feeling far from God

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JFSurvivor

JFSurvivor

Senior Member
Jan 20, 2015
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I feel really far from God and I think it could be due to my lack of Bible reading. I always get distracted and I know it's satan but then when I sit down to read the Bible I get really overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin....

Help?
 
get every distraction out of the way, shut of TV, no radio, turn ringer off phone, take some time to clear your mind, pray and begin reading.

for me that was the only thing that worked... also sometimes it takes a little longer than others to clear my mind of the things going on around me, so it does take some effort and a "appointed time" even helps.
 
JFSurvivor said:
I feel really far from God and I think it could be due to my lack of Bible reading. I always get distracted and I know it's satan but then when I sit down to read the Bible I get really overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin....

Help?
Click to expand...

Are you borrn again?
 
They have the bible on DVD, CD, and many other forms. You can have it read to you while you are doing your hair, cooking, riding in the car, or relaxing.
 
If you want to be close to Him, consent and connect to Him.... pray to Him listen to Him get all the "static: out of the way, all the preachers and opinions etc, pray to Him ask Him, be guided by Him, follow Him, love Him, ask Him. Dwell on Him, join with Him, take joy in Him, seek Him, love Him, listen for Him, meditate on His words, be His sheep, let Him be your Shepherd, He will not mislead you. every other path know to man will/can mislead you..... Leave the world alone and point all you energy, consciousness, love, effort, ability, cares, weakness, etc on Him.
 
John 10:16, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd."

John 7:16-17 "Yahshua answered, them, and said: My doctrine is not Mine, but His Who sent Me. If any man will do His will, he will know about this teaching--whether it comes from Yahweh, or whether I am speaking of My own authority."

Hizikyah said:
If you want to be close to Him, consent and connect to Him.... pray to Him listen to Him get all the "static: out of the way, all the preachers and opinions etc, pray to Him ask Him, be guided by Him, follow Him, love Him, ask Him. Dwell on Him, join with Him, take joy in Him, seek Him, love Him, listen for Him, meditate on His words, be His sheep, let Him be your Shepherd, He will not mislead you. every other path know to man will/can mislead you..... Leave the world alone and point all you energy, consciousness, love, effort, ability, cares, weakness, etc on Him.
Click to expand...
 
Hizikyah said:
get every distraction out of the way, shut of TV, no radio, turn ringer off phone, take some time to clear your mind, pray and begin reading.

for me that was the only thing that worked... also sometimes it takes a little longer than others to clear my mind of the things going on around me, so it does take some effort and a "appointed time" even helps.
Click to expand...

I had to do the same thing to be able to focus. Funny enough, I never went back to TV after a few months without it. Completely lost it's appeal.

As for the OP:

I tend to go through cycles of studying. It will be all I can think about for several months, and then I get drained and need a break. Then, as you, I start to feel distanced from God, even while praying, and I get a sudden urge to start studying again and things pick back up. I dunno if this is normal, or just me. But there seems to be fairly rapidly changing seasons in my walk. Ups and downs. However, there is always progression forward with each new cycle and each fallback is less damaging each time. Each new season brings more victories and answers to prayers. It's really hard to see the big picture while in the ruts though. "Can't see the forest for the trees" type thing.
 
I've been the same way, it's disturbing when thought about since I've bought three Bibles and one of them is mine. I was lucky to read up to Genesis 4 a few nights ago or so even though I've read Genesis already and I'm wanting to go from cover to cover. :(

Hopefully we can have that sorted out some time or another...
 
Hizikyah said:
get every distraction out of the way, shut of TV, no radio, turn ringer off phone, take some time to clear your mind, pray and begin reading.

for me that was the only thing that worked... also sometimes it takes a little longer than others to clear my mind of the things going on around me, so it does take some effort and a "appointed time" even helps.
Click to expand...
Good advice, have a problem at times with this as well
 
Brainfreeze said:
Good advice, have a problem at times with this as well
Click to expand...

I think most if not all do, especially those of us young enough to be raise at least partially in the "information age" aka I look at my eye phone all day age! lol.
 
Sorry I didn't read all the posts and this might be repetitive. Begin small. What I mean is begin with a certain topic or verse. Think of something that interests you. If you want you can PM me and I can help with subjects and verses if you want :)

Pray first that the Holy Spirit will guide you and help you stay focused. Then begin to read and study.

Satan would love nothing more than keep you out of God's Word so what you are going through is not uncommon.

Praying for you in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
 
What I usually do is search for a topic that I'm stressing over or thinking about, and I'll find a place in Scripture which speaks to it. Usually I try to read the chapters before and after (or even the whole book, if I have time) which gives context. I almost always come away feeling that God gave me some insight :o
 
I think you need to find your prayer closet. Mine is on the road running.
 
One important thing is not to go into a "blind" reading or study. What I mean is this. Don't just open the Bible pick a verse or word and try to study it. Those type of studies can be overwhelming. Pray and ask God for direction. I actually have a study set up here on CC that is not only interesting but also can bring you closer to God.

The study is "the attributes of God". It seems overwhelming but I have broken it down into certain "attributes" one at a time. I also made it a very easy study for myself and others to follow. If you feel far from God this actually might be a good "place to start".

I am sure I speak for many here "I am praying that God will guide you and direct you in study of His Word".
 
I think the think to do is be consistent in prayer and Bible study. That means, read your Bible every day, the whole Word of God. God will show you new things, as you go into books and sections you have not read a lot. God will use these passages to give you a whole new perspective.

Do not grow weary. God loves you and he is watching out for you. And faith is not about feeling, but rather growing as a disciple, and that sometimes means discipline when you do not feel like it.

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11

Praying you seek God as he promises when you seek him, you will find him.

"But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul." Deut. 4:29

@Richie - great video!
 
JFSurvivor said:
I feel really far from God and I think it could be due to my lack of Bible reading. I always get distracted and I know it's satan but then when I sit down to read the Bible I get really overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin....

Help?
Click to expand...

Hi, I suppose that's common. We all get caught up in living our lives and overwhelm ourselves with our surroundings/circumstances/occupations. tho I believed in Jesus as a child, got baptized went to church all my life and read the Bible off and on, it was this verse for whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved," (Rom. 10:13).
I wanted to, and prayed for Him to show me. Asking that question changed my life..He led me to many things very quickly..it was a time of mourning for all my ignorance for so long, just coasting along depending on the preachers to educate me, but it was at the same a great time of rejoicing. It was humbling, and awesome that He cares so much for me when I have given back so very little.

What all I found out was too much to post here, but one very signifigant thing was to study the miracles, the lessons there, why He did most of His recorded miracles on Sabbath, and how He kept Torah perfectly and broke the laws of the religious leaders to teach us the difference. Sabbath is a day for healing, a delight.

I think it significant that to satan we are merely a number, but with our Creator we are loved individually and personally. We all have our story of how He draws us to Him. Maybe we need to be still more and listen, ask of Him for all we lack. blessings~
 
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