45. When God Seems Distant (with Kyle Strobel)

In this episode, Adam Ormord sits down with Kyle Strobel for a spacious and deeply pastoral conversation about seasons of spiritual dryness and the steady work of God when it feels like we've been abandoned. Kyle is the coauthor, along with John Coe, of the newly released book When God Seems Distant. Together, they explore a reality many Christians experience but rarely feel permission to name: what happens when prayer feels empty, spiritual disciplines stop “working,” and God seems strangely distant. Rather than offering techniques to fix or push through these seasons, this conversation invites listeners to consider a surprising possibility, that spiritual dryness is not a failure of faith, but often a deeper work of formation. In this episode, we explore: • Why many Christians are unprepared for seasons of dryness and desolation • How “trying harder” can actually get in the way of genuine transformation • What God may be doing when effort, willpower, and habit modification fall short • The concept of spiritual development and why later seasons of faith often feel confusing and disorienting • How Scripture and the Christian tradition speak honestly about God’s intentions for our faith formation Kyle closes the episode with a prayer for those currently walking through a season when God feels distant. If you find yourself in a desert season in your spiritual life, this episode is an invitation not to fix yourself or rush to the other side, but to trust that God is present and at work even in the desolate places. If this conversation is hitting close to home for you, please consider purchasing Kyle Strobel's and John Coe's brand new book, "When God Feels Distant," on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/When-God-Seems...) . Also, reach out to one of the Spiritual Directors at LifePoint Resources (https://www.lifepointresources.org/di...) . We are here to help you navigate all the seasons of your life, including desert seasons, with God. About Kyle Strobel Kyle Strobel is a theologian, author, and professor (Talbot School of Theology, Biola University) who has spent decades teaching and writing about Christian spiritual formation and life with God. His work bridges deep theological reflection with the lived experience of following Christ over the long haul. About Adam Ormord Adam Ormord is a spiritual director, retreat leader, and the president of LifePoint Resources. He hosts The Being Formed Podcast, a space for deep conversations about Christian spiritual formation, soul care, spiritual direction, and life with God. The Being Formed Podcast is a soul care ministry of LifePoint Resources (https://www.lifepointresources.org) .