Cycles of Resistance || Overcoming Spiritual Fatigue
The Message to the Church in Philadelphia
7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: 8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. 10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. Revelation 3:7-13 NLT
What is Spiritual Fatigue?
Spiritual fatigue is a deep exhaustion that affects you first internally and then manifests externally.
It begins internally with a mental fog, a drowsiness intended to put you to sleep, a weakness, a lack of motivation to engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, fasting, reading of the word.
If gone unaddressed, it can lead to numbness, lack of discernment/clarity, doubt, insecurity, disillusionment, feeling disconnected from God and His people, a loss of purpose or strength to continue forward on mission for Christ.
2 Things to Note ||
It is spiritual!
Spiritual Fatigue is meant to take you out spiritually!
The fatigue is intended to put you to sleep so that you check out spirituality.
We are warned often in scripture to not succumb to sleep, but to stay alert, ready and awake!
Matthew 24:42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.”
Matthew 24:44 “You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Matthew 25:13 “So stay awake and be prepared, because you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
Mark 13:33 “Be on guard! Stay alert! For you do not know when the time will come.”
Luke 12:35–36 “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast.”
Spiritual Fatigue comes to take out those who are a spiritual threat to the enemy!
It can often be felt after a significant spiritual battle or at the verge of a coming breakthrough!
1 Kings 19
This is what spiritual fatigue is like! You don’t have enough strength to even drink and eat!
When spiritual fatigue hits it’s intent is to make us so weak we believe we don’t have enough strength to eat or drink spiritually!
But God in His mercy sends messengers to bring us the living water we need to drink! The living bread of His word to eat so that we can BREAK FREE FROM THE FATIGUE THAT IS TRYING TO TAKE US OUT!!!!
The spiritual fatigue was not only intended to take out Elijah, no it was intended to take out the next generation of leaders!
The fatigue sent against you is designed to take you out and those you are meant to empower!!! You, your children, your spiritual children, the kingdom call and assignment over you life!!!
It is time to wake up! To shake off the spiritual fatigue, armor up and engage in this very spiritual reality.
Romans 13:11 “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”
Ephesians 5:14 “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 “So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.”
1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.”
Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.”
1 Peter 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
The Church of Philadelphia
There is no direct correction to this church, but Jesus does say this to them:
You have little strength…
Little dunamis (v.8)
Dunamis = God’s miraculous supernatural power!
But Jesus then tells them in v. 10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it.
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Heb 12:28 NKJV
East Gate :
Jesus has opened a door for you today, that no man can shut!
There is a way to overcome spiritual fatigue and that is by coming through the door that is Jesus!
9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. John 10:9 NKJV
Jesus has the authority over spiritual fatigue or any weapon formed against you! This is why it is written in Rev 3:7:
This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:
The key of David is symbolic of the authority of Jesus! What He closes no man can close and what he opens no man can open!
Today He closes the door to spiritual fatigue and opens the door to His dunamis making you strong and able to withstand the schemes of the enemy! (Ep 6:11)
Resources to Go Deeper:
Rhythms of Renewal by Rebecca Lyons
The Ministry of Intercession by Andrew Murray
