When You’re Spiritually Tired and Honestly a Little Fed-Up

A heartfelt response from someone whose been around that mountain (more than once)

Ever feel tired of trying to “be spiritual”? I sure have.

I mean, we’re middle-aged now (or past), right? We’ve been at this faith thing a good bit, and sometimes it just feels like we’re faking it. Like you’re sitting in church thinking, Am I the only one here feeling absolutely nothing?

I’ve been there. Done that. I’ll pick up my Bible out of habit, glance at it, and put it right back down. Not because I don’t believe anymore. I’m just dry, like someone drained my spiritual tank while I wasn’t looking. Have you ever felt that way? Are you feeling that way right now?

I have some things I’ve learned that lifts me up when I’m down. I hope they’ll help you, too.

Now, you might be saying, “If you know the tips, how do you fall to the bottom of the well?” Because it’s not magic. We’re all living real life here and — for whatever reasons — I’m sometimes tripped up along the way.

Even Paul — the Apostle Paul — said he was “often in perplexities” (2 Corinthians 4:8). Translation? Paul had moments when he didn’t have a clue what to do next. He got stuck, he got confused, he felt empty.

It always makes me feel better knowing that Paul, Mr. Spiritual Giant himself, admitted he had times when faith wasn’t easy.

So let’s drop the whole idea that mature Christians never get dry. It’s nonsense. Life’s complicated. You’ve lived long enough to know there aren’t easy answers anymore, and that’s okay.

What Actually Helps When You’re Empty?

First, it’s okay to admit it. Actually, it’s good. Tell God straight up how you’re feeling. No fancy prayers, no polished words. Talk like you would to your best friend after a long day.

Something real, like, “God, I feel empty. Honestly, I’m not even sure I care right now. Can you help me out here?”

God isn’t shocked. He’s not expecting a rehearsed theological speech.

Slowing Down Helps

China has a form of transportation called, “Bullet Trains.” They travel at 300 miles an hour. In our modern cultures, that’s exactly how real life feels, doesn’t it.

Modern life is like being strapped to the front of the bullet train — you’re not driving it, you’re just hanging on, hoping you don’t lose your hat.

Or maybe you’ve felt like this: “I tried to slow down once, but life rear-ended me with a to-do list.”

I overheard someone say once, “I been goin’ so fast, I’m fixin’ to meet myself comin’ back.”

Here’s the thing, though: our souls are not built for this kind of speed. We need to take intentional times of rest each day. Even if it’s five minutes. It may not feel like it at the time, but the important things in your life will wait for as little as five minutes a day.

I saw this at my local coffee shop: “Sip slow. Life’s better when it’s not in a to-go cup.”

But Here’s More…

Besides just being honest and taking a minute to breathe, here are some practical things I’ve found helpful when my soul feels like it’s running dry:

1. Listen instead of talking. Grab your coffee, tea, or whatever you drink, and just sit somewhere quiet. Don’t try to pray or read or be spiritual. Just listen. Maybe you’ll hear the fridge humming or birds outside or your dog snoring.

Let it remind you life’s still moving, and God’s still there — even if you’re not feeling it right now.

2. Connect with someone who’s honest about their struggles.Call that one friend who never pretends life is perfect. Go grab lunch or chat over the phone. Talking with someone who’s real about their own struggles reminds you you’re not alone and your dryness isn’t a failure.

3. Change your routine a little.Try something new — even if it’s tiny. Go for a walk instead of scrolling through Facebook. Maybe drive a different way to work or listen to different music. Shake things up slightly.

It’s amazing how small changes can break through spiritual dullness.

4. Do something small and helpful for someone else.If you’re a woman (or a man that likes to bake), bake some cookies for your neighbor or co workers. Or, just text encouragement to someone you know is struggling.

Sometimes stepping outside of our dryness and doing something simple for someone else opens a door to refreshment we didn’t see coming.

5. Keep your expectations realistic.You don’t need a big emotional experience to prove God’s grace is there. Most of the time, grace is subtle. It’s strength to face the day, not necessarily the solution to all your problems.

Let yourself off the hook from expecting miracles every morning.

What If Nothing Changes Right Away?

Honestly? It might not. And that’s okay too. Paul reminded us clearly, “We’re perplexed, but never abandoned.” (2 Corinthians 4:9)

• The point is, feeling lost doesn’t mean you are lost.

• Feeling empty doesn’t mean you’ve run dry forever.

• Grace shows up in simple, quiet ways more often than in loud, dramatic moments.

  
  

And remember, there’s no need to stockpile grace like toilet paper in a pandemic. It doesn’t work that way.

Grace is daily, fresh, and exactly enough for each day. Tomorrow’s grace? It’ll be waiting for you tomorrow.

Let’s Wrap This Up…

Even when you’re empty and spiritually dry, grace is always right there — simple, ready, and waiting.

God sees your emptiness, understands it fully, and isn’t disappointed in you.

Because here’s the truth: Being spiritually dry isn’t failure. It doesn’t mean you’ve drifted away. It means you’re human. And for every bit of dryness, confusion, or emptiness you’re facing today, remember clearly and simply:

There’s grace for that.

© Gary L Ellis