Updated: January 2026
There are seasons in the Christian life when God feels distant: quiet, unresponsive, even absent. You pray, but your words feel like they hit the ceiling. You open your Bible, but the verses that once stirred your heart now seem flat. Worship feels forced. Motivation fades.
And deep down, you wonder, Why does God feel so far away when I need Him most?
If you’ve ever felt this way, let me reassure you: you are not alone, and you are not abnormal. Feeling distant from God does not mean your faith is weak or that something is necessarily wrong in your life. In fact, this experience is far more common than we like to admit.
There will be times when you are walking faithfully, with no known unrepentant sin, yet God still seems silent. These moments can feel confusing and painful, but Scripture shows us that even God’s most faithful servants experienced seasons like this.
You’re Not Alone in Feeling This Way
King David, who was described by God Himself as “a man after My own heart,” cried out in desperation:
“How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1–2)
David wasn’t rebelling. He wasn’t turning away from God. Yet he felt forgotten. He repeated the haunting question “How long?” four times, revealing the depth of his anguish as his enemies closed in and God seemed unavailable (Psalm 13:3–4).
Even more striking, Jesus Himself experienced the ultimate sense of abandonment. During the final hours on the cross, as He bore the sins of the world, darkness covered the land, and heaven was silent. Jesus cried out:
“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)
Quoting Psalm 22:1, Jesus expressed the deepest horror known to humanity: the feeling of being forsaken by God. This tells us something profound: Jesus understands what it feels like when God seems far away.
When God Seems Far Away, It Hurts Deeply
Sometimes we overlook the full humanity of Jesus. On the cross, He experienced the ultimate cry of desolation. That alone should comfort us. He knows how painful spiritual silence can be.
When God feels distant, our response is often shaped by what we see and feel. Circumstances overwhelm us, prayers seem unanswered, and it feels as though God has turned His face away.
Maybe you’ve cried out to God in desperation, pleading for help, clarity, or relief, only to be met with silence. What are you supposed to do in moments like that?
Call to the Lord and Trust in His Unfailing Love
Psalm 13 doesn’t end in despair. David shifts his focus:
“But I trust in Your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in Your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for He has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:5–6)
David chose trust over feelings. He stopped measuring God’s presence by his emotions and rested in God’s character instead.
Did the Father truly abandon His Son on the cross? No. While God may have turned His face away from the sin Jesus carried, He did not forsake Him. Jesus remained innocent and fully loved.
Likewise, when God seems distant, we must anchor ourselves in His promises:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
God’s timing is rarely ours. We are often in a hurry when God is not, but His timing is always perfect.
Seek God Especially When He Feels Distant
One of the greatest dangers during seasons of spiritual dryness is withdrawal. Sadly, many believers stop pursuing God when He feels far away. Instead of seeking Him, they drift back toward the world for comfort.
David did the opposite. He sought God despite feeling forsaken.
The true test of faith is not when God’s presence feels strong, but when it doesn’t. Will you continue seeking Him when you no longer feel Him near? Or will you look elsewhere for a quick fix?
Seek the Lord, and You Will Find Him
God gives us a clear promise:
“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Jesus also assures us:
“Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37)
Even when God seems distant, keep seeking Him. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8).
And here’s something encouraging: your longing for God didn’t originate with you. God Himself planted that hunger in your heart. Your desire for Him is evidence that He is already at work in your life, often using people and circumstances as His instruments.
Be Aware of Both God and the Enemy
When we come to Christ, we gain the greatest Friend imaginable, but we also gain an enemy. Satan cannot match God’s power, but he excels at deception. One of his favorite tactics is manipulating feelings, especially in new believers.
I remember when I first became a Christian. I enjoyed worship and sermons, but I didn’t feel God’s presence the way others seemed to. I watched people cry, sing, worship freely, and wondered, What’s wrong with me?
Later, I realized that spiritual awareness grows over time. Like a tree, much of God’s work happens beneath the surface. The enemy uses feelings to sow doubt, but his power ends there.
As I grew in my walk with Christ, I learned that communication is key. Spending time with God nurtures awareness of His presence, even when emotions fluctuate.
Feelings Vs. Reality
Spiritual feelings change, but spiritual reality does not.
We may feel different on mountaintops than in valleys, but God has not moved. When emotions fade, God remains the same: solid, faithful, dependable.
God never promised we would always feel His presence. He promised that He would be with us.
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
Faith means trusting God’s promises, not our emotions.
Key Takeaways When God Seems Far Away
Feeling distant from God is a common part of the Christian walk
Silence does not mean abandonment
God’s presence is based on His promises, not your feelings
Seeking God during dry seasons strengthens faith
Your longing for God is proof He is already at work
Conclusion: God Is Still With You
When life is difficult, it’s natural to ask, If God loves me, why does He seem so far away?
The disciples once panicked during a storm while Jesus slept in the boat (Matthew 8:23–27). They assumed His silence meant absence. But Jesus was there the whole time; fully aware, fully present.
God is the same with us.
Even when He seems quiet, He has not left. Even when you feel alone, you are not. God has always been with you, and He always will be.
What a comfort to know that God’s presence does not depend on how we feel, but on who He is.
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Recommended Resource:
When Heaven Seems Silent: How to Wait on God’s Promises by Mark and Tammy Endres
When Heaven Seems Silent is a faith-building book that speaks directly to seasons of waiting, pain, and unanswered prayers.
Drawing from their own deeply personal journey, Mark and Tammy Endres share how learning to trust God’s timing, despite disappointment and doubt, can transform the way we see His promises.
Through honest reflection and biblical insight, the book encourages readers to hear God’s voice, face difficult emotions, overcome discouragement, and hold firmly to God’s faithfulness even when heaven feels silent.
Hi iam not a Christian but I’ve understood that Jesus is the only God in my childhood itself.Iam 18 and got caught into the devils LUST.It haunts me everywhere I go.I call the Lord for help.But at times I feel far from Jesus.I request the helper to help me overcome this devious lust so that I too can become the son of Jesus Christ…Thank you..help me
Hello friend,
I’m guessing you were raised in a Christian family and you are truly blessed to have a family who loves God. However, let me also say that salvation is individual and becoming a child of God is a personal decision that each of us have to make. What I’m saying is that, no one can force you to accept God’s gift of salvation and no one else can do it for you.
But acknowledging the fact that you’re lost is a good start because unless a person admits he is lost, he will never acknowledge that he needs saving. If you are really sincere in your desire to get right with God, you must acknowledge you’ve sinned, repent and ask for God’s forgiveness. Ask Jesus to save you and receive Him in your heart as your Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:9 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
If you want to read more about salvation and Christianity, you can check out this link:
https://biblical-christianity.com/what-is-salvation-in-christianity
Boy you are right on when you say that sometimes it feels like God is far away from us, not hearing or seeing us.
I find it easier to work out than I do to spend time reading the word or praying to be honest, but I’m glad there is hope and that I’m not alone.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Jacob,
Like you, many Christians feel distant from God because they neglect their quiet time. My pastor told us once that “communication is relation.” The more time you spend with someone, the closer you become and your relationship will continue to grow. It’s the same thing with our relationship with God. The more time we spend with God in prayer and worship, the stronger our relationship is. Let us get God involved in our daily activities and we will never be disconnected from Him.
God bless!
Thank you, Alice, for the post something we need a lot more of in today’s world. I gave my heart to the Lord 10 years ago but I knew almost instantly there was a change in my life. I am a Sunday school teacher for about 2 years now. What I have learned is that everything is in Gods time, not ours. What we pray for today may not come to pass until years down the road. As our grandparents prayed for years ago may just now be answered.
Hello Fred,
Getting to know a fellow believer in the Lord and about their life always brings joy and gladness to my heart. I’m sure your Sunday school students are so blessed to have you as their teacher.
One very important point that you have brought up is the fact that when one truly surrenders his/her life to God, change is inevitable. And that only Jesus can truly change a person from the inside out. As we allow God to work in our life, we will be transformed from glory to glory.
You’re right, everything happens in God’s time and He answers our prayers according to His timetable. And sometimes when we do not receive the answers to our prayers within the time frame that we wanted, we feel like God is silent and is so distant. But rest assured that God hears us and is always looking out for us.
Blessings to you Fred, your family and ministry.
I love your post. Thank you a lot. My thoughts exactly the same. And I am not the only one who think this way. I know that God promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. And God didn’t promise us that we won’t have any difficulties in our lives. But still, why can’t God make us all happy?
Hi Larisa,
Thank you for stopping by to read my article. You’re one of the reasons I am inspired and encouraged to keep writing and sharing through this platform.
You’re exactly right, God never promised us and easy journey in life, we will face challenges and difficulties but only because God wants to mold and shape us to be conformed more and more to the image of His Son. I believe that true happiness is only found in the Lord and if there are times that we feel unhappy with the way things are, we just have to look up, get in the Word and start counting our blessings.
Yes, God allows us to go through some hard times but He also promised that His grace is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May God bless you!
I like your post. I am a Christian too and true, sometimes I feel that God is so remote and far from reach. That God seems deaf to our pleas or simply HE does not want to give. Sometimes I wonder if HE is listening at all. Sometimes my faith weakens and I begin to doubt if there is a God at all or if it’s only a belief that was forced upon us by our parents, by our families, by the church.
When this happens, I take a break from my faith and just stop thinking about these thoughts. After a while, I’d feel better again. In your post you said that when we doubt GOD, we should seek Him. Sometimes this is not easy to achieve.
I believe every Christian has come to a point in her/his life where he/she felt that God was so distant. Imagine calling someone on their phone and you got an answer that says, “Sorry, the subscriber cannot be reached.” Or, “Sorry, the number you’re calling is out of coverage area.” How frustrating can that be, especially when you really want to talk to that person because you miss him so much or you have something very important to tell.
God has promised us that we can call to Him at anytime, anywhere and He will answer us (Jeremiah 33:3). But how can we be sure He’s listening when we can’t hear Him answering us nor feel His presence and embrace? I totally understand that when this happens, we begin to doubt if God really exists. So what do we do? We have to hold on to the word of God. We need to trust that God will keep His word to always be with us regardless of how we feel.
Seeking God when doubt starts creeping in is something every believer needs to exercise. Of course, it’s not really easy, is it? How? By delving into His Word, singing praise and worship songs to Him and talking to Him in prayer. And by the way, let us also examine ourselves for any hidden or unconfessed sins and immediately confess them to God. If we are convicted to fast, then by all means we should.
God may just be trying to tell or teach us something that’s why He seems to be far away and out of reach at times. God bless you Rebecca and thanks for stopping by.
I enjoyed your post. I think as Christians, we can all relate to feeling that God is not near to us at times. But we do know from The Word of God, that He will never leave us or forsake us. We get great comfort in that scripture. We have an enemy that wants to lie to us and tell us God isn’t near, but that just isn’t the truth.
Hello Lisa,
I’m glad you enjoyed my article.
I’ve heard from other Christians how at times they really feel disconnected from God. One of my former pastors fasted for 4 days just to hear God speak to him audibly again.
Whenever the enemy tries to deceive us into thinking that God has forsaken us, we need to hold on to God’s word that He will never leave us nor forsake us, regardless of what we’re feeling.
Thank your for your comment, God bless!