The Intricacies and Musings of a Madman

Photo Credit: Jerra Fullo and Adam Bonilla

Feeling disconnected from God is the worst. You can’t think of what to pray, and even if you do, you feel like you’re talking to a wall.

Today it happened to me. As it did yesterday and the day before that, too, I think. So earlier, as I drove to get lunch with my mom, I found myself frustrated and angry at God. I pressed Him about why He seemed distant. And to my surprise, He helped me understand.

Reality is, He’s never actually distant. When God feels distant, it’s always a matter of faulty perspective. Which is to say, either you’re distracted, or you’re ashamed, or you’re living in sin.

If you’re living in sin, the obvious solution is to repent and make things right with God. But, it’s worth noting that many Christians believe they’re living in sin when they’re not.

Allow me to clarify: I think a lot of people have a sin habit – a sin they struggle with – and it causes them to think they’re living in sin. If you commit the same sin over and over, but you hate it and ask God to forgive you each time, you’re not living in sin. Living in sin is deliberate. So, if you’re dealing with a sin habit, ask God to help you avoid temptation and give you the grace to overcome it.

Which brings me to my second point. Unfortunately, the enemy uses sin habits to make Christians live in shame. The enemy will lie in your ear about how God’s angry with you because you’ve sinned too many times. And then, because of your shame, you’ll feel distant from Him. Don’t buy into the lie. As my friend Thomas Nelson put it, God understands your weakness. You’re just dust. Ask God to forgive you. Ask Him for the grace to not do it again. And then simply move on.

Finally, being distracted from your faith will make God seem distant. In my experience, Satan attacks the mind more than he attacks anything else. He crafts his lies so believably that it’s hard to notice he’s involved. In this situation, God’s not distant. Technically, it’s you who’s distant.

Fortunately, the solution is simple. Go worship Him.

And then, as you become aware of His ever-enveloping presence, stop and listen to His voice.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23