Forward or backward, that’s how John’s walk with God goes. There are times when John feels disconnected and bored with his spiritual life. He considers those points a signal to ask God to help him become poor in spirit and find God at a deeper level. As the Psalmist says, “Deep calls to deep” (Ps. 42:7).
An understanding of spiritual poverty helps John discern specific areas of his life where he needs help and guidance. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to dealing with spiritual poverty.
John is a seeker. He tends to look in various directions for answers and help. He prays and asks God for insight and wisdom about his issue. He searches the Bible, and asks mature people for counsel. John remembers God has promised that in His timetable we all, who wait upon Him, will find what we are looking for. God loves for us to seek. Jesus said, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).
Some people may find their emotional poverty leads them to difficulty in receiving love and being emotionally connected. The Bible teaches that we are to be “rooted and grounded in love”(Eph. 3:17). Yet those who have lived lives devoid of comfort and support do not have this grounding. Other people find that they are broken in the area of self-control and responsibility. They allow themselves to be controlled by others, or they have an area of life, such as eating, that is out of control. They are poor in spirit and in taking ownership of their lives. Still other people become aware that they cannot make mistakes without experiencing harsh feelings toward themselves.
Thankfully, God is able to satisfy longing of our heart when we go to Him with our need. His unconditional love meets the need of the coldest heart.