How to Find Hope When Faith Feels Like an Empty Well

It felt like it would never end. The season where I just didn’t know where God wanted me to go or to do. It was as if God had abandoned me and I was lost in a dry barren land. I’m not saying that to sound dramatic either. Have you been there in your walk with God?

You sit down to pray, hoping for a moment of connection, but it feels like your words barely make it past the ceiling. All you sense is silence. No still small voice. You sit. You wait. Nothing.

Or you open your Bible, you begin to read, and all you hear is the noise in your head as you desperately want something that will quiet the noise from God. Yet the words fall flat and feel void of comfort.

This sort of spiritual “dryness” is more common than you think and it should be encouraging to hear that because every believer encounters it. My friend, this season you’ve encountered is a beautiful opportunity to truly experience the fruit of God’s work in your life and to live in this space testing your faith and trust in His promises.

So, let’s explore some things you can do to invigorate and strengthen your faith as you wait for the refreshing abundance that you feel is missing in this moment.

Recognize and Embrace
Spiritual dryness often sneaks up on us subtly. You might suddenly feel detached during worship, find prayer challenging, or struggle to feel joy in your daily walk and things start to spiral. The realities hit you suddenly and spiritual challenges creep in. It’s important first to acknowledge what’s going on and to avoid piling on shame. Identify your feelings and take a deep breath. Spiritual dryness isn’t a failure nor does it change who God is and the good plans He has for your life; it’s a signal that something deeper may need attention or is coming your way.

Unpack the Source of Dryness
This can stem from various causes. Sometimes, certain realities in life simply begin to overwhelm the spiritual flourishing you had previously experienced—business, stress, exhaustion, unregulated triggers, can wear down our sense of connection to God. It might also mean we need to confront other internal struggles such as unconfessed sin or doubts about God’s promises and timing.

Take a moment to pause and reflect. Identify what might be causing this sense of spiritual dryness in your life. Self-awareness and compassion for yourself is key here. Are you being patient with this moment? Are you expressing gentleness and compassion toward yourself and God? This could be the key to understanding what’s going on.

Turn Back to the Basics
When feeling disconnected, go back to the foundation. And if you are in a good routine, then don’t let it break down. Continue in daily devotion and prayer no matter how you feel. Push through. Make sure you have set aside time each day, even if it’s just a few minutes, to read scripture, pray, or simply sit in God’s presence no matter how you feel. Spiritual renewal often starts with simple, consistent practices. Consider reading a favorite Psalm or meditating on God’s promises. Remember, this isn’t about ticking off boxes—it’s about reconnecting with God’s heart.

Connect with a trusted Community or Coach
Isolation often deepens spiritual dryness. God did not create us to be alone. He saw that Adam without a partner was not good. So he created Eve as a suitable partner. So, going it alone isn’t God’s design. We were made for being a community. So, seek out your church community for help, join a small group, or reach out to a trusted friend who can offer support and encouragement.

Our coaching provides a safe place to process and get to emotional stability by addressing the impacts of beliefs and faith in our lives. Sharing your struggles and receiving encouragement doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. It’s so important to hear and see others’ experiences. They can remind you that you’re not alone and can get help when you need it.

Remember Past Spiritual Victories
Sometimes recalling our past can be painful, but recalling seasons of victory and success can help as well. All my life, I held church up to the standard of spiritual closeness and community from my days working at summer camp. It changed my life. Now, instead of hankering for “the way things were” I can recall the elements that made that season so sweet and see how gratitude for the season I am currently in can be shaped by the beautiful things in my past.

Think back to times when your faith felt alive and full. This is exactly why so many people have encouraged me over the years to keep a prayer journal and to revisit it frequently. Our memory fails us, but when we intentionally look for God to answer our prayers and shape our lives and then record it. We have a measure by which we can see and be reminded of God’s faithfulness.

Seek Inspiration through Devotionals
It doesn’t take having a massive library of spiritual books and devotionals in this day and age to be encouraged. Resources on the internet are vast but be sure to find good bible teaching from devotionals and publishers such as as Crossway and Our Daily Bread to gain perspective. The Bible.app has a host of daily devotional and tools to help bring your spiritual refreshment. A fresh perspective can break through the dryness and make all the difference.

Consider these devotionals or Bible studies that will focus on rekindling your faith. Let them provide new insights, spark your curiosity, and nourish your spirit with encouragement. Just remember to pick something that feels manageable in the dry season you end. It’s important not to let overwhelm, even in bible reading to keep you from it.

Above All
Embrace this time and rest and relax knowing this is part of the journey. The valley’s change the beauty and wonder of the mountain top experiences. God uses them to refine us. God has not abandoned you in this moment. So, disconnect from social media and be careful not to be comparing yourself and your spiritual walk with others. The perception that others are more spiritual than you is a comparison that is not from God. YOU WALK YOUR WALK! Don’t let the behaviors or spiritual routines of others distract you from your relationship with God. This walk is not one of instant results. Most of the time the Spiritual growth you’re hungry for happens in the quiet, unseen moments.

Don’t give up!
Spiritual dryness doesn’t mean you’re failing or that God has turned away. Often, it’s an invitation to dig deeper, to grow in faith even when feelings fade. As you work through these steps, take heart. Just as seasons change, so will this. God promises to be near, even in the quietest moments. So, pick one step to try today and remember: renewal is always within reach.