Ever been through a season when you felt disconnected from the Lord? You couldn’t quite put your finger on what changed, but you know there was a shift.
I’ve been there myself, and it’s not fun.
You might start to wonder what is wrong with you and beat yourself up thinking that somehow you’ve missed something. Team, this is a lie from the enemy!
The Bible tells us that neither death nor life, angels nor demons, neither present nor future, not any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). What a beautiful promise!
Got That Disconnected Feeling?
It’s crazy that we can feel something so strongly and yet it couldn’t be any farther from the truth. There are many reasons that our emotions and moods fluctuate. It could be our diet, lack of sleep, external situations that arise, etc.
But when we have feelings that contradict the Word, we have to decide if we believe God or not. We have to be led by the Spirit and not by the flesh, even though the flesh can be so persuasive.
It feels wrong not to lean into our feelings, to ignore things that pop up in our minds, and reason with us. But we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices – the enemy comes to steal kill and destroy (John 10:10).
While I was experiencing this recently and trying to discern what was going on, I started assessing my routines and behaviors. I asked myself, do I read my Bible regularly? Do I really love God? Maybe I need to pray more, fast more, maybe I need to give more. I analyzed everything in my life looking for fault – some problem I could blame for feeling disconnected so that I could repent and move forward with God.
The Bible says that the devil is the accuser of the brethren (Revelations 12:10). It was very subtle, but the enemy crept in and had me convinced there was a problem with me, and I condemned myself.
Days of this, as you might imagine, is very exhausting. So, I decided I’m done with this. I am going to focus on God. Just God. I started thanking Him for His grace and mercy, and for creating me. I thanked God for being all-knowing and planning my days before the foundation of the world (Psalm 139:16). I worshiped Him for who He is, despite my own shortcomings and weaknesses. As soon I redirected my focus toward Him, that self-condemning spirit left me! It was like the scales fell from my eyes. There is value in self-examination and being aware, but to be overly scrutinizing so is counterproductive.
You’re Closer to God Than You Know
I want to encourage you, Team Jesus. if you’re feeling disconnected from God, remove yourself from the equation. We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We follow Him because He is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6). The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). So praise Him when you’re feeling far and know that He is near. And remember Proverbs 15:3 – the eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching good and evil.
There are times when you’re feeling distant because of sin as well. Maybe you’ve backslidden and don’t know how to get back on track. Guess what, Jesus loves you, and love covers a multitude of sin. He is God enough to restore you and finish the work He began in you (Philippians 1:6).
Feeling Disconnected from God? Connected With the Word
Psalm 100:4 says, Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. You can get to God anytime you want! He wants you to come to Him and to trust Him with your troubles.
Psalm 51 is a great place to start. David pours out his heart in this powerful Psalm asking for forgiveness and cleansing, and in verse 14 and 15 he says, “deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, oh God the God of my salvation and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness, oh Lord open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise.” So, we see that guilt stifles your praise. But we have a high priest that was also tempted (and did not sin – Hebrews 4:15); He wants to heal and deliver you.
Once I started praising God and got past my feelings of disconnect, it turns out that God did reveal to me something that I had been running from, something He was leading me to do that I began to shy away from.
I didn’t let it get me down. I think it’s beautiful to know that God wanted me to sense His closeness and know that He would never leave me nor forsake me. He didn’t tell me what I missed while I was self-condemning, He taught me how to get past that guilt with praise, and then when my joy was restored He revealed to me what the problem was.
Our relationship with God is so meaningful to Him. It was the first order of business; before our assignments, God wants us.
So, What’s the Play Call?
- Nothing can separate you from the love of God! Don’t allow the enemy to make you feel distant from your Heavenly Father.
- Don’t always associate your feelings with the truth. If it doesn’t align with the word of God, don’t dwell on it. Confess scripture and walk after the spirit.
- God wants you more than anything, He loves you and He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for you!
I’m always so eager to read your articles. Thank you for letting God use you to bless others.
Jeanette is Awesome!🥰
I’m 33 years old and Ive been a Christian all my life. I’ve gone thru many different stages of being extremely devout and then dry spells. Lately I’ve dove into some other spiritual teaching to just “expand my horizon or understanding of other beliefs”. But it felt like all it did was confuse me and make things seem more difficult. I’m trying to get back to the basics of understanding and have been frustrated with feeling disconnected from the spirit of God. I have this desire for a deeper understanding but what better understanding is there then just spending time… Read more »
I enjoyed reading this, God bless!
I was feelling disconnected thank you for the article after reading it I have the courage to go back to my God and praise him
I’m experiencing this right now. At a point I was so overwhelmed with LOVE for God. Suddenly, like the next morning, I felt so disconnected, like so so disconnected. It’s like I just became a Christian, I didn’t feel God anymore, I started asking myself if He truly existed, I even went far to search for proofs that God exists. I know that something’s off and I’m scared it won’t go away. Maybe it’s praises I need. I’ve been on sad worship. Thanks, hope you try to help me.
My daughter sent this to me! How good is God?! In Christ you have eternal life. The devil’s trick is to make a billionaire feel and act like a starving poor person. Read the Bible to not only learn about God, but also to jog your memory to remember what you have IN Christ! Once you are in Christ, there is no OUT of Christ… so disconnect is not possible any more than The Father disconnecting from His own Son Jesus! We are adopted into the family of God with full rights as children of God! Invited by God himself… Read more »
Thank you, dear brother! I have been feeling this after a series of stressful events. I didn’t run to the Lord and rest in him as I should and then I found myself in a rut… feeling disconnected and detached from the lord. I hate that feeling! This encouraged my heart. I felt connected to him reading this.
Praise Him. Run the race. Life is hard… but we have Him, His Spirit, and each other to FINISH the race!
Blessings to you.
I meant to say “dear sister” lol!
Thank you for this !
I have a really good life. I prayed, and recently had an awakening from God. I felt amazing. I felt like we really had a relationship and i was confident in that. Now all the sudden i feel nothing. No emotion. Like when i pray its not genuine and i dont feel like how i used too. I used to feel happy in school and hang with friends, but now im constantly stressed about this, and its all i think about. I want the relationship i had and i feel like its all gone, like God doesnt hear me. I… Read more »
Thank you.
Very helpful! I’m feeling better and released to focus on God, not my shortcomings ❤️
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing !🩷