There are times when God feels absent. Prayer seems to go nowhere, the Bible feels flat and experiences that once felt meaningful seem far away. The Psalms describe this honestly. They include people asking why God feels distant and crying out in the middle of despair.
Feeling that God is far away is not proof that you have failed or that God has abandoned you. Our emotions matter, but they are not always a complete account of reality. Christians believe God can be present before we recognise him and can remain faithful when our awareness of him is weak.
A spiritual wilderness should not be rushed. Grief, depression, exhaustion, disappointment and church hurt can all affect the way we experience God. There aren’t usually any quick fixes. You can lament, rest, seek professional help when it is needed, and let trusted people pray or sit with you without demanding that you feel better.
Keep the practices small if that is all you can manage. Pray one honest sentence, return to a Psalm, receive communion or let someone else hold hope for you. At The Lakes Church, we believe silence with God is not the end of the relationship, even when it lasts longer than we want.
If you have questions, you can ask us anything at https://thelakes.org.au/contact-us/