant to be a comfortable stroll down the avenue of my life.

She reminds me that God wants to show up in my life and speak to others through me – even when the introvert within me wants to crawl under the nearest rock and hide.

God wants to speak to me about the sad cashier, the friend who is struggling to discern his will, and many faces who walk past me every day.

He wants to use me as his vessel, whispering words of encouragement into my spirit so that I might share those words with others.

God wants to use me as his vessel, whispering words of encouragement into my spirit so that I might share those words with others. #faith #fantheflame #bethegift Click To Tweet

Ignite Your Faith by Stepping Out of the Comfortable

Debbie’s words remind me that following Christ is often uncomfortable.  Jesus wants me to encounter him for myself and then carry his kindness into a broken world.  He also wants me to speak prophetic words of encouragement to others.

The word prophetic scares some of us.  We think of white-cloaked prophets with names like Elijah, Elisha, and Jeremiah.  We think of the way culture literally disrobed these men and threw them into muddy cisterns.

Most of us can’t possibly imagine God wants to speak through us.

Watch and Listen for God to Move and Speak

Debbie is reminding me God still speaks.

She is reminding me of the definition of prophecy: Speaking God’s words to others.

Meanwhile, I’m learning that you will ignite your faith when you speak God’s words to build up others.Inspiration on how to reignite your faith when you feel stagnant, stuck, and apathetic

Does it feel scary to try to hear from God and then share those words with others?

Yes, for most of us, it does.

But you know what?

When we step out of our comfortable bubbles and follow God into risk – not for the sake of risk itself, but for the sake of loving others – God moves in our lives.  He stirs something within us.  He fans the flame of faith from a smoky ember into a raging fire.  This is how you ignite your faith.

As I near the conclusion of Debbie’s book, something is stirring inside me. It feels like a fire is back in my bones, and I have never been more eager to honor God by following him in sharing his truth with others.

If you’re itching to get the fire back in your bones, this book is for you. Order your own copy here.

A Free Devotional Book to Help Ignite Your Faith

I have a free gift for you today too.  Fan the Flame is my 10-day online devotional to help you ignite your faith.  You will find dozens of practical ideas to help you connect with God. Click here, and I will send this devotional directly to your email inbox.

(To listen to the song referenced by sweet little Caleb, click here.)

Two Life-Changing Books to Help You Connect With God Like Never Before:

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone.  Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life.  Find this life-changing book for free on the Kindle Unlimited plan or for sale in print right here.  This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!

Attention, all moms and daughters!

Lastly, in addition to writing to adults, I am also passionate about ministering to the next generation.

My 12-year-old daughter Bekah and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book together.  We hope to help moms and daughters connect and grow in faith together.  Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section.

Our vision is for girls ages 7-17 to enjoy it with their moms, grandmas, or older women they look up to.  However, mothers and daughters of all ages are using this book to grow closer together!  This book makes a wonderful gift for a mother or daughter you care about!

You can buy your paperback or eBook on Amazon right here.

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.