When God Seems Distant

We all go through spiritually rough periods in life. Sometimes, that period may last a few days. Other times, it may be a few months. And Occasionally, it may last a few years. But what do we do when our faith seems to be a dry as a desert and God seems as far away as the stars? What do we do when we feel lost in the world, left behind, or forsaken by God? Of course, we could quote Bible verses that tell us Jesus will never leave us and is always close by. We could pretend that somehow that will solve all of the problems. But we all know that it won’t. Sure, we can attend a couple of extra church services to get a revival going in our heart, but in the rough seasons of life, that doesn’t do it either.

When God seems distant in my life, I find it easy to fall into overwhelming despair. My attitude becomes one marked by anxiety and sadness. My life vision gets cloudy. I begin to fall behind in everything. It’s just not a good time. These times lead me to wonder, why would God put us through this? I mean, sure, I may have not been as faithful to have “quiet time” or whatever, but he promises to be my Father who loves me eternally. Why would a loving Father make himself seem so distant?

I am not going to attempt to answer that question. Most people will try to defend God by saying something like “God didn’t go anywhere, you did…” But theologically that doesn’t work. The reality is that God is never distant, nor are we ever distant from God. God is within us and we are in Him. If we are partakers of the divine, how then do we become so dry? If we have eaten the living bread, why are we so hungry? Once again, I don’t know, nor do I think anyone can truly give an answer.

But I do know one thing- that in these spiritual deserts, when it seems God is far away, God is always present and is doing something beyond my line of sight. He is still guiding me with a pillar of smoke by day and fire by night. He is still providing me manna from heaven. He is still parting me Red Sea’s, even though I can’t see it. Through these valleys, there are always mountains. In the midst of the despair, we find it hard to trust that God is even real, let alone caring for us. But my experience tells me that when the fog lifts, it reveals that God has been with me, in me, and working through me all along.

So what does this mean for the now? I am in the desert now. I am thirsty now. Isaiah makes it simple, “All you who are thirst, come and drink…” (Isaiah 55:1) Drink from Christ through community. Drink from Christ through meditation. Drink from Christ through sabbath. In desert periods, we are called to drink in blind faith, trusting that even when the cup seems dry, it is filled with living water. And we will find, little by little, our soul is restored. The drought will be ended by a drizzle of rain. The darkness will be lifted by a spark in the night. Little by little, slowly but surely, our God makes himself present.

Are you in a desert? Drink from Christ. It may not seem real. It may not seem to work. But drink in faith. He will never let you run dry.