If you’ve ever felt distant from God, you’re not alone! Many people experience doubt and uncertainty when they feel distant from God. Let’s get back to feeling closer to God.
How to Get Closer to God When You’re Feeling Distant
I would give anything to go back in time, even for ten minutes, to get some quality cuddles and kisses from my kids. They are teenagers now and to get a hug from them takes a good amount of effort. I hear, “Mama, can you drive me to the mall?” Then I roll up my sleeves and begin with the negotiations. I say, “I will for two kisses and a hug.” Then they respond, “One hug?” Sure, one hug is perfection. I know full well I am past the give mom a kiss phase.
Back when they were toddlers, getting smooches and hugs was uncomplicated. Their requests were also a lot different. Life revolved around naps, diaper changes, and mealtimes. I could tell when one was near. Ever noticed when toddlers speak, their words don’t seem to make sense to anyone but their parents? However, their verbal cues and body language speak directly to what they are feeling.
Hunger pangs may lead to whining and crying for their favorite food. Over-tiredness can lead to an embarrassing tantrum of kicking and screaming at the grocery store. And forget it, when they find something they want, they deem it theirs by screaming “mine”. Getting upset is their way of saying they aren’t happy with the status quo.
As our kids age, they rarely get upset over their emotional ties based on their feelings. Why? Because they have matured. They can recognize not everything is theirs. However, it isn’t uncommon for us as adults to slip back into these (more natural) tendencies. When we are overtired, things affect us differently. I find myself more snippy and quick to anger when I am exhausted after a busy day.
If you are feeling distant from God, my friend, you are not alone.
Our feelings allow us to experience an array of emotions throughout the day. One minute we could be happily speaking with our co-workers and then the next upset over a procedural change at work. Because our feelings change frequently, it doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Our feelings help us to connect with others and can keep us from being involved in uncomfortable situations. They can keep us safe.
It is no wonder we rely on them so heavily. We can routinely prioritize our feelings as our main navigational tool when it comes to decision-making. Many of us do it! We find relying on ourselves is more comfortable than pressing into the unknown spaces of uncertainty. So, even if your boss thinks you can take on a complex project or a friend says she is confident you can present on a subject you don’t know much about, we often revert to our feelings of comfort. We opt to keep things as they are and not step up to the podium.
Walking by faith and not by sight is not as tough as it seems. However, we perceive it differently and believe that God has created a gap between us and Him, a sort of distance. Or better yet, “we feel” we haven’t been as good at communicating with God and He has pushed us away. Friend, this is one great big lie!
God tore the veil in two from top to bottom. This curtain served as a barrier for the high priests, restricting their entry into the most Holy Place to once a year. He no longer keeps that barrier between us. Every single person can approach God, thanks to Jesus’s sacrifice. When we believe in Him, we are marked with a seal guaranteeing our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Romans 8:31-39
My friend, God is faithful, even when we aren’t.
Satan’s tactic of pressing us into this theory of “guilt by lack of prayer time” or “God is punishing us for not seeking Him first” works until we realize God doesn’t operate like this! Just because life got hectic for the last few weeks and prayer time was minimal at best doesn’t mean God has changed His mind about you or that He is keeping you at a distance.
When God feels distant, He isn’t! When we misstep and walk without God’s divine provision, we feel we must try to get back in with God’s grace. This practice of trying to make it right with God is a deceptive lie. We will never come close to getting it right and will most certainly fall short of His glory every single day.
When we decide to follow Christ and allow Him to be the manager of our lives, He secures our salvation through His grace. It is a gift. No amount of work is intended or required to earn it, just a mustard seed of faith to follow Him.
Throughout the Bible, Jesus sought to shift the perspectives of people. Many had an old way of thinking and view about His Father. One of my favorite parables in the Bible tells us about a prodigal son and His father’s love and His heart. You can read the entire parable found in Luke 15:11-32.
The Lord wants us to see that the Father’s heart hurts for the lost and rejoices when the lost are found. God rejoices when we pray, even if the quality is not your best effort. He wants to hear from you. So today, if you are feeling distant from God, remember that He is near. He loves you and all you have to do is reach out to Him.
Let’s Pray Together
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your faithfulness. I am sorry that I have stepped away from our time together and have relied on my feelings instead of the promises of your word. Lord, help me to be better at prioritizing you first in everything that I do. I want more of you and less of the mess. I know that nothing can separate me from your love. Thank you for your faithfulness, grace, and never-ending love.
In this, I ask in your precious name, Jesus. Amen!
Read More on Jen Schreiner
- How to Move Forward When You Feel Stuck
- Recognizing Our True Enemy: A Call to Focus on Faith
- The Power of Godly Friendships – 5 Key Qualities
- Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers
- 5 Astonishing Facts About God
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