When God Feels Distant

This passage spoke deeply to me today:

Isaiah 43:2 NIV "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Why do we go through challenges? Maybe loss of income, maybe health issues, maybe loved ones or friends betraying us. Does God give you a deeper understanding or mature you when things are difficult? Or do we fall apart completely when things get difficult? Sure, we can have bad days or maybe even bad days in succession. But at some point we need to turn to Jesus:

- Through the Word
- Through prayer
- Through fellowship

If a loved one sent you letters, emails or social media posts daily but they were ignored, then it would be hard to blame them for being distant or uncaring. God expresses His love for us daily through answered prayers, His Word and correction...

From my hospital room, I challenge everyone who hears this to draw close to God while God draws close to you.

James 4:8 "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

God sees the end from the beginning and because of that I choose to place my trust in Him.

- God will be with us when we are in over our heads.
- God will be with us when we feel like we are drowning.
- God will not let us be consumed by the fire of the enemy.

These are promises so keep them at the forgetting of your mind.

Blessings,
Pastor Derek Forseth



Why do we go through challenges? Maybe loss of income, maybe health issues, maybe loved ones or friends betraying us.

Does God give you a deeper understanding or mature you when things are difficult? Or do we fall apart completely when things get difficult? Sure, we can have bad days or maybe even bad days in succession. But at some point we need to turn to Jesus:

- through the Word
- through prayer
- through fellowship

If a loved one sent you letters, emails or social media posts daily but they were ignored, then it would be hard to blame them for being distant or uncaring. God expresses His love for us daily through answered prayers, His Word and correction...

From my hospital room I challenge everyone who hears this to draw close to God while God draws close to you.

James 4:8

God sees the end from the beginning and because of that I choose to place my trust in Him.

- God will be with us when we are in over our heads.
- God will be with us when we feel like we are drowning.
- God will not let us be consumed by the fire of the enemy.

These are promises so keep them at the forgetting of your mind.

Blessings,

Pastor Derek Forseth