Feeling Distant from God? How to Experience His Presence in Spiritual Dry Times
Can I tell you something? There are days I wake up and wonder, "Where did God go?" Maybe you've felt it, too. Feeling distant from God is something a lot of us never talk about out loud, but it can feel like the loneliest place in the world. Your heart aches to connect, your prayers bounce off the ceiling, and every page of Scripture feels... dry. But let me assure you, this space isn't empty. It's where God loves to meet us, even when we can't feel Him at all.
In our recent podcast episode, I sat down with Ashley to talk about those dry spells, especially the ones that show up after big losses or deep grief, and handwritten notes of spiritual encouragement can offer hope. The truth is, feeling distant from God seems to come out of nowhere. One minute, life is full and joyful. The next, you’re just trying to get through the day, waiting for some sign that God still sees you.
Why Does Feeling Distant from God Happen Even When We're Trying?
Let me paint you a picture. Maybe you’ve been following Jesus for years. Maybe you’re just trying to figure Him out. Either way, at some point, feeling distant from God sneaks in. You read your Bible. You show up at church. You say your prayers. And yet, there’s a wall. A quiet that feels almost heavy. Can we just say out loud that this doesn’t make you a "bad Christian"? You’re in good company.
Even David in the Psalms cried out, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1, CSB). That’s not spiritual failure talking. That’s honesty. And in the gospel, we find Jesus Himself on the cross asking, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). If you’re feeling distant from God, you are not alone Finding God in Hard Times: How Grace and Faith Carry Us Through. Sometimes this season comes after deep loss, like Ashley shared about miscarriage, a time when many discover Finding God in hard times. Sometimes it’s just a slow aching that shows up for no reason you can name. But you don’t have to hide or pretend.
Common Reasons for Spiritual Dryness
- Fatigue or burnout from serving or life's demands
- Unprocessed grief, sadness, or disappointment
- Unexpected changes or sudden loss
- Ongoing stress that makes it hard to connect with God
- Hidden sin that's weighing on your heart
- Just being human in a hard and messy world
Whatever the cause, feeling distant from God is something every believer will encounter at some point. You aren’t broken or less faithful because you don’t feel Him right now.
How to Seek God When You Feel Far Away
I remember a season not long ago when my prayers felt empty. I lit a candle. I opened my Bible. Still, nothing. I felt like I was sitting in a dry valley, waiting for rain. This is where faith meets practice. It’s one thing to praise God on the mountain. But how do you keep going in the valley when feeling distant from God is all you know?
Here's the thing: God is not measuring your worth by your emotions. He's not taking attendance to see who feels inspired and who doesn't. He's just asking you to stay. Read one more verse. Whisper one more prayer. Put on worship, even if your heart is numb.
Practical Steps When You’re Feeling Distant from God
- Stay in Scripture, even if it feels dry (the Word waters our soul in ways we don’t see)
- Share your honest feelings with a safe friend or mentor
- Remember a time when you felt God close - write it down to remind your heart
- Embrace routines like journaling, worship, or taking a walk outside
- Trust that God is still working, even when you cannot sense it
In our podcast, Ashley talked about a simple thing - a hummingbird showing up when her arms felt desperately empty after loss. God knows how to send little reminders to let us know we aren't alone, even in dry places.
What Does the Bible Say About Feeling Distant from God?
I come back to Romans 8:26 (CSB): "In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings." I love this. Sometimes, when feeling distant from God is all we know, we don't have words. Many days, my prayers are just breath. No fancy phrases. Just God, help. And He meets us in that.
We see in Scripture that dry seasons are not punishment. They are spaces to grow trust. God doesn’t disappear because we’ve stopped feeling. In fact, He promises, “I will never leave you or abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5, CSB). That truth means more to me in my dry seasons than words could ever tell.
What if You Don’t Sense God Coming Back?
Sometimes the dryness lingers longer than we want. You show up, you try, you hope. Maybe you’re still waiting. Here is what I’ve learned: Don’t use feeling distant from God as a sign that you’re doing something wrong. Instead, see it as a sign that you’re still hungry to know Him. Don’t run away. Stay close, even if it’s uncomfortable.
- Keep showing up to community - online, in small group, or with a trusted friend
- Allow yourself to rest - not every season is for striving
- Ask God what He wants you to learn right now
God will never leave you. That’s not just a nice idea. That’s His promise.
How Do You Hold On to Hope While Feeling Distant from God?
Here’s my heart - feeling distant from God isn’t the end of the story. Every dry season I’ve been through, He’s met me on the other side. Sometimes, I find Him in the details: a song, a sunrise, laughter with friends, a memory that lifts my spirit. Other times, it’s the quiet realization that I’m not carrying it alone.
Our podcast reminded me that community matters. Sharing our stories matters. When we talk about this honestly, we help each other stop pretending that faith is just about easy feelings and mountain highs. Real faith sticks close when nothing feels right. Real faith asks, “Lord, what can I learn here?” and trusts the answer will come, even slowly.
Encouragement for Your Next Step
If feeling distant from God is your season right now, I want you to know this. Your feelings are not the whole story. God is present with you, loving you, and working for your good - even if you don't sense Him. Take the next small step. Open your Bible. Reach out to a friend. Go for a walk and whisper a breath-prayer. Cling to the promise that the fullness is coming, even if you can’t see it yet.
You are not alone. I’m walking this road, too. Together, we stand in the gap for each other, believing for the days when His presence feels close again.
Want more encouragement and practical ways to find God during dry times? Listen to our full podcast episode, "Navigating Spiritual Dry Seasons," where Ashley shares her story, and we talk about real hope for real life. And friend, just keep showing up. God is faithful.
Related: Navigating Spiritual Dry Seasons Podcast
Read next: Staying Rooted When Faith Feels Shaky
