Christian Living - Disconnected from God

Disconnected from God

Have you ever felt "disconnected" from God? Meaning, have you ever felt far from God, or that your relationship with God is not what it once was? Many Christians, at some point in their relationship with God, feel as if they have been "disconnected" from God. They wonder where He is, if He is still there, and if He even cares anymore. The good news is that He does care.

Hope

There is, however, hope for those who feel disconnected from God. Psalm 145:18 says, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." God is there even when we feel that He is far away. His desire is to be in close relationship with us, not to be far away. It is not God who brings that feeling on, but can be a variety of different things. Another verse, Psalm 13:1-2 states, "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?" Though we may feel that He is not there, He is there willing and waiting to hear from us and care for us. Further, 1 Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."  God does care despite our feelings. At times, our feelings can betray us and not truly reveal what is going on. Therefore, during those tough times when we feel distant and disconnected from God, we must examine our feelings and filter them through God's truth and His Word.

Practical Things To Do

There are some practical things a person can do when they find themselves feeling distant from God. First of all, a person can search their heart and repent of all known sins. God promises that when we repent that we will find forgiveness from Him. Sin breaks our relationship and fellowship with Him. Second, we can trust His Word and His promises even if it means looking past our feelings and having faith in Him. As mentioned before, 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us that we can cast our cares and worries on Him. That means that we have to trust Him with our worries, frustrations, and cares of the world. Along with that, spending quality time in God's Word is a necessity for the believer. Lastly, one of the best things a Christ-follower can do is truly focus on Jesus and live out His purposes for our lives. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."  Focusing on Jesus, repenting of known sins, casting all our cares on Him and getting in God's Word on a consistent basis will help us to not feel distant from Him. He has not left us and wants a close relationship with us. It is wise to remember that He is always faithful and will honor His Word in our lives. We can trust and know that He will reveal Himself to us in His Word, which is all the more reason to get in the Bible and seek Him.

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