Does it sometimes feel like God is far away?

Heartbreak, struggles, hurts from the past, unanswered prayer, or just filling your schedule with everything but Him can make you believe God is distant. But Scripture abounds with evidence that He is as close to you as the air you breathe.

In Psalm 34:18 we read: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Furthermore, Psalm 139 assures us that God knows every detail of our lives and in verses 7-12, we read there’s nowhere we can go outside of His presence and away from His watchful eye. Hebrews 13:5 also tells us He will never leave us nor forsake us.

But maybe you know all that and you still long to know He’s there.

When we feel like God is far away it’s often because we are the ones who have distanced ourselves. Perhaps other loves have stolen our heart away. That feeling that He’s distant can be an indicator that we need to put ourselves in the position where we can sense His presence, hear His voice, notice His work around us, and invite Him closer to our hearts.

Here’s how:

•  Take a Divine Pause—Sometimes we can’t sense God’s presence because there’s too much of everything else going on. Too much noise. Too much confusion. Too much anxiety. Too many apps or windows open. Too many voices and thoughts running through our minds. Center your mind on Him (Colossians 3:1-2) and start to breathe deeply. Try it. Exhale the distracting thoughts. Inhale a desire to sense His presence. Exhale your pre-occupation with self. Inhale a desire to know Him more completely. Exhale the worries of the moment. Inhale His peace. Now, don’t you feel closer to His heart already? There’s a reason His Word says “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 ESV).
• Whisper His Name—There are times we need Him but we just don’t know what to say or where to begin. Start by saying His name and then speak your heart’s cry. Scripture says there is power in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12).  The writers of the classics called this type of whispering cry “breath prayers.” My breath prayers to sense His presence are “Jesus, I need You” or “Jesus, give me a heart for You.” Calling His name just as often as we breathe is one of the simplest ways to sense His presence. And I believe the simplest of cries are the ones that penetrate His heart—and ours—the quickest.
• Read His Word Aloud—God speaks to us through His Word. And one of the best ways to sense His presence is to get into His Word and ask His Holy Spirit to guide you into a better understanding of it. When you read God’s Word, and even speak it audibly, you will sense its power and His presence. The Bible says God’s Word is “living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). That sharp sword will prick your heart through conviction, inspiration, enlightenment, or determination. A pricked heart is better than a numb, dull, or complacent heart any day, so get into His Word and find Him there.
• Start Praising Him—God inhabits the praises of His people. Ever wondered why you sometimes feel closer to God when you’re in a church service, singing hymns or praise songs?  It’s possible because that’s where worship tends to take place. But you don’t have to be in a church building among other believers in order to worship Him. Worship Him in church and out. Worship is praise and acknowledgment of His worthiness wherever you are and in whatever situation you are in. Worship is surrender. Worship is giving Him your time, talents, and treasure.

When you start praising Him, regardless of where you are, you’ll sense His presence, probably because you’re no longer focused on yourself, but on Him. When we open the door of our hearts to love Him, He will meet us there. Every time. In fact, Psalm 34:18 in The Message assures us God is always just a breath away…or just as close as our own breath:

If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;

if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath.

Lord, Thank You for never hiding from me. Your Word says I will find You when I search for You with all my heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Make Your presence known as close and real as the air I breathe. 

Practice spiritual breathing by exhaling (breathing out your doubts), and inhaling (breathing in an expectation of God’s presence). Breathe out your insistence on your own way, breathe in your desire for God’s control.

(I just gave you Day 2 of The New Loneliness Devotional: 50 Days to a Closer Connection with God. Order the book on Amazon or in my website store and spend the next 50 days drawing closer to His heart.)