Over the past six weeks, I have felt as though someone has put me through a hot setting, on an emotional and spiritual washing machine!

I was expecting a season of calm, yet I’ve been thrown in circles of soapy suds and – with every turn – some sort of ‘dirt’ came out.

(N.B. I’m using ‘dirt’ to describe stuff that is in your heart that needs dealing with! Not necessarily sin.)

If you are following Jesus and you feel like you want to give up in some way…

• Maybe your confidence has been knocked,
• Maybe you just don’t want to show up for the next big thing,
• Maybe you are tired of trying again,

Hang on, because I believe this post is for you…

Perhaps you are just going through a spiritual wash!

What if God is just buffing out some stains, getting you ready for what is ahead?

Maybe, just maybe, the mess is necessary.

Temporary. Inconvenient. But necessary.

Not to be ignored.

The ‘dirt’ that has come out of me has been threefold; I’ve listed them below.

I believe some of you will relate and begin to recognise what Jesus is actually setting you free from, or helping you overcome.

1. The Dirt of Distraction

Ever had it when that one comment that eats you alive for an entire day?

Your thoughts go round in circles:

What does that person think of me… Can I get them to like me? How can I change their perception of me? How can I swing this situation so I don’t look bad?

You replay a scenario in your mind – again and again… and again!

Oh, boy! I have fallen into this trap a lot lately. I have wasted precious time overthinking things that God was never even asking me to consider.

The result: Problems that were small, felt almighty.

People that should have had my attention, did not get it.

Tasks that could have been easily done, took all day.

You and I need to be aware of the dirt of distraction.

We don’t need to respond to every single person.

We do need to limit voices that will distract us.

We really do need to be alert and willing to call a distraction a distraction.

We need to be ready with battle verses and praise songs and people we can ring when we are stuck in a negative loop of thoughts. Loving people that will not feed our negativity, but graciously snap us right out of it!

The Spirit of God will let you know what you should be focusing on.

2. The Dirt of Control

Years ago, I was at a Jesus Culture conference in Manchester. A preacher named Lisa Bevere prophesied. She said something along these lines:

“Some of you here will have jobs that haven’t even been created yet. Therefore you need to listen to God because He will show you what those jobs are and what they look like. You need to go to the source to discover the job.”

Earlier this week, I was reminded of those words. I realised that if I wanted to do whatever it is that God has for me, I should:

1. Listen to Him.
2. Stop expecting my life to look ‘normal!’
3. Do what He says, even if it seems a bit odd.

The Bible talks of a time in which God’s people took over a city called Jericho.

God’s people were led by Joshua. They were asked to march around this city thirteen times.

After a lot of marching Joshua’s instruction was: SHOUT!

When they shouted… The walls of Jericho came crashing down.

Now, If you are a Christian and you grew up in church, this story can seem all-too- familiar.

But it is literally bonkers.

What kind of captain marches round a walled city with trumpets, expecting victory?

Invasions are usually forceful, tactical and strategically planned by a group of military leaders.

Can you imagine the sight of city walls literally crumbling, as soon as God’s people shouted?

Here’s what the Bible tells us:

When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.They devoted the city to the Lord and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.

Joshua 6: 20 – 21, NIV.

This true story has stood the test of time for a reason…

We need to:

1. Listen to Him.
2. Stop expecting my life to look ‘normal!’
3. Do what He says, even if it seems a bit odd.

Let us relax our grip on what looks good and go with the bonkers-yet-God-led plan.

3. The Dirt of Discouragement

I’ve had quite a few moments recently, where I have not wanted to praise. Where I have just felt too tired, too sad and too overwhelmed. I asked God about it, He told me I was despondent.

Despondency is a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage. (Bible hub)

A couple of Friday’s ago, I was standing in the kitchen of my friend’s house. I offloaded everything that was troubling me and she began to pray. She prayed that I wouldn’t be overcome with feelings of discouragement. Instead, she sought God to help me find joy.

Discouragement is a loss of confidence or enthusiasm. (Oxford Languages.)

I think of a guy called David, his life is written about in the Bible. Notice how he spoke to his soul in Psalm 42:

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5, NIV.

There’s so much to be said about discouragement and despondency. But, first, asking the WHY question is important…

• Why is your soul downcast?
• Can you begin by answering that one question?

Checking your heart is a vital step that you cannot overlook.

Chances are there are a few genuinely heartbreaking reasons that you are feeling discouraged and despondent…

• Don’t ignore those feelings; offloading to a prayer group is a great start. The reason God brings these things up is so that they can be dealt with.
• But also, don’t let those feelings lead you. My friend was right to pray that I wouldn’t be all-consumed by them. If those feelings are too much for you to deal with by yourself, please do seek help from a counselor or access local mental health services.

When he penned Psalm 42, this chap David was on the run for his life! He had so many real reasons to have a spirit that was discouraged and losing hope.

But the thing to remember is that the Spirit of God is more powerful than any emotion. That is why David tells his soul: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my savior and my God.”

I doubt David felt like praising, but this simple declaration shows us that David is making a pledge to not stay in this pit. He knows the way out is with God.

For me, despondency and discouragement may take longer to deal with than distraction or control. But I need to resolve that I will not stay here. I will deal with it and I will put yet put my hope in God again.

Checking the ‘mess’…

I hope you recognise that this is a post about acknowledging what is going on – spiritually and emotionally!

Distraction, control and discouragement are three things that have made the last six weeks a little ‘messier’ than I thought. Maybe you thought you were stepping into a calm season and instead you feel like you’ve been thrown around a suddy wash-drum!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.