Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Sometimes, you don’t feel close to God.
I know we’re not supposed to admit that. We’re supposed to say, “God is good all the time,” smile through the worship set, highlight our Bibles, and pretend everything feels holy. But sometimes it doesn’t.
Sometimes you pray and it feels like your words hit the ceiling.
Sometimes you read Scripture and the words blur together.
Sometimes you show up at church and sing the songs but still feel miles away.
And when that happens, the guilt piles on. What’s wrong with me? Did I mess up? Did God move away? Why do I feel so numb when I know I should feel close?
But here’s the thing: not feeling close to God doesn’t mean He isn’t close.
Psalm 34:18 reminds us:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
That’s not a vague Hallmark-card promise. That’s truth. God’s closeness isn’t dependent on your feelings. He doesn’t bail when your heart feels heavy. He draws closer.
The Wilderness Season
The Old Testament is full of stories about wilderness seasons—literal ones. Israel wandered the desert for forty years. Elijah sat under a broom tree, ready to give up. Moses spent decades in Midian before leading anyone anywhere.
The wilderness wasn’t comfortable. It wasn’t glamorous. And it certainly wasn’t “Instagram-worthy.” But it was where faith was forged.
Walking with God often looks less like clarity and more like wandering with a little bit of hope. Less like seeing the full picture and more like clinging to a promise in the dark.
That’s what Paul meant in 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Faith is trusting God even when you don’t feel Him. Even when the evidence is thin. Even when your emotions scream the opposite.
What I’ve Been Learning in My Own Wilderness
I’ve had seasons where I didn’t feel close to God at all. Where my prayers were short, my worship was weak, and my doubts were loud. I felt like I was failing at faith.
But slowly, God showed me a different perspective: those wilderness seasons weren’t punishment—they were preparation.
When everything feels silent, you have to decide: am I going to keep walking, even when I don’t see the next step?
That’s where faith gets real.
So What Do You Do When You Don’t Feel Close to God?
1. Be Honest About It
Stop faking it. God isn’t impressed with your performance. Tell Him flat out: “I don’t feel You right now. I’m tired. I’m doubting. I need help.” That’s prayer too.
2. Stay in the Rhythms
Even when it feels dry, keep showing up. Open your Bible. Pray. Go to church. It might not feel magical, but roots grow deep in the unseen. Faith is built in consistency, not just in emotional highs.
3. Look Back to Move Forward
When Israel doubted, God reminded them of what He had already done—splitting the sea, sending manna, keeping promises. Do the same. Write down the ways He’s shown up in your past. Let that fuel your hope for the present.
4. Don’t Walk Alone
The wilderness feels ten times heavier when you isolate. Lean on community. Share your doubts. Let someone else hold faith for you when yours feels thin.
5. Choose Hope Anyway
Hope isn’t naïve—it’s defiant. It’s looking at the silence and saying, “I still believe God is good. I still believe He’s working. I still believe He’s close.”
The Good News
The wilderness doesn’t last forever.
The Israelites made it to the Promised Land. Elijah was renewed and sent back to speak truth. Jesus Himself walked into the wilderness—and walked out in power.
So if you don’t feel close to God right now, don’t panic. Don’t quit. Don’t assume He’s gone.
Your feelings aren’t the final word. God is still near—closer than you realize. He’s still working in the silence. He’s still walking with you, even when all you can do is put one tired foot in front of the other.
Because faith isn’t about always feeling close. It’s about trusting that the God who promised never to leave you… hasn’t–even in the wilderness season.
Hanna Rellar 