By SirKay.
The feeling of abandonment, loneliness and of being unheard, unseen and unloved is one of the most excruciating feelings in the world. The feeling of being alienated from God or of God being far away is a very real and painful feeling. The Psalmist experienced it, Jesus experienced it and Job went through it too during his trial of faith. Isaiah said in chapter 45, verse 15: “Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself.” But all these feelings are just that: feelings.
The more we believe in our feelings, the less we’re able to live by faith. God often hides himself in order for us to learn to live by faith and not feelings. In such cases we should resort to praise until the cloud of pain clears and we are able to see his face.
Secondly, God seeming far could be a result of us living a life of independence from God. We only seek him when we’re in trouble. In such emergencies, we are in a hurry for God to respond and because we’ve not developed the virtue of patience and trust, when God is whispering, “wait”, we can’t hear due to the turmoil and confusion in our hearts. In the book of 1st Kings chapter 19, the prophet Elijah was running from the wicked queen Jezebel and went to hide in a cave, waiting for God’s presence. While he was there strong winds battered the mountains then an earthquake occurred and lastly a fire but God did not speak through them. God made his presence known to Elijah by a still small voice. We’re often detached from God because of the noise surrounding us. We’re too busy to find quietness and solitude with God and when the time comes that we need Him, we panic when He does not come running. Seeking God is often not a quick-fix 5 minutes prayer – it might take a bit of time alone with God to have that assurance that he’s near and in control. You may also want to consider praying with another person, sharing your fears and concerns.
Another reason for the feeling of God being far away and unconcerned could be due to a delay in responding to his calls. In Songs of Solomon chapter 5:1-7, we read of a bride that delayed in opening the door for her lover when he knocked, and he was gone by the time she eventually opened her door. She went into the dark street at night in pursuit of him but he was nowhere to be found. Knowing the time God is seeking our attention and responding promptly is very important if we want to avoid episodes of aloneness from God.
The last reason is sin. Sin breaks our communication channel with God, we’re cut adrift and a dark cloud of guilt and separation sets in. Though God is quick to forgive, sometimes it takes a while for us to experience peace because prolonged pain often teaches us long-lasting lessons.
In summary, the feeling of God being far is something most people have experienced before, even the holiest men of God. Learning to trust God in the dark is one of the most important lessons in our journey of faith. For those in the thick of it as we speak, God’s counsel to you is, hang in there, trust him despite your feelings and remember that hymn by George Warburton:
Impatient heart, be still!
What tho’ He tarries long?
What tho’ the triumph song
Is still (is still) delayed?
Thou hast His promise sure,
And that is all secure;
Be not afraid,
Be not afraid!
Be still! be still!
Impatient heart be still!