What To Do When You Are In A Spiritually Dry Season Of Life

Feeling stuck in a spiritually dry season? This encouraging post shares biblical wisdom and practical help for persevering with faith

There is a certain kind of dryness that settles into the soul. It feels quiet, heavy, and hard to explain. Faith is still there, but it feels distant, almost muted. That kind of season is not uncommon, and it is not a sign of failure.

Years ago, I spent a summer studying in Israel. Our teacher often took us on what she cheerfully called “wee little walks.” There was nothing wee or little about them. The length and difficulty of each walk was measured by one thing alone, the number of large water bottles we were required to carry and finish before returning to the bus.

A four-bottle walk meant trouble.

Those walks took us from the northernmost part of Israel deep into the desert regions, including the Negev. They were fascinating, holy, and unforgettable, but they were also brutally hot and physically demanding. Water was not optional. Without it, a walk could become dangerous very quickly.

As the days went on, my sister-in-law, Susan, and I became creative. We froze washcloths and extra water bottles in the tiny hotel refrigerator. The frozen clothes went around our necks or under our hats. The frozen water bottles went wherever they would help most.

Those dry, rocky places taught me more than history. They taught me how to endure.

Walking through the dry places of Israel helps me understand what it feels like to walk through a spiritually dry season. The terrain is hard. The heat is constant. Progress feels slow. Yet there is wisdom for how to walk that kind of walk well.

Drink Lots Of Water

In Israel, water is not a convenience; it is essential. Even a short walk without it can quickly become dangerous, especially in the heat of summer. Before every walk, we knew exactly how serious the trek would be by the number of water bottles we were required to carry and finish before returning to the bus.

Water meant life.

That truth carries deep meaning spiritually. During a spiritually dry season, the soul needs a steady supply of Living Water. This is not the time to drift or disconnect. It is a time to stay close to God and His Word, even when it feels difficult or quiet.

Dry seasons invite persistence. They call for prayer that continues even when answers feel slow. They call for time in Scripture that may feel familiar, yet still nourishes. This is a season to press in and ask the Holy Spirit for understanding, comfort, and the steady assurance of God’s presence.

Staying connected to God and His Word is life for a dry soul.

Listen To Your Teacher

Some of the most breathtaking places we visited required the greatest care. We often walked along narrow mountain paths with steep drop offs, standing at high vantage points to take in views of places like the Sea of Galilee and the Valley of Megiddo. In those moments, listening to and following our teacher was not optional. Stepping off the path could be dangerous.

One day, while walking in the Golan Heights, our teacher warned us not to stray even slightly. There were still active minefields in the surrounding area. The landscape was beautiful, but the danger was real. Every one of us stayed very close to our teacher that day.

Spiritually dry seasons call for the same attentiveness. When faith feels strained or distant, it becomes even more important to listen closely to Jesus and remain grounded in His Word. Dry times often come with temptation, the temptation to wander, question, or step away from what we know to be true.

Obedience matters deeply in these seasons. Staying on the path God lays out protects us, even when the walk feels hard or confusing. Remaining close to Jesus keeps us steady and safe as we move through dry places.

Life Is Easier In Numbers

The support of our Israel study group carried us through many difficult moments during those wee little walks. One experience stands out clearly. We were climbing a very steep path, with uneven, slippery terrain. Several strong young men in the group stepped forward and formed a human chain. One by one, the rest of us held on, using their steady presence like a railing as we carefully made our way up to the next level and the path ahead.

That moment stayed with me.

Hard seasons are not meant to be walked alone. When the climb feels steep and uncertain, we need others who will steady us, pray for us, and walk alongside us. Faith is strengthened when it is shared.

This is one of the reasons being part of a church family and a small group matters so much. God did not design life to be lived in isolation. During spiritually dry seasons, Christian friends, family, and a church community help carry the weight, remind us of truth, and support us as we move forward with hope.

Keep Your Head Up

Many of our wee little walks took us over rough and demanding terrain. Even as we watched our footing carefully, we learned to keep our heads up and take in the beauty around us. If we had focused only on the rocky ground beneath our feet, we would have missed so much.

With our heads lifted, we noticed waterfalls spilling down mountainsides and narrow ribbons of green where small streams cut through the dry, rocky land. We saw local deer and other wildlife, and layers of flint in the cliffs that looked as if someone had drawn long lines across the stone. We even spotted flowers and plants thriving in the harshest conditions, quiet reminders of life and beauty where it seemed unlikely.

Spiritually dry seasons call for the same posture. It is easy to become focused only on what feels hard or uncertain. In those moments, keeping your head up matters. Watch for God to reveal Himself in small and unexpected ways. Look for the reminders of His care, His faithfulness, and His presence, even when the path feels difficult.

God shows Himself in dry places if we are willing to look.

Know That Victory Lies Ahead

Many of our walks in Israel were hard, hot, and uncomfortable. Some days stretched us physically and emotionally. Yet every one of those difficult treks ended in something meaningful. We learned. We grew. Our hearts were shaped by what we experienced, even in the heat and exhaustion.

Those dry places changed me. Because I walked through them, I carry the lessons with me still, and I can share them with you today.

Spiritually, dry seasons often lead to growth. When we persevere and cling to Jesus, even when faith feels strained, something good is happening beneath the surface. Understanding deepens. Maturity grows. Trust becomes steadier. Dry places can move us toward a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord.

The Christian life is never promised to be easy. Jesus tells us plainly that there will be hardship. But He also promises His presence. He walks with us through every dry place and never leaves us alone.

There will be dry seasons in this life. They are part of the journey. But they are not the end of the story. Victory lies ahead.

A Good Verse To Meditate On

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

This is a steady verse to return to during dry seasons. It reminds us that trust grows from knowing who God is and remembering His faithfulness. Even when circumstances feel uncertain or faith feels quiet, God does not abandon those who seek Him.

Let this verse settle into your heart this week. Read it slowly. Carry it with you. Return to it when the path feels dry or difficult.