When God Feels Silent: A Christian Woman's Guide to Navigating Quiet Faith Seasons

Hey beautiful soul,

Can I be real with you for a minute? Last Tuesday, I sat in my car after a particularly overwhelming day at work, and I just...cried. Not the pretty, single-tear kind of crying you see in movies, but the ugly, mascara-running, "I hope no one sees me" kind. Because despite my morning devotions, despite the worship music playing softly in the background, despite all the "right" things I was doing, God felt a million miles away.

Maybe you've been there too. In that place where your prayers feel like they're bouncing off the ceiling, where your faith feels more like a flickering candle than a burning flame, where you wonder if you're doing this whole Christian thing "right."

Sister, let me tell you something I wish someone had told me in that moment: You're not broken. Your faith isn't failing. And God hasn't gone anywhere.

The Truth About Quiet Seasons

Here's what I've learned through my own messy, beautiful journey with Jesus: Sometimes the seasons when God feels most distant are actually the seasons when He's doing His deepest work in us. It's like when a gardener prunes a rose bush – it looks harsh from the outside, but it's all about preparing for the most beautiful blooms.

I remember flipping through my Bible, desperately searching for something – anything – that would make me feel His presence again. That's when I stumbled across Isaiah 55:11: "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

"Sometimes the seasons when God feels most distant are actually the seasons when He's doing His deepest work in us"

Wait. His word doesn't return empty? Even when I can't feel it working?

That was my lightbulb moment. God's work in our lives isn't dependent on our feelings. His faithfulness isn't tied to our emotional highs and lows. He's working even when – especially when – we can't see it or feel it.

What I've Learned About Walking Through Dry Seasons

1. Consistency beats intensity every single time Those days when you don't feel like reading your Bible? Read it anyway. When worship songs feel like noise? Sing anyway (even if it's off-key). When prayer feels pointless? Pray anyway.

I started keeping a simple Christian journal by my bedside – nothing fancy, just lined pages where I could jot down three things I was grateful for each night, even on the hard days. Especially on the hard days. Some nights it was as simple as "hot coffee," "a good conversation with my best friend," and "clean sheets." But you know what? Those tiny acknowledgments became breadcrumbs leading me back to His goodness.

2. Community isn't optional We weren't meant to walk this journey alone, sweet friend. I used to think I had to have it all together before I could be "real" with other Christian women. What a lie that was! Some of my deepest spiritual growth has happened over coffee with a friend who looked at me and said, "Me too, sister. Me too."

3. His promises are better than our feelings I started writing down verses that spoke to God's faithfulness and character – not how I felt about them, but what they said about Him. I'd highlight them, underline them, and make notes in the margins. Because on the days when my heart couldn't feel His love, my eyes could still see His promises written in black and white.

Isaiah 61:11 🤍 Used my favorite Mr. Pen markers for this one — linked if you need good ones.

Practical Steps for the Journey

If you're in a quiet season right now, here are some things that have helped me (and I pray they help you too):

Start small and be consistent. Maybe it's five minutes with Jesus and your journal each morning. Maybe it's one verse you meditate on throughout the day. Don't aim for perfection; aim for presence.

Make it beautiful. I know this might sound silly, but there's something powerful about creating a sacred space for your time with God. Whether it's a cozy corner with your favorite throw blanket, a special mug for your coffee, or colorful pens for Bible journaling, when we make our devotional time beautiful, we're more likely to show up for it.

Document the journey. Keep track of prayers, revelations, struggles, and victories. On the hard days, you can look back and see how faithful He's been. Plus, there's something about writing things down that makes them feel more real, more tangible.

Speak truth over yourself. When lies whisper that you're not enough, that God has forgotten you, that your faith is weak – speak His truth louder. Write it down, use Christian affirmations, make it pretty if that helps you remember. Whatever it takes to get His truth from your head to your heart.

A Love Letter from Him to You

You know what I love about God's word? It's full of love letters written directly to us. When I'm struggling to feel His presence, I go back to these truths He's already spoken over us in Scripture. Maybe you need to hear His heart for you today:

"My beloved daughter, I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), and that's not changing based on how you feel today. Your emotions don't determine my faithfulness – even when you're faithless, I remain faithful because I can't deny who I am (2 Timothy 2:13). Your struggles? They don't disqualify you from my love. Nothing – not your doubts, not your questions, not your hardest days – can separate you from the love I have for you (Romans 8:38-39). Your questions don't threaten me (Isaiah 45:5). I'm big enough to handle them. I'm with you always, every single day until the end of time (Matthew 28:20) – in your valley moments just as much as your mountaintop celebrations. Keep walking. Keep trusting. Keep showing up. Because I'm working all things together for your good (Romans 8:28), even when it doesn't feel like it. Even when the breakthrough doesn't look like what you expected, I am enough. I am here. You are mine, and I am yours (Song of Songs 6:3)."

When our hearts can't feel these truths, we can trust His word - because He cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

Keep Going, Beautiful

Whatever season you're in today – whether you're dancing on the mountaintop or crawling through the valley – remember this: your journey to Him is exactly that, a journey. There will be seasons of drought and seasons of abundance, times when His voice feels crystal clear and times when heaven seems silent.

But He is faithful. He is good. And He is writing a beautiful story with your life, even when you can't see the plot. Keep showing up, sweet sister. Keep seeking Him. Keep trusting that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). Your story isn't over. In fact, I have a feeling the best chapters are still being written.

What season are you walking through today? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Your story matters, and you never know who needs to hear that they're not alone in their journey.

P.S. If you're looking for ways to make your quiet time more intentional and beautiful, I've created some resources that might encourage you on your journey. From sermon note-taking guides that help you really engage with God's word on Sunday mornings, to affirmation coloring pages that let you meditate on His truth while creating something beautiful with your hands. Because sometimes we need to engage our whole selves – heart, mind, and hands – in worship.

Keep journeying. He's got you.