Biblical Answer

Why does it feel like God abandoned me when I need Him most?

It's not uncommon for people to feel like God has abandoned them when they're going through a difficult time. This feeling can be especially strong when we're facing a crisis or experiencing emotional pain. However, the Bible teaches us that God is always present and active in our lives, even when we don't feel like it. In fact, Scripture says that God has a particular interest in those who have been sinned against, neglected, or abandoned (Jer. 23:1-8). He has a purpose in our lives, and we are His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). When we feel like God has abandoned us, it's often because we've stopped seeking Him or we've lost focus on our relationship with Him.

The Bible teaches us that abandonment means surrendering ourselves to God, even when we don't understand what He's doing. It means trusting Him, even when we don't see the outcome of our circumstances. This kind of surrender is not easy, but it's necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. When we surrender to God, we begin to see that He is not absent, but rather, He is actively working in our lives, even when we can't see it. As the psalmist wrote, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me?" (Psalm 22:1). Jesus himself cried out these words on the cross, demonstrating that even He, the Son of God, felt abandoned by His Father. Yet, He trusted in God's goodness and sovereignty, even in the midst of unimaginable suffering.

So, why does it feel like God has abandoned us when we need Him most? It's often because we're not seeking Him with our whole heart or we've lost focus on our relationship with Him. We may be trying to control our circumstances or trust in our own strength, rather than surrendering to God's sovereignty. However, when we abandon ourselves to God, we begin to see that He is always present and active in our lives. We begin to trust in His goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't understand what He's doing. As we surrender to God, we can say with confidence, "I will seek him, though I may ride on the wings of the morning. If I say to the darkness, 'Light is my desire,' and if I walk in the land of the darkness— 'Behold, darkness is my only friend;'" (Job 38:12-13). We can trust that God will meet us in our darkness and bring us into His light.