Are you afraid of intimacy?

Intimacy with God may seem both elusive and unattainable. In my experience as a counselor and leader, it seems that intimacy with God is something most people want but also fear. This is where Jesus is vital. So many people I’ve helped can’t relate to the invisible God, but they can relate to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, our Healer, and the Prince of Peace.

Are you afraid of being close to God the Father? Are you more likely to connect with Jesus?

I felt this way about my mentor, Dr. Richard Dobbins. He was the founder of the graduate psychology program that I attended for two years. On one hand, I admired him, but at the same time, I didn’t really trust him. I think I was afraid of being hurt or rejected by an authority figure.

While I was reading 2 Peter, I was shaken by a promise: “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:8, NIV) God wants you to get to know Him better. He wants to be intimate with you and me. Moses also hungered for God. Do you remember his big request? “Then Moses said, ‘Now show me Your glory.’” (Exodus 33:18, NIV)

Friend, do you really want to know God better? Do you want to be intimate with Jesus?

I believe the Bible gives us a road map to this seemingly elusive goal. I’d recommend these four steps:

1. Seek the seven qualities described in 2 Peter 1, and you’ll grow in the knowledge of God.
2. Ask God to forgive all your sins and mistakes. He inhabits clean vessels.
3. Invite Jesus Christ to enter your life.
4. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you completely...spirit, soul, and body.

When you ask God for intimacy, He’ll begin to heal you and reveal Himself to you. The good news is that God will do things in your life that will amaze you and your family. Intimacy with Jesus is not scary—it is the very thing that will free you from your fears. You are a miracle.

Your friend, Paul Marc Goulet