Navigating Closeness and Distance from the Lord

If you’ve walked with God for any amount of time, you’ve probably noticed that it’s not a steady, straightforward journey. There are seasons where God feels incredibly close, like every prayer feels heard, every worship song hits deep, and your heart is at peace. And then there are times when God feels far away. Your prayers seem to hit the ceiling, and faith feels more like a grind than a gift. If you’ve been there, or are there now, you’re not alone. God is at work in both of these seasons of your life.

Distance

It’s common to go through seasons where we feel distant from the Lord. During these times, we have a choice: we can lean in and cling to His promises, or we can drift away and start relying on idols and sin. For me, it’s always hard to admit when God feels far from my heart, pride and arrogance make it easier to pretend everything's fine.

A couple of months ago, I realized how distracted I really was. I was spending hours and hours on my phone every day. I never left those scrolling sessions feeling fulfilled or satisfied. I was always more exhausted and craving more scrolls. What I was turning to for a break was just making me more dependent on distraction. My nights and weekends were getting wasted away by mindless scrolling. I was worshiping distraction, relaxation, and the things of this world. I can see how the enemy uses our addictions, especially to social media, to keep us numb and distracted from what truly matters.

So, I deleted TikTok and haven’t redownloaded it since. Even with that simple change, I started to hear God in the quiet space that opened up. Giving God time and room to speak into my life was a choice I had to consciously make. And while I still struggle to balance screen time with time in God’s presence, it’s a work in progress and that’s okay.

Closeness

Since I first felt Jesus reach out to my heart during freshman year of high school, I’ve had several seasons of deep closeness with Him. Looking back, I’ve noticed a pattern: those seasons were often marked by dependence.

When my grandfather passed away. When my identity was tied up in a sport. When a friend was struggling with her mental health. When my uncle was diagnosed with prostate cancer. When I was adjusting to marriage and a big move.

God has a way of showing up in the valleys, consistently.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

When our hearts are hurting, God draws near. There’s something about pain that opens us up to His presence in a raw, unfiltered way. We become more aware of our need for Him, and He meets us in that vulnerability.

A couple of years ago, I did a Bible-in-a-year reading plan. It was the first time I really absorbed the full arc of Scripture, and it helped me piece together who the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are and how that impacts my everyday life. Actively seeking the truth and asking God for guidance showed me so much of His character and drew me into deeper closeness with Him.

The Brutal Reality

The reality is, our walk with God isn’t always steady or predictable. Sometimes we feel Him so closely it’s like we’re walking side by side. Other times, it feels like we’re wandering in the dark. I’m constantly learning that God is present in both. He doesn’t leave when we’re distracted, and He doesn’t love us more when we’re “doing everything right.” He’s steady. He’s near. He’s patient.

If you’re in a season where God feels far, don’t let shame keep you stuck. You’re not the only one, and you’re not beyond His reach. Start small and make a little space. Even turning down the noise for a few minutes a day can create room for His voice to come through.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

Wherever you’re at today, know that God sees you, loves you, and is always inviting you back to Himself.