Have you ever felt far away from God?
I was listening to the radio on my way to work the other day and the two morning DJ's started talking about feeling like God isn't there, like "God where are you?". One of the DJ's said he felt like that sometimes & the other said that he has never felt that way. So I had to ask myself, "Have I ever felt that way, and if so why? What can be done about that?"
First let me say that YES, I have felt like that. I have felt distant from God in good times and bad times. It creeps up on me. Everything seems to be going fine and then all of the sudden (or at least it FEELS all of the sudden) I feel like I've lost that close relationship with God and I can't feel his presence. The feeling is awful! It's lonely & empty.
So I ask YOU again. Have you ever felt far away from God?
If you honestly have never felt distant or far away from God then FANTASTIC! I'm so glad that you have never in your Christian walk felt this way. It is something that I wish none of us would ever experience because of how awful it feels.
If you have felt that way know that you are not alone. (And I mean that in more ways than one!)
There are many Christians who have walked through difficult valleys in their life and felt alone and out of the presence of God.
The problem with saying "I don't feel that God is with me" is the key word in that statement. FEEL. You may not FEEL God with you or around you, but that does not mean he isn't there. He is ALWAYS there.
When Jesus Christ, God's Holy Son, died for our sins as the perfect sacrifice, God not only created a way for us to go to Heaven but he also sent the Holy Spirit to be a messenger or presence in us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus Christ's teachings.
This Holy Trinity of God, The Son (Jesus Christ), and The Holy Spirit means that:
1. God created us, loves us, & sent his one & only Son to die for our sins.
2. Jesus Christ died for our sins & if we accept that he is The Son of God, confess we are sinners, ask Christ to forgive us our sins, & to come into our hearts & lives we can have everlasting life through him. Jesus promised to guide us through his teachings, God's Word.
3. The Holy Spirit was sent to be the presence of God & The Son that helps guide us. When we do FEEL God's presence we are FEELING God through The Holy Spirit.
In John 14:25 & 26, Jesus is talking to the disciples about what will happen when he is gone. He has just said that those who love Him will obey Him. Those who do not love Him will not obey His teachings. Then he says,
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all the things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
You are NEVER alone!
Ok, so now you KNOW... but, sometimes that's not enough. Sometimes just KNOWING you're not alone doesn't change the fact that you FEEL alone. So how did we get to feeling this way? How can we change it?
First you have to ask yourself, "Am I being a good friend?"
I'm not talking about a good friend to your BFF, your classmates, or even your siblings. Are you being a good friend to Jesus?
Think of how you would grade yourself.
Are you spending time with God? (prayer, church, reading your bible, worship...)
Are you listening to God (obeying his teachings, having a quiet time in prayer & quieting your mind to be open to him...)
Are you talking to God?
Are you thanking Him for the Blessings he gives you? (Home, Family, Food, Extras that aren't NEEDS...)
Do you need to ask forgiveness for something, but haven't?
It all comes back to our RELATIONSHIP with God. A healthy relationship comes from two individuals doing their part. God loves you & promised to listen and take care of you. So are you doing your part?
Sometimes when we FEEL distant from God it's because we have been slowly slipping away and suddenly realized that there is an ocean between us.
So jump in & start improving your relationship with him. Pray even though it's hard, read even though you think it might be boring, go to church to worship The Lord & be in fellowship with other believers.
Keep reminding yourself... I AM NOT ALONE! HE IS ALWAYS WITH ME!
I was listening to the radio on my way to work the other day and the two morning DJ's started talking about feeling like God isn't there, like "God where are you?". One of the DJ's said he felt like that sometimes & the other said that he has never felt that way. So I had to ask myself, "Have I ever felt that way, and if so why? What can be done about that?"
First let me say that YES, I have felt like that. I have felt distant from God in good times and bad times. It creeps up on me. Everything seems to be going fine and then all of the sudden (or at least it FEELS all of the sudden) I feel like I've lost that close relationship with God and I can't feel his presence. The feeling is awful! It's lonely & empty.
So I ask YOU again. Have you ever felt far away from God?
If you honestly have never felt distant or far away from God then FANTASTIC! I'm so glad that you have never in your Christian walk felt this way. It is something that I wish none of us would ever experience because of how awful it feels.
If you have felt that way know that you are not alone. (And I mean that in more ways than one!)
There are many Christians who have walked through difficult valleys in their life and felt alone and out of the presence of God.
The problem with saying "I don't feel that God is with me" is the key word in that statement. FEEL. You may not FEEL God with you or around you, but that does not mean he isn't there. He is ALWAYS there.
When Jesus Christ, God's Holy Son, died for our sins as the perfect sacrifice, God not only created a way for us to go to Heaven but he also sent the Holy Spirit to be a messenger or presence in us. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus Christ's teachings.
This Holy Trinity of God, The Son (Jesus Christ), and The Holy Spirit means that:
1. God created us, loves us, & sent his one & only Son to die for our sins.
2. Jesus Christ died for our sins & if we accept that he is The Son of God, confess we are sinners, ask Christ to forgive us our sins, & to come into our hearts & lives we can have everlasting life through him. Jesus promised to guide us through his teachings, God's Word.
3. The Holy Spirit was sent to be the presence of God & The Son that helps guide us. When we do FEEL God's presence we are FEELING God through The Holy Spirit.
In John 14:25 & 26, Jesus is talking to the disciples about what will happen when he is gone. He has just said that those who love Him will obey Him. Those who do not love Him will not obey His teachings. Then he says,
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all the things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
You are NEVER alone!
Ok, so now you KNOW... but, sometimes that's not enough. Sometimes just KNOWING you're not alone doesn't change the fact that you FEEL alone. So how did we get to feeling this way? How can we change it?
First you have to ask yourself, "Am I being a good friend?"
I'm not talking about a good friend to your BFF, your classmates, or even your siblings. Are you being a good friend to Jesus?
Think of how you would grade yourself.
Are you spending time with God? (prayer, church, reading your bible, worship...)
Are you listening to God (obeying his teachings, having a quiet time in prayer & quieting your mind to be open to him...)
Are you talking to God?
Are you thanking Him for the Blessings he gives you? (Home, Family, Food, Extras that aren't NEEDS...)
Do you need to ask forgiveness for something, but haven't?
It all comes back to our RELATIONSHIP with God. A healthy relationship comes from two individuals doing their part. God loves you & promised to listen and take care of you. So are you doing your part?
Sometimes when we FEEL distant from God it's because we have been slowly slipping away and suddenly realized that there is an ocean between us.
So jump in & start improving your relationship with him. Pray even though it's hard, read even though you think it might be boring, go to church to worship The Lord & be in fellowship with other believers.
Keep reminding yourself... I AM NOT ALONE! HE IS ALWAYS WITH ME!