Why do I feel so distant from God?

Question

I have done evertything that the christians said. I've said my prayers, repented, accepted Jesus as my saviour and a lot more besides. Still I feel empty inside and totally alone even though I live with my mum and dad. Its as if there is a great gulf between me and God like when Lazurus was in hell and he wasnt allowed to cross the gulf to Abraham if you catch my drift. I must be doing something wrong. Its as if all the christians have their perfect world and I'm just out here in the void,sufferring in misery. I really hope some wise ones can help. Even the agnostics seem to be much happier than me - they seem to be well clued in!!dear dear

Love Knight of the old code.

Answer 1

The bible states that Jesus died on the cross for us and left here he told them that he would send the comforter which is the Holy spirit. This void you are feeling may be because you are not feeled with the holy Ghost. For it is written that he The Lord will NEVER leave or forsake us. Often times we don't feel his prescence in our lives. But because he would never leave us or forsake us we hold on to is word in faith. Remember, the Lord goes to prepare a place for you and when he comes again he will receive you unto it. This is not neccesarily in revernce to us going to heaven but indeed. he prepares places for us here on earth. I don't know if you are in transition in your life and expecting things to come from the Lord. but this i will say wait on the Lord and be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart.

Just because you dont feel him undertand this that it doesnt mean you're doing somehting wrong. DOn't be sooo hard on yourself. and trust and believe. those christians who live a happy go lucky llives are in fact the ones who need to worry about the spiritual state or condition they are in because understand. satan only attacks those who are a threat to him and his kingdom. so individuals who never face a battle or trials and loneliness, etc. should worry why are they not being attacked ..is because they're not doing anything that messes up satan's plans. DOn't allow the adversary to speak to you and say that you are alone, and that and God doesn't love you and that you have done something wrong. Jesus came to set us free of bondage , not to condemn us. So it's not the God speaking those things to you. only the devil. he uses this situation to cause you to turn your back on God. He wants you to think that it's a waste of time to live your life for Jesus Christ. Fight these thoughts with the word of God. and if you dont know any scriptures to fight with.. just read the bible out loud. or sing spiritual songs that talk about how powerful , and good , and loving God is. Satan doesnt' like that.. think of it like this. If someone comes to you bad talking another individual.. and the more they bad talk them the more you speak well of the person they are bad talking .. eventually the one bad mouthing will shut-up and leave. same thing here.. when satan speaks negatively of God, you speak well of him. speak out those things that God has done to you and for you (tesify of the goodness of the Lord to Satan) and Satan will have to leave.. began priasing and thanking God for the things you expect him to do for you. giving him all the props if you know what i mean. lol

Last but not least...don't look at people's outward appearance because what one displays on the outside isn't what it is on the inside...in most cases.

pray this prayer

Father i feel lonely and and you said in your word that you would never leave or forsake me. You sent your sign Jesus to die not only for the remission of my sins, but so that I may have an abundant and prosperous life. You desire that I prosper in my health, finances, my soul, my relationship with you and in every area of my life. I ask that you would give me the complete filling of the Holy Ghost, that I may become closeer to you. Let the mind that was in Christ Jesus also be in me. You are my savior and my Lord and there is none like you. Fill this empty void in my life. I also ask that you speak to me daily showing me areas and things in my life that are a hinderance to me in getting closer to you, as i endeavor to seperate myself from them. Give me wisdom, and teach me O Lord your perfect will and way for my life in Jesus' name Amen.

I pray for you brother, as you become closer to the Lord. Whatever you go through don't give up continue to pray because your prayers to God work. don't let satan have you to believe they don't and then you start slacking. please don't start slacking in reading the biblr and praying..keep it up..also try fasting sometimes... coupled with your praying...fasting will put a fierce fire under the power that your prayers have already because God sees a seriousness..and the fact that you have sacrificed something.. God bless you ...

Answer 2

I remember when I felt so distant from God...I got all of the cliche answers: God is always near, you just need to pray, just reach out to God, etc... If you are like me, and you sound like you are, you knew that all of that was true, but you still felt distant. Sometimes, I realized that that feeling came from not being loved by others. Do you feel like some relationships aren't really healthy? I would look at changing those, either by talking or leaving. I will pray for you.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear it. I think that there are times in every person's life when he or she feels far from God. And becoming a Christian isn't a guarantee for answers or a great life. I can tell you that I pray regularly, have a personal relationship with God and believe in a higher power with all my heart - and I still feel desolate at times. To be honest, i don't know why I believe or exactly what it does for me, but I can't help it. I just simply believe. I've had prayers answered and feel that he exists - just as we feel joy or pain - we can't see those things, but still know they're there. And if there is a higher power, there's a source, a purpose for humanity. I don't know if that is a cause for comfort, but there it is.

Also, I think the best way to praise God is to enjoy life, never hurt others or ourselves, and be grateful for what you have! So if what you're doing now isn't workin' for you, get out there - try something new and soon you'll be enjoying life. I'll pray for you...

I don't know if you're an adolescent or not, but hormones and physical changes and complaints can have A LOT to do with our spiritual and emotional state of being. I just encourage you to keep praying, keep trying and you'll get through this and be stronger for it. After all - have your Christian activities hurt you any? Good luck to you!

Answer 4

Do you read the Scriptures?
For me there is nothing more important than the Word of God.
The psalmist said "Oh how I love Your Law (teaching), it is my meditation day and night"
(Psalm 119:97)
Also, I have found thanksgiving, praise and worship to be real keys in bringing one into the presence of the Lord. Are you in a fellowship of believers where they know how to worship in Spirit and in Truth?
Psalm 100 in a great psalm of instruction. If you just do what it says.
I think you probably need good Bible teaching as well.
I recommend the following free online teaching:
http://www.derekprince.org/site/PageServer

Here's a verse to consider:
"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."
Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness."

Remember you cannot earn God's favor - you can only receive it as a gift based on what Jesus did for you on the cross.
Peace to you.

Answer 5

I ythink the answer is in your first line....."everything that "christians" said"............. it is like telling someone how to love..... it is not what you do that make you love, it is love that makes you do.... so start from the heart.... not rituals or "doing "things...you know in your heart what is right... lookk at God as an empowering energy that you can call on that comes through you, not some majical charictor standing over you with a magic wand... he is a part of you you dont need to go out looking for him of do the dance to get his attention

Answer 6

I do understand what you are feeling. i to have thought the same thing. I didn't really ever disobey my parent, I never want riches just to be happy, I took care of everyone I could and tried to do it before they had any needs, I loved my children; the one thing I forgot was that you have to receive what god wants to give you. He suffered for no reason and we are not perfect BUT Jesus was. It took me 37 years to understand that if you are a Christan then it is going to be hard because the devil want us to LOSE the faith give up. Just like Job, You have to praise God in the bad times to be able to see God in the good times. God will keep you some where long enough for you to get to the place where he can use you for HIS purpose. Gods way is perfect you hold on to the faith that Jesus Christ has a work for you but you have to be readied in order to be used to fulfill that purpose. Salvation is not by works anyway. True salvation comes ON by the renewing of the spirit through Jesus Christ our Lord and True Redeemer. Satan is binding you up with pain to keep you from telling others that God is good and he and He alone is worthy to be Praised. Keep reading your bible and ask God to help you fight off the Devil and broke the chains that bind your Spirit In the Name Of Jesus free this person,and give them back their purpose guide and direct their path Amen.

Answer 7

Are you walking by emotions or by faith? Did you know that you are actually in a better place than someone who is happy and joyful? If by faith you raise your hands and praise the Lord, do you know that carries FAR more weight than if you praise Him because you are happy?
I'm an emotional guy. And you can't imagine the email I sometimes get from people from YA. It puts me in a real low sometimes. But I know that when I lift my hands in praise and adoration during those times, God is exeedingly blessed because I am not doing it because things are going well, but BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY!

So, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then exercise your faith and start praising Him that your eternal life is secured by His Word and promises. Praise and thank Him for sending His Son to die for you. Praise and thank Him that your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Read the Word of God and start applying it to your life personally. And stop living your life based on your fleeting emotions. You are a soldier in training. Get out of the mud, stand on your feet, and start hoofing.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Answer 8

Christianity is a dangerous delusion. Historically, it's founded on fraud; morally, it represents a total abnegation of personal responsibility; spiritually, it's rank poison. If "Christians" seem happy, it's the bliss of ignorance - or, as they phrase it, if you're happy and you know it clap your hands! Personally, I can't get over the idea that it's preferable to face reality, to think for oneself, to take responsibility for one's own actions rather than fobbing it off on some deified corpse. True spirituality, while "trans-rational," hardly involves making oneself an intellectual imbecile, as many "Christians" apparently believe it does.

In short, there's nothing wrong with you. You're just evolving spiritually beyond this barbaric savagery that still has its teeth in society's troglodytes, who naturally resent your progress and seek to drag you and all the rest of us back to the Bronze Age. See all the people who suggest you just need to read more scripture!

Answer 9

What are you surrounding yourself with? What are you watching on TV? What type of music are you listening to? You have to protect your environment.
This is a classic attack of the enemy to try to tell you that you aren't any different now . No better off. That GOD doesn't take any more notice of you now than HE did before.
Those are ALL LIES!!!!
You are MORE than a conqueror! You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you? Heaven is your home now. NOT earth. You are a citizen of Heaven!!
Protect your environment. Protect your mind, your eyes, and your heart. I will pray for you.

Answer 10

If you feel distant from God he hasnt gone anywhere nor has he moved, you have. Do you fellowship with others of like mind? If not, there lies one problem. Do read the Bible? If not, there lies another. I am not judging you just trying to help. Seek out the help of a true Christian friend or your pastor.

Answer 11

Mortal sin separates us from his grace. it is not enough to just say I'm sorry alone in the woods. You need the sacrament of reconciliation for the absolution of your sins. The human person needs to here this from our Lord who acts through the priest.

If it is not sin that is the cause do not fret for many saints have gone through dry spells where they do not feel the prescience of the Lord it is at this time you pray out of love for Him