Fatigue

Here in Adelaide we have just had a stretch of hot weather and it drains energy and renders many fatigued. It got me thinking about different types of fatigue. And what of spiritual fatigue today? What does that look like and how prevalent is it?

In an individual and personal sense I can say that there are times when I feel disconnected from my religion and the practices that usually remind me of what I believe and who I feel called to be. They are the times I know I need to get out in nature and recharge my spiritual batteries (so to speak) as I know that usually works for me. There are times when others have prompted me to do this as, realistically, when I am really exhausted spiritually, I lack the cognisance to make good choices.

I am aware that the recent child abuse scandal in the church has caused significant spiritual fatigue (if we take the meaning of spiritual fatigue as feeling disconnected from one’s sources of spiritual and religious strength). This awareness comes from conversations but is also reflected in church-going statistics. It is hard to keep reconciling your beliefs in a church where leaders (and those we have thought were to be trusted) have behaved in such a heinous manner to those whose innocence should have been treasured. The thing is though, again I go to the numbers, these men are a minority.

How do you, continue to look past the human failings that riddle a religious institution and keep faith? I think we need to remember that it is in God we trust not man. And for all the flaws in our church there is so much good. It is a funny thing faith. Almost by definition it defies explanation, but it holds a place at our core, unshakeable for the most part. We must learn how to renew when it stretches to breaking point. A bit like finding somewhere cool in a heat wave.

Spiritual fatigue is something that any person can feel. It is unbound by religion. It stems from the generally accepted approach that really – humans are more than cells. Thereby, that thing within that defies clear definition and spurs us on is our spirit. Thereby, we all have a spirituality. Therefore, we can all experience both spiritual elation and spiritual fatigue. We all can lose our sense of purpose and meaning. How do we recover this? How do we renew? How do we support those around us to do this as often when you are that fatigued choosing a renewal is a logic that stems not from exhaustion.

Who do you see in your circle in need of renewal? We say it takes a village to raise a child, well I think it takes a community to save your spirit.