When God Feels Distant: Finding Hope in the Dry Seasons

If you’re like me, you’ve been through a few seasons when God just felt far away. You still

believe, you still pray, but it seems like your prayers don’t get past the ceiling. Or, you open your Bible, and the words feel flat on the page. Or, you show up at church, sing the songs, and smile at the right times, but your heart feels a bit empty. 

If that’s you, you’re not alone. Every believer—no matter how long they’ve followed Christ—will walk through times of spiritual dryness. Even King David did. Think about it. The man after God’s own heart wrote, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Ps 42:1-2). 

David knew what it was to ache for God’s presence. He wasn’t doubting God’s existence or love; he just couldn’t feel it. Life had grown harsh and lonely, and his soul was parched. 

Receive: Remember What’s True  

The first step toward spiritual renewal is to receive the truth of Scripture, even when you don’t feel it. Feelings are real, but they’re not reliable. God’s Word is. 

Let’s return for a moment to Psalm 42, where David talks about his soul thirsting for God. In this passage, David talks to himself instead of listening to himself. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps 42:5). 

Notice what David does. He doesn’t deny the dryness or shame himself for it. He simply reminds his soul that God is still worthy of hope and praise. The word yet is powerful. “I will yet praise him.” In other words, even in the dark, David clings to what he knows is true: God hasn’t moved. 

When you feel spiritually dry, that’s your cue to hold even tighter to the promises you’ve already learned. God’s presence isn’t dependent on your emotions. Jesus promised, “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:20). The silence doesn’t mean absence. 

Reflect: What Might God Be Teaching You?  

Dry seasons often reveal what our hearts truly crave. When everything feels barren, our usual spiritual “highs” fade, and we’re forced to ask, What am I really seeking? Am I seeking God himself, or just the feelings I associate with Him? 

In the wilderness, Israel learned this lesson. God allowed hunger and thirst so His people would learn “that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deut 8:3). Sometimes, God withholds the emotional sense of His nearness so we’ll learn to trust Him by faith, not by feelings. 

Spiritual dryness can also expose distractions. We realize how easily our hearts chase other wells—comfort, entertainment, busyness. God, in His mercy, uses emptiness to draw us back to Himself. The dryness isn’t punishment; it’s invitation. 

Respond: Turn Thirst into Prayer  

When you’re spiritually parched, the Bible suggests that we shouldn’t fake it, but pray it. David’s psalms are filled with honest cries: “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning?” (Ps 42:9). God can handle those questions. In fact, He welcomes them. 

Start small. Pray one honest sentence: Lord, I feel far from You, but I want You. Then open your Bible and read a short passage. Maybe a psalm or one of Jesus’ parables. Don’t rush to analyze it. Sit with it. Ask, What does this show me about who God is? What promise can I cling to today? 

Even when Scripture feels dry, keep showing up. Faithfulness often precedes feeling. The same Spirit who inspired those words will use them to refresh your heart at just the right time. 

If you want to grow in this rhythm, try practicing what we call at Back to the Bible the Four-Step Daily Spiritual Fitness Program: 

1. Receive God’s Word with openness. 

2. Reflect on what He’s saying to you. 

3. Respond in prayer or obedience. 

4. Reveal what you’ve learned to someone else. 

This simple pattern builds a habit of Scripture absorption that nourishes the soul over time—especially in the dry spells. 

Reveal: Share What You’ve Learned  

Spiritual dryness can feel isolating, but one of the best ways to find renewal is to talk about it. Share what you’re learning with a friend or family member. Tell them, “I’ve been in a dry season, but I’m clinging to Psalm 42.” You’ll be surprised how many people quietly nod in recognition. 

Think about it for a moment. When you share your thirst for God, it often rekindles your own faith. In other words, God refreshes us through the encouragement of others. 

Keep Hoping  

Eventually, the rain will come. The God who seemed silent will speak again through His Word, and your heart will lift. But when that happens, remember this season, because dryness can deepen dependence. 

If you’re in a spiritual drought today, take heart. God is not distant; He is developing in you a deeper thirst for His presence. Keep opening His Word. Keep praying honestly. Keep hoping, like David, that “you will yet praise Him.” 

Affirm that truth in prayer today: Lord, even when I feel dry, You are my living water. Teach me to trust You in the silence. 

Then, share that reminder with someone else who might need it.