Have you ever felt stuck in a dry place? Not necessarily a physical desert—but a spiritual or emotional one? A season where your prayers feel hollow, your dreams delayed, and your joy distant? Sometimes it’s more than just a dry place—it feels like a prison of pain. You’re not just waiting; you’re worn down by the weight of suffering. The cycle of physical pain can feel relentless—every day a battle, every movement a reminder of what’s broken. After breaking my neck and back, that was my reality. I wasn’t just hurting—I felt trapped, drained, and disconnected. Pain has a way of closing in around you, convincing you that this is all there is and all there ever will be.
But looking back now, I can see something I couldn’t see then: that dry place was only temporary. God never meant for us to camp there, much less build a home in our suffering. Even in our most barren seasons, He’s still at work—healing, shaping, and preparing us for what’s next.
The danger of dry places is subtle. At first, we think it’s just a bad day or a tough season. But over time, if we’re not careful, we start to settle there. We let discouragement take root. We start believing lies like, “Maybe this is all there is” or “God must be done with me.” But friend, that’s not the truth.
In Matthew 12:43, Jesus says that when an unclean spirit leaves a person, it goes through dry places seeking rest. Think about that: the enemy looks for dry places—empty, unguarded, joyless places to make his home. But we were never meant to remain in the desert. God may lead us through a dry place to teach, refine, or strengthen us—but He never intends for us to live there. Dry doesn’t mean dead. Delay doesn’t mean denial.
Isaiah 43:19 reminds us, “Behold, I am doing a new thing… I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Even in the desert, God is digging wells.
But here’s where it gets even more beautiful.
God Wired You to Thrive—Even in the Dry Places
God didn’t just give us Scripture to feed our souls; He also designed our bodies to help us heal. I recently came across this powerful graphic showing four major “happy hormones” God built into us: Oxytocin, Dopamine, Serotonin, and Endorphins.
These aren’t just biological features—they’re divine fingerprints. Your body, your emotions, your tears—they all reflect God’s intentional, compassionate design.
Let’s break them down:
1. Oxytocin – The Love Hormone
God created us for connection. When we hug, show affection, hold hands, or play with our pets, oxytocin is released, lowering stress and deepening trust. It’s no surprise that Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Jesus, too, lived a life of touch and presence—healing the leper, weeping with Mary and Martha, breaking bread with His friends.
Dry places thrive in isolation. Connection brings the rain.
2. Dopamine – The Reward Hormone
Ever finish a task and feel a burst of satisfaction? That’s dopamine. It’s released when you eat a good meal, achieve small wins, do self-care, or stay productive. Proverbs 13:4 tells us, “The soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” God rewards progress, even if it’s small. When you’re in a dry place, celebrate the small wins—they trigger the motivation to keep going.
God knew we’d need encouragement built right into our brains. Dopamine is His nudge forward.
3. Serotonin – The Mood Stabilizer
Go outside. Soak up the sun. Take a walk. Eat something nourishing. Stick to a routine. These actions trigger serotonin and help stabilize your emotional health.
Psalm 1:3 says, “He is like a tree planted by streams of water…” That tree doesn’t panic during drought because it’s deeply rooted. Likewise, when we ground ourselves in rhythms of health and godliness, serotonin becomes a God-given stabilizer for our emotions.
4. Endorphins – The Pain & Stress Fighters
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Laugh. Dance. Watch a feel-good movie. Listen to worship music. Endorphins are released when you engage in joyful, active, or compassionate behaviors, acting like natural painkillers.
Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” God literally gave your body joy-producing chemicals that heal and energize you. Laughter, music, and kindness aren’t extras—they’re essential.
And Even Your Tears Matter
This may surprise you, but scientists have found that tears vary in chemical composition depending on the emotion behind them. Tears of grief, joy, or relief carry different hormones and stress-releasing proteins.
Now read Psalm 56:8 again: “You have collected all my tears in your bottle.” God doesn’t just see your tears—He understands their makeup. He designed them. They are not a weakness. They are a form of healing.
Healing in Body, Soul, and Spirit
So often in dry seasons, we look for a massive miracle or a dramatic breakthrough. But God, in His wisdom, sometimes brings healing through the small, intentional steps—a walk in nature, a meal with a friend, a good night’s sleep, or a belly laugh.
The Holy Spirit comforts our souls, but He also works through the bodies He created. When you honor your body—get sunlight, rest, laugh, move, pray, connect—you’re partnering with God’s design for your healing.
What Does This Mean for You Today?
If you’re in a dry place:
- Don’t camp there. Keep moving forward.
- Know that God’s design in your biology and your Bible are working together.
- Cry when you need to—your tears matter.
- Connect to people. You weren’t made to walk alone.
- Celebrate small wins and healthy habits. They’re not trivial; they’re transformational.
- Remind yourself: Even here, God is at work.
And if you’ve been isolated, discouraged, or overwhelmed, I want to invite you to come be a part of what God is doing at Generations United. We’re not checking religious boxes—we’re building a community where dry souls come alive again. Where connection, healing, worship, and truth activate not just your spirit—but your body, emotions, and purpose.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the beauty of Your design. Thank You for creating us with such care and intentionality. In every cell, every hormone, every tear—You placed healing and purpose. Lord, in my dry seasons, help me remember that You are still present and working. Help me embrace the rhythms of rest, joy, and connection. Revive my soul, refresh my emotions, and renew my strength. Thank You for designing me to feel, to connect, and to thrive. I trust You with my whole self—body, soul, and spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Let this devotional remind you—you are not stuck, you are not broken, and you are not alone. You are beautifully and wonderfully made… even in the dry place.
Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement 
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