When Reading the Bible Feels Dry

Every believer experiences seasons where reading the Bible feels dry or lifeless. You open the pages, but the words don’t seem to speak the way they once did. If that’s you, you’re not alone. Even faithful followers of God have wrestled with spiritual dryness. The good news is, dry seasons don’t mean you’ve failed—often, they are invitations to press deeper into God’s presence.

Why Dry Seasons Happen

Spiritual dryness doesn’t mean the Bible has lost its power. More often, it reflects what’s happening in our hearts or circumstances. Common reasons include:

• Distractions and busyness.
• Unconfessed sin or discouragement.
• Treating Bible reading like a routine rather than a relationship.
• Trials that make God feel distant.

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land—not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.” — Amos 8:11 (NIV)

Dry seasons remind us how much we need God’s Word, not just out of duty but for life itself.

Practical Steps When the Bible Feels Dry

1. Pray Honestly
   Tell God how you feel. Ask Him to renew your desire for His Word.
2. Change Your Approach
   If you normally read long sections, try slowing down with a Psalm. If you usually read silently, read aloud. A fresh approach can awaken your heart.
3. Focus on Jesus
   Remember, Scripture points us to Christ. Ask, “What does this passage show me about who Jesus is?”
4. Read with Others
   Joining a study group or sharing reflections with a friend can reignite passion and accountability.
5. Persevere with Grace
   Don’t give up. Dryness doesn’t last forever. Keep showing up, even with small steps, trusting God to refresh you in His time.

Biblical Encouragement

• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” — Matthew 5:6 (NIV)
• “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” — Psalm 42:1 (NIV)

Practical Tip

Dry seasons are not proof that you’re distant from God—they’re often the soil where deeper roots of faith are formed. Be patient with yourself. God is still at work in you, even when feelings lag behind.

Closing Encouragement

If reading the Bible feels dry right now, don’t lose heart. Keep pressing in, keep praying, and keep opening His Word. The God who met you before will meet you again, and His Word will become living water to your soul once more.

✨ Still Have a Question?

If you didn’t find your answer here, don’t worry, you’re not alone. You can send your question directly through the Ask a Bible Question page. I’ll do my best to respond with guidance from God’s Word.

You can also leave your questions on my YouTube channel. This is where I regularly share Bible verses, encouragement, and answers to common questions.