How to overcome spiritual dryness? – Nonie Sables

Overcoming Spiritual Dryness: Reigniting Your Passion for God

There are seasons in every believer’s life where the flame of faith seems to flicker, the vibrant connection with God feels distant, and spiritual practices that once brought joy feel like a burden. This experience is often described as “spiritual dryness.” It is a time when prayer seems unanswered, worship feels hollow, and reading Scripture feels like a chore rather than a delight.

But spiritual dryness, while challenging, is not the end of your faith journey—it is an invitation to deeper intimacy with God. If you are feeling stuck, distant, or unmotivated in your walk with the Lord, do not lose hope. Here is how you can overcome spiritual dryness and reignite your passion for God.

1. Recognize the Season

The first step to overcoming spiritual dryness is recognizing it for what it is: a season. Every believer goes through spiritual ebbs and flows. Even King David, described as a man after God’s own heart, cried out in desperation, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1).

Feeling distant from God does not mean you have failed or that God is absent. It is simply a season that requires extra attention, intentionality, and a willingness to press deeper into His presence. Instead of allowing this dryness to create guilt or doubt, use it as a moment to re-evaluate where you are spiritually and what God may be teaching you in this time.

2. Return to the Basics of Faith

When our spiritual lives feel dry, it is often a sign that we have drifted from the basics. We can get caught up in routines, going through the motions of prayer and Bible study without truly engaging with God. Reignite your passion by returning to the fundamentals:

• Prayer: Instead of focusing on elaborate prayers, return to simple, heartfelt conversations with God. Share your frustrations, your desires, and your heart openly with Him.
• Scripture: Go back to reading God’s Word, not as a duty, but as a source of nourishment. Start with short, focused passages that remind you of God’s love and faithfulness. Psalms are a wonderful place to find comfort and renewal during these times.
• Worship: Sometimes the best way to reignite your heart is to worship God for who He is. Put on worship music, sing, or simply sit quietly and reflect on His goodness.

In Zechariah 1:3, God promises, “Return to me, and I will return to you.” Returning to the basics is a way of turning your heart back to God, inviting His presence to refresh you again.

3. Confess and Repent Where Necessary

Sometimes spiritual dryness is the result of unconfessed sin or disobedience. When we knowingly walk outside of God’s will, it creates a barrier in our relationship with Him. In Psalm 32:3-4, David reflects on how hiding sin impacted his spiritual state:

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

Ask God to reveal any areas of your life where sin may have crept in. Confession and repentance clear the way for renewed fellowship with Him. It opens the door for grace, healing, and restoration. If spiritual dryness is a result of disobedience, trust that God is faithful to forgive and restore when we humble ourselves before Him.

4. Rediscover the Joy of Salvation

When spiritual dryness takes over, it is easy to forget the beauty of salvation itself. We lose sight of the joy we once had when we first encountered God’s love. In Psalm 51:12, David prays, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.”

Ask God to restore the joy of your salvation. Reflect on how much He loves you, the price Jesus paid for your redemption, and the promise of eternal life. Reclaim the wonder of what it means to be saved, forgiven, and loved by the Creator of the universe.

5. Change Your Spiritual Routine

Sometimes, spiritual dryness comes from a stagnant routine. Doing the same thing over and over can lead to complacency. Try refreshing your spiritual habits by:

• Switching up your Bible study method: If you typically read the Bible in large sections, try focusing on one verse or passage and meditating on it. Or consider starting a topical study that addresses areas where you need growth.
• Praying differently: If your prayer life feels stale, explore new forms of prayer. Try journaling your prayers, using prayer prompts, or spending time in silent prayer to listen for God’s voice.
• Fasting: Fasting is a powerful way to seek God’s presence and clarity. It shifts your focus from earthly concerns and helps you reconnect with the spiritual.

Minor changes in your routine can spark new excitement and deepen your engagement with God.

6. Surround Yourself with a Faith Community

Spiritual dryness often thrives in isolation. When we pull away from fellowship with other believers, we miss the encouragement and accountability that helps keep our spiritual lives healthy. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us:

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…”

If you are feeling spiritually dry, reach out to trusted Christian friends, join a small group, or connect with a prayer partner. Share your struggles, ask for prayer, and let others help carry the burden. Often, others can offer insights and encouragement that reignite our passion for God.

7. Persevere in Faith

Spiritual dryness is often a test of perseverance. It is tempting to give up, but God calls us to remain steadfast in seeking Him, even when it is difficult. In James 1:2-4, we are reminded:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Persevere in your pursuit of God, knowing that He is using this season to refine your faith and strengthen your character. He has not abandoned you, and in time, the dryness will give way to deeper intimacy with Him.

Therefore.

Spiritual dryness is not an end; it is an invitation to grow, seek, and rediscover God in new and deeper ways. As you walk through this season, remember that God is still with you, even when He feels distant. By returning to the basics, confessing sin, embracing fellowship, and persevering in faith, you will find that your spiritual dryness gives way to renewed passion and intimacy with God.

Trust in His promise: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Keep seeking Him—your spiritual fire will be reignited, and your passion for God will be renewed once again.