What if You Feel Nothing?

Remaining when you feel nothing (He's still there, science agrees).

Hi Friends,

We all get hurt: conflict and rejection, relationship breakdown, burnout and exhaustion, deadlines and demands, grief and loss, shame and guilt, anxiety and fear, loneliness and isolation, financial pressure and health scares, opposition and overwhelm. There are many scenarios we face that knock the wind out of our sails and threaten to capsize us, sending us under. And that pain can feel so intense at times that you’re left looking for safety, somehow, somewhere, or even in someone, that can provide protection and cover from the fiery arrows that relentlessly come your way.

And sometimes, that hurt, that overwhelm, bleeds into our spiritual lives. There are seasons in our faith journey when we feel vibrant and alive, when God's presence feels tangible and near. But then there are those other seasons, the dry, barren ones, when we feel nothing at all. When prayer feels like talking to a wall, and Scripture seems to have lost its spark.

If you're in one of those seasons right now, know that you're not alone. Spiritual dryness is a common experience, even for the most devoted believers. And it doesn't mean God has abandoned you. It's about remaining in faith even when your feelings tell you otherwise.

Psalm 42:1-2 gives voice to this very struggle:

"As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?"

• The psalmist's longing for God is palpable. It's a deep, visceral thirst, a yearning for connection.

• "When can I go and meet with God?" This question reflects the frustration and longing of spiritual dryness.

• The Hebrew word for "pants" (עָרַג, arag) is a strong word, conveying a deep longing, a desperate desire. This psalm shows that feeling distant from God is not a new experience, and the writers of the bible also had these feelings.

In these moments of deep longing, when our souls yearn for the tangible presence of God, it's easy to feel abandoned, to question if He is truly near. But even as the psalmist cries out in his thirst, we are reminded that our experience of God's presence does not dictate His unwavering commitment to us. For in the midst of our feelings of emptiness, there is a promise that stands firm, a truth that transcends our emotional landscape:

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Matthew 28:20

• Jesus's promise is clear and unwavering. He is with us always, regardless of our feelings.

• This is the foundation of our remaining. Not our feelings, but His faithfulness.

• The word "surely" (ἰδοὺ, idou) is used to draw attention to something significant. Jesus is emphasising the truth of His continual presence. The word "always" (πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, pasas tas hemeras) means all the days.

Neuroscience and Faith: Beyond Feelings

Interestingly, neuroscience offers insights that affirm the reality of God's presence, even when we don't feel it.

• Neuroplasticity and Habit Formation:

  • Our brains are wired to form habits through repeated actions. Even when we don't feel emotionally connected, consistently engaging in spiritual practices (prayer, Scripture reading, worship) strengthens neural pathways associated with faith.

  • This means that even in dry seasons, our brains are being shaped by our consistent actions of faith, reinforcing our connection to God.

• The Default Mode Network (DMN):

  • The DMN is a network of brain regions that is active when we're not focused on a specific task, when we're daydreaming or reflecting.

  • Studies suggest that contemplative prayer and meditation can quiet the DMN, leading to a sense of peace and connection. This aligns with the biblical call to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).

  • This shows that the physical act of being still changes the brain, and allows for a greater likelihood of feeling God's presence.

• Oxytocin and Connection:

  • Oxytocin, often called the "love hormone," is released during moments of connection and trust.

  • Engaging in acts of worship and prayer can stimulate the release of oxytocin, fostering a sense of connection to God and others, even when emotional feelings are absent.

Remaining in Faith, Not Feelings

• Remember the Truth: God's presence isn’t based on your feelings. He’s with you, even when you can’t feel Him.

• Keep Showing Up: Continue to pray, read Scripture, and engage in spiritual disciplines, even when you don't feel like it.

• Trust the Process: Spiritual dryness can be a refining process, a time of deepening our faith beyond feelings.

• Find Community: Share your struggles with trusted friends or mentors. They can offer support and encouragement.

A Prayer for Dry Seasons

Lord, I confess that I feel distant from You right now. My heart is dry, and I long for Your presence. Help me to trust in Your faithfulness, even when I can't feel You near. Give me the strength to keep showing up, and help me to trust the process. Amen.

How have you navigated seasons of spiritual dryness? What helps you to remain in faith when you feel nothing?

Let's encourage each other to trust God's presence, even in the dry seasons.

Here’s to the power of repetition, even when we’re not feeling it!

Em