Another cause of spiritual depression, Lloyd-Jones writes, is our being discouraged “to such a degree that [we] seem to have been doubting the faith which [we] had believed and accepted”. Trials and disappointments will surely come to us, the Christian life is no guarantee of plain sailing (1 Peter 4.12). So, knowing they will come, how do we keep on going through them? Discipline.
If we want to achieve anything in life, be it something major like running a marathon or something simple like getting the kids to school on time (although some days that feels major) we need to prepare, plan, and, simply, be disciplined in our approach. The same is absolutely true for moving through periods of spiritual depression.
See if this rings true for you. Lloyd-Jones writes of those without any spiritual disciplines:
“…their faith does not fill them with joy and with certainty. They are ‘barren and unfruitful’…ineffective in helping others and also lacking in the knowledge of the Lord”.
If that is you, if that has been you, then it’s time to put some spiritual disciplines in place. Treat them as you would any other performance plan. If you want to run that marathon, you stick to a training plan with that ultimate goal in mind. If your goal is to enjoy your faith life more, if your goal is to be less susceptible to periods of spiritual depression, if your goal is to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, put a plan in place and have the discipline to stick to it.
Start small. A daily time of reading the Word. Regular rhythms of prayer. Personal and corporate worship as part of your average week. Gracious and generous giving. Then, as our author states:
“You minister these things to your faith, and an abundant entrance shall be ministered to you”.
James Travis 