Why Do I Feel Far From God? (And What to Do About It)

Why Do I Feel Far From God? (And What to Do About It)

Have you ever felt like God is distant—even when you know He’s not?

Feeling far from God is something many Christians experience at different points in their lives. The Bible reminds us that God never leaves us (Deuteronomy 31:8), but our feelings don’t always reflect that truth. There are real reasons this happens—and understanding them can help you reconnect with Him.

I spent most of my life in that space. It was dark, depressing, and hard to climb out of. Now, here in my seasoned years (forties), I am still working on realizing it’s not about feeling His presence, but trusting His Word—He will never leave me.

Let’s look at some real reasons people feel distant from God.

If your relationship with God feels dry or distant, you might relate to this conversation: Is Your Relationship with God Stale?

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4 Reasons You May Feel Distant From God (From My Own Experience)

1. Trying so hard to do it all for Christ that you are too busy for Him. 

I spent my childhood and teen years trying so hard to be what I thought God wanted me to be. I read the Bible, took notes, and prayed many times a day. I also listened to my parents, even when I had questions or concerns. I didn’t like to make waves. I also attended Bible studies, read them, and listened to Christian music and all that the Christian life entails. I still never felt I measured up to what I thought God wanted me to be. Finally, I quit. I said adios to God and all he had for me, and in my twenties, I went astray spiritually. 

2. Living like a Prodigal Child

Living life according to how you want to live, even if you know it goes against God’s word, is a great way to keep yourself feeling distant from God. Trust me, I know this full well. I knew that all the awful things I did in my twenties were grieving the heart of God, and yet I still chose to do them. When we knowingly live in ways that go against God’s heart, it can create distance in our relationship with Him. The best way to stop feeling distant from God here is to stop living in opposition to what He wants you to do. (2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.) Repent, ask Him to cleanse you, and start reading His Word so you can understand what He is calling you to do and how to live. Through this transformation, you will start feeling closer to him. 

3. Being too knowledgeable about the Bible but forgetting God

This one will sting for those who grew up in the church, went to seminary, or took Bible classes in high school or college. Sometimes knowledge backfires on us, turning us into “know-it-alls” who think they don’t need to learn from others or from God. We think we have him pegged and know his every move. We know the way to get him to answer our prayers, we know how to read the Bible, and we know how to pray…for long periods of time. Do you see the glaring flaw here? It’s about our pride and us. We know things; we don’t need to learn more. Our heart is no longer teachable, which means if God wants to come and talk to you through someone or something, you can’t hear it because you don’t need it; you are good. “I know it all.” Lay down your pride and remember that only God knows everything; this will free you to draw closer to God in humble admiration and a desire for true knowledge. 

4. Compromising values to straddle the fence

If you winced or rolled your eyes, I have done both in my life, and you aren’t alone. I want to tell you, though, that the latter is where you will stay far from God. The former is a good start to getting closer to him. We all struggle with straddling the fence in one way or another. Listening to music that isn’t the best, but maybe it is great, but God has called you to stop, and you don’t want to. Watching something with questionable material, but if God were sitting with you, you would have turned it off, or not even started it. Talking behind the back of someone at work you dislike. Making fun of a kid in school to fit in with others, even though he may go to the same church as you. Let’s not even get started on our driving style. 😬 These small compromises can slowly create distance between God and us. 

Here is an important idea for you to remember:

God doesn’t walk away from us…We walk away from him. He stands at the door and knocks, waiting to see if we will open up and let him inside. Whether you have to run back to the door to answer it depends on whether you are going through any of these situations. (Revelation 3:20 Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.)

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What To Do When You Feel Far From God

If you’ve been wondering why you feel far from God, these small steps can help you begin reconnecting with Him today.

• Return to God honestly (prayer doesn’t need to be perfect)
• Open His Word, even when you don’t feel like it
• Repent where needed (without shame)
• Stay consistent, not emotional
• If you’re not sure where to start, this episode, Practical Ways to Seek God First, walks through simple, real-life steps.

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🎧 Want to Go Deeper?

If this struggle feels familiar, this story speaks directly to the heart of it:

All That Matters is God and Doing His Will: A Story of Surrender and Humility
Sometimes feeling far from God isn’t about what we’re doing—it’s about what we’re holding onto. This story walks through what it looks like to surrender control, lay down pride, and experience the closeness that comes from fully trusting God.

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If this is something you’re walking through, I talk more about faith, struggle, and real-life growth in my podcast, Honest Christian Conversations. You don’t have to walk through this alone.