What to Do When You Feel Spiritually Empty: 5 Steps

Are you struggling with what to do when you feel spiritually empty?

Most of us face times of spiritual dryness. The disciplines that once helped us feel connected to God stop working. Instead of feeling life-giving, they begin to feel empty and dry.

Today, we’ll talk about what to do when you feel spiritually empty. I invite you to join me as I gaze out the window feeling apathetic and disconnected from God on a cold winter morning.

What to Do When You Feel Spiritually Empty

The golden abundance of autumn has been swallowed by the monochrome grey of winter now.

As I gaze into the ashen landscape, I wrestle with an inner emptiness that feels as barren as the landscape outside.

Plenty of friends have encouraged me to turn to Christ in my empty moments, but can we be real for just a moment and admit that this isn’t always easy?

When You Feel Empty Inside

Opening my Bible isn’t always satisfying.

Closing a door to pray feels like work.

Sometimes, pursuing traditional spiritual disciplines feels like too much work at the end of a long day. (Read here if you can relate.)

We want to pursue Christ in ways that fill the emptiness, but it’s not always easy.

Let’s look at a few creative ways to pursue Christ and let him fill our emptiness.

How can we satisfy our souls with God in ways that bring life? #satisfiedinGod #seekingGod #quiettime Share on X

1. When you feel empty, pursue a hobby you genuinely enjoy.

I love spending time in the woods. Nature breathes life into my soul. Don’t buy the lie that tells you there are “spiritual” and “unspiritual” pursuits in this life.

According to Scripture, our entire lives are meant to be spiritual. God created passions and interests in us so that we would have parts of our lives that are purely fun and recreational.

In the 1981 movie, Chariots of Fire, Olympic runner Eric Liddell says, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.”

God is pleased when we pursue activities we sincerely enjoy. Pray about it and consider what truly brings life to your soul. Make time to pursue that passion. Whether it’s a raised garden in the backyard, a new set of paintbrushes, or a rekindled passion for baking, set aside some time to pursue it without guilt.

2. Serve someone else.

Make a bed, hang a towel, take the garbage out, or go out of your way to complete a household chore that normally belongs to someone else. Don’t ask for or expect affirmation for this act of kindness.

If you live alone, reach out to a neighbor, elderly relative, or friend. Send a card, or better yet, offer the gift of your time by showing up to visit for an hour.

Proverbs 11:25 teaches that we refresh ourselves by refreshing others. Often, the best way to fill spiritual emptiness is to focus outward and find other people to love, encourage, and serve.

3. Turn on worship music.

I’ve said this before, and it bears repeating: Worship is warfare.

At times, we feel empty because the enemy is pursuing us. Turning on worship music can change the atmosphere surrounding us by reminding us to keep our eyes on Jesus. He is still on his throne. Our human emotions ebb and flow. Most of us will face times when we feel spiritually empty.

By changing the atmosphere, God can lift our heads.

4. Step outside and talk to God.

The simple act of getting outside and moving your body can help you lift your head when you feel empty inside. Take a walk around the block, visit a local park, or sit on the porch for just five minutes. Spend this time pouring your heart out to God.

Tell him how you’re feeling.

Then, spend some time in silence. Let God pour his love out over you. You might consider taking your Bible. Sit in the sunshine and read a few Psalms. Soak in God’s love. He wants to fill your empty soul.

5. Reach out to friends who can fill you.

Do you have any friends who cheer you up when you spend time with them? Do you have any friends who love Jesus so much that their faith is contagious?

When you feel spiritually empty, reaching out to these friends can help.

Set up a lunch date. Talk on the phone for a while. Plan a night out for dinner.

We were not meant to live in isolation. My friends have offered the following gifts when I’ve reached out to them in times of spiritual dryness: they’ve suggested books that have jumpstarted my spiritual life; they have prayed over me; they’ve invited me out for dinner; they’ve met me for walks and hikes; they’ve simply made me laugh.

Final Insights on What to Do When You Feel Spiritually Empty:

The next time you feel spiritually empty, don’t succumb to self-condemnation or shame. God is with you. He loves you. He is fighting for you. Take one step on this list and ask God to lift your head.

Keep doing the next thing as he calls you to follow him. He is waiting to pull you from this barren place.

As for me, I’m taking my own advice as the winter wind flogs the poplar tree outside. I’m turning on the worship music and picking up the phone to call a friend.

A Free Online Devotional for When You Feel Empty Inside:

Are you in the middle of a difficult season? Hope for Hard Days is a free 10-day online devotional to help you hold onto hope when life is tough. You will find 10 readings to help you connect with God and claim his peace. Click here and I’ll send it to your email inbox today for free with promo code HOPE.

Calling all moms and daughters—and parents of boys!

As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 14, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or grandparents to read with the children they care about.

God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength is for boys ages 5-13. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to courageously carry God’s love into the world. Written with input from our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven, this book will help the boys you care about find courage and strength in God. Find this life-changing devotional book here.

Devotionals for Girls

Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.

All three books are available in print and eBook form here on Amazon. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.

Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing

God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!