Feeling distant from God is an experience most believers go through at some point in their walk with Christ. You may feel like God is silent and far away, even when you pray or read the Bible.
It’s normal to sometimes feel this way. But know that God hasn’t moved even an inch. He is always with us through both seasons of intimacy and seasons of perceived distance.
As you seek God in this season, here are the top reasons you may feel distant along with practical ways to draw near again.
You’re Too Busy
Busyness is one of the top reasons you can feel distant from God. When your schedule is cramped with activities, appointments, work, and tasks, you leave little margin to meet with God.
The more your calendar fills up, the more God can seem withdrawn simply because you aren’t making space to connect with Him.
Sometimes it’s not that God withdrew from us, it’s that we are distracted from Him.
The Bible says in Matthew 13:22 (ESV):
“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”
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When you’re busy, you may pray less, skip devotions, not worship, and miss church. No wonder you feel distant.
To realign, carefully evaluate your schedule. Prioritize time with God first. Schedule it if needed.
Cancel unnecessary commitments. Delegate where possible. Learn to say no so you can say yes to time with Christ.
James 4:8 (ESV) says:
“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”
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As you draw near to Him, you’ll feel His sweet presence again.
You Love Your Stuff More Than God
Another reason you can feel distant from God is if you hold tightly to possessions and wealth.
The deceitfulness of riches can prevent you from wholeheartedly pursuing Christ. Wherever your treasure is, that’s where your heart tends to wander.
Do not underestimate the pull of the material world on your spiritual life.
“9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
1 Timothy 6:9-10 (ESV)
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You must hold earthly possessions loosely, willing to part with them anytime, so they don’t compete with God for your affection.
“Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
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To realign: Ask God to highlight any areas you’re too attached to money or possessions.
Confess and repent. Then walk in greater generosity of time, talents, and treasures for Kingdom work. As you let go of things to grasp God, you’ll feel near to Him again.
You’re Harboring Unconfessed Sin
Sin hampers closeness with God. It grieves the Holy Spirit and breaks intimacy with Him.
“1 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear.”
Isaiah 59:1-2 (NIV)
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Any lingering sin that you justify or cover in your life blocks experiential nearness to God. You won’t feel His presence or perceive His voice.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
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Coming clean immediately after you’ve sinned is key to maintaining a close walk with Christ.
To realign your heart after sin, apply these steps from David’s prayer of repentance in Psalm 51:
- Admit your specific sin to God without cover-up or excuse.
- Express godly sorrow over the offense against Him.
- Ask Him to purge your heart from hidden faults.
- Plead for the joy of salvation to be restored.
- Commit to repent and walk uprightly by His Spirit.
Sin causes separation. Repentance brings revival. Choose repentance daily so nothing comes between you and Christ.
It’s Just a Test
Sometimes feeling distant comes not from sin or busyness but actually because God has called you into a special wilderness test.
He purposefully leads you into it to refine your faith and prepare you for new assignments.
In 2 Chronicles 32:31, the Bible explains that God withdrew from King Hezekiah to test him so he would learn to walk fully by faith in God’s promises and not by feelings or sight.
“…God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know everything that was in his heart.”
2 Chronicles 32:31 (NIV)
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During wilderness tests characterized by God’s silence:
- Avoid digging for what’s wrong and stay focused on passing the test through persevering prayer and faith in God’s Word.
- Remember all God has brought you through before building your trust in Him.
- Consider Jesus’ example of handling wilderness temptation by quoting scripture.
- Speak words that align with the truth about God’s goodness despite the seeming silence.
Stay anchored in the hope of Christ until the test passes. Then God will open up new areas of life, ministry, and impact for you to step into!
So take heart! God often uses tests to prepare us for promotion.
Key Takeaways: Why You May Feel Distant From God
Let’s recap the key reasons you can feel distant along with practical realignment tips:
- Busyness: Clear your calendar. Schedule God first. Learn to say no to activities that overlap with your time with God. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
- Idolizing possessions/money: Confess. Repent. Walk in radical generosity. You’ll feel near again.
- Unconfessed sin: Agree with God about the offense. Repent fully from the heart. Choose to obey.
- Wilderness test: Persevere in faith anchored on scriptures. Pass the test for promotion.
No matter why you feel distant, know that God is right there with you, ready to welcome you back to closeness the moment you turn your heart fully toward Him again.
Draw near to Christ today! His presence is worth it all.
Frequently Asked Questions: Feeling Distant From God
Q. Why do I sometimes feel far from God?
A. There can be several reasons why you may feel away from God. It could be due to a lack of consistent communication (prayer), not spending enough time in His presence, or struggling with sin.
It’s important to remember that God is always there, waiting for us to come back to Him with open arms.
You can walk with God by strengthening your relationship with Him i.e. getting closer to Him through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking His guidance in your life.
Q. I read my Bible, tithe, and go to church. Why do I still feel disconnected?
A. Doing spiritual disciplines doesn’t automatically mean you’ll always “feel” God’s presence. He asks us to walk by faith in seasons we cannot yet see.
Test your heart for any clinging idols that rival Him for first place. Deal with them then give God your whole heart.
Q. How can I feel closer to God?
A. If you want to feel closer to God, there are several things you can do. First, remember that God is always near, even when you don’t feel His presence. Rest assured that God loves you unconditionally and desires a relationship with you.
Secondly, spend time in His presence through prayer, reading the Bible, and engaging in worship music. You can also journal your thoughts and experiences with God, which can deepen your connection with Him.
Q. Why do I often feel far from God even though I try to live a godly life?
A. Feeling far from God even when you try to live a godly life can be discouraging. Sometimes, our struggles, doubts, or sins can make us feel this way.
However, it’s essential to understand that your relationship with God is built on faith, not feelings. Just because you don’t always feel close to God doesn’t mean He is distant.
God feels distant when we allow sin to separate us from Him, but He is always ready to forgive and restore us to Himself.
Q. How can reading the Bible help me feel closer to God?
A. The Word of God is a powerful tool that can help you grow closer to Him. When you read the Bible, you’ll gain insights into God’s character, His love for you, and His plan for your life.
