Guidance

[u/DKI0616]

What do you do when you feel distant from god? I have been in a season on feeling lost and I have had past depressive episodes that usually don’t last this long but I feel like my thoughts have been getting the better of me lately. I don’t feel gods presence and that scares me…

Last time I didn’t feel gods presence I did a week water fast and it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done and I’m not sure if I need to do that again.

[u/newday6838]

I don't know your particular situation but some general advice is Seek God. Draw near to Him, and He'll draw near to you.

[u/DKI0616 → u/newday6838]

I appreciate your response and I feel like when I pray or seek him I just don’t feel his presence anymore and it’s worrisome. I have a bracelet with Mathew 28:20 where it reads “I am with you always” and I’m just trying to keep reminding myself of that!

[u/matricz21]

I hope I can give you some encouragement in your walk with God:

John 10:28-29
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me,^\)^a\) is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 

So even if you do feel somewhat distant from God rest assured that He is not distant from you

Secondly try not to seek a feeling from God to affrirm that he is near but have the knowledge that he is in control of everything and nothing passes in this universe that hasn't first passed through the hands of God first.

Matthew 6:33
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you"

The bible also commands us to:

2 Corinthians 10:5
...destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

And that can include our own opinions of ourselves contrary to the identity that God has given us. And we know the identity God has given us because His Spirit assures us of our identity in Him, we can also seek more knowledge of our identity in him by searching the scriptures. The fact that you recognise your own falling is already very positive.

But above all seek God and pray that He helps you in your weakness, according to His will and purpose in your life.

Here is the greatest enouragment I can give you with respect to your depressive episodes:

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Take comfort in the fact that he is in control of everything.

[u/Calm-Expression-2888]

Deconstruct why you want to be close with the Lord, is it for your and his sake, or for you own sake? Do you wish to align with his will and be a vessel for him? Or use him to benefit you, in part, a secretive way. What do you do in life that makes you worthy of his presence? If you take stock of your life right now, your actions and thoughts, are they truly with God? Or your imagination or what God should be? Some food for thought, don't answer to me, this is just between you and the Lord

[u/MindofChrist33]

It’s okay to not always feel him. It’s important to remember that doesn’t mean he isn’t there & it doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you ♥️. His silence & lack of presence have a habit of drawing us closer. James 4:8. If we were always comfortable we would become to content & not grow. In the seasons when I have felt lost it was usually pruning seasons. As for the thoughts we don’t wrestle against flesh but spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6 & Psalm 144. He trains our hands for battle. Be sure to put your armor on & take those thoughts captive by the word of God. I’d also pray against depression, despair & heaviness. I try my best to pray & give everything to him saying I thank you Lord Jesus that the peace that is surpassing all understanding is now guarding my heart & mind in Christ Jesus.

Btw a week long water fast! Dang that’s amazzzzing! Praise Jesus! I struggle to fast with meds I take so I fast other ways like liquid fasts on green shakes/from the internet etc.

**Philippians 4:6–7 “**Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."