Jan. 26, 2025

Why Might I Not Feel Close to God Anymore Despite Regular Worship?

Ask Ralph: Why Don't I Feel Close to God Anymore?

Welcome back to “Ask Ralph,” your daily dose of Christian finance wisdom! Today, we tackle a question that goes beyond the balance sheet and straight to the heart: "Why don't I feel close to God anymore?" This is a common struggle, and you're not alone in feeling this way. Many Christians experience seasons of spiritual dryness where their connection with God feels distant or strained and may Not Feel Close to God Anymore Despite Regular Worship. But the good news is that God is always faithful, and there are practical steps we can take to rekindle that intimacy with Him.

Understanding the Distance

First, let's acknowledge that feeling distant from God doesn't necessarily mean He's moved away. As Hebrews 13:5b reminds us, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." ¹ God is always present, even when we don't feel His presence. Even if we feel distant from God, God is never far from us². This feeling of distance is temporary and doesn't define your relationship with God³. This feeling of distance can stem from various factors, including:

Unconfessed sin: Sin creates a barrier between us and God, like a wall that separates us from His love and presence. Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." ⁴ Think about it this way: if you've wronged a friend, it can be hard to face them until you've apologized and made things right. Similarly, unconfessed sin can create a sense of guilt and shame that hinders our ability to connect with God.
Life's distractions: The busyness of life, with its worries and anxieties, can crowd out our time with God³. We get caught up in our jobs, our families, our hobbies, and our to-do lists, and before we know it, days or even weeks have gone by without any meaningful time spent in prayer or reflection. It's like trying to have a conversation with someone in a noisy room – it's hard to hear their voice and truly connect.
Spiritual neglect: When we neglect prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, our spiritual connection weakens⁵. It's like neglecting a garden – if we don't water it, weed it, and tend to it regularly, it will wither and die. Similarly, our spiritual lives require constant nurturing to stay healthy and vibrant.
Emotional or physical exhaustion: Stress, fatigue, and even physical health can affect our spiritual well-being⁶. When we're feeling drained, it's harder to focus on God and experience His presence. It's like trying to run a marathon when you're already exhausted – you simply don't have the energy to go the distance.
Doubt and unbelief: Questioning God's goodness or His presence in our lives can lead to a sense of distance⁶. When we face challenges or disappointments, it's easy to start doubting God's love and care for us. This doubt can create a barrier between us and God, making it hard to trust Him and experience His peace.
Distractions: Things like social media and other distractions can also take us away from God⁷. These things can consume our time and attention, leaving little room for God in our lives.
Feeling distant can be a nudge from the Holy Spirit: This feeling of distance can also be a gentle reminder from the Holy Spirit, calling you back to Him⁵. It's like a loving tap on the shoulder, reminding you to turn your attention back to God and seek His presence.
God uses distance to call us deeper: Sometimes God uses distance and our feelings to call us deeper in our faith⁸. Just as we see miracles better in the distance, God might be using this time to reveal something new to you.
Nearness to God defines believers, not farness: Farness from God doesn't define you, believer. Nearness does. Yes, you will feel distant from him at times, but how you feel does not always indicate what is true⁹.

Reconnecting with God

Now, let's explore some practical steps to bridge that gap and draw closer to God:

Acknowledge His Presence: Remember that God is always with you, even when you don't feel it. Psalm 139:7-9 reminds us that there's nowhere we can go to escape His presence².
Confess and Repent: If sin is hindering your relationship with God, confess it and turn away from it. 1 John 1:9 assures us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." ⁴
Prioritize Prayer: Make time for daily prayer, even if it's just a few minutes. Pour out your heart to God, share your struggles, and seek His guidance¹⁰. Even when it feels difficult, continue to pray. It can be hard to address God when you feel He has gone silent, but He is always listening¹¹. Cry out to God. Fall on your face. Get honest with Him¹².
Immerse Yourself in Scripture: Read the Bible regularly, meditating on God's Word and allowing it to transform your heart and mind¹³.
Cultivate Gratitude: Focus on the blessings in your life and thank God for His faithfulness¹⁴.
Seek Support: Connect with other believers, share your struggles, and pray together¹³.
Practice Mindfulness: Spend time in quiet reflection, focusing on God's presence and allowing Him to speak to you¹⁵.
Worship and Praise: Engage in worship music, sing hymns, and express your love and adoration for God.
Express your emotions: If you are struggling with sadness or other difficult emotions, give yourself permission to express them in healthy ways¹⁰.
Remember Christ bridged the gap: Christ bridged the infinite gap between humanity and God. When you feel distant, ponder anew the eternal chasm that Calvary closed⁹.
Seek God continually and wait for him: Seek God continually and wait for him¹⁶.
Rely on God's character: Even when you don't feel God's presence, rely on His character. Remember that He is holy and reigns everywhere, meaning He is always present¹⁷.

The Financial Connection

Now, how does this relate to your finances? Believe it or not, our relationship with God and our financial well-being are deeply intertwined. When we feel distant from God, it can manifest in our financial lives in several ways:

Fear and Anxiety: We may become consumed with worry about money, leading to poor financial decisions like impulsive spending or taking on unnecessary debt¹⁸. For example, if you're constantly worried about losing your job, you might start hoarding money and neglecting your other financial obligations.
Materialism and Greed: We may seek fulfillment in possessions rather than in God, leading to overspending and debt¹⁹. We might buy things we don't need to impress people we don't even like, or we might constantly compare ourselves to others and feel like we're never enough.
Lack of Contentment: We may constantly strive for more, never feeling satisfied with what we have²⁰. This can lead to a cycle of always wanting the next best thing, whether it's a bigger house, a fancier car, or the latest gadget.
Dishonesty and Unfaithfulness: We may compromise our integrity in financial matters, leading to further distance from God²¹. This could involve things like cheating on our taxes, lying about our income, or taking advantage of others financially.

Financial Wisdom from a Christian Perspective

Here's how we can apply Christian principles to our finances and strengthen our connection with God:

Biblical Principle	Application in Finances
Stewardship ²⁰	Recognize that everything we have belongs to God, and we are merely stewards of His resources. Manage your finances wisely, avoiding wastefulness and extravagance.
Contentment ²²	Find joy in God's provision, rather than constantly seeking more. Be grateful for what you have, and avoid the trap of comparison and envy.
Generosity ²⁰	Give cheerfully and sacrificially to support God's work and those in need. Tithe regularly and look for opportunities to bless others with your finances.
Debt Avoidance ²⁰	Strive to live debt-free, recognizing that debt can hinder our freedom and our ability to serve God. Create a budget and stick to it, and prioritize paying off any outstanding debts.
Wise Planning ²³	Seek God's guidance in making financial decisions, planning for the future, and investing wisely. Pray for wisdom and discernment, and seek advice from trusted Christian financial advisors.
Ask God for help ²⁴	Ask God for help during your financial difficulties. He wants us to share our fears and anxieties with Him.
Remember God's promises ²⁵	Remember that many of God's promises have conditions, often involving us doing something.

Conclusion

Feeling distant from God is a challenge many Christians face, but it's not a hopeless situation. By taking practical steps to reconnect with Him – through prayer, Bible study, and actively seeking His presence – we can rekindle that intimacy and experience His love and guidance in our lives. And as we align our financial lives with biblical principles, we can experience greater peace, freedom, and purpose, knowing that we are managing God's resources in a way that honors Him.

As we reconnect with God's presence, we are reminded of an important factor: He never left us; we just needed to return to Him¹⁴. Remember that even when we are pursuing other things, God is still pursuing us²⁶.

This week, I challenge you to choose one or two of the steps we discussed and put them into practice. Start with small changes, and trust that God will meet you where you are.

Remember, God is always pursuing you, even when you feel far away. Turn to Him, and He will meet you with open arms.

Works cited

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Ralph V. Estep, Jr.

Christian Financial Consulting

Ralph V. Estep, Jr. is a highly accomplished professional with a diverse background in finance, accounting, technology, and entrepreneurship. As the principal at Saggio Management Group, Inc., he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in various roles throughout his career.

Ralph's educational journey began at St. Mark's High School in Newark, Delaware before attending the University of Nebraska where he was an esteemed member of the Cornhusker Marching Band and had the privilege of performing at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

Continuing his pursuit of knowledge and excellence, Ralph earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Delaware. He further expanded his academic achievements by obtaining a Master's in Business Administration from Wilmington University.

Throughout his professional journey, Ralph has been recognized for his outstanding accomplishments and commitment to excellence. He is a member of prestigious organizations such as the Golden Key National Honor Society and Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society.

With an extensive range of professional designations including Licensed Public Accountant (LPA), Accredited Business Accountant (ABA), Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP), and Internal Revenue Service Registered Tax Preparer (RTRP), Ralph possesses comprehensive expertise in tax preparation and financial management.

Beyond his impressive qualifications, Ralph has actively engaged with various community programs as bo… Read More

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