Some seasons make it easy to connect with God. You feel inspired, expectant, maybe even excited to spend time in prayer or Scripture. You show up with energy. You leave feeling full.
But other seasons feel different.
You still believe, but the fire feels dim. You want to want God, but everything feels distant or dull. You open your Bible, but the words fall flat. You try to pray, but your heart feels distracted or numb. You feel guilty for not showing up like you used to. You wonder what’s wrong with you.
If that’s where you are, this is for you.
This is not a message to push harder or perform better. This is a quiet invitation to press in, even when everything in you wants to pull back.
Because God is still near. Even when you don’t feel it.
You Are Not the Only One Who Has Felt This
Spiritual exhaustion is not new. The Bible is full of people who wrestled with their connection to God. Some felt spiritually dry. Some felt far from God even while trying to follow Him faithfully.
David, in the middle of a season of weariness, cried out:
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
—Psalm 42:11 (NIV)
Notice that David does not hide his feelings. He names them. Then he reminds his heart of what is still true.
That is the essence of pressing in. It’s not about pretending. It’s about staying connected to God even when your emotions try to lead you elsewhere.
Faith Is Not a Feeling
One of the most dangerous lies we believe is that our relationship with God depends on how we feel.
If we feel close to God, we assume we are doing well. If we feel dry or distant, we assume we are failing.
But feelings are not the foundation of our faith. Jesus is.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
—Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
God’s love does not fluctuate based on our emotional state. His presence does not disappear when we are tired. And His Word is still true even when it feels quiet.
Pressing in is not about forcing emotion. It’s about staying rooted in what is real, even when it feels hard.
Three Reasons We Pull Back From God
When we feel distant from God, it’s worth pausing to consider why. Often, there are patterns beneath the surface that lead us to pull away. Here are three common ones:
1. We’re Tired and Overwhelmed
Life gets full. When your schedule is packed and your mind is racing, it’s easy to let spiritual rhythms fade. Not because you don’t care, but because you are worn out.
Jesus understands that. He doesn’t shame you for being tired. He invites you to rest with Him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
Sometimes pressing in looks like slowing down. Creating space. Letting God care for your soul before you try to do anything else.
2. We’re Disappointed or Hurt
Maybe you’ve been praying for something that hasn’t changed. Maybe you feel let down. Maybe your heart is carrying grief or confusion that you haven’t fully named yet.
Pain can cause us to pull back. But that’s exactly when God invites us to draw closer.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
God doesn’t need you to clean up your heart before coming to Him. He wants to meet you in your sorrow.
3. We Feel Spiritually Numb
There are times when the passion fades. You are doing the “right things,” but it all feels flat. The prayers feel dry. The songs feel hollow. The spark feels gone.
That doesn’t make you a bad Christian. It just makes you human.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
—Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
God honors hunger, even when it’s quiet. Even when it’s faint. Even when it’s barely a whisper.
How to Press In When You Want to Pull Back
If you feel spiritually distant right now, here are a few simple ways to keep pressing in without pressure.
1. Be Honest With God
You don’t need to perform in prayer. You don’t need to come with polished words or perfect faith. Just be real.
Tell Him, “God, I feel distant.” Or, “I want to want You again.” Or even, “Help me reconnect.”
He already knows. And He responds to honesty with grace.
“Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.”
—Psalm 139:4 (NIV)
2. Return to Small Rhythms
You don’t need a full spiritual reset. You just need to begin again in small ways.
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Read one Psalm a day
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Set a timer for three minutes of silence before God
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Listen to worship music on your drive
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Write out one verse and carry it with you
You don’t need a breakthrough to begin. Begin, and God will meet you there.
3. Surround Yourself With Faithful People
When your personal passion feels low, let the faith of others carry you for a while. Lean into community. Join a Bible study. Reach out to a trusted friend and ask them to pray for you.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
—Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
Spiritual consistency grows stronger in community.
4. Remember What Is True, Even If You Don’t Feel It Yet
Feelings come and go. God does not.
Remind yourself daily:
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God is with me
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He still loves me
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He is patient with me
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He is not giving up on me
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”
—Psalm 36:5 (NIV)
Final Thought
If your heart feels tired, if your passion feels dim, if your soul feels disconnected, you are not disqualified. You are deeply loved.
You are invited to press in, not with perfection, but with trust.
God is not far away. He is right here. Not waiting for you to feel better, but ready to meet you where you are.
So take one small step. Whisper one honest prayer. Open your Bible, even if it feels dry. Sit in silence and just breathe.
You do not have to force it. You just have to show up.
God will do the rest.
