Not Getting Stuck in Dryness - Strategies for Coping with Phases of Spiritual Dryness Among Religious Brothers and Sisters in Germany—Findings from Qualitative Interviews

Abstract

Many believers experience phases of spiritual dryness in their lives coupled with feelings of exhaustion, confusion, and emotional emptiness. Even religious sisters and brothers experience such phases. But how do they cope with phases of spiritual dryness, and what resources do they use to overcome them? In a qualitative study, 30 religious brothers and sisters utilized four main categories of resources: internal reflective resources, internal spiritual resources, external personal resources, and external other resources. A primary strategy does not seem to exist for overcoming phases of spiritual dryness. In the context of this study, therefore, several resources emerged that were used in accordance with the triggers and were applied against the background of the life situation, context and attitudes, perceptions, behavioral competencies, resources, and abilities of the person concerned.

Conversations with God: How Are Religion and Spirituality Used to Make Sense of Forgiveness?

“…Further studies have shown that connecting with God through praying may promote forgiveness, consolation, and better mental health (Black et al, 2015 ; Dein & Cook, 2015 ; Dein & Littlewood, 2007 ). People often pray for insight, wisdom, salvation, motivation (Plante, 2021 , p. 261), and to have a dialogue with God (Gerundt et al, 2022 ), as this study’s participants did.…”

Spirituality of Professional Pastoral Caregivers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Distress, Resources, and Consequences

“…For them, support is much more needed than further trainings, which are rather perceived as additional work tasks. Spiritual dryness could be prevented by spiritual offerings, or they can in turn help in coping with phases of spiritual dryness (Gerundt et al 2022). The results also highlight the importance of relieving offers and the strengthening of job satisfaction to compensate for the perceived lack of appreciation.…”

Das Erleben Geistlicher Trockenheit als Glaubens- und Lebenskrise und ihre Bedeutung für die psychotherapeutische Begleitung

“…Welche Strategien das sind, wurden zunächst qualitativ bei katholischen Seelsorgern erfasst [31] und diese dann in ihrer Bedeutung bei Adventisten quantifiziert [32]. In qualitativen Interviews mit Ordenschristen wurden 4 Hauptkategorien mit einer Vielzahl an Strategien in entsprechenden Unterkategorien identifiziert [33]: internale reflexive Ressourcen (Aushalten/Dranbleiben, Akzeptanz, Zulassen von Tränen, Selbstreflexion, die Botschaft erkennen, Relativierung), internale spirituelle Ressourcen (Grundgewissheit der Nähe Gottes/Grundvertrauen, Gebete, ritualisierte Formen religiöser Praxis, Stille und Sammlung, Offen sein, Exerzitien), externale personale Ressourcen (unterstützende Wegbegleiter, geistliche Begleitung, Gemeinschaft, psychotherapeutische/psychologische Begleitung, Normalität/Alltag) und externale andere Ressourcen (Gott/Heiliger Geist als Helfer, Natur als Ressource, Literatur, Musik, Kreativität). Manche dieser Strategien sind Ordens-christen wohl leichter zugänglich als anderen Menschen, dennoch machen sie die Vielschichtigkeit der als hilfreich empfundenen Strategien ansichtig.…”