Every believer goes through seasons when God feels far away. The prayers we once prayed with passion now seem to bounce off the ceiling. Scripture that once felt alive can feel flat and dry. Worship songs that once moved us now feel routine. These “dry seasons” can be discouraging, and many Christians quietly wonder, What’s wrong with me?
But here’s the truth: dry seasons are a normal part of the Christian journey. Even the giants of faith—Moses, David, Elijah, Paul—experienced moments of silence, doubt, and waiting. The good news? God is still at work, even in the silence.
1. God’s Silence Doesn’t Mean His Absence
When it feels like God is quiet, it doesn’t mean He has left you. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Those words aren’t tied to our feelings; they’re grounded in God’s eternal promise.
Think of Joseph in prison. From the outside, it seemed like God had abandoned him. Yet behind the scenes, God was preparing Joseph for a greater purpose—to save his family and an entire nation. What looked like silence was really God setting the stage.
Dry seasons can feel like empty fields, but under the soil, roots are growing deeper. God uses the unseen places to strengthen us for what’s ahead.
2. Silence Strengthens Our Faith
Feelings are real, but they aren’t always reliable. Faith, on the other hand, is built not on emotions but on trust in God’s character.
Dry seasons test what we believe. Will we still cling to God when we don’t feel Him? Will we trust His promises even when our hearts are weary? James 1:3–4 says, “The testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Spiritual growth often happens not in the mountaintop moments but in the valleys. It’s in the waiting, the wondering, and the silence that we learn perseverance, patience, and the steady discipline of trust.
3. Practices to Stay Grounded
When faith feels dry, don’t give up. These simple practices can keep your heart anchored until the season shifts:
- Stay in Scripture
Even if the words seem lifeless, keep reading. God’s Word is alive whether you feel it or not (Hebrews 4:12). Over time, the Spirit will bring it back to life in you. Sometimes a single verse carried in your heart can sustain you through weeks of dryness. - Keep Praying—Honestly
God doesn’t need polished words; He wants your honest heart. David often cried out, “How long, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1). Yet his prayers of lament became the very prayers that connected him more deeply to God. Bring your frustration, your silence, your longing—God can handle it. - Lean on Community
When you can’t carry your faith alone, let others help. Friends who pray for you, a church that encourages you, or even a small group that listens without judgment can become God’s voice when you feel He is silent. Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - Practice Gratitude
Even in the silence, there are glimpses of God’s goodness—a sunrise, a kind word, a small answered prayer. Writing them down can open your eyes to how God is still present.
4. Remember: Seasons Change
No season lasts forever. Winter always gives way to spring. In the same way, spiritual dryness will eventually give way to renewal.
Isaiah 43:19 promises, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” What feels like silence today may become the foundation of tomorrow’s testimony.
Think of the disciples after the crucifixion. For three days, silence must have felt unbearable. Yet resurrection was just around the corner. Your story may be in a Friday or Saturday season, but Sunday is coming.
The Bottom Line
Spiritual growth in dry seasons is about trust. God is not absent, even when He feels silent. He is shaping you, preparing you, and drawing you closer than you realize.
Don’t give up—your roots are growing deeper than you can see. One day, you’ll look back on this season not as wasted time, but as the soil where God planted faith that could withstand any storm.
R Y A N S T R A T T O N 