What to do When God Seems Distant...

God are you there? Do you hear me? I waited for His reply...and waited...and waited. I listened intently, cleared my mind to receive His thoughts, unctions, or a feeling of any sort...

BUT for a few solid weeks...I GOT NOTHING!

I HATE foggy moments of silence...moments when God seems distant and disengaged...moments when trials torment, and circumstances cloud and confuse. Don't we all?

But, regardless of dismal upheavals...God can be trusted. He is faithful. He is good.

So what do you do in times of distress? When God seems distant? When life doesn't make sense?

• Lift your needs to God in prayer. Though we may not always feel like God is listening. He promises He will NEVER leave us or forsake us, and then we the righteous cry He hears and delivers. (Psalm 34:17)
• Avoid pity-parties. Oh have I ever been guilty of forgetting this step; but, low-minded thinking and self-pity profits us NOTHING. Philippians 4:8 encourages us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things." NIV
• Unleash your faith. Remember Who God Is and What HE has promised. Hebrews 11:6, "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)
• Give thanks. Ok. Not always easy to do. But if we "put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" we will overcome. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (NIV)
• Hold on to God's Word. Recite verses. Take the fear and feeling and remind yourself of the truth. God's Word is powerful. It demolishes strongholds. It disarms fear. It empowers us and moves mountains. Heb 4:12, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword." That's pretty powerful...

If you are facing a time of heaviness...feel isolated and alone...I encourage you to remember to L.A.U.G.H. Ephesians 6:16-18 reminds us to "take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." NIV


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