The Truth About When God Feels Distant

August 17, 2023

God has promised repeatedly, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5 GNT).

Yet God has not promised that you will always feel his presence. There are times when he appears to be missing-in-action in your life.

This is a normal part of the testing and maturing of your friendship

with God. Every Christian goes through it at least once. It is painful

and confusing, but it is absolutely vital for the development of your

faith.

This knowledge gave Job hope when he could not feel God’s presence in his life. He said, “I

go east, but he is not there. I go west, but I cannot find him. I do

not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he

is concealed. But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I

will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:8-10 NLT).

When God seems distant, you may feel that he is angry with you or is

disciplining you for some sin. And, in fact, sin does disconnect you

from intimate fellowship with God. (see Psalm 51; Ephesians 4:29-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Jeremiah 2:32; 1 Corinthians 8:12; James 4:4).

But often this feeling of distance or separation from God has nothing

to do with sin. It is a test of faith, one all believers must face:

Will you continue to love, trust, obey, and worship God, even when you

have no sense of his presence or visible evidence of his work in your

life?

Will you hold on to the truth of his promises?

Or, is your faith solely based off feelings?

The most common mistake Christians make in worship today is seeking

an experience rather than seeking God. They look for a feeling, and if

that feeling happens, they conclude that they have worshiped.

But God often removes feelings so you won’t depend on them. Instead, he wants to draw you into a deeper relationship with him.

I will end on this promise. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)

Those who seek him will find him. If God feels distant, keep seeking

him. This season will not last forever. He is with you, always.