Biblical Answer

The Distant God: A Biblical Perspective

The sense of God feeling distant can be a profound and disheartening experience, leaving one feeling abandoned and forsaken. This phenomenon is not unique to the biblical narrative, as many individuals throughout history have grappled with the same sense of remoteness from God. According to the Bible, this sense of distance can be attributed to several factors.

The Problem of Sin and Sorrow

One reason God may seem distant is the presence of sin and sorrow in our lives. As the Bible notes, Jesus Christ had to understand fully every sin and sorrow that human beings could experience, and that is what makes Him seem unfamiliar (Hebrews 4:15). When we see this aspect of Him, we realize we really don't know Him, and we don't recognize even one aspect of His character. This lack of understanding can lead to a sense of distance, as we struggle to comprehend God's ways. Furthermore, when we are in the midst of sin and sorrow, we may doubt God's desire to have any immediate impact on our lives, leading to feelings of abandonment and remoteness.

The Solution: Faith and Focus

However, the Bible offers a solution to this problem of distance. According to Scripture, God is accessible to us by faith, even when we cannot see Him (John 20:29). Ambrosiaster comments, "God is still present, but because we cannot see Him, we are away from the Lord." This means that we must consistently focus our minds and hearts upward, seeking to know God more intimately through faith. As the Bible notes, "Our minds and hearts must consistently be focused upward" (Colossians 3:2). By doing so, we can overcome the sense of distance and experience God's presence in our lives. Ultimately, this requires a change of heart and mind, as we learn to see God in a new light and understand His character more fully.