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When God Seems Distant: Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near
Most Christians experience zeal early in their Christian life, but when that fades to a season of dryness, it's tempting to assume one of two We have failed or God is absent. So we throw ourselves into ministry, spiritual disciplines, and study in order to break through to the other side of this dry season, not realizing that willpower and habit modification cannot "fix" our spiritual lives or kick-start a new season of spiritual growth. Why? Because we've missed the point of the wilderness.
Far from being evidence that we're failing in our faith, spiritual dry seasons are actually part of God's plan to draw us into a deeper walk with him. With the wisdom and compassion of those who have been there, Kyle Strobel and John Coe invite you to draw near to the Lord as you walk through the differing seasons of the soul. They explain the purpose of the wilderness in the story of God's people--including our Savior--and show how our spiritual lives actually benefit from times of dryness.
If you have found yourself in the desert, desperately longing for the living waters Jesus promises, this book will assure you that God is not absent--and you may be on the cusp of experiencing a deeper faith.
Far from being evidence that we're failing in our faith, spiritual dry seasons are actually part of God's plan to draw us into a deeper walk with him. With the wisdom and compassion of those who have been there, Kyle Strobel and John Coe invite you to draw near to the Lord as you walk through the differing seasons of the soul. They explain the purpose of the wilderness in the story of God's people--including our Savior--and show how our spiritual lives actually benefit from times of dryness.
If you have found yourself in the desert, desperately longing for the living waters Jesus promises, this book will assure you that God is not absent--and you may be on the cusp of experiencing a deeper faith.
- GenresSelf Help
224 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
19 people are currently reading
2397 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Strobel
24 books97 followersKyle Strobel is a husband, father, friend, theologian, writer, speaker, and practitioner of spiritual formation. He is a Jonathan Edwards scholar, and seeks to bridge the gap between the scholarly world and the life of the church.
Kyle is the co-author of Where Prayer Becomes Real: How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul, The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb: Searching for Jesus' Path of Power in a Church that has Abandoned It,Beloved Dust: Drawing Close to God by Discovering the Truth About Yourself , and is the author of Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards.
You can find Kyle at Twitter.com/KyleStrobel; Facebook.com/KyleCStrobel
Kyle is the co-author of Where Prayer Becomes Real: How Honesty with God Transforms Your Soul, The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb: Searching for Jesus' Path of Power in a Church that has Abandoned It,Beloved Dust: Drawing Close to God by Discovering the Truth About Yourself , and is the author of Formed for the Glory of God: Learning from the Spiritual Practices of Jonathan Edwards.
You can find Kyle at Twitter.com/KyleStrobel; Facebook.com/KyleCStrobel
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 8, 2026
I came to When God Seems Distant already familiar with Kyle Strobel’s work—particularly Where Prayer Becomes Real (co-authored with John Coe), Formed for the Glory of God, and his Substack writing. I anticipated that the insights here would be helpful, and I was not disappointed!
The central problem the authors address is one most Christians know well: the experience of feeling that God is not working, paired with the subtle assumption that we must now fix ourselves. Strobel and Coe gently but firmly dismantle that assumption. They help us see that God’s activity has not ceased when our feelings go quiet; rather, our gracious God is revealing aspects of our character and long-habituated responses to life that still exhibit our need for His love, grace, and mercy. God is not absent—He is inviting us to live honestly with Him in the reality of our lives. In this, the book shows clear continuity with Where Prayer Becomes Real, while also extending and deepening those insights.
One of the book’s great strengths is that it is evident the authors have paid close attention to how the Lord actually works in the lives of His children. This wisdom is going to be striking, new, and enlightening to the ears of many, though it is not absent in the Protestant and Reformed traditions further back in our history. These are not abstract principles, but pastoral insights offered for the good of the church. The opening chapter’s analogy is especially memorable and clarifying: the Christian life is likened to a peaceful lake in our early years of faith—sun shining, waters calm, joy abundant. But as God matures us, the lake is drained, and what was always at the bottom is revealed. This exposure is not God’s withdrawal, but His loving work of transformation, teaching us where deeper dependence on Him is required.
Another strength is the way the book wraps up, proposing five paths that readers may walk after reading the book. These paths are tailored for Christians in various places in life. What this does is to help readers envision the Lord drawing us near wherever we are in our journey, encouraging us to wrestle further with the questions that will inevitably arise through the reading.
Stylistically, the book feels written by fellow travelers, not academics. It is highly accessible, experiential in tone, and intentionally invitational. The authors consistently encourage readers not merely to understand these insights but to be before the Lord with them. I believe there is much to be gained if readers will actually engage the “Experience” sections that conclude each of the chapters.
If I were to offer any critique, it would be that at times I felt like the authors were repeating themselves, but I think this is a function of my reading the book over a short period. I believe this repetition will be helpful for anyone reading it over a longer period or for referencing / review specific chapters later.
Personally, I found many moments where the authors’ experiences mirrored my own journey and response to seasons of spiritual dryness (disorientation, attempting to compensate with mere passion). One of the most searching and helpful themes is their exposure of how easily we resort to self-willed religious effort. We do “spiritual things,” yet fail to involve the Lord Himself. I know this tendency well. The way the authors name and address this dynamic has already helped me abide more intentionally in Christ.
I gladly commend the insights the Lord has given these men regarding spiritual formation. This book has substantial practical value, particularly for Christians who feel frustrated by the “ups and downs” of their spiritual growth. Strobel and Coe help us see how our pursuits may have actually taken us away from the One we are drawn to. I have already had fruitful conversations about this book with my small group, and I plan to purchase multiple copies to give to fellow travelers who may feel disoriented by God’s apparent distance.
I give When God Seems Distant five stars. I anticipate lifelong benefit from the way it is already drawing me nearer to the Lord and reshaping how I look for His activity in my life.
I was provided an advance copy for review; the opinions here are my own.
The central problem the authors address is one most Christians know well: the experience of feeling that God is not working, paired with the subtle assumption that we must now fix ourselves. Strobel and Coe gently but firmly dismantle that assumption. They help us see that God’s activity has not ceased when our feelings go quiet; rather, our gracious God is revealing aspects of our character and long-habituated responses to life that still exhibit our need for His love, grace, and mercy. God is not absent—He is inviting us to live honestly with Him in the reality of our lives. In this, the book shows clear continuity with Where Prayer Becomes Real, while also extending and deepening those insights.
One of the book’s great strengths is that it is evident the authors have paid close attention to how the Lord actually works in the lives of His children. This wisdom is going to be striking, new, and enlightening to the ears of many, though it is not absent in the Protestant and Reformed traditions further back in our history. These are not abstract principles, but pastoral insights offered for the good of the church. The opening chapter’s analogy is especially memorable and clarifying: the Christian life is likened to a peaceful lake in our early years of faith—sun shining, waters calm, joy abundant. But as God matures us, the lake is drained, and what was always at the bottom is revealed. This exposure is not God’s withdrawal, but His loving work of transformation, teaching us where deeper dependence on Him is required.
Another strength is the way the book wraps up, proposing five paths that readers may walk after reading the book. These paths are tailored for Christians in various places in life. What this does is to help readers envision the Lord drawing us near wherever we are in our journey, encouraging us to wrestle further with the questions that will inevitably arise through the reading.
Stylistically, the book feels written by fellow travelers, not academics. It is highly accessible, experiential in tone, and intentionally invitational. The authors consistently encourage readers not merely to understand these insights but to be before the Lord with them. I believe there is much to be gained if readers will actually engage the “Experience” sections that conclude each of the chapters.
If I were to offer any critique, it would be that at times I felt like the authors were repeating themselves, but I think this is a function of my reading the book over a short period. I believe this repetition will be helpful for anyone reading it over a longer period or for referencing / review specific chapters later.
Personally, I found many moments where the authors’ experiences mirrored my own journey and response to seasons of spiritual dryness (disorientation, attempting to compensate with mere passion). One of the most searching and helpful themes is their exposure of how easily we resort to self-willed religious effort. We do “spiritual things,” yet fail to involve the Lord Himself. I know this tendency well. The way the authors name and address this dynamic has already helped me abide more intentionally in Christ.
I gladly commend the insights the Lord has given these men regarding spiritual formation. This book has substantial practical value, particularly for Christians who feel frustrated by the “ups and downs” of their spiritual growth. Strobel and Coe help us see how our pursuits may have actually taken us away from the One we are drawn to. I have already had fruitful conversations about this book with my small group, and I plan to purchase multiple copies to give to fellow travelers who may feel disoriented by God’s apparent distance.
I give When God Seems Distant five stars. I anticipate lifelong benefit from the way it is already drawing me nearer to the Lord and reshaping how I look for His activity in my life.
I was provided an advance copy for review; the opinions here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When God Seems Distant by Kyle Strobel; John Coe
Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near
What If Times of Spiritual Dryness Are Actually Part of God's Plan?
· Discover how to reframe times when God feels distant
· Go beyond willpower and habit modification to true spiritual growth
· Learn to live in, not just through, fallow times
Most Christians experience zeal early in their Christian life, but when that fades to a season of dryness, it's tempting to assume one of two things: We have failed or God is absent. So we throw ourselves into ministry, spiritual disciplines, and study in order to break through to the other side of this dry season, not realizing that willpower and habit modification cannot "fix" our spiritual lives or kick-start a new season of spiritual growth. Why? Because we've missed the point of the wilderness.
Far from being evidence that we're failing in our faith, spiritual dry seasons are actually part of God's plan to draw us into a deeper walk with him. With the wisdom and compassion of those who have been there, Kyle Strobel and John Coe invite you to draw near to the Lord as you walk through the differing seasons of the soul. They explain the purpose of the wilderness in the story of God's people--including our Savior--and show how our spiritual lives actually benefit from times of dryness.
If you have found yourself in the desert, desperately longing for the living waters Jesus promises, this book will assure you that God is not absent--and you may be on the cusp of experiencing a deeper faith.
The book is easy to read and understand.
A good resource.
I recommend this book.
When God Seems Distant by Kyle Strobel; John Coe
is a 4-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Kyle Strobel; John Coe.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near
What If Times of Spiritual Dryness Are Actually Part of God's Plan?
· Discover how to reframe times when God feels distant
· Go beyond willpower and habit modification to true spiritual growth
· Learn to live in, not just through, fallow times
Most Christians experience zeal early in their Christian life, but when that fades to a season of dryness, it's tempting to assume one of two things: We have failed or God is absent. So we throw ourselves into ministry, spiritual disciplines, and study in order to break through to the other side of this dry season, not realizing that willpower and habit modification cannot "fix" our spiritual lives or kick-start a new season of spiritual growth. Why? Because we've missed the point of the wilderness.
Far from being evidence that we're failing in our faith, spiritual dry seasons are actually part of God's plan to draw us into a deeper walk with him. With the wisdom and compassion of those who have been there, Kyle Strobel and John Coe invite you to draw near to the Lord as you walk through the differing seasons of the soul. They explain the purpose of the wilderness in the story of God's people--including our Savior--and show how our spiritual lives actually benefit from times of dryness.
If you have found yourself in the desert, desperately longing for the living waters Jesus promises, this book will assure you that God is not absent--and you may be on the cusp of experiencing a deeper faith.
The book is easy to read and understand.
A good resource.
I recommend this book.
When God Seems Distant by Kyle Strobel; John Coe
is a 4-star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Kyle Strobel; John Coe.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I love the perspective of "spiritual dry seasons. My favorite is the "experience" sections of the book as they reach me at a different level. As others have said, transformative.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews