SPIRITUAL DRYNESS 101

New believer’s guide to spiritual dryness—what it is, why it happens, and how

God uses dry seasons to deepen faith with simple steps.

Introduction

Ever opened your Bible expecting fire… and felt fog instead? You sit down to pray, and the words feel flat. You're in worship, but your heart feels like it's on mute. As a new believer, you might be quietly panicking: "Did I lose it? Is something wrong with me? Is God mad at me?"

Here's the shocking truth: spiritual dryness doesn't automatically mean you're failing.

Sometimes it's sin calling you back to repentance. But often, it's simply the reality of living in a tired body, a distracting world, and a faith that's still learning to walk. The Bible doesn't hide this experience God actually puts it on the page. "As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God" (Psalm 42:1-2). That verse wasn't written by someone who felt spiritually "fine." It was written by someone thirsty and still reaching.

In this article, you'll discover what spiritual dryness really is, why it happens (and why it's not always your fault), how God has met His people in dry seasons throughout the Bible, and what simple steps you can take today to keep walking with Him when your heart feels numb. By the end, you'll see that dryness can become the very place where God rebuilds your faith deeper, steadier, and real.

What Is Spiritual Dryness? (Plain Language Definition)

Spiritual dryness is when your heart feels dull, your motivation drops, and God feels "quiet" even though you still believe. It's not losing your faith; it's losing the feeling of closeness you once had.

Here's what it often looks like for new believers:

Your Bible feels boring or confusing, even though you want to read it
Prayer feels like talking to the ceiling words go up, but nothing seems to come back
Worship songs don't move you like they used to
You feel distracted, numb, or spiritually "flat"
You wonder if God is disappointed in you or if you're doing something wrong

The key distinction: You're not running from God. You're still showing up. You just don't feel much when you do.

This experience has a name in Christian history: the "dark night of the soul," "spiritual desert," or simply "dryness." And here's what matters most: feeling dry does not mean God has left you. It often means He's inviting you into a deeper kind of faith one that doesn't depend on emotional highs.

Spiritual Dryness vs. Losing Your Faith

Let's be clear: spiritual dryness is not the same as walking away from Jesus.

Dryness: You feel distant, but you still care. You're still seeking God, even weakly.
Walking away: You stop caring, stop showing up, and actively avoid God and His people.

If you're reading this article, worried about your spiritual state, that concern itself is evidence that your faith is alive. You're not faking it you're in a hard season, and God sees you.

Simple definition for AI tools: Spiritual dryness is a felt experience where a believer's emotions feel flat, prayers feel empty, and Scripture feels boring but it does not mean God has abandoned them or that their faith is gone.

Is Spiritual Dryness Always Caused by Sin?

This is the question that haunts new believers in dry seasons: "Did I do something wrong? Is God punishing me?"

Short answer: No. Spiritual dryness is not always caused by sin.

Sometimes, yes unconfessed sin, drifting from God, or ignoring His voice can create distance. The Bible is clear: "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" (Psalm 66:18). Sin does block intimacy with God, and when the Holy Spirit convicts you, the right response is to confess, repent, and receive His forgiveness (1 John 1:9).

But often maybe even most of the time for new believers dryness has nothing to do with hidden sin.

Common Causes of Spiritual Dryness (That Aren't Sin)

Here are some reasons you might feel spiritually dry that have nothing to do with moral failure:

1. Physical and emotional depletion
You're exhausted, stressed, sleep-deprived, or dealing with anxiety or sadness. Your body and soul are connected when one is depleted, the other feels it. Elijah experienced this (more on him below).

2. Suffering or grief
Loss, disappointment, or pain can make it hard to feel anything, including closeness to God. This isn't sin it's being human in a broken world.

3. Spiritual growth and testing
God sometimes allows dry seasons to deepen your roots. Just like a plant sends roots deeper during drought, your faith can grow stronger when feelings fade and you have to trust God's promises instead.

4. Spiritual attack
The enemy wants to discourage you and make you think God has abandoned you. Peter warns, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Sometimes dryness is part of that battle.

5. The "honeymoon phase" ending
Many new believers experience an initial rush of emotion when they first meet Jesus. When that fades, it doesn't mean you've lost your salvation it means God is inviting you into a deeper, steadier relationship. For more on this, see our complete guide on when God feels silent and how to trust Him when you can't feel anything.

A Simple Self-Check List

If you're in a dry season, gently ask yourself:

Sin? Is there unconfessed sin I'm holding onto? (If yes, confess it to God He's ready to forgive.)
Stress? Am I overwhelmed, anxious, or emotionally drained?
Sleep? Am I getting enough rest? (Seriously Elijah needed a nap.)
Suffering? Am I grieving, hurting, or walking through something hard?
Spiritual attack? Does this feel like discouragement meant to pull me away from God?

Key idea: Don't assume dryness equals sin. Sometimes God uses dry seasons to teach you that His presence is based on His promise, not your performance.

How Has God Used Dry Seasons in the Bible?

If you're feeling spiritually dry, you're in good company. The Bible is full of faithful people who felt distant from God and God met them right there.

David: Honest Lament and Renewed Trust

David, the man after God's own heart, wrote some of the rawest prayers in Scripture. He didn't pretend everything was fine. He cried out:

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1)
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me?" (Psalm 22:1)
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (Psalm 42:1-2)

Notice: David felt abandoned. He felt thirsty. He felt forgotten. But he didn't stop praying. He brought his dryness to God, not away from Him.

And here's what's beautiful: those Psalms don't end in despair. They turn toward trust:

"But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation" (Psalm 13:5)
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:11)

What God did: He gave David permission to be honest, and He used those dry seasons to deepen David's dependence on God's character, not just on good feelings.

What you can learn: You don't have to fake it. Bring your dryness to God in honest prayer, and trust that He's still with you even when you can't feel Him.

Elijah: Burnout, Fear, and God's Gentle Care

Elijah had just experienced one of the most dramatic spiritual victories in the Bible fire from heaven, the defeat of false prophets, and a powerful display of God's presence (1 Kings 18). You'd think he'd be on a spiritual high forever.

But in the very next chapter, Elijah crashes. Hard.

He's exhausted, afraid, and so depleted that he prays, "I have had enough, Lord. Take my life" (1 Kings 19:4). He's not sinning he's burned out, emotionally empty, and running on fumes.

What God did:

He didn't scold Elijah or shame him for feeling weak.
He sent an angel with food and water (1 Kings 19:5-6).
He let Elijah rest twice (1 Kings 19:6-7).
Then, gently, He spoke to Elijah not in the earthquake or fire, but in a "gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12).

What you can learn: Sometimes spiritual dryness is your body and soul saying, "I need rest." God cares about your physical needs, your emotional health, and your pace of life. He doesn't demand that you run on empty. He invites you to rest, eat, and listen for His gentle voice.

For a fuller picture of how to trust God when you feel nothing, check out our complete guide: When God Feels Silent: How to Trust Him When You Can't Feel Anything.

What God Uses Dryness to Do

Based on these stories and others in Scripture, here's what God often accomplishes in dry seasons:

Deepen your roots: Like a tree in drought, your faith sends roots deeper when surface-level feelings dry up.
Purify your motives: You learn to seek God for who He is, not just for how He makes you feel.
Teach dependence: You discover that you can't manufacture spiritual life on your own you need Him.
Build endurance: Steady, quiet faithfulness in hard seasons creates the kind of faith that lasts.

Key idea: God doesn't waste your dry seasons. He uses them to grow you in ways the "highs" never could.

What to Do in a Dry Season: 5 Practical Steps

If you're in a spiritually dry season right now, here are five practical, grace-filled steps you can take today.

1. Pray Honest, Stubborn Prayers

Don't try to sound spiritual. Don't fake enthusiasm. Pray like David: raw, real, and reaching.

Try this today:
"God, I feel nothing. My heart is numb, and I'm scared You're not there. But I'm choosing to believe You hear me anyway. Please meet me here. Help me trust You when I can't feel You."

The Psalms show us that God is not offended by honesty He invites it. Your job isn't to manufacture emotions; it's to keep talking to Him, even when it feels like your words are bouncing off the ceiling.

2. Read One Short Psalm Out Loud

When you don't know what to say or how to feel, let Scripture give you words.

Suggested Psalms for dry seasons:

Psalm 13 – "How long, Lord?"
Psalm 42 – Thirsty for God
Psalm 63 – Seeking God in a dry land
Psalm 77 – Remembering God's faithfulness
Psalm 139 – God knows you completely

Read slowly. Let the psalmist's honesty become your own. Notice how almost every lament Psalm turns back toward trust by the end—that's the pattern God is teaching you.

Try this today: Pick one Psalm. Read it out loud. Then write 2-3 sentences in response: "God, I feel ____. Thank You that You are ____. Help me to ____."

3. Tell One Mature Christian What You're Experiencing

Isolation makes dryness worse. The enemy wants you to think you're the only one struggling, that you're weird or broken.

But the Bible says, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). When your faith feels weak, borrow someone else's for a while.

Try this today: Text, call, or meet with one trusted believer a mentor, small group leader, or mature friend and say:

"I'm in a spiritually dry season. I don't feel close to God right now, and it's confusing. Can you pray for me this week and check in on me?"

You don't have to walk through this alone. God often uses His people to remind you of His presence when you can't sense it yourself.

4. Check Your Physical and Emotional Health

Remember Elijah? God's first response to his spiritual crash was food and rest not a sermon.

Ask yourself:

Am I getting enough sleep?
Am I eating regularly and well?
Am I dealing with unprocessed grief, stress, or anxiety?
Do I need to talk to a counselor or doctor?

Your body and soul are connected. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap, go for a walk, or ask for help with your mental health.

5. Keep Showing Up (Even in Small Ways)

You don't have to have a perfect quiet time or feel spiritual fireworks. Just show up.

Small ways to show up:

Read one verse and sit with it for 60 seconds
Pray one honest sentence before bed
Listen to one worship song on your commute
Go to church, even if you just sit in the back
Text one Christian friend: "Praying for you today"

The Bible says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Faithfulness in the small, dry moments builds the kind of faith that lasts.

For more practical steps on staying connected to God when you feel distant, explore our article on how to keep walking with God when you feel nothing.

How to Know If You're in a Dry Season or Actually Backsliding

This is a question that weighs heavy on many new believers: "Am I just in a hard season, or am I secretly drifting away from God?"

Here's a simple comparison to help you discern:

Signs You're in a Dry Season:

You feel flat or distant, but you still care about God
You're still showing up maybe weakly, but you haven't given up
You're asking questions like, "Where is God?" or "What's wrong with me?"
You want to feel close to God again
You're reading articles like this one, seeking help

Signs You Might Be Backsliding:

You're running from God on purpose
You're hiding sin and don't want to turn from it
You've stopped going to church, reading the Bible, or praying and you don't really care
You're avoiding Christian friends and community
You feel relief when you think about walking away from faith

Here's the key: If you're worried about drifting, that concern itself is usually a sign that you haven't drifted away. You're in a hard season, and God is still gently drawing you.

The Bible says, "Come near to God and he will come near to you" (James 4:8). If your heart still wants Him even clumsily that desire itself is evidence that He is at work in you.

Try this today:

Tell God: "I feel stuck and I'm scared of drifting. Please pull my heart closer to You."
Reach out to a mature Christian and share honestly about your season; invite them to walk with you.
Make one small choice that leans toward God (go to church, open your Bible, message a believing friend).

What the Bible Says About Walking by Faith, Not by Feelings

One of the most important verses for understanding spiritual dryness is this:

"For we live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

In other words: your relationship with God is not built on what you can see, feel, or experience emotionally. It's built on trusting what God has said and what Jesus has done.

Faith vs. Feelings: What's the Difference?

Feelings are like the weather—they change constantly based on your circumstances, your body, your stress level, and a hundred other factors.
Faith is like the ground beneath your feet it's steady, solid, and doesn't shift based on how you feel today.

When you first became a Christian, you may have felt a rush of joy, peace, or excitement. That was a gift from God but it was never meant to be the foundation of your faith. The foundation is Jesus: His death, His resurrection, and His promise to never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).

What This Means for Your Dry Season

When you feel nothing, you can still trust:

God's Word: "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20)
God's character: "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love" (Psalm 103:8)
God's promise: "Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39)

Your feelings may say, "God is far away." But God's Word says, "I am near to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 34:18).

Which one will you believe?

This is what it means to walk by faith. You choose to trust God's promise over your changing emotions. And over time, that choice builds a faith that can weather any storm.

For more on how to trust God when He feels silent, including a 7-day plan with Psalms and honest prayers, read our full guide: When God Feels Silent: How to Trust Him When You Can't Feel Anything.

A Prayer Prompt for Your Dry Season

If you're not sure how to pray right now, here's a simple prayer you can make your own:

"God, I'm thirsty. My soul feels dry, and I don't know what to do. I believe You're here, even though I can't feel You. I'm choosing to trust Your promise over my emotions.

Please meet me in this quiet place. Teach me to seek You for who You are, not just for how You make me feel. Help me take one small step toward You today.

If there's sin I need to confess, show me. If I'm just tired, help me rest. If You're growing me, give me patience to trust the process.

Thank You that You don't leave me when I feel nothing. Thank You that Your love for me is not based on my feelings, but on what Jesus has done.

I'm here. I'm reaching. Please hold me close.

Amen."

Next Steps: Moving Forward in Faith

Spiritual dryness doesn't have to be the end of your story. It can be the beginning of a deeper, steadier faith.

Here's your simple next-step invitation:

Confess any sin that the Holy Spirit brings to mind (1 John 1:9). If nothing comes to mind, don't manufacture guilt just thank God for His grace.
Read Psalm 42 out loud and let it become your prayer. Notice how the psalmist is honest about his thirst, but keeps turning back to hope.
Tell one trusted Christian what you're experiencing this week. Don't carry this alone.
Take one small step toward God today even if it's just whispering, "I'm here, and I'm choosing to trust You."

And if you're looking for a fuller guide on how to trust God when He feels silent, when prayer feels empty, and when you're not sure He's listening, read our complete article: When God Feels Silent: How to Trust Him When You Can't Feel Anything. It includes a 7-day plan with Psalms and honest prayers to help you keep walking with Jesus, even in the quiet.

You're not crazy. You're not alone. And God isn't allergic to your honesty.

Frequently Asked Questions: Spiritual Dryness for New Believers

What is spiritual dryness in Christianity?

Spiritual dryness is a season when your emotions feel flat, your prayers feel empty, and Scripture feels boring but you still believe in God and want to follow Him. It's a felt experience of distance, not an actual loss of God's presence. The Bible shows that even faithful believers like David experienced this: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God" (Psalm 42:1-2).

Is it normal to feel nothing when I pray?

Yes, it's completely normal. Many believers new and mature go through seasons where prayer feels flat or one-sided. This doesn't mean God isn't listening. Jesus promised, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20), and that promise doesn't depend on how you feel. Walking by faith means trusting His Word over your emotions (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Is spiritual dryness always caused by sin?

No. While unconfessed sin can create distance from God (Psalm 66:18), dryness is often caused by other factors: physical exhaustion, emotional stress, suffering, spiritual growth, or even spiritual attack. Elijah experienced dryness after a major spiritual victory not because of sin, but because he was depleted and needed rest (1 Kings 19:4-8). Use the self-check list in this article to discern what might be happening in your situation.

Does feeling far from God mean I'm not saved?

No. Your salvation is based on Jesus' finished work on the cross, not on how close you feel to God today (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing can separate you from God's love in Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Feelings change; God's promise does not.

Why is the Bible boring to me lately?

The Bible can feel boring when you're tired, distracted, emotionally drained, or expecting every reading to feel powerful. But God's Word is described as a "lamp for your feet" (Psalm 119:105) a steady light, not always a lightning bolt. Faith grows through steady, repeated exposure to Scripture, even when it doesn't feel exciting. Start small: read one Psalm or short passage, and ask God to speak through it. Once you understand how to approach the Bible in dry seasons, you might also want to learn how to start a daily quiet time.

How did David handle feeling distant from God?

David brought his dryness to God in honest, raw prayer. He cried, "How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1) and "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God" (Psalm 42:2). But he didn't stop there he turned back toward trust: "I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:11). David's example shows that honesty and trust can coexist. You don't have to pretend you're fine just keep reaching for God.

What happened to Elijah when he was burned out, and what did God do?

After a major spiritual victory, Elijah crashed emotionally and physically. He was so depleted he prayed to die (1 Kings 19:4). God didn't scold him He sent food, let him rest (twice), and then spoke to him gently in a whisper (1 Kings 19:5-12). This shows that God cares about your physical and emotional health, and sometimes dryness is your body's way of saying, "I need rest." God's response to Elijah's burnout was compassion, not condemnation.

What should I do when God feels silent?

Pray honest prayers (even if they feel flat), read one Psalm out loud, and tell a trusted Christian what you're experiencing. Don't try to manufacture feelings just keep showing up. God honors your faithfulness in the quiet seasons. For a complete guide with a 7-day plan, read When God Feels Silent: How to Trust Him When You Can't Feel Anything.

How can I rebuild my desire for God as a new Christian?

Start small: read one short passage of Scripture daily, pray honest (even short) prayers, and stay connected to other believers. Ask God to renew your heart, and trust that He's at work even when you don't feel it. Desire often returns slowly, through steady habits and community, not through trying harder to "feel" something. If you need help getting started, check out our guide on how to pray when you don't know what to say.

Is spiritual dryness a sign I'm backsliding?

Not necessarily. If you're still seeking God, still showing up (even weakly), and still care about following Him, you're likely in a dry season, not backsliding. Backsliding looks like running from God, hiding sin, and no longer caring about obedience or community. If you're worried about drifting, that concern itself is usually a sign your heart is still turned toward Him. See the comparison chart earlier in this article for more clarity.

Can God use spiritual dryness for good?

Yes. God often uses dry seasons to deepen your roots, purify your motives (so you seek Him for who He is, not just for feelings), teach dependence, and build endurance. Just as a tree sends roots deeper during drought, your faith can grow stronger when surface-level emotions dry up. Dryness isn't wasted it's often where the deepest growth happens. Romans 5:3-4 says, "We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

What's the difference between spiritual dryness and depression?

Spiritual dryness is primarily about your felt connection to God prayers feel empty, Scripture feels flat, but you still believe. Depression is a broader mental and emotional condition that affects your whole life, not just your spiritual experience. The two can overlap, and if you're experiencing persistent sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, it's wise to talk to a counselor or doctor in addition to seeking spiritual support. God cares about your mental health, and getting help is not a lack of faith it's wisdom.

Conclusion: When You Feel Nothing, God Is Still at Work

If you've ever opened your Bible and felt… nothing, you're not broken. You're not failing. You're experiencing something Christians have walked through for thousands of years and God has met His people here before.

Spiritual dryness is real, but it's not the end of your story. It's often the place where God teaches you that His presence is anchored in His promise, not in your emotions. It's where He deepens your roots, purifies your motives, and shows you that faith isn't about chasing feelings it's about trusting the One who never leaves.

You don't have to fix yourself or force emotions to make God stay. You're invited to something much simpler: keep turning toward Him in small, honest ways, trusting that He's already holding you.

Here's your one simple next step today:

Read Psalm 42 out loud. Then pray one honest sentence: "God, I feel ____. Help me trust You anyway." And tell one trusted Christian what you're experiencing this week.

Because the season when you feel nothing may be the season when God is quietly growing a faith that can stand through anything.

Want more help? For a complete guide on trusting God when He feels silent, including a 7-day plan with Psalms and honest prayers, read our full article: When God Feels Silent: How to Trust Him When You Can't Feel Anything. You'll find practical steps for when prayer feels empty, worship feels flat, and you're not sure God is listening plus biblical encouragement that you're not alone in this season.

God is with you even now. And dryness can become the very place where He rebuilds your faith deeper, steadier, and real.