2026-06-05
Good morning, Dear Ones,
Today, I am commanded by the Holy Spirit to write about spiritual restoration. It is the process of returning to one’s original, intended state of wholeness, peace, and connection with God, often after seasons of brokenness, sin, or burnout. It involves healing past wounds, removing negative burdens like guilt or fear, and aligning one’s life with a divine purpose. Repentance and reconnection mean turning away from destructive paths and returning to God to find forgiveness and renewed purpose. There are four principles of restoration: replacement of old negative habits; renewal of the mind; revision of relationship with the Holy Spirit; return to one’s true, divine design. Internal renewal involves replacing “a heart of stone” with a heart of “flesh” [EZK 36: 26-27]. It allows for healing and emotional restoration. Spiritual restoration is a gentle process and not usually a momentary event, requiring gentle guidance and support, rather than harsh condemnation. There are signs of spiritual restoration: renewed joy even in difficult circumstances; clearer perspective from a divine viewpoint; active hope anticipating positive outcomes with God-led change and growth; reconnection with a purpose with a desire to live according to God’s purpose. The best ways to experience spiritual restoration are prayer and reflection, Scriptural guidance, rest, and seeking support from trusted community to help carry burdens.
In every aspect of gaining spiritual restoration with God, I find that it begins with study of the Scriptures. If this is done over time, there is a maturation and growth of one’s relationship with God that leads us to recognize our need for dependance on Him. PS 119: 25-27 shows the humility before Him we need to have. “I’m laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Your word. I give account of my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your decrees. Cause me to understand the way of Your precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds.” Prayer is certainly a necessity for this restoration. A good way to start is to pray NE 1: 11, “Lord, let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of this Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants who delight in revering Your name. Give Your servant success today by granting Him favor…” Even in times of weakness, our Lord is here for us. RO 8: 26-27, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Sprit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” One of the most amazing promises our Lord makes is in JN 15: 7, “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
My own experience in this long, gentle restoration process is developing a hunger for time with God “under the shelter of His wings” [PS 91: 1-2]. This involves habit formation, something I’ve wanted to share for a long time. Habit formation begins with a conscious effort to replace an old bad habit with a new good one (in God’s eyes). This is done in small, short spurts at first and then, with practice, longer, more significant sessions. With regular practice, one begins to feel the hunger for this special time as I have. These are the times when one goes to God with questions, concerns, etc. and spends quiet time listening to His answers and dialoguing with Him as appropriate. The habit of doing this kind of spiritual activity allows God to help us determine which sins we are committing after hearing our confession and directing us to what we must do to carry out His will. Over time, it builds spiritual resilience that pleases God and brings us closer to Him. PS 145: 18-19, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.’ Of course, this applies to prayers concerning the welfare of others too.
PRAYER: Dearest Father, Your greatest desire for all of us is to bring us into a close and active relationship with You. The ways stated above will do that, as long as we approach You with freedom, confidence, sincerity, and humility [EPH 3: 12; MICAH 6: 8]. Your love for us unmatched by any human. You sent our Lord Jesus to teach and guide us; You send Your angels to protect us. We need never feel alone or unloved, as You are always here for us. When we need Your intervention in our lives, You give it, helping us to make difficult decisions and take godly action. We are forever grateful to You for Your love, kindness, and faithfulness. We offer You our praise and thanksgiving for all You are and all You do, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: The Holy Spirit directs me to write about emotional restoration with God. All of us desire peace and joy in our lives. This subseries of the messages on GA 5: 22-23 (The Spirit Speaks) on restoration gives us the understanding and the tools to have a rich and significant spiritual life that a believer in Christ needs. Emotional restoration was left to next week because of the controversial nature of our emotions. Let me conclude today with EPH 3: 16-18, “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ…” Praise and thanksgiving be to Him!
Grace be with You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2026. All Rights Reserved.
<-- Back to Archives