When I’m Not Hearing From God
You know those amazing moments in your prayer life when you feel truly in fellowship with the Lord, almost like He’s sitting there with you? You feel the power of His presence, His love and His wisdom. Those are the joyous, wonderful moments in the Christian life, almost like you’re standing on the top of a mountain in communion with the Creator. It’s fantastic—except when it goes away.
The tough part about the Christian walk is that it’s not made up of one long spiritual party on the mountaintop. There are valleys in between those mountains, and they’re not fun. As of this writing, I happen to be in one of the valleys.
Everything seems a little bit harder. I’m still praying, but His voice isn’t coming to me with instant words of wisdom, love and encouragement. I’m still reading and studying, but the lessons don’t seem as powerful, enlightening or awe-inspiring. It’s tough. I feel alone, tired and more out of touch with God.
Why does this happen? Does it mean that my spiritual life is in the dumps? Have I not been doing enough, and now God is punishing me?
I used to think that way. If I wasn’t hearing God’s voice, I used to blame myself and try to force myself to pray more, or more fervently, until I could make myself feel closer to God. I bet you’ve tried that approach as well, since that’s how American men deal with all the other problems in our lives—by working harder. Of course, when it comes to our spiritual lives, it’s never that simple.
But one of the things I’ve learned from God’s Word and older, more mature men in my life is that God doesn’t stick you in spiritual valleys because He’s punishing you. He does it because He knows what’s best for you.
Our Father in heaven is the wisest father of all. He knows exactly what we need. If we need a spiritual epiphany, that’s what our Father will give us. If we need an arm around our shoulder, that’s what our Father will give us. If we need to figure something out for ourselves and toughen up, that’s what our Father will give us.
As Romans 5:3-4 says, “Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (NIV). If you are in the middle of a valley like I am, know that God hasn’t left you alone. He’s giving you what you need. Have faith that, when this valley is behind you and you are back on the mountaintop, you will look behind you and realize exactly why God did what He did.
posted by Editor at 2:44 PM
5 Comments:
As you grow in experience with God, you will see that He never leaves you--period. He may dim down, but leaves us with a sense of His presence, an experential sense. As you grow in wisdom, you will see that mountaintop experiences are few and far between. But the day to day sense of His presence, and His love, always remains. I personally experience God that way. But I used to have peaks and valleys.
Daniel: As I read Chris Glazier's story, I was thinking of my relationship with God. Mine is like yours. God is always there, with few mountain tops but always near
Strength is built in climbing the mountain, not resting on it. Hearing Him is finely tuned in the valley where his voice is harder to hear. Knowing him is deepened as our need for him increases and we respond in obedience. Eventually, the valleys become just another part of the journey in drawing close to him.
Chris, Keep going, keep trusting Him. These are growing pains, my friend. Many would say that in these times of struggle, God is trusting you to trust Him. Be encouraged, you are never alone, not for one moment. I am soooo grateful to you for your honesty. Gotta love it! Many blessings to you and your wife.(Heb. 10:23)
God never leaves us - he walks with us through the valleys of our lives.
My experiences with hearing God at http://www.godandemail.com
Check out the free online course to sharpen your ability to hear God.
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