Have you ever experienced a drought? No, I am not speaking of a physical drought, but a spiritual and/or emotional drought.  When one is in the midst of a drought, he/she is experiencing a lack or a deficiency.  There is a need or desire, recognized or unrecognized, that goes unsatisfied.  And when one experiences a drought for an extended period of time, there can be some seriously damaging effects.  In the natural, droughts can lead to starvation, famine, disease, wildfires, abandonment, conflict, and even death.  Spiritually/Emotionally speaking, droughts can lead to many of the same consequences to our spiritual and emotional selves. In nature, a drought implies a shortage of water, but in our daily lives, we may be experiencing a lack of joy, love, self-esteem, motivation, compassion, etc.  We do things that we never thought we would do because we are starved for love and attention.  We abandon our goals and dreams because we lack self-esteem and motivation.  We are constantly at the heart of conflict because we lack compassion, and in its place are envy, jealousy, and strife.  And in the midst of it all, hope withers and dies within us.  But don’t worry.  The drought is only temporary, so get ready for your water.  How? You ask.  Well, that is a great question.  To end the drought, you have got to do some things.  First, you have to decide that the drought is over.  Then, you have to prepare the landscape for your water. Finally, you have to drink.

Some of you may be scratching your head and asking, “Did she tell me that I can end the drought by deciding that it is over?”  Yes, I did.  You see, deciding is a powerful act.  It indicates that you have considered the situation and are making a deliberate determination.   A decision is a conclusion; a pronouncement; a resolution, each of which indicates finality.  Many stay in “drought-mode” because they feel powerless to move forward.  They feel that they are in the drought because of what others have done or because of what has happened to them.  I understand that, but I am here to tell you that regardless of how you got into the drought, you have the power to get out.  Become the subject of your own life, which means you are the one doing the action and not the one being acted upon.  Whatever it is you feel you are lacking, pick up your power and decide that the drought is over now!

Once you have made the decision and declared that the drought is over, you must prepare the landscape for the water.  You see, some landscapes are not conducive to holding water.  Let me rephrase that.  Some of us are not prepared to hold, carry, or contain the blessings that come with abundance. We have lived without that thing for so long, that we have re-configured or re-defined/designed ourselves to operate without it.  Some have lived without love for so long that when it comes along, they reject it.  Others have lived without genuine self-esteem for so long that they have transformed themselves into human trashcans for others to dump in. Some have lived without joy for so long that they wear permanent frowns.  That has got to change.  You must prepare the landscape (yourself).  You must do what you need to do to prepare yourself for the water, which may mean acquiring some things/people and getting rid of others.

Finally, drink.  Not once.  Not twice.  But continually.  Drink.  What does that mean?  That means that you should continually pour into yourself that thing that keeps you hydrated.  If your drought is joy, continually pour joy into your own life and the lives of others. Don’t wait for someone else to come along and make you happy.  Get happy all by yourself.  If your drought is self-esteem, wake up every morning and tell yourself the truth about who you are.  Don’t wait for others to compliment you, affirm your own self, life, and purpose.  Pour into yourself.  You are worth it.  Drink, my friend, drink!