Lessons From the Book of JobSampel

When God Feels Distant

Let’s just do a quick recap.

We’ve seen through the story of Job in this plan that we can commonly fall into the mistake of thinking that following Jesus will mean an easy life. (It won’t.)

We’ve seen how easy it is to think that suffering is a punishment for a specific sin we’ve committed. (It’s not.)

Because bad things happen. Even to people who love and honour God, like Job.

So what happens when we go through difficult times in life… and it feels like God is a million miles away?

When you’re facing tragedy, God can feel distant. This distance is clearly expressed when Job describes how he’s desperately looking for the Creator of the universe:

If only I knew where to find God,

I go east, but He is not there.

I go west, but I cannot find Him.

I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden.

I look to the south, but He is concealed. (Job 23:8–9)

It’s easy to feel like God is close by when things are going your way. When work is pouring in and your home life is great, and people respect and love you.

But often God can feel distant in your tragedy. When you lose someone, or you lose your job or your health is failing. When you feel worthless or hopeless.

And in those moments, it’s important to cry out to God through the tragedy – just like Job who continued to search for God when everything had been taken away from him.

Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened… how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7–11)

When you sincerely seek Him and knock on His door with your request, He will answer and give you what you seek. And there’s no better request than to simply ask Him to be present so you can feel Him close in your struggle.

Take a moment to pray:

Father, remind me today that you are close, even in my difficult moments – especially in my difficult moments. Give me your strength, peace and wisdom. Amen.