Why Do You Feel Spiritually Dry? The Becket Cook Show Ep. 153
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- Опубліковано 21 лют 2024
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In today’s episode, Becket explains why Christians eel spiritually dry at times and what the solution is.
The Becket Cook Show Ep. 153
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ABOUT BECKET:
Becket Cook was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended Jesuit College Preparatory
School of Dallas. After graduating from college, Becket moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream of writing and acting, finding success in both. He eventually went on to become a production designer working with the top photographers and directors in the world on fashion shoots for magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, and for ad campaigns such as Gap, L'Oréal Paris, and Nike.
Finding a new sense of freedom in L.A., Becket also fully engaged in his new life as a gay man. He had a series of many relationships with men throughout the next fifteen years.
In September of 2009, Becket met a stranger at a coffee shop in Silver Lake who invited him to his church in Hollywood called Reality L.A. Becket reluctantly agreed to attend the service. After hearing the sermon that Sunday, Becket was utterly transformed by the gospel and gave his life to Christ. He also knew on that day when God revealed Himself to him that homosexuality was a sin and that he could no longer live that life. Becket was more than happy to count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.
Becket spends much of his time in ministry speaking at churches, universities, and conferences helping believers (and non-believers) understand this issue biblically, theologically, culturally, and personally. Balancing grace and truth when teaching on this subject is of primary importance. His goal is to challenge the current cultural narrative about sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular by demonstrating through his personal testimony and biblical truths that, yes, homosexuality is still a sin, and that following Christ is infinitely more satisfying and joyous.
He has lived all over the world in major cities such as Rome, Vienna, and Tokyo.
Becket graduated from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in 2017 with a Master of Arts in Theology.
Becket’s book, A Change of Affection: A Gay Man’s Incredible Story of Redemption, with a
foreword by Francis Chan, published by Thomas Nelson, released July 30, 2019.
TBCS theme song by Seth Kaye
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In my post, I meant spiritual gifts not monetary ones...
After listening to this show, I have a question for you. When one feels spiritually dry as you describe, are they then considered “lukewarm” as described in Revelations? Thank you
@Sabirdyify I cannot reply on Becket's behalf, but from my own experience in my faith in Jesus ~ that "spiritually dry period" is the very moment you step up to the plate by faith. Perhaps the most exciting moment of your journey.
You're no longer crawling ~ you're now walking. It's that 'pick a lane' moment when you no longer have a constant need for immediate comfort.
It's the moment you decide on your own to put on and accept the whole armour of God and walk in faith.
If you have a child, do you want to be loved and trusted by that child simply because you give him a cookie everytime he feels sad? Or as an adult, write him a check? Are you to do all the footwork throughout that child's life?
This is exactly what I have experienced. In January 2011 I was saved from homosexuality when I was 48. I threw away everything that reminded me of my past. I was new creation in Christ. I felt so pure and close to God that I could almost touch him! Constant tears of joy and worship. I read or listened to the Bible or sermons all the time. I wanted to be around God‘s people, singing his praises, telling other people about Christ. ❤ It’s been 13 years and I still get emotional when I think about what he has done for me. It is a discipline to read and pray as I should. Thank you so much for this. It was very helpful!
Agree. The Holy Spirit is so sweet. ♡♡♡
God is good ❤
What a testimony ❤Praise the Lord!
There is nothing wrong with being homosexual.
Quint - Homosexuality is a sin.
Becket, thank you for this. I was radically saved when Jesus audibily spoke to me. I was 34 yrs. old..now 84 and feel sometimes far away from God. Love you and your ministry.
Sharing your testimony seems to make it come alive again!
This episode was perfect for me. I’m in my 20s and not a beginner Christian. I grew up in a loving Christian home and have perhaps believed in God my whole life. Since high school I have asked more questions about my faith and theology, dived more deeply into reading scripture and understanding my faith, and listened to different scholars about the Bible to glean more understanding. God’s realness and presence has been made known to me in clear, amazing ways very recently and I have at different points in my life felt very close to God, but I have also been through different seasons of strong desolation, doubt, and spiritual dryness that made me feel like God wasn’t present in my life like God used to be, made me want to isolate myself, and made it hard to pray and read scripture. This information is very encouraging for me to know that there is nothing wrong with going through these cycles, and that there is a purpose to the desolation. Desolation is an invitation to just stay faithful in coming to God in everything.
Becket, this is off your topic for today but I ran into a former coworker while out walking yesterday. She was moving out of her beautiful home. Her husband of 24 years decided that he is gay. What devastation he has caused to his whole family. Please everyone lift this family up in prayer. 😢thank you.
Will pray for this family.
They will be in my prayers.
Praying for them. Such a hard tning❤
Tragic story, will be praying for this former coworker, and her family.
He hasn't decided to be gay, he probably has been attracted to other men since he was young. He has lived a lie until now. I still have,same sex attraction but I don't live as a gay man. I don't want any relationship or sexual encounter. I found the lord through my alcoholism. I was traumatized in the past and I started drinking alcohol to deal with my pain. I was self medicating. I no longer drink after hitting my rock bottom. I cried out to the lord please help me. I now have 8 years of sobriety. Thanks to the lord. I have made changes that are beneficial for me. I hope your ex husband finds the lord in his own way.
Becket why isn’t this talked about or preached about? I strayed away from God and thought myself unworthy of His love so many times. I wish I had known this when I was younger. This has set me on fire to read my Bible more and pray more. Mostly to ask God for forgiveness for my ignorance. Thank you so much. You are awesome.
I agree. I don't hear this in church. I honestly don't know if leaders truly understand the concept. I always would wonder if there's something wrong and I was told to pray harder. Knowing it's a season, I can weather that because it won't last forever.
Yes!!!
My pastor taught this from 20 years ago. But he also wrote Enotionally Healthy Spirituality
You are precious, Becket. God bless you.
Consolation. Desolation. I can totally relate. The enormous high that is felt in the first years of conversion is unequaled. All my senses were hightened, and I felt I needed to enlighten everyone around me🦋 🔆 We truly ride on a wave 🌊 and have no idea it'll come crashing down. The relationship needs to be tried and deepened. There have been low periods where I've been in a rut, but when the tempest of adversity visits, I run back to Him. He is the only One safe to follow. 🙏
Beckett. Thank you so much for this video and message. I needed to hear this today.
My husband and I discussed this "dryness" last night! We didn't call it that, but I mentioned it seemed like my prayers weren't listened to and I told him I didn't even pray yesterday nor read my Bible all the way like I usually do. I told him I wasn't even feeling like I wanted to go to church or talk to fellow believers. This was a Godsend! I doubted whether I truly believed or was a counterfeit Christian! I read my Bible today, both OT and NT and the account of Paul being escorted by a battalion to Felix struck me anew. I read it before but lost my place and repeated it and I understood it better. These days are dark and getting darker and when tempted to think God doesn't care is when we are weathered and hardened spiritually like the Ark before the Storm. I'm going to listen a second time and take notes! Thanks Beckett!
I am definitely in my desolation stage right now. Thank you, Beckett, for sharing this. I was radically saved in 2017. I remember when I got saved, I was really on fire reading the word of God. I read the entire New Testament in a few weeks, and I understood everything. I knew I was led by the Holy Spirit. I felt so light and elated. I was so in love with the Lord that it didn't matter to me at that time if He would take me home. And then these past years, it has been really tough. Im also sick and dealing with a lot of physical issues. Dealing with fear and anxiety. I've been really asking the Lord lately what did I do wrong, what I am doing wrong. Why it feels like He is so far away from me. And I've been trying to find ways to fix it. This is really encouraging for my walk. ❤ I thank God and you, Beckett, for this. After Jesus was baptized by the Holy Spirit, He was in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. Im thinking our desolation is our time in the wilderness.
Yes- wilderness period!
Deeper maturity not based on “spiritual payoffs”.
I just told my friend today that God hasn't spoken to me in a long time and I have been wondering what I was doing wrong. The world is getting so crazy and I've almost felt like I was "in trouble" with God somehow because I ask and ask what I should do and get no answers. I feel a lot better!💙💚
Same- started going to a new church after being away from fellowship since 2018 and they focus on obedience and it’s your fault bc your sinning . Or disobeying God somehow that’s why he’s distant 😢 not sure how much longer I will go to this church
This was eye opening --God wants authentic relationship with us ❤ and what we do next will reveal our authenticity.
@Thankful...same here, Pentacostal church.
@@KM-zn3lx oh wow!! I hope 🙏🏼 you have found biblically balanced teaching and fellowship 🙏
We need other believing believers to do this life with 🥰!
@@Thankful305 I think your experience is part of sanctification. God is constantly calling us deeper to greater holiness which is separation from the world (the Hebrew word for "holiness" means "separate"). God calls us to greater devotion to Him and to forsake all idols. He is making us into grown-up Christians. The world is so dark right now. Would you stay loyal to Him if times were tougher for you? Would you bail on God if you were persecuted as a Christian in China or North Korea for example?
In a sense, your church is right - idolatry is sin and God wants our obedience - but He is growing us up by ridding us of our idols so that we can obey(the greatest idol is ourself - we want our comfort, the good life, worldly success, don't make any waves through our Christian witness, etc.). God loves us enough to put us through this maturation process and loves us as we go through it. He is doing it because you belong to Him.
I've never had a time of consolation. As a lifelong Christian (apart from 10 years of waywardness from my late teens to late 20's) it's been mostly spiritual dryishness by comparison. However, over the past short while, I've felt that by listening to people share their consolation stories and testamonies, my faith has been built up, thus providing what feels like some level of consolation. (Vicariously getting consolation from others😁).
It all started with hearing Becket's testimony, which led to finding this channel, and this opened up a world of amazing listening and learning opportunities, a significant growth in my faith, and the desire to get involved with a local outreach ministry (on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver)
Thank you, Becket, for covering this topic so wonderfully and for everything else you've done for so many, including me.😊
Same here... saved when I was 5, now 73. Looking forward to spiritual joy in Heaven, where it's guaranteed.
You may have the gift of faith. It doesn't take faith to trust in and love God when He manifests Himself to tangibly. But when you press on IN FAITH without feeling anything you are living by faith And not by sight. The gift of faith is tied to other gifts like gift of healing, deliverance, miracles and deep intercession that changes lives and nations and history!
@user-hw7bg6tv4g I feel there are many of us. Yet God is good. Bless you! @user-hw7bg6tv4g
@@Jane-kb6vyThanks so much for this encouraging message. Yes I may have the gift of faith. It's just always been there. Perhaps it's time to see about the possibility of stepping into some of those other gifts you mentioned. 😁 Bless you!🙏
Praise God for the work you are doing in a needy place. May God refresh you every day.
Dear Becket, this left me speechless and weeping. Been walking with God for decades and have been experiencing my first real lasting dryness. This put me before God again, as I used to experience Him with a joy and lightness I’ve been missing. Thank you for making this video. He is so good. He is enough.
I am feeling this spiritual dryness now. This is Gods perfect timing because although I know these seasons exist sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. And I've never heard this explained in quite this way. Very encouraging Becket. Thank you and God bless you!❤
Prayers
@@ENFPerspectives Thank you for your prayers....God be with you and continue to lead you 💞
Same here. The desolation period started about three months ago. It feels good to know that’s normal and that my God is still with me.
I am so glad you are discussing this. A friend who has gone to be with the Lord used to say it’s like crossing a desert with coming to an oasis for a period of time and then desert, then oasis, etc. Praise usually helps me but what you are saying is so true! Thank you, Becket! As an aside, you have the most wonderful laugh. God bless you!
Thanks Becket, I really enjoy your show. I remember when God took the spiritual bottle from me, I was not happy! But in the end it's what I needed.
Thank you, Becket! I was in the dry phase. I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know why. I would cry out to God and say Lord I love You, but why do I feel this way!?!
Jesus is so merciful! He reminded me that He's coming back. The key indicator is Israel. I'm praying for them, and I'm also excited because I get to see prophecy unfold right before my very own eyes!!
The fire is back!! There's not a lot of time here and I need to tell people about the Savior. Only those who are written in the Lamb's book of Life will be with Jesus!!
Thank you for sharing this. Many Christians think you're just supposed to always be happy and if you're not you're in sin. This is not necessarily true.
I feel most alive when I am reading the bible aloud. I spend my evenings reading the word of God aloud. Allowing each beautiful word of Scripture to nourish my soul as it departs from my lips.
The honeymoon stage, I call it. But I found that as we take up our cross and follow after Jesus, making cold choices he sees our commitment to Him and not the emotional highs. And when we are faced with crushing trials, God takes us to the painful side of His scales where we get to fellowship His suffering and made one with Him at the altar of sorrow and suffering. So to our flesh, it is not what it wants, however, I am learning that it is not a time to run from the brokenness but allow God to use it to join us to Himself. When I pray and my heart is so heavy and I pour my heart out at His feet and thank Him and Praise Him for the privilege to fellowship His suffering and to be made one with Him, I find such a deep sense of connection to my Bridegroom. It is a place where we trade ashes for Beauty. This IS the ultimate PURPOSE of Pain. What a privilege to have such intimacy! God longs for this level of fellowship with His Bride. He longs to be wanted for WHO He is. Thank you Becket for your show and your testimony and stand for God in these last, evil, and dark days. You are shining His Light Brilliantly! God Bless!
Beautifully beautiful Julie! You've wonderfully explained such the deeper reality. The deep calls from God to the deeper parts of us. The jewels of the world and the jewels of God are so different from one another and so are the fruits each produce. Thank you for sharing!!!
Raised as a preacher's daughter, felt much desolation for decades on and off and much waywardness. Still often feel much desolation. I blame myself. Feel I've rarely had the "consolation" stage. Hearing things in churches, like "people are going to Hell because of you", greatly upset me.
I trust that God laid this on your heart, and it has not fallen on deaf ears. From a lifelong believer, thank you!
This is our spiritual journey from infancy to adulthood. Like in Song of Songs we start off in the honeymoon period wanting to lay in the shade eating apples with our love (Jesus), but He beckons us out to search for him and find him in new landscapes. At the end we are a mature Bride, coming out of the wilderness leaning on our Beloved Jesus 💖
Thank you dear Becket for this message.
I have wrongly thought for years that I had lost my "first love" (see the book of Revelation, chapter 2, the letter to the church of Philadelphia).
But with time, I have noticed that the joy of my salvation reached much deeper than at the beginning and that my journey thru God's Word, on and on, was still filling my heart, my soul, my mind, in a more peaceful way, what I enjoy more than at the very beginning (your description of that phase of consolation is so accurate!).
But the burden has grown too, seeing so few people of my family turning to God, 38 years after my own "conversion" (I was born again in february 1986, at the age of 25). I still long to see my old parents coming to Christ...
God bless you, dear brother, and greetings from The Netherlands!
I really wish this was shared more in churches, so eye opening! So many Christians experience this and then think something is wrong with them once it goes away but just as in your relationship analogy the honeymoon feeling doesn't last forever; if you truly love God you will work to maintain the relationship just like a marriage. What a blessing of a message, thank you!
I never heard that quite like that. I have been saved for 40+ years and have been through "hell" as a Christian - where I just had to "tough it out" - due to sin- I am no longer as judgemental as when I was first saved and more dependent on God knowing He is "IT" the ONLY answer no matter how I feel!
I am experiencing a time of spiritual dryness. This was so helpful, thank you!!
I have had periods of consolation and desolation a few times over 60 years. I began to see them as seasonal, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. At times I my circumstances may be like Spring, but inwardly iris Winter. Or I might have circumstantial Winter, but inwardly summer. What you said here speaks to me, because for 3 years I have taken care of my husband who has Alzheimer’s disease. My life ccircumstances are definitely Winter, but God gas give me great leave without loneliness or depression. I have had a hard time concentrating reading. Two weeks ago a friend asked me how he could pray for me. I requested concentration in reading. Tonight I was able to read. Thanks Beckett.
I loved God as a young girl, I was seduced into the world and became a self worshipper. I realized my wicked sinful heart and broken I returned. I am often dry but nothing can pull me back into the world. Dry for many, many years, this gives me hope that someday I may become more Christ like.
Thank you, Becket. This has been helpful. A few keys words and phrases stood out such as lamenting. I've been lamenting and not understanding. It makes sense now. I struggle with depression from time to time and did feel spiritually numb. I kept wondering what was wrong. I clung to preachers/speakers who shared their struggles with depression. If they struggle, then maybe there is a reason why. I was told to embrace the "pit". It changed everything because I know these times are not forever, but are just for now. I think I'm on an upward path because I'm able to pray, look forward to reading the Bible and I'm overwhelmed and moved to tears every day by God's greatness. I'm not as afraid of the desolation because I know God is always with us. As usual, your message is perfect with God's timing.
55+ years walking with the Lord -- I clearly understand this awesome teaching. Many years ago I had lost my desire to read God's Word, I prayed to Him to restore my hunger for His Word, He answered my cry and never again have I lost my thirst for His Word!
In our dry patches we need to 'draw closer to God and He will draw closer to us' -- It's His promise!!
Our offer of "sacrificial" praise and worship🙌 🛐 also helps a lot... will lead us into His very presence!!
"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice" Phil 4:4 🙌🙌
I wonder when Dr Coe met me? Thank you Becket Cook. I'm 70. I've never heard of this but it's me. God bless you Becket Cook❤❤❤❤❤❤
;) yes!
I feel I have lived in the dark night of the soul for the past year. It's like I have slid into my spiritual struggles.
This dark time intensified and cemented my relationship with God. Some gifts come poorly wrapped.❤🎁
That is true. God just took me through a super stressful experience and gave me such a Huge blessing from it. I didn't see it coming but I trusted His will for me. He has a purpose for us... and that is to be in relationship with Him.
I've been there for about 20 years now. Long, long time.
@@ENFPerspectives In the Middle East or the Mediterranean, the growers of Olive trees have a special way to strengthen Olive trees. The growers will waters young or new trees constantly to encourage them to grow. Overtime, the growers will withhold a certain amount of water to strengthen the roots of the trees. This sort of reminds of the way that God treats his people.
We don't grow in the good times, but sometimes God prepares us for those times in advance by giving us nice deep roots, so we never forget who we belong to.❤️
@@jodyel I have had struggles for a long time as well. I had to get to the point to where I was ready to ask for help. I use to claim self sufficiency for so long. I came from a family who would discourage "airing your dirty laundry in public." My family viewed talking about pain or emotions as a sign of weakness. I had to push past my uncomfortablity and start talking to someone or anyone including God...
God is more concerned with my character than my comfort.
@@lisasteen2902Indeed. God bless you and always lean on Him. We will get there in the end.
Wow! Thank you for beautifully articulating this process. I grew up as a Christian but never truly fully surrendered until God, in his mercy, answered my ambulance prayer at 45 and spared my life. When I was discharged from the ICU and spared I still had lots to process, but I knew without a doubt God spared me. I did reach a point where I got down on my knees and face and completely surrendered my life in grateful tears with an open heart. That first year was pretty amazing with goosebumps and hearing God in ways I had never experienced. Eventually we do find the goosebumps (while amazing) only carry us so far. There are definitely times I feel I can’t hear God and I find myself questioning what have I done. I realize that by recording other people’s testimonies is a way I can draft off of their experiences, which I never saw before. I don’t think that’s wrong because my motives are pure (to give God glory and inspire faith). I do find when we continue to do the disciplines of faith that God blesses it. The process of sanctification is truly interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Thinking of Sam’s story reminds me of what Jesus said. The one who is forgiven much, loves much. This was important talk and one that it isn’t talked about often. Thank you.
I thought of the same verse
It’s kinda like how the manna stopped coming from heaven every morning once the Israelites entered the Promised Land. He calls us deeper into faith; a place where feelings cannot come and His Presence is not tangible. That’s when we fall on The Rock that never fails or changes.💪🏼💪🏾🙌🏼👑✝️💟 Thank you so much, Becket!! A much needed word for the church today!!
Very helpful. I have had this too. I just remember that he is always with me whether I feel his closeness or not.
thnk u so so much Mr Becket, really really needed this 😢
So encouraging Becket. Really grateful and relieved by this teaching. In my experience, it is so hard to still be in the word, praying, serving, involved in church, but feeling like a fake just going through the motions because that sense of presence is missing. Then the worst part is to begin hiding and isolating in shame, not willing to share the struggle. Yet it's in the transparency where you can learn you are not alone in this struggle and hope can be restored. I so appreciate your honesty 🙏☺️ 💕
Always appreciate Beckett's videos. Yes very helpful!
Thanks Becket. I needed to hear that today. Saved at 11 yrs old I’ve been through many dry spiritual times over the last 6 decades. But He is faithful to walk with me and my hope is in the Lord. The sin is in NOT getting back up, dusting myself off and looking up to the one who saved me❤
God Bless
I identified with the muslim’s story.
Am also a former gay, born from a muslim family, who engaged in orgies, chem parties, saunas, sex shops, circuit parties, drug addiction, rehab stints… and then God saved me. I was hooked. Was going to church every single day of the week. I read the Bible three times a year. This is my fourth year as a Christian and I have been feeling dry.
I thought there was something wrong w/ me, even wondering if I was TRULY one of God’s righteous. BUT, we walk by faith, not sight or emotion, so let us all keep step w/ the Spirit as Paul advises at the end of his Letter to the Galatians.
THANK you for doing the research; I wasn’t going to give up, but I felt like such an anomaly!
The healing I felt when I came to Jesus was incredible! The presence of God was so strong! The strength given to pull me through so many things and emotions was incredible! I dislike the word ‘magical’ but I think non-believers would understand the word verses extremely spiritual for us believers. It was such spiritual renewal and spiritual awakening
I’ve been feeling dead and lost. This is sure timely. I go through the motions, but feel disillusioned with everything.
Be content where you are and rest in Him. ❤️ thank you for sharing this beautiful picture.
So timely for me. thank you so much for sharing!
Yes! Yes! Yes!! Been walking with Jesus for 25yrs in March this year. Born again at the age of 32. God was so vivid and present in my life those first few years!! This video is made its way to me in perfect timing! I’m in probably my third “round” of spiritual dryness. I know it’s God taking me deeper and getting me off my feelings and on to His promises specifically His promise to always be with me - regardless of how I feel about it.
I appreciate the terminology used by your professor. I say: where there’s struggle there’s life when people come to me about spiritual dryness. I encourage them as I encourage myself to stay in the word, prayer…and I also ask for a little nugget or breadcrumb to let me know I’m on the right path…God is so faithful to lead, correct and encourage!! 🩷💪🏼🩸🐑
@BecketCook
I grew up as a Christian in a strong, spiritual-filled home all my life and always had a “respect” for God but never really knew Jesus as my Savior nor made Him Lord of my life until March 29th, 2020. As I came out of the homosexual “life” and a 10 year relationship at 43.5 years old into salvation I experienced every point you discussed in this teaching from “consolation” to “desolation.”
Over the last 2 years I have been on what I call “My Spiral” and what a roller-coaster ride that has been, seeking for an answer of truth to what I was experiencing. As I finally had to let the fear go and give it to the Lord I prayed He would make a way for that revelation of truth meet me where I needed to be met. Thank you for being obedient to the Lord and allowing His anointing over you bless me and free me from a bondage I needed freedom from for quite some time now. Bless you brother and I pray and believe God will meet any need you’re needing met in Jesus name!
This was so helpful! I am going through this very thing and have been praying about it today and then I come across this video 😭
Thank you! I WAS worried, thinking what have I done… exactly what you said! Deeply appreciate you sharing this. May God richly bless you…. I was very blessed by this 😊♥️🙏
I needed this so much. I got saved when I was 16 so in my late teens/early 20s, I was sooo in love with Jesus. I'm 27 now, and I'm still in love with Jesus, but it's not the same spiritual "high" as it was back then. I've been praying for God to help me fall in love with Him in a fresh way in my late 20s entering into my 30s.
Thank you so much for making this! I think it will help a lot of people. It’s definitely helpful to me. Glory to God!
I was just reading my “Springs in the Valley” devotional (it’s an old but a goody!) the February 25th entry… God gives special illumination that we may be able to call to memory in days of shadow, and say “Therefor will I remember thee from the land of the Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill of Mizar.”
Paul had blessed interludes when the Lord gave him words of promise to remember in his days of trial that would follow.
If these special experiences came too often they would soon lose their flavor. “
All that to say- thank you Becket for sharing and explaining this. It is very encouraging in so many ways. I wish all pastors would explain what you did. I think it would spare a lot of people pain and guilt. And give understanding that God has never left them! ❤️🙏❤️
I never thought about the Bell curve being applied to our Christian experience, but it makes sense.
Good explanation! I’ve been a Christian for over 45 years, and I’ve sat under lots of excellent teachers , and remember these words and not really knowing what they meant. Over the years in the Lord it does have the really highs and lows but I was taught to say to the Lord , what Lord? He is always faithful to bring us back. People come and go but the Lord is always faithful! Stick and stay in Jesus name amen!
I have gone thru this for years!,! Have had spiritual battles with fear and anxiety’s. And I have had oppressions. So scary and long, roight now I just keep living for God, I have gone to counselors and read books, prayers fast, seeking help to get free! The more I sought help the worse it was. I need to see God in faith and not worry about how negative I feel, trust and live for God, it’s a spiritual battle, the enemy bothers me, I rebuke and keep praying. Was told I have had this attacks and feel dry or bad due to being molested by my dad. When I was nine, so for years I have had cycles. Of attacks, panic attacks, anxiety, depression. Thank you for your help. ❤
Thank you for speaking about this. Forty years plus a believer here and you’re the first person to shed light on this experience.
Love you so much, Beckett. Just what I needed today❤
In the movie The Letters about Mother Teresa she also found herself in desolation. Even Mother Teresa went through this.
Thank you again, Becket, may the Lord bless you and your service⚘️
“None but the godly are capable of desertion. Wicked men know not what God’s love means, nor what it is to want it. They know what it is to want health, friends, trade, but not what it is to want God’s favor. You fear you are not God’s child because you are deserted. The Lord cannot be said to withdraw his love from the wicked, because they never had it. The being deserted evidences you to be a child of God. How could you complain that God has estranged Himself, if you had not sometimes received smiles and tokens of love from Him?”
-Excerpt from “all things for good” by Thomas Watson.
Becket, your program blesses my heart so very much.
i appreciate you describing this cycle so well. For me, it often feels like hardcore spiritual warfare! Fortunately, the lessons God has taught me through my various consolation periods, have sustained me through the devastating periods of desolation.
It very much reminds me of what Jesus went through... Gethsemane > Torture > Crucifixion > Resurrection > Glory.
🥵💔🙏💝
So cool to hear you talk about this Becket! I’m currently studying at Biola and took Spiritual Formation 1 last fall with John Coe for the lecturer. It was the most life changing class I’ve ever had. I wish the material was more well known!
Becket, this topic really resonated with me, as I am well acquainted with the phases you've described. I've been in the valley of desolation, or "dark night of the soul" (as I most frequently refer to it), for quite a few years now. The first couple of years of desolation grieved me deeply because it was as if I had suddenly become deaf and blind. Previously, I had enjoyed wonderful prophetic dreams, spiritual discernment, powerful words of knowledge from other saints, prophetic insights/utterances, as well as rapid and clear answers to prayer. Then, suddenly, every worship setting seemed unreal, and all in the congregation seemed to be "faking it." There was no more sense of God's presence or the moving of His Spirit. After a couple of years in this state, I was inches from giving up entirely, sure that I had blown my salvation, when He finally revealed to me that there was a purpose to what I was (or perhaps more correctly, wasn't) experiencing. He said to me that I needed to learn to walk by faith, not by sight and not by my feelings, and that I knew the truth. He told me, "You will not hear, taste, or smell Me." He further said to just sit at His feet, to avail myself of opportunities to grow and learn, and to wait. I've spent far more years in desolation than in consolation at this point, but He revealed enough of His purpose for me to hang on. I agree with your comments about this experiencing being for those whom God wishes to take to a deeper place. Not all believers have this experience, though all have their trials and tests.
Several years ago, I was at an annual men's summit. We were given a charge on the opening evening to each assume a posture of prayer and ask God to "put His finger on one specific thing in our life that He wanted to deal with during the summit." With a long list in my head of all my bad attitudes, sins, weaknesses, and failures, I knelt and asked God to put His finger on the one He wanted to tackle, fully expecting a reply. His response was immediate, clear, and not what I expected. He said, "you are not ready for me to put my finger on it yet." I knew that He had answered my question, and I was completely satisfied with His answer. I inferred that there was at least one specific issue, He was working on it, and I wasn't ready to be confronted with what would no doubt lead to either further self-recrimination or hopelessness. I fully expect that by the time this issue is revealed, it will have already been dealt with and will be in my rear-view mirror.
Thank you for all you do.
This was a good talk today, it seems it helped a lot of people. I just wanted to make a comment that Jesus is so worth it! He’s worth everything, even if we never felt His presence again on this earth, He is worth it! I wish you would have gone into some of all He has done for us. Just to read His Word and meditate on the goodness of God and how He condescended to find and save a wretch like me stirs me to thankfulness and praise, it brings tears to my eyes and brings that consolation back. God is near, whether we feel it or not. In Him we live and move and have our being. Read through the Psalms, read through Paul’s writings, read through Luke and Acts. It inspires the Christian to thankfulness and joy.
No matter what is going on in my life, I make sure I am listening to the preaching of the Word of God and reading my Bible and devotional books. As believers, we absolutely need OUR DAILY BREAD!
4:30 Me too Becket. We used to have a Saturday night, and still have two Sunday services and I'd go to all 3. 😂
What a profound teaching! Yes, so many churches attempt to generate the consolation and sometimes in an inauthentic Holy Spirit way. Conjuring up that spiritual consolation in the flesh is what so many churches are striving to achieve primarily using music as a tool.
I feel so much joy listening and seeing in you what God has done! 🎉 I'm always sharing your videos (link) on social media. God bless you bro!
I love your channel Becket because I love what the Lord has done in your life. I'd like to say though that my spiritual experience has been the exact opposite. I am so much more passionate about Jesus and his precious Gospel now than I have ever been! My conversion was very anticlimactic to the onlooker, and I am delighted to say that it seems to me that about 15 years ago (I've been a Christian for about 27 years), the Lord opened my eyes to better understand his grace and it's had an avalanche effect (in a good way)! I think a big speed bump being a Christian in America is our consumerism, where we are tempted to treat church as a service, expecting "what will this church do for me". What about persecuted Christians? It takes white hot faith to suffer for Christ. Let's ask God to revive our dull, self absorbed minds and find joy in the pursuit of Christlikeness! He is worth every effort❤
Becket, I’m at 7:25 and loving this video so far. I just want to point out that when you say “there are vices in your heart, and God wants to deal with that”, it reminds me of the video you did about your mother’s wonderful typed prayer for you, where the first line was “Deal aggressively with the enemy.” That makes me smile because that prayer is so good.
Thank you for this. I was saved back in the 80’s and felt His Spirit so strongly that I could burst. I married a narcissist and stayed for 20+ years but after my stepson died and my husband had a triple bypass, I stayed until he got better but he got worse, so mean but I don’t think I was supposed to leave and that guilt has really messed with me for the past 12 years. I needed to hear this. I still love my husband (ex) but he never loved me and was with others within weeks of separation. I’m alone and will stay that way but very hard on myself. I pray you’re right. I’m not giving up though. Please 🙏 for my husband and my children. God bless.
My thoughts….when we first open our selves to God , He is love , total love and He touches and comes into our heart. That love is such a beautiful all encompassing feeling. But then from being that close we then need to live out our lives, and like a good father with a little baby starting to walk, He takes His hands just a bit away so we take our first steps, His arms are always there , but we don’t feel supported. And then we will start to understand that while we don’t feel His arms and we step out into our path , His words are a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.
Helpful talk Becket. Thank you
Becket, thank you for this! Sometimes it is hard to admit to being in a dry place, but in reality we all go through it. This is where we truly grow in God, and know Him for who He is. It's so vital to hang in there, because He is faithful!
Beckett, thank you so much for this teaching! I’m 60 years old and been a Christian since age 7 and I’ve never before heard such a profound teaching on the spiritual highs and lows of being a Christ follower. Thank you for bringing this to light! I pray more and more can hear this teaching. It is greatly needed in the church. God’s continued blessing on you in the work He has given you. Your testimony has been powerfully used in my life and I’m sure many others!
This is so eye-opening and incredibly helpful! This is exactly what I needed. God bless you Becket ! ❤
This is a great explanation for spiritual dryness, nice.
God has worked in me differently than almost everyone (maybe?). I came to Christ about 5 years ago, and I didn't feel anything in the first 3-4 years, in the last year or two, I've felt his love a few times, briefly, and probably only five times or less, but it was amazing. I beg him all the time to let me feel something.
I needed to hear this too- thank you Becket
You r so warm, authentic and listenable. Thank u for sharing this teaching from your seminary days. Your presentation is always so direct and reasonable; i will b able to share this easily with others. I am in a dry spell and really needed this. I thank God for u! God is soooo good. We r so blessed to know him. ❤
Thank you, Becket! This is what I needed to hear tonight! I have been spending a lot of time reading my Bible lately, but don’t feel like he’s close to me! I will keep going and acknowledge that I need God to work on me more than the pleasurable feeling!
As I listened about consolation desolation I was impressed that during consolation we are given at least partly a physical reason for having faith but then in desolation though feelings subside we are encouraged in faith without feelings because without faith it is impossible to please God.
Thank you Becket! This is very encouraging!
Thank you for this. Gives me things to think about. I resonate with desolation
This has been really helpful. Thank you
Hi Beckett, I just want to thank you so VERY much, for this message...it is PERFECTLY timed, as if God sent you to me for such a time as this. I found myself agreeing, nodding, and then weeping with gratitude and some conviction. Thank you again, so very much. ❤
Thanks so much for sharing this, Becket! The plateau/desolation is real! Thank Jesus that He’s bigger than us and our feelings!
Omgoodness, thank you for bringing this cycle of what we as christians experience! I've been in all places...years where I couldn't get enough of church, bible study, singing His praises, all of it. I don't have the consolation now, but still trust and obey. I am His
Thank you so much for making this video. The content resonates with my spiritual journey.
I've been a Christian for so long and have never heard this. This is exactly what I went through. Now I know the dry period is part of the cycle and there's nothing wrong with me. So good to know!
We know God is faithful. What you describe Becket - is when we get to learn to be faithful don't ya think?
I think your topic and I have a divine appointment! Just a few hours ago I talked to God to acknowledge this desolation (not knowing that this is the term for that). I told God that I understand there is still work to be done in me to conform to the image of His Son Jesus. And now I'm watching this video of yours, Beckett. How great is our God! His timing is impeccable!
Yes !! Its all about self discipline and dying to ones flesh and bringing things of the flesh under control and once the newness of the relationship has worn off ( just like in earthly relationships) we continue on by action not always just on "that new feeling" out of wanting to show love by deed not just feeling
Thank you so much, Becket. We pray for you often knowing you have such a powerful testimony. You have been a tremendous inspiration to me. I have shared your book often.
Oh!, how I need this!!!
So good. Thanks Becket.