Overcoming Spiritual Dryness: What to Do When You Feel Distant(Drawing closer to God)

 Have you ever found yourself going through the motions reading your Bible, attending church, praying but feeling completely disconnected from God?

You're not alone.

Every believer, no matter how strong in their faith, will at some point experience a season of spiritual dryness a time when God feels far, worship feels empty, and your faith feels stuck.

The good news is: God hasn’t moved. And spiritual dryness isn’t a sign of failure; it’s often an invitation to grow deeper.

Let’s talk about what spiritual dryness looks like, why it happens, and how to overcome it biblically.

1. Recognizing the Signs of Spiritual Dryness

Spiritual dryness can show up in many ways, including:

• Feeling distant from God, even when you're doing "all the right things"

• A lack of desire to read the Bible or pray

• Worship feeling forced or mechanical

• Doubts creeping in about God's presence or goodness

• Feeling spiritually “numb” or indifferent

• Comparing your current season to a more passionate time in the past

It’s not always caused by sin. Sometimes it’s weariness. Sometimes it's the result of pain, grief, disappointment or just a slow drift away from intentional connection.

2. Biblical Examples of Dry Seasons

You're not the first follower of God to feel distant. The Bible is filled with faithful people who endured dry seasons:

• David cried out in Psalm 13:1: "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?"

• Job, though righteous, felt abandoned by God during his suffering.

• Even Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

These moments remind us that feeling distant is not the same as being distant. God is near even when He feels far.

3. What Causes Spiritual Dryness?

Some common causes include:

• Neglect of spiritual disciplines (prayer, Word, worship)

• Unconfessed sin that blocks intimacy with God

• Busyness or distraction with worldly things

• Emotional or physical burnout

• Disappointment or unanswered prayers

• Testing of faith God allows dry seasons to refine and grow us

But no matter the cause, dryness isn’t permanent. It can be a pathway to deeper intimacy if handled with wisdom.

4. What To Do When You Feel Distant From God

a) Be Honest with God

Don’t fake it. Bring your dryness to Him.

“Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” — Psalm 62:8

Talk to God like you would a close friend. Tell Him how you feel, even if it’s messy or raw. He can handle your silence, your sadness, and your doubt.

b) Go Back to the Basics

Sometimes we need to simplify our spiritual life:

• Pick a short Psalm or Gospel passage and just read slowly

• Pray honestly even if it’s only a few words

• Journal your thoughts and prayers

• Listen to worship music that lifts your spirit

You don’t have to do a lot just stay connected. Faith isn’t about emotion; it’s about abiding.

c) Confess and Repent, If Needed

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” — 1 John 1:9

Is there unforgiveness, hidden sin, or pride keeping you distant? Be willing to deal with it. God's grace is ready to meet you there.

d) Surround Yourself with Community

Don’t isolate yourself. Dry seasons can make you want to withdraw, but that’s exactly when you need fellowship.

Join a Bible study. Reach out to a mentor. Talk to someone who can pray for you and remind you of God’s truth.

“Two are better than one… If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10

e) Worship Anyway

Even when you don’t feel like it especially when you don’t feel like it choose to worship.

Worship lifts your eyes off your dryness and onto the One who never changes.

f) Keep Showing Up

Spiritual dryness often breaks not with a single moment, but with consistent obedience. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” — Jeremiah 29:13

The feelings may not come back immediately. But your faith will grow stronger as you continue to pursue God despite the dryness.

5. Encouragement for the Dry Seasons

Seasons change. Spring always follows winter. The dryness you're feeling now will not last forever.

Sometimes God allows the dryness not to punish us, but to:

• Strengthen our endurance

• Purify our desires

• Shift our focus from feelings to faith

• Teach us to walk by trust, not just emotional highs

Final Thoughts

If you're in a season of spiritual dryness, take heart. You’re not alone and you’re not stuck. God sees your heart, hears your prayers (even the silent ones), and is drawing you closer, even in the silence.

Use this season to press in, not pull away. The closeness you long for can be found again often deeper and sweeter than before.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” — Matthew 5:6

Keep seeking. Keep showing up. God will meet you there.