During our walk with Christ, we can feel that we can put in more effort, so here are some tips for when you think you are falling short.
1. Get in The Word
Opening up the Bible is the best place to start if you feel a little far from God! John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” So, reading your Word is getting into direct conversation/contact with God! Also, II Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” Reading will immediately give you clarity, correction, and instruction, so you don’tdon’t have to feel lost or heavy with burden! Most of the time, when we are slowly getting far from God, it is because we’ve allowed our burdens to overtake us. But through reading the Word, you’ll know that God is always there for you no matter what and is ready to lift your burdens.
Furthermore, Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God, So I would suggest that when you do go to read your word, read it out loud. I love to read Psalms out loud before bed; it makes the message God is trying to convey in that scripture more apparent. Also, it increases my faith by just hearing God’s Word. I would suggest listening to sermons because faith can be imparted. In the morning, while I do my makeup, I typically turn on a sermon by Keith Moore or Jonathan Shuttlesworth to fill that empty noise with the Word of God. After doing these things, I can feel my hunger for God increase, my faith increase, and my joy increase!
2. Start Praying
When you start feeling disconnected from God or like you’re drifting away, ask God where this disconnect occurs. Why do I feel far from You, and what hinders a genuine and authentic relationship with You? God would love to hear these questions because He hears the prayers of those with sincere hearts. God is also quick to answer these prayers and will point out the disconnect immediately! Remember, Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” So, you have the strength to get rid of that sin, that person, that mindset, etc., whatever it is God is telling you to cut off. God gave us the strength to live righteously when He gave us the Holy Spirit! Additionally, Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” When there is an issue in your life or anything you’re concerned about, good or bad, you are supposed to bring it to God in prayer!
God wants to hear from you! He isn’t up there judging you because you haven’t prayed all week or all year! He is actually just waiting for you to just talk to Him! God delights in our prayers, so don’t be afraid or ashamed to speak to the Father. He wants to talk to you! So, start praying today!
3. Obey God
Disobedience is a huge factor in losing faith! God cannot have a relationship with the disobedient because they grieve the Holy Spirit every time they go against the Word of God. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” The Holy Spirit lives in us, so doing anything contrary to the Word of God makes the home for the Holy Spirit a little more uncomfortable. I Corinthians 6:19 says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” We are to live in God’s image and be in His likeness. So, living in disobedience is the opposite of that, and if we want to salvage our relationship with God, we have to start listening to the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit will help guide us towards better and our purpose in God. So don’t silence Him by listening to your flesh. Kill your flesh, as Jesus said, and follow your spirit. Luke 11:28 says, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” The more you obey, the more blessed you are, and the more your faith will increase! It pays to obey!
4. Change Your Speech and Attitude
Your talk and overall attitude toward life can make a huge difference. Also, when it comes to feeling far from God, you can detect it in your speech! Are you speaking the Word of God? Are you saying faith-filled words and acting out of joy? Or are you miserable? Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” What you say matters because it will come to pass, so make sure your words align with the Word! And your words can affect your attitude! That’s why saying the Word of God is so important; Jeremiah 15:16 says, “Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” God’s word is joy! So speak them, and you will be joyful, but speak anything contrary or opposite to His Word, and you will live a miserable life. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength,” It is pivotal to remain in joy because that is when we are strong! The devil has an opening in your life when you’re out of joy! So, if you want to be closer to God, speak His Word and remain in His joy!
5. Be Consistent
All of these tips won’t matter if you aren’t consistent. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” A part of staying vigilant is the constant building of our faith! So constantly reading the Word, praying, staying in joy, saying the right words, and listening to sermons and teachings. This is so God’s Word is always in your heart, so when the devil comes, you have the perfect weapon to use against him! If you do this, you’ll never feel down in your faith again! Also, in being consistent, it gets harder to wavier in your faith! James 1:6-8 says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” By staying close to God, you will become the opposite of this double-minded man, but be strong-minded and stable! And when you possess those two qualities, God can work wonders with you! So, let’slet’s grow our faith, get right with God and see Him do amazing things in our lives!
If you feel that you don’tdon’t know God at all and would like to know Him, say this prayer, “Dear Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins and turn my back to them. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and that He died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day. I accept Him into my heart now. I believe Jesus is Lord, and By faith, I give Him my whole life, heart, mind, and soul. Amen!” If you prayed that prayer, let me know in the comments!
I hope these tips helped, and God bless!
RefinedforChrist 
Leave a comment