Rooted: 30 Days to Strengthen Your Faith Through StruggleNäide

WEEK 1: Uprooting the Lies

Focus: Exposing the lies that keep us stuck and disconnected from our identity in Christ.

Day 4: When God Feels Distant

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

Have you ever felt brokenhearted? Maybe the loss of a loved one. A dream that seems to have passed you by?

David was familiar with these feelings - as he penned these words of encouragement for himself and others.

Sometimes in our pain, God can feel distant. Far away. The enemy would love for us to embrace this feeling and keep us from knowing the deep love of God and the courage he gives us to move through hard times with courage.

But this Psalm reminds us that our feelings are not fact, and the truth is the Lord draws nigh to those who are in pain and suffering.

God is our rescue when we feel crushed by the brokenness of this world. God is our rescue under the weight of sin.

Proverbs tells us more than once that a crushed spirit is more than a person can bear. It dries up the bones. It tries to swallow up joy.

But just like God saw Hagar in the desert - God sees us in our pain. He sees. He comes. He saves.

Our job is to receive.

To surrender our pain to God and trade it in for his peace and comfort. For his very presence. To trust that God can carry our pain and sustain us through the valley. Will you receive this comfort today?

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever felt like God was far away?
• How does this verse bring comfort or challenge?
• What stops you from receiving this gift from God?