When a believer doesn't see God working, senses that his relationship with Christ has lost its intimacy, struggles to walk by faith and not by sight, and feels the cares of this life pressing in on him ... he may be experiencing a spiritual dry spell.
David cried from that lonely place ... How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? (Psalm 13:1-2)
This spiritual condition can come about for different reasons ...
1. Sometimes it is due to unconfessed sin (causing you to lose the joy of your salvation). You feel separated from God, but it is not because He abandoned you ... you have strayed away from Him. Restoration will come when you repent ... Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts ... (James 4:8)
2. Some people feel 'spiritually dry' due to physical, mental, and/or emotional exhaustion. It is difficult to focus on God when you're overwhelmed with health, financial, or relationship issues. Quenching comes when you ... Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
3. Often the Lord leads you into that parched land in order to transform you. When the evidence of God's nearness is concealed, your trust in His loving oversight is put to the test ... so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:7)
If you have 'hit a spiritual dry spell', earnestly pray for understanding and guidance. Know that your Heavenly Father has never left your side ... by faith, grab hold of His hand and trust Him to lead you out of that stark place.
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