When You Feel Nothing: Finding God in Spiritual Dryness
Even when your heart feels numb, God hasn’t gone silent—He’s still working beneath the surface.
Have you ever felt like your prayers bounce off the ceiling?
You sit in church, sing every word, maybe even nod at the sermon—but deep down, you feel nothing. I know that feeling. I’ve lived it.
A few years ago, I went through a really difficult season while serving as a deacon at my church. The situation left me emotionally and spiritually drained. I told myself I’d never be a deacon again—and honestly, wasn’t sure I even wanted to lead in a church again. Burnout had set in deeply.
For a while, my Bible sat unopened. I still went to church, but my body was there more than my heart. My relationship with God felt dry, distant, and mechanical. I knew the right things to do, but I didn’t feel anything. Maybe you’ve been there too.
It wasn’t until I moved 1,500 miles to Pennsylvania that I began to heal. In that new season, God started quietly rebuilding what had been worn down. Slowly but surely, I began to sense His presence again—not in an emotional surge, but in steady, simple ways. Now, at 63, I feel more used by God than I ever have in my life.
That’s the thing about spiritual dryness—it’s not the end of your faith story; it’s just a chapter.
Psalm 42: A Song for the Dry Soul
The writer of Psalm 42 knew the ache of spiritual emptiness:
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1, NLT)
He was thirsty for God, yet God seemed far away. He didn’t fake it or pretend everything was fine. Instead, he poured out his heart and told God exactly how he felt.
Sometimes the most honest prayer you can pray is, “Lord, I don’t feel You right now, but I still want You.”
Romans 8:26: When Words Fail
When we’re spiritually dry, prayer can feel impossible. However, Romans 8:26 gives us a lifeline:
“The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.” (NLT)
Even when you can’t find the words, the Spirit intercedes for you. God isn’t waiting for you to feel close to Him—He’s already drawing near.
How to Walk Through Spiritual Dryness
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Be honest with God. He already knows your heart, so speak freely. Tell Him what you’re feeling—or not feeling.
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Stay connected. Keep going to church, even when you don’t feel it. The people of God often hold us up when our faith feels weak.
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Feed your soul anyway. Read Scripture, listen to worship, or simply sit in silence before God. Spiritual discipline isn’t about emotion—it’s about devotion.
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Remember that this won’t last forever. God often does His deepest work when we can’t see it or sense it.
The Promise Beneath the Dry Ground
Faith isn’t about always feeling close to God—it’s about trusting that He’s close even when you don’t. Spiritual dryness doesn’t mean God has abandoned you. It often means He’s deepening your roots where feelings can’t reach.
If your soul feels parched, hold on. God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s still working—quietly, patiently, faithfully—until new life begins to bloom again.
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When you can’t feel God, trust that He’s still forming you.
