When We Don't Feel God

"1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? 2 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?" - Psalm 13:1-2


It has been a while since my last blog and with good reason. As life comes tumbling your way, especially with trials and suffering, it is easy to get off track with your routine. For the Christian, this would certainly include taking your eyes off of Jesus Christ and allowing yourself to be filled with worries, anxiety, and grieve as one who does not have hope. Can you think of any particular occasion where either the cares of the world or anxiety filled you up to a point where you thought that God had abandoned you and your eyes were on anything but Him?


By reading through the Bible, it is easy to come across examples of those who felt like God was nowhere to be found in the midst of tribulation. Consider the above passage of Psalm 13 where David is expressing much despair concerning his situation. The psalmist displays a three-way relationship of which you and I can very much relate to: self, God, and enemies. In verse 1, David feels as if God removed His hand from him and left him in a state of desolation. In verse 2, he feels that without God's presence he is left to his own resources, which are inadequate to deal with the reality of those who seek his destruction.


During times of distress, it is tempting to look toward yourself to draw your strength and wisdom. Do not be deceived, since "the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Cor. 1:25). It is during these times where passages such as Matthew 6:25-34 and 11:28-29 come to practical significance and ought to be considered as a way for God to mold you into His likeness. Instead of looking to yourself to be your source of strength, look unto Christ who is faithful to hold you during your toughest of times. Take heart, for the righteous person is not one who never falls, but one who falls and trusts God to lift him back up (Prov. 24:16). How else would God be glorified if we are just supposed to lift ourselves up and not rely upon Him? For every trial that comes your way, know that there is also an opportunity for Christ to shine through you.


Through prayer and reading the Bible, do not let your feelings about God dictate your knowledge of God; let your knowledge of God dictate your feelings about God.

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