When God Seems Distant
- Christian Living
- Discipleship & Christian Education
- Publisher: Baker Books (Baker Publishing Group)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
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 timesMost 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.
Endorsements (6)
“Drawing on the quiet strength of their own profound legacy of faith and formation, Strobel and Coe help us see what we often miss: that spiritual deserts are not detours but doorways—where the Spirit deepens us, not abandons us. For every reader who has prayed and felt silence, served and felt empty, or obeyed and still felt far from God—this is a real and transformative invitation to discover that the silence is not abandonment but invitation. The wilderness is not evidence of God’s absence—but his nearness in disguise.”
“David’s cry of being forgotten (Psalm 13) is just one example of the agonizing silence of God. Whether that experience destroys or strengthens faith depends on the narrative one brings to the agony. Strobel and Coe give us a richly nuanced and spiritually empowering perspective for responding as Jesus did when he was the righteous sufferer also crying out in agony to his Father. I cannot recommend their contribution highly enough.”
“Those of us who have walked with the Lord for any length of time have experienced seasons of spiritual dryness. So often we have been told such an experience is merely a sign of our failed devotion. In short, we are given advice much like Job’s friends gave him. In When God Seems Distant, Kyle Strobel and John Coe do just the opposite. With great pastoral sensitivity and theological depth, they offer us sound wisdom in navigating such seasons. If you have walked in the desert and wondered where God was, you will find gospel hope in these pages.”
““This book will be life-changing for believers who find themselves wondering what God is doing as spiritual seasons shift, feelings fluctuate, and doubts multiply. Full of sober-minded wisdom, When God Seems Distant shows us God’s work in drawing us near and conforming us to Christ, even—and especially—in seasons of desolation. The truths found here will strengthen you to walk by faith and not by sight.”
“The world desperately needs a distinctly gospel-focused vision of rest, soul replenishment, and restoration. Drawing deeply from the Scriptures and the rich treasures of Reformed spirituality, Strobel and Coe present us with a way to find eternal life even in life’s deserts. They show us how even the desolation of the desert can be God’s great grace to us, the means by which he mediates his goodness to us. For those looking for more than coping techniques in life’s difficulties, Strobel and Coe offer much-needed counsel.”
“When God Seems Distant names the ache we often avoid: the dry, confusing seasons of faith. By helping you make sense of what feels like distance from God, Dr. John Coe and Dr. Kyle Strobel make theologically rich concepts accessible and spiritual formation understandable. This book meets you in your questions and gently guides you toward deeper rootedness in how the Spirit truly forms us. They remind us that transformation isn’t random or self-driven but Spirit-led. If you’re weary or wondering, this is your invitation to be equipped to walk with the One who has never stopped leading you in love.”
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