why don’t I feel God?

the comfort series

comfort when we suffer
taking comfort: psalm 42
the poetry of taking comfort
comfort, comfort, o my people
comfort as a mother comforts
a rabbit trail
the joy of intimacy
the poetry of intimacy
God’s comforting presence

We cannot finish the comfort series without answering this question. Our pastor says this is his most-asked question. Wow. It is true that God is with us forever:

“And He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exo 33:14

“It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deu 31:8

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Jos 1:9

“For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself.” 1 Sam 12:22

“And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psa 9:10

“Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with You.” Psa 139:7-12

“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Mat 28:20

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” Joh 14:16-17

God will never leave me or forsake me scripture picture gallery
God comforts me scripture picture gallery
God binds up the brokenhearted scripture picture gallery

Not only is God with us, but it is my belief that He intends for us to feel Him with us; that His felt presence with us is the normal state of daily life for Christians. Consider our children: in order for them to live securely, happily, and peacefully, they need to know we are there. Being left alone or feeling alone is one of the worst traumas a child can endure. We would never knowingly or willingly inflict that trauma on them. If we, who are evil, would not do such a thing, how much more our heavenly Father, who is good?

The foolish heart reads these Scriptures and says, “I do not feel God, therefore God is wrong and His word is not true.” The wise heart reads these Scriptures and says, “I do not feel God, but His word is true, therefore, what is going on with me that is affecting my feelings?” Good question. There are some biblical answers to that question.

continued in feeling God series

feelings, the unreliable barometer
the spirit, soul, and body connection
the mind and heart connection
the battleground of the mind
it builds character
lies are not harmless
truth sets us free
tearing down strongholds
establishing a stronghold of truth
training our hearts in truth
practical considerations
rabbit trail one: God’s word applies to me
rabbit trail two: God’s word is unfailing
thirty minutes a day can change your life
thirty minutes a day, day two
thirty minutes a day, days three and four
thirty minutes a day, day five
there is too much, let me sum up

why suffering series

christians and suffering
back from the abyss