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7 STEPS TO TAKE WHEN YOU FEEL SPIRITUALLY DRY
Prayer is very key in living a spiritual life
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart –
Jeremiah 29:13”
We came across this article by Kelly Canfield and we find it so relevant today that we are happy to share it with you. Enjoy and pass it on to others!!
INTRODUCTION
Dry seasons happen. And, although it can feel like it, a dry season doesn’t mean you’re a bad Christian. Quite the opposite, actually. It makes you a normal Christian. When your prayers feel like ping pong balls bouncing off the ceiling of heaven, and your Bible time is as refreshing as a drink of hot desert sand, don’t despair. You really are normal.
There are a few things to remember, before we talk about how to get through seasons of spiritual dryness.
Dry seasons have a purpose
More than anything else, a drought makes you dig deeper into your relationship with God. It is often a precursor to big growth.
Also, the desert has a way of pinpointing things we otherwise miss. Bitterness, hurts, wrong priorities… God can use the loneliness of dry times to surface issues that He wants to free us from.
Dry season have a beginning and an end
It will not last forever. Promise. Although it might feel as unending as the Sahara, your desert experience is only going to last for a very specific and finite length of time. As we already discussed, God uses these experiences in our lives for a purpose, and when that purpose is accomplished, we will find ourselves on the other side. What seems interminable now will someday be nothing more than a punctuation mark (or maybe a short paragraph) in your story.
Dry seasons happen to everyone
When you’re in the middle of a drought in your walk with God, it can feel utterly isolating. Whether you’re a new Christian or an old one, times like these can tip you off balance and take you by total surprise. Shame is quick to jump in, accusing you of being the only one to struggle, to wrestle, to feel…nothing.
The simple fact is, every Christian goes through at least one dry season. And, although God is quiet, it doesn’t mean He’s not there (He is) or that He’s not working (He is.)
So, let’s get practical, fellow desert travellers. Here’s 7 simple steps to take when your relationship with God feels dry-as-dust.
1. Get honest with God
Tell Him exactly how you’re struggling. Chances are, there’s some utterly unhelpful doubt niggling in the back of your mind that makes you wonder, “What did I do that made God wash His hands of me? Why doesn’t He want to talk to me anymore?” It doesn’t matter if you feel like you got in this quiet season by accident or through some fault of your own, it’s important to remember that God isn’t mad at you. Repent of anything you need to, but then move on. It’s easy to get ashamed of feeling far away from God, but the truth is: He already knows, and He already wants to help you. He wants to use this time in a special way in your life. Keep the lines of communication open. (A journal is a great way to do this.)
2. Get honest with a few trusted friends (and surround yourself with Godly people)
You might be surprised by how many others have had similar experiences. Not only will a few close friends be able to encourage you or give you some fresh ideas, they will also provide accountability. Discouragement is common in the desert, and having someone check in with you regularly will help keep you moving in the right direction.
3. Remember that feelings are only a part of any relationship
It’s no different when it comes to your relationship with God. Your feelings, while important, are only part of the picture. When you’re not feeling it, don’t forget that not only have you made a commitment to God – He’s made a commitment to you! And although your feelings indicate otherwise, He’s not going to break His word. He is truly faithful, and He will bring you through any desert. This time is not wasted, and He will use it for some good purpose in your life!
4. Dig deep into God’s Word
When you’re in the middle of a dry spell, opening your Bible might seem like a waste of time. In fact, it’s exactly what you need, whether it feels like it makes a difference or not. Here’s a few things that might help:
•Enlist accountability. Ask someone to check in on you regularly to make sure you’re faithful in your daily devotions.
•Join a Bible study, or start one that challenges and intrigues you. There are so many wonderful studies available-online, with a small group, or individually
•Refresh regularly. A few little bits of encouragement throughout your day can add up to making a big difference. You could spend some time in the morning with your Bible study, read an encouraging devotion or blog post on lunch break, and wrap your day up with a few more moments of Bible study. Figure out what works for you.
5. Pray
Ask God to show you if there’s anything that is obstructing your relationship. Ask Him to help you through this tough season. Ask Him to give you endurance, encouragement, and to learn through this time.
6. Memorise Scripture
Memorise Scripture that speaks to your season of struggle. Here’s one to start with: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” (Psalm 34:17-19)
7. Speak truth over yourself
Similar to memorisation, reminding yourself of the truth is crucial to changing faulty thinking patterns. When you’re tempted to despair that God has left you for good, remind yourself instead that God will never leave you (Isaiah 42:16). When you feel like God’s love for you is gone and over, remind yourself that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Identify what you’re wrestling with, and work on replacing lies with truth.
There have been multiple, “dry seasons” in my walk with God – some long, some short. I can tell you, though, that they have always had a purpose, they have always come to an end, and I am utterly convinced that they happen to every believer at some point or another.
So, if you’re in the Dust Bowl, too… hang in there. Rains in the forecast.
Grace, peace, and we’re in this together.
Stay blessed!
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Local mattress manufacturers have raised serious concerns over the influx of substandard mattresses, warning that these products pose significant health risks to consumers and threaten the sustainability of Ghana’s mattress industry.
At a press briefing held in Kumasi on Tuesday, manufacturers accused unregistered foreign entities, particularly Chinese firms, of flooding the market with cheap mattresses made from polystyrene.
Mr Yaw Ampem Darko, a spokesperson for the local manufacturers, warned that prolonged use of substandard mattresses, especially those made with polystyrene, could result in chronic back pain, musculoskeletal disorders, poor posture, and diminished sleep quality.
These health implications, they stressed, were not always immediately evident but accumulate over time, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly.
This material, typically used for packaging, is considered unsuitable and unsafe for bedding.
According to industry leaders, these sub-standard products have been circulating for at least five years, gaining traction among unsuspecting consumers due to their unusually low prices.
“These mattresses are being sold at suspiciously low prices, luring unsuspecting consumers who are unaware of the health dangers.”
“We are not just protecting our businesses; we are protecting Ghanaian lives. The government must act swiftly to stem this tide before more citizens fall victim to these dangerous products,” Mr Yaw Ampem Darko stated.
The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has acknowledged the issue and, in response, announced a nationwide enforcement campaign aimed at clamping down on the production, distribution, and sale of substandard mattresses.
The campaign, which was scheduled to take effect from September 30, 2025, was empowered by the GSA Act, 2022 (Act 1078), which authorises the Authority to seize and seal non-compliant products and impose sanctions on offenders.
In a statement signed by the Director General of the GSA, Professor George Agyei, the authority cited Sections 29 and 43 of the Act, reiterating that all mattresses sold in Ghana must meet established national standards or face confiscation.
The statement further emphasised that mattresses failing to meet these standards not only compromise sleep quality but also contribute to long-term health complications, including spinal and neck pain.
Despite the GSA’s commitment, manufacturers have expressed frustration over delays in implementation and called for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
They urged the GSA to work in close collaboration with the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and national law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute violators of Ghana’s quality standards.
Manufacturers are also appealing to consumers to remain vigilant and prioritise their health by verifying that any mattress they purchase bears the GSA certification mark.
Moreover, they caution the public against purchasing suspiciously cheap mattresses that lack proper labelling or identifiable branding, as these were often indicators of substandard or counterfeit products.
As the official enforcement deadline had expired with no show, the local producers insisted that much more than business interests were at stake.
They argued that without swift and sustained action, the health and safety of Ghanaian consumers would continue to be compromised.
“Public awareness, strict enforcement, and collaboration among regulatory bodies are essential if we are to protect the integrity of the local industry and the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people,” Mr Darko indicated.
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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The Founder of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative, Ms Raissa Sambou, has urged authorities to impose severe punishment on individuals, including teachers and guardians, who sexually abuse young girls.
Speaking in an interview to mark this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (October 11), Ms Sambou condemned the increasing cases of sexual exploitation involving minors, describing such acts as “heartless, criminal, and a total betrayal of trust.”
She noted that those entrusted with the care and education of children must not be the same people who violate them, stressing that “anyone found guilty of abusing a girl child must face the full rigours of the law without leniency.”
The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually to promote the rights of girls, empower them to reach their full potential, and draw attention to the challenges they face worldwide.
Ms Sambou lamented that poverty continues to push many young girls into vulnerable situations, exposing them to exploitation.
She expressed concern that some headmasters, teachers, and community members who should protect girls rather take advantage of them.
“This must stop immediately. The safety of every girl must never be compromised,” she said, urging the public to report all forms of abuse to the appropriate authorities and called for swift action by law enforcement agencies against perpetrators.
Addressing girls directly, Ms Sambou encouraged them to take their education seriously and to believe in their potential.
“It is possible to be young and responsible. Your future is bright, protect it, believe in it, and never let anyone dim your light,” she advised.
She further urged girls to choose their friends wisely, stay disciplined, and speak up if anyone makes sexual advances toward them.
Ms Sambou concluded with a rallying call for collective action, saying “speak up, protect them, and empower them. Together, we can end the sexual exploitation of girls.”
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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