There are moments in life when God feels close. You sense his presence; you feel like he’s listening to your prayers, and you have no doubt that he’s working in your life.
But feelings fade—and when God stops feeling close, doubt creeps in. You wonder if he’s even paying attention—or if there’s something wrong with you.
But know this: your feelings aren’t a reliable barometer of God’s presence. And the good news is he’s near, no matter how close he feels.
Your Feelings Are Real—but They’re Not Reliable
God created your emotions. They help you experience things like joy, compassion, and wonder. Sometimes, feelings like anxiety or anger point to things you need to change. Your feelings can even point you to God.
But emotions were never meant to be the compass you use to navigate your faith. Feelings change quickly. They rise with a powerful worship song and sink with a hard conversation. They’re influenced by stress, exhaustion, unmet expectations, and even what you ate for lunch.
That doesn’t make feelings bad—but it does show how unreliable they can be.
God’s love and presence don’t rise and fall with the way we feel. Romans 8:38 says that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Not doubt. Not discouragement. Not numbness. Not even our emotions.
God Felt Distant to People in the Bible, Too.
When we think about the people in the Bible, it’s easy to think about the incredible closeness many of them had with him. God, or an angel he sent, would talk directly to people. He would appear in times of danger to save people. But the Bible is also full of stories of people who felt far from God. For every powerful miracle—a burning bush, parted seas, thunder from Heaven—there's a stretch where God seemed to be silent.
- Hannah was the mother of Samuel, who grew up to be a remarkable prophet. But before he was born, she prayed for years that God would heal her infertility and give her a baby. (1 Samuel 1)
- Job lost everything—his family, his livestock, his home, his livelihood. At one point, he even admits that he doesn’t know where God is in all of his suffering (Job 23:3). Months (possibly even years) had gone by before God answered Job’s prayers to restore what he had lost.
- Even Jesus knew what it was like to feel far from God. He was executed in a brutal, painful, and very public way—and as he breathed his dying breaths, he cried out “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46) If God feels far away right now, you’re in good company.
How to Trust God When Your Feelings Say Otherwise
If feelings aren’t meant to be the foundation of, what is?
Truth.
The truth of who God is. The truth of what he has promised. The truth of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. The truth of how God has been faithful in your life before.
Feelings can support faith, but truth sustains it.
Here’s what that looks like practically:
- When Jesus feels distant, remind yourself of what he promises in the Bible: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
- When your worship feels flat, keep showing up—because God deserves it, not because the moment feels inspiring.
There’s a saying that “smooth seas don’t make skilled sailors.” The same is true for your faith—the times where life feels good and everything’s great don’t often lead to growth the way that suffering and overcoming obstacles does.
And if life is stretching and growing your muscle of faith right now, here are some ways to stay strong and remind yourself that God’s still with you:
Share the Burden With Someone Else
God never intended for our faith to be lived alone. We were designed to share life with other people—to have relationships that support us, wise people who guide us, and shared experiences that remind us just how big God truly is.
Going to church and surrounding yourself with people who are seeking God can be a huge encouragement when he feels far away. Listen as songs are sung over you, let someone pray for you, and take in the truths about God that are shared in the message.
Joining a Group puts you face-to-face with people who know what you’re going through. Either they’re in it too, or they’ve been there before. God cares for us all the time through the stories and support from people who get it—and could even use you to encourage someone else.
Sometimes things can get dark when we feel distant from God—and that’s a great time to talk to someone who can offer practical, specialized help. Pastors and mental health professionals have the training to walk with you through your darkest moments—and if you need someone to talk to, we’re here to help.
Stay Consistent
Spiritual growth works a lot like physical growth. If you want to build muscle, going to the gym once a week doesn’t cut it. It takes dedication, patience, and a whole lot of showing up.
How do you show up with God? By making time for it, even when it’s inconvenient. By talking to him in prayer even when it feels like you’re talking to the ceiling. By reading the Bible, even when nothing is standing out. By worshiping even when all you can do is just listen. You may not feel like these practices are doing anything in the moment—but over time they form something deeper: they build endurance, they develop trust, and they form a foundation that isn’t shaken by the ups and downs of life.
"When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3
God Is Near, Even When You Can’t Feel Him
Our emotions don’t show the full picture of God’s presence. God promises to be close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), to strengthen you and help you (Isaiah 41:10)—and those promises aren’t contingent on you feeling close to him.
If things are feeling quiet with God right now, take heart. He hasn’t gone anywhere. He hasn’t left you behind. And your faith isn’t defective. Your feelings will catch up in time. But even if they don’t today, God’s still right where he’s always been.
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LCBC stands for Lives Changed By Christ. We are one church in multiple locations across Pennsylvania. Find the location closest to you or join us for Church Online. We can’t wait to connect with you!