When God Seems Distant: Surprising Ways God Deepens Our Faith and Draws Us Near

By John Coe and Kyle Strobel

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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1540905322
• ISBN13: 9781540905321
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 288 Pages