Awake My Soul: A Devotional for the Spiritually Desensitized
Written by Rylan Isabella Wicker
“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
— Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)
Have you ever felt spiritually numb?
Like you know Jesus is real—you’ve experienced Him, you’ve seen too much to doubt it—but somehow, your heart still feels distant?
If you’ve been there (or are there now), you’re not alone. I’ve been there too. There are days I know the truth, yet my brain wants to revert to old patterns of thinking. Days when Jesus feels more like a fantasy than a living Savior. Days when I wonder if I’m even truly a believer because my thoughts spiral and question everything. And I hate that. I’ve cried, “God, help me! Please don’t let me lose faith. Please don’t let me forget You.”
And you know what? He hasn’t.
A Spiritually Numb Culture
I think a lot of people in our world—especially here in the United States—have become spiritually desensitized. We’re surrounded by comfort, distraction, entertainment, and self-help solutions that push away any real hunger for God. Life is loud, busy, and full of noise. We live in a culture that teaches us to be independent, self-sufficient, and performance-driven. That mindset leaves very little room for daily dependence on Jesus.
Even as believers, we can drift. I’ve noticed that when I get too busy or distracted—when I neglect time in God’s Word or in prayer—I start to forget who I am in Christ. I start doing things in my own strength. I lose awareness of the spiritual realm and begin operating more like the world does than like a daughter of the King.
But here's the truth: just because you feel numb doesn’t mean Jesus has left you. Just because your emotions are off doesn’t mean your salvation is gone. Jesus doesn’t abandon us when we’re tired, confused, or even questioning. He pursues us still.
Come Under His Authority—Not Your Own
One of the reasons people lose faith or walk away from God is because they’re trying to walk in their own authority instead of Christ’s. They try to cast out darkness with their own words. They try to live holy by their own effort. And when the power doesn’t show up or the change doesn’t last, they think God failed. But God never asked us to walk in our own name—He called us to walk in His.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’”
— Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
If you’ve been trying to overcome sin, fear, or spiritual numbness in your own strength, it’s time to stop striving and come under the authority of Christ. Surrender isn’t weakness—it’s power. It’s where real transformation begins.
How to Regain Spiritual Awareness
If your soul feels dull, here are some gentle ways to draw close again:
1. Slow Down
Make space to sit with God. Not just to ask for things, but to be still. Turn off the noise. Take a walk and just talk to Him.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
2. Return to the Word
Even if it feels dry at first, soak in the truth. Truth reorients your heart when your feelings are lost.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
3. Pray Honestly
God can handle your doubts. Your confusion. Your silence. Just be real with Him.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
4. Speak Truth Out Loud
You may not feel like a new creation, but you are. Speak God’s promises over your life daily until your mind aligns with heaven.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2 (NIV)
You’re Not Condemned
This is crucial. Just because you’re struggling doesn’t mean you’re rejected. Your battle does not erase your belonging.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1 (NIV)
If you long for Jesus—if you care about your relationship with Him—that’s evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in you. You’re not spiritually dead. You’re spiritually alive and wrestling. And wrestling is a holy thing. Jacob wrestled with God and walked away changed forever.
A Simple Prayer
“Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.
Teach me to think rightly.
Forgive me for doing things in my own strength.
Help me come under Your authority and walk in the power of Your name.
Awaken my spirit.
Heal my wrong thinking.
Let me know You again, deeply and truly.
In Jesus’ name, amen.”
💬 Final Words
If you’ve been feeling spiritually numb, don’t give up. You’re not alone. Jesus is still with you. He’s not measuring your faith by your emotions—He’s holding you through your confusion. Let Him carry you. Let Him renew you. And most of all—remember who you are in Christ.
To help you with that, I’ve created a free printable PDF of Daily Truth Declarations—one for each day of the month—to speak over yourself and remind your soul of what’s true.
📥 Click here to download: “Remember Who You Are – 30 Daily Truth Declarations”