6 Things to Do When You Feel Far From God

how to find Jesus in the slump

Feel free to let out your sigh of frustration.

Or perhaps it’s one of sadness. Or anger. Or shame. 

I’ve been there. And I’m sure you’ve been too. Yet, here we are again. At a place where we feel so distant from a God who, two months ago, felt so close.

First of all, don’t beat yourself up about it. It’s normal. 

Secondly, I want you to internalize one thing before we move forward: Even though you might feel far from God right now, God is never far from you. He never has been and He never will.

Imagine being in a pitch-black room with your best friend.

You can’t see or feel them, and at times, you might forget they’re even there because of how dark it is. But all it takes is one word or movement from you, and they respond, reminding you of their presence.

They were there the whole time–you just didn’t feel it.

The solution isn’t to figure out how to get God closer. He’s already right beside you; in fact, He never left. These six strategies are simply to help you see Him–even in the darkness.

1. Spend quiet time with God, even when you don’t feel like it

When we feel far from God, it’s often because we’ve drifted–little by little. Typically, distance doesn’t happen overnight. It happens when we are continuously busy or we distract ourselves to the point of falling away. 

For me, missing my morning quiet time with Jesus for even a few days makes me feel the weight of being far from Him. It’s tempting in those moments to keep avoiding God because I think, well, it’s just one more day. I can get back to Him tomorrow.

But these thoughts eventually turn into, It’s been too long. I can’t go back now. Jesus wouldn’t want to hear from me after all this time. 

Can you relate?

We end up getting caught in these cycles of shame where we not only don’t feel like spending time with Jesus–we feel like we physically can’t.

And in those moments, the best thing is to go back to spending regular time with Jesus. Read your Bible. Pray on your knees. Sit in His presence. Worship Him in your room. 

Even though you feel like you have every reason not to return to Jesus, I promise you there’s a thousand reasons to run back. He’s waiting for you.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” - James 4:8

2. Call or meet up with a spiritual friend/mentor you admire

God speaks through His Word, but He also reveals Himself through people. The great part about community is that everyone is on their own unique, spiritual journey. While you might be in the biggest slump you’ve been stuck in, your friend might not be.

Who is someone in your life whose faith you admire? Who are you inspired by?

Once you have your answer, ask them for coffee! Tell them you feel far from God, and ask them what God has been doing in their life. Ask them to share their testimony, and maybe share yours in return.

Looking back at God’s faithfulness over our own lives is often a way to remind ourselves that He remains faithful today.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17

3. Go to a beautiful place and stand in awe of Jesus

I currently happen to live on the most majestic college campus in the world (Pepperdine, if that wasn’t obvious), so this comes a little easier for me. Every day as I walk down to campus, I have a view of a sparkling ocean, and every night, I see striking colors coming together stunningly in a perfect sunset.

I stop in my tracks often as I marvel at God's creation.

You might not live at Pepperdine, but perhaps you have a “pepperdine” somewhere near you–a place or view that strikes you with awe. Make it a point to go there.

Take a journal. Meditate. Sit in silence. Look out in wonder, and see if you can spot God’s glory in it all.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” - Psalms 19:1

4. Get yourself to church (and maybe a youth or college night too!)

I know the word “church” carries all sorts of meanings for everyone.

Maybe you haven’t been going because it’s the place you were most hurt. Or perhaps you’re just too busy. Maybe you can’t find the right church. Or you simply don’t feel the need to go.

I get it.

I’ve justified myself using each of those reasons at some point myself. Yet, I’ve come to learn that no matter what church means to you, it still remains the body of Christ. It’s a place filled with broken believers who are doing their best to worship a perfect God. And while oftentimes they fall short, the church is incredibly precious to God and He works even in the most broken of them all.

If you’re willing, I encourage you to seek out church. Get plugged into a healthy community. Join a small group. Attend Bible studies.

If you’re a youth, go find a youth ministry. And if you’re a college student like me, find a church that has a college group you can join!

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” - Hebrews 10:24-25

5. Scribble down your feelings and pray about them

Notice the word “scribble”.

If you’re anything like me, journaling in a freshly-picked-out-sunflower-themed-journal brings you anxiety. Perhaps I’m just a perfectionist, but it’s hard for me to sit down with a journal and try to capture my thoughts perfectly on paper.

Rather, what I do now is take a “non-cute” journal, and scribble down how I’m feeling. It’s often all over the place, jumbled, confusing, and messy, but it gets the job done.

Once I write everything out, I look over what I’ve written, and I pray. 

I pray that God would heal the areas where I need healing. That He would mend what’s broken. And that He’d bring hope to what feels lost.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” -1 Peter 5:7

6. Read and reflect on Scripture in community

Anddd the best for last!

The Bible is hard to read on your own–it really is. When we do it alone, accountability is difficult, consistency is nearly impossible, and we only get one perspective on everything–our own!

Recently, I got a group of 10 girls together and started a group chat called “Scripture Sisters”.

(If you’re a boy, I suggest “Bible Brothers” for your group chat name…)

Our group decided to start with the book of Matthew. What we do is we all read one chapter a day on our own and afterwards, we send a short reflection of our takeaways in our group chat.

Let me tell you, it has truly been the sweetest thing in the world. Every day, I get notifications throughout the day by my friends sending in their unique, encouraging reflections from Scripture, and it reminds me constantly that I’m not alone in my journey of faith.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” -Colossians 3:16

Final thoughts

I hope these 6 strategies are helpful as you find Jesus in your slump. I know how frustrating it can be to feel far from God, but remember, He is never far from you.

He sees your heart that desires Him–and He is already extending His hand to you. 

So start today! Choose one strategy and take a small step toward Him. Then marvel at the ways He reveals Himself to you when you seek Him with all your heart.

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” -Psalms 27:4

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