Troubled Spirit

Why do I have this feeling of uneasiness within me? What is going on? Why can't I seem to get past it and just proceed with my life as usual? These are questions I find myself asking whenever I sense uneasiness within me. This uneasiness is what I refer to as a "troubled spirit."

If you do a thorough reflection on your life, you will agree that at one point or the other, you experienced the same uneasiness. 

What does a troubled spirit mean?

Usually, when your spirit is troubled, it means there's something you have to pay urgent attention to. It's not a time to be lackadaisical. 

This uneasiness can stem from having a dream, past experiences, or just a loss of peace. Sometimes, it might even be unclear what the source is but you shouldn't sweep it under the carpet. 

Why does our spirit get troubled?

There are numerous reasons as to why our spirit could be troubled but I will list just three. 

1. God wants to speak to you: When our spirit is troubled, it might be a sign that God wants to point us to something to which we have to pay urgent attention. It's not a time to be lackadaisical. We are God's children and every good father communicates with their children, especially on important matters. One of the major ways God speaks to us is by speaking to our spirits. The same spirit He put in us. 
   

   14. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children[g] of God. 15. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[h] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”[i] 16. For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. Romans 8:14-16 

2. God wants to deliver a people through you: A good example can be found in the dream of Pharaoh in the book of Genesis 41:1-8. He was troubled because God was trying to communicate His plan, which will impact the people, during a specific season (Gen 41:28). The mistake we sometimes make is to assume that when our spirit is troubled, it is only directly related to our personal life. As seen in Genesis 41, Pharaoh’s spirit was troubled not because of himself but also because of the nations. He was positioned (as the king) at the center of how things would unfold for his nation and other nations. If he had neglected and not addressed why his spirit was troubled, a good number of people could have died from the famine. This is why when our spirit is troubled, we ought to think beyond "I" and act for the sake of "us." This is also the reason we cannot afford to be lackadaisical.  
3. God wants to get you prepared for a new phase: Another reason why our spirit might be troubled is that God wants us to get prepared for a new phase in life. As we see in the story of Pharaoh, it wasn't until his spirit was troubled that he started preparing for the famine. The things we have built a structure around are easy to prepare for. For example, we know that as we get closer to completing college, we need a job. As a result of this knowledge, we will start to prepare our resumes and conduct interviews. However, spiritual activities or events, as destined by God, are not as visible to build a structure around so God tends to disrupt our norm until we get the message and kickoff preparations. One of the ways He does this is by troubling our spirits. 

What then should I do when my spirit is troubled?

So what are the practical steps to take when I find my spirit troubled? I will list two:

1. Ask God: Don't rest until you find out why your spirit is troubled. One of the ways to ensure this is by returning to your first love. Daniel 2:22 says “He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.” It is also He who can restore your peace and rest; as seen in Matthew 11:28 which says Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2. Talk to a superior head: You can also talk to your spiritual father or a superior figure over you who might be able to provide a solution or guidance. This is what Pharaoh did (Gen 41:14). Don't be too proud to ask for help. 

Conclusion:

Remember, it is important to note that if that which causes your spirit to be troubled is repeated, it means God is laying emphasis on it (Gen 41:22). Take it seriously. Until your peace is returned to your spirit, the issue isn't solved (Gen 41:16). Every wise person will take seriously the speaking of God to his or her spirit. Be wise.