Rediscovering God's Presence in Times of Struggle
Summary
Life often brings us to moments where God feels distant, and we wonder if He has stepped away or if we have drifted from Him. In times of pain, illness, or loss, it’s natural to question God’s presence, as I did during my heart attack and ongoing health struggles. Yet, these moments can become invitations to examine our relationship with God—are we nurturing it, or have we allowed routine, distraction, or even medication to dull our passion for Him? Sometimes, it takes a crisis to remind us to turn back, to pray more deeply, and to seek God’s presence with renewed sincerity.
Scripture shows that this struggle is not new. Paul, in Romans 7, wrestled with the tension between his desire to do good and the reality of his sinful nature. Like Adam and Eve, who hid from God after disobeying, we too can find ourselves hiding—feeling absent from God not because He has left, but because we have withdrawn. Even those who have known God for years can feel spiritually flat or lost, especially in stressful times. But God’s faithfulness remains; He does not abandon us, even when we feel alone.
The story of Elijah in 1 Kings reminds us that God’s presence is not always found in dramatic signs—wind, earthquake, or fire—but in the gentle whisper. To hear that whisper, we must quiet ourselves, tune our hearts, and dedicate each day to Him. It’s in the stillness, in the simple prayers—like the Lord’s Prayer repeated in the night—that we find comfort and connection. Communion, too, is a reminder of God’s ongoing grace, inviting us to examine ourselves, confess, and receive forgiveness, no matter how long we’ve been away.
God’s forgiveness is not limited by our past or our absence from church. He welcomes us back, offering peace, comfort, and a future shaped by His love. Each day is an opportunity to turn to Him anew, to listen for His voice, and to walk in His ways.
Key Takeaways
- The sense of God’s absence often arises not because He has left us, but because we have drifted away—through distraction, pain, or neglect of our spiritual practices. Recognizing this invites honest self-examination and a return to intentional relationship with God, even when life feels overwhelming. [26:58]
- Our struggles with sin and inconsistency are part of the human condition, as Paul describes in Romans 7. The desire to do good is often thwarted by our own nature, but acknowledging this struggle is the first step toward grace and transformation, rather than hiding in shame or guilt. [34:11]
- God’s presence is most often encountered not in dramatic events, but in the gentle whisper—a quiet, persistent invitation to draw near. To hear Him, we must cultivate stillness, daily dedication, and a willingness to listen, even in the ordinary moments of life. [51:10]
- The rituals of faith—prayer, Scripture reading, and communion—are not mere duties, but means of grace that reconnect us to God’s presence. When these practices become routine or lose their passion, it is an opportunity to seek renewal and rediscover their true purpose as lifelines to God. [54:32]
- God’s forgiveness is always available, regardless of how long we have been away or how unworthy we feel. Accepting His grace means letting go of the past, embracing the present, and trusting Him with our future, knowing that His love covers all our days. [01:00:21]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[26:58] - Feeling the Absence of God
[27:31] - Questioning and Testing in Hard Times
[28:54] - The Power of Spiritual Habits
[29:57] - When Faith Becomes Routine
[31:12] - Wake-Up Calls and Turning Back
[33:35] - Paul’s Struggle in Romans 7
[35:47] - Adam and Eve: Who Moved Away?
[37:19] - Planting Seeds of Faith
[39:05] - Why We Feel Spiritually Lost
[41:13] - Elijah and Elisha: Remembering the Order
[43:39] - Acting Out Elijah’s Story
[45:25] - God’s Provision in the Wilderness
[47:39] - The Gentle Whisper of God
[51:10] - Tuning In to God’s Voice
[54:32] - The Lord’s Prayer as a Lifeline
[55:56] - Communion: Remembering Christ
[57:56] - Confession and Assurance
[01:00:21] - God’s Forgiveness for All
[01:18:38] - Closing Blessing and Grace
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: When God Feels Distant
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### Bible Reading
Romans 7:15-20 (ESV)
> For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Genesis 3:8-10 (ESV)
> And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.”
1 Kings 19:11-13 (ESV)
> And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Romans 7, what struggle does Paul describe about his own actions and desires? ([34:11])
2. According to Genesis 3, who moved away or hid after Adam and Eve sinned—God or Adam and Eve? ([35:47])
3. In the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19, where was God’s presence found—in the dramatic events or in something else? ([47:39])
4. What did the pastor say about how spiritual habits like prayer and Bible reading can sometimes become routine or lose their passion? ([29:57])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Paul, even as a mature believer, still struggled with doing what he knew was right? What does this say about the Christian life? ([34:11])
2. When Adam and Eve hid from God, what does that reveal about how people respond to guilt or shame? How might this pattern show up in our own lives? ([35:47])
3. The story of Elijah shows God speaking in a gentle whisper rather than dramatic signs. What might this teach us about how God communicates with us today? ([47:39])
4. The pastor shared that sometimes pain, illness, or even medication can dull our passion for God. How can we recognize when we are drifting spiritually, and what should we do about it? ([29:57])
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### Application Questions
1. The pastor described feeling distant from God during times of illness and pain. Have you ever felt like God was far away? What was happening in your life at the time, and how did you respond? ([26:58])
2. Are there routines or distractions in your life right now that might be causing you to drift from God? What is one small change you could make this week to turn back toward Him? ([29:57])
3. Paul’s struggle in Romans 7 is about wanting to do good but failing. When you find yourself doing what you don’t want to do, how do you usually react? Do you hide from God, make excuses, or turn to Him for help? ([34:11])
4. The story of Elijah reminds us that God often speaks in a gentle whisper. What are some practical ways you can create stillness in your day to listen for God’s voice? ([51:10])
5. The pastor mentioned using the Lord’s Prayer as a lifeline during sleepless nights. Is there a simple prayer or practice you could use when you feel anxious or distant from God? ([54:32])
6. Communion is described as a time to examine ourselves, confess, and receive forgiveness. When was the last time you honestly reflected on your relationship with God? What did you discover? ([55:56])
7. God’s forgiveness is always available, no matter how long we’ve been away. Is there anything in your past or present that makes it hard for you to accept God’s grace? How can you take a step toward embracing His forgiveness this week? ([01:00:21])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to spend a few moments in silence, listening for God’s gentle whisper, and then pray together, asking for renewed passion and a deeper sense of God’s presence.
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