Biblical Answer

Understanding the Question of God's Absence

The question of feeling like God is absent can be a challenging and isolating experience, especially when it seems like the entire world is moving forward without God's presence. Many people struggle with this feeling, even those who have had experiences of faith in the past. This phenomenon is not unique to any particular person or group, and it is a common theme in many spiritual journeys.

Faith in the Absence of God

Faith is not about feeling God's presence, but rather about believing in His sovereignty and goodness, even when we don't feel it. The Bible reminds us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). This means that faith is not based on our emotions or feelings, but rather on the truth of God's Word and His character. When we feel like God is absent, we can still choose to trust in His goodness and faithfulness, even when we don't feel it. This requires a deepening of our relationship with God, where we learn to abide in Him and trust in His presence, even when we don't feel it.

Practical Steps to Deepen Faith

To deepen our faith and overcome feelings of God's absence, we need to establish a daily personal time with God, where we can talk to Him and hear from Him. This can be done through prayer, reading the Bible, and seeking guidance from spiritual leaders. We also need to assess our faith and take an inventory of our spiritual state, asking ourselves questions like "What am I doing to deepen my faith?" and "Am I seeking God's guidance and direction in my life?" By taking these practical steps, we can learn to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when we don't feel His presence, and develop a deeper and more dynamic faith. As the Bible says, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure" (Hebrews 6:19). When we trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, we can have hope and confidence, even in the midst of uncertainty and doubt.