6 Truths to Remember When You Can’t Feel Jesus
I want to feel Jesus.
I mean, really feel Him.
I want to feel Him holding me.
I want to feel Him guiding me.
I want to feel Him carrying me.
I want to experience Jesus my way (Burger King commercial anyone?)
This is how I felt for many years and still feel sometimes today. I want to experience God my way and on my terms.
But I don’t get my way all the time.
I suspect this is why some Christians walk around looking dour.
It recalls the Golden Calf story, doesn’t it? The Israelites grew impatient waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain so they thought worshipping a manmade object instead of waiting on God was a good idea. Sound familiar? My manmade object of choice happens to be dark chocolate. Surely it will make all of life’s troubles disappear, or at least make them bearable while I am waiting - not.
Infallible God/Fallible Human
Whatever made me think as a fallible, imperfect human I could set the parameters for my relationship with my perfect, holy God? Like a spoiled child who is given everything, I am still whining for things to be my way instead of falling on my face in worship that God would “save a wretch like me”.
Earthly royalty has their protocols and procedures for appointments with the king or queen. How much more should we bow, follow, and accept our Heavenly Father’s Word regarding our relationship with Him. And He is much more amazing, kind, loving, and intimate relationship than any we have on earth!
So, what is true about my relationship with the King of Kings even when I cannot “feel” Him?
The fact is God gave everything to have a relationship with you and me. He did not even stop short of giving His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins so He could be with us for eternity! (Read more here). That is right. He loves us so much even though we cannot always see it or feel it. God is chasing after us. Like a loving parent whose heart almost bursts as she chases after a toddler squealing with delight.
And I whine because I cannot feel Him all the time *sigh* (feel free to kick me in the seat!).
What are God’s terms? What truths can I trust and “take to the bank” even when my feelings try to betray my mind?
Here are six truths to know even when you don’t feel it.
1. Even though I can’t physically feel His presence, He is always with me.
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b ESV)
2. Even though I do not always feel good about myself, He sees me with the righteousness of Christ.
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:12 ESV
3. Even though I have messed up again and do not feel worthy of His loyalty, He will never loosens His grip on me.
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. (John 10:28 ESV)
4. Even though life’s burdens, trials and frustrations can weigh heavy upon me – and even my own sin - He gives rest in exchange for those burdens.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 ESV)
5. Even though the darkest times feel as if they will overwhelm me and my hope is almost gone and I see no light, His light still shines brighter than the darkest night.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. (Psalm 139: 11-12 ESV)
6. Even though I am so distraught I cannot pray, the Spirit prays for me.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (Romans 8:26 ESV)
So friend if you are like me, take heart! When we meditate on the truth of God’s Word and worship our holy God as He is due, the feelings will follow (and He is due all our worship and praise). Trust me, I’ll need the reminder later as well…after I have eaten some dark chocolate : )
