“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV)
Do you ever have days when you don’t feel close to God?
If your answer is yes, you are not alone. As with everything else in life, our spiritual lives can be in seasons too – In some seasons, you’re on fire for God and nothing feels forced. But in other seasons, your spiritual life is cold and you feel far from God’s presence. However, your devotion should not be dependent on your feelings.
What then, must it be dependent on? The answer is faith.
The entire Christian walk is one of faith. Faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” meaning that faith is seen in the actions we take which substantiate the hope we say we have (Hebrews 11: 1)).
Your salvation is built on facts you never experienced and a saviour, Jesus, whom you never met (I Peter 1:8-9). Why then do you believe and have the assurance of salvation? The answer is still faith.
Jesus told a parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, who felt unworthy of his father’s acceptance, but his feelings were a lie. The truth was that his father loved him and wanted him back. Feelings are fickle and undependable, even when making everyday decisions. How much more when it comes to your spiritual walk?
That said, you ought to put the word of God over your feelings. If God says it, you should believe and act according to it. His word is yea and amen.
When you don’t feel close to God, animate your devotional life by stirring yourself up despite the contradictory feelings and circumstances. Get full of the Word of God and confess it. There is something about saying things to yourself that pushes out conflicting thoughts. This is a strategy that people of the world acknowledge and take advantage of– they say affirmations and believe that they can manifest whatever they want into existence.
How much more, you, full of God’s Spirit and Word? Move with the Word of God and allow your feelings to catch up.
Sometimes you feel down because you’ve invested more in your flesh than your spirit, which is in constant conflict (Galatians 5:16-17). To overcome this, focus on strengthening your spirit and disregard the contradictions.
For the believer, believing is seeing (Mark 11:24). Put your confidence in the Word of God and believe that you are and have everything that it says you are and have. Your feelings may change, but God’s promises remain the same.
When you feel distant from God, remember that He is always near. His presence is not dependent on our feelings but on His unchanging Word.
Go forth, and walk by faith, not by sight.
Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 22: 1-22