When You Feel Like God is Not Listening
Have you ever gone through a time when you felt like God seemed far away and like he was not listening to you?
I’ve been there.
I have sat and reflected on the messes in my life and wondered where God could be found. The hope of God swooping in and fixing certain problems – which I know he could do – does not always happen.
Positionally, I know that I am not alone and that God is always with me. But look at David’s words in Psalm 10 verse 1. David says:
Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
David not only felt like God was distant but he felt like God was intentionally hiding himself.
Friends, if you have felt this feeling before – it can be intensely painful.
In times of loss, death, divorce and other life struggles even the strongest believer is forced to ask God – where are you in this?
In Psalm 10 – David goes on to write…
In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;
let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised.
3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul,
and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.
4 In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him;
all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”
David describes those who are oppressing him as arrogant, wicked, boastful, and greedy. In their scheming they say “There is no God.”
They don’t think they will ever get caught and David feels like what’s happening! Read on in Psalm 10:
His ways prosper at all times;
your judgments are on high, out of his sight;
as for all his foes, he puffs at them.
6 He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved;
throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”
This Psalm is as true today as it was when it was written. Often times it seems that the ungodly are prosperous and nothing is stopping them. But they have a false sense of security. They think they are invincible but they are wrong.
We may look at the success of those who do not honor God and feel frustrated. We may wonder why they seem to have it so easy while we struggle through hard things.
But God does not promise to remove the troubles of the righteous but rather he promises to help us in times of trouble.
He promises to be our refuge and strength.
David goes on in Psalm 10 and says…
His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;
under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.
8 He sits in ambush in the villages;
in hiding places he murders the innocent.
His eyes stealthily watch for the helpless;
9 he lurks in ambush like a lion in his thicket;
he lurks that he may seize the poor;
he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.
10 The helpless are crushed, sink down,
and fall by his might.
11 He says in his heart, “God has forgotten,
he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”
The ungodly are compared to a preying lion. They prey on the weak, helpless and poor.
And David questions again…
- Has God forgotten?
- Is God hiding?
- Does he see all of this pain that is happening?
- Why is God not stopping it?
Oh I have been there! I have wondered these same thoughts and I love David’s example to us.
Where does he go with his questions?
— He goes straight to God.
Where should we go with our questions?
— Straight to God.
In the final 7 verses of Psalm 10 – David gives a call to action.
Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted.
13 Why does the wicked renounce God
and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”?
14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation,
that you may take it into your hands;
to you the helpless commits himself;
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.
16 The Lord is king forever and ever;
the nations perish from his land.
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.
It is a great privilege that we can go to the God of the universe in prayer – do not miss this!! He loves us and wants us to cry out to him. He wants to comfort us and help us.
We may not always understand God’s ways but we can go to God’s throne and say – God – don’t forget about me! Help me! Protect me!
In difficult times, I have asked God to intervene and in that moment – it has not felt like God intervened. But who knows what he has protected me from – perhaps things could have been ten times worse than they were and I will never know it. God has protected me and brought me through every trial I have ever faced. He is faithful!
Are you facing the impossible? Or maybe struggling with anxiety about something that feels impossible? That roadblock in front of you may not disappear with one prayer. But this I can assure you of…
God is not hiding from you.
God does hear your prayers.
And God loves you.
So keep on talking to God about it!
While we may not like the hard circumstances we are stuck in – we can have hope. A day will come when there will be no more tears and no more pain.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
(Revelation 21:4)
Hold on to hope.
God IS listening to you.
Keep Walking with the King,
Thanks for sharing this Courtney. It really hits home for me right now. I’ve been dealing with some fairly minor, but chronic health issues and felt this way at times. But through it I’ve continued to pray, and have found so much comfort. This post is a great reminder to keep praying!
EXACTLY SAME FOR ME. This is my first experience with Good morning girls. I have the journal and I have really enjoyed week 1. I started Max Lucado book Anxious for nothing in the evenings and the two are helpful steps to my new adventure of chronic illness.
Knowing some of what you have been through (only what you have shared) makes this blog post so powerful. There’s about knowing that someone has been through something really difficult and has been through real pain, that gives so much credibility to your words. It’s hard to relate to or listen to someone who seems to have had an easy road. While we don’t wish bad things on anyone, and especially those dedicated to preaching for the Lord, it’s those very hardships that draw me to believe, and have hope for my situation.
“Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds…”
One persons trial can be used to bless so many. Your proof of that Courtney! Keep walking with King, girl!
Netty,
Amen, I agree with you. And we are all sisters sharing and learning from each other so nice to have this space. Also I don’t know what you may be going through but a couple of weeks ago I was very sad and seemed to have lost all joy I was going through many things this verse in Isaiah 12:3, instantly helped. “…He will save you. That will bring you joy like water brought up from wells.”
Thanks for this platform it has been helping me read my Bible daily and also encourage others to do the same. Thank you, Father for your word, Your precious word brings me comfort in the midst of uncertainty and frustration. But David cried out, we also cry out to you.
“Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand;
forget not the afflicted…
you have been the helper of the fatherless.
15 Break the arm of the wicked and evildoer;
call his wickedness to account till you find none.
17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”
There are many immigrants suffering, children separated from their parents, and God please come to their rescue.
Netty,
Amen, I agree with you. And we are all sisters sharing and learning from each other so nice to have this space. Also I don’t know what you may be going through but a couple of weeks ago I was very sad and seemed to have lost all joy I was going through many things this verse in Isaiah 12:3, instantly helped. “…He will save you. That will bring you joy like water brought up from wells.”
I feel so hopeless and lonely right now. Your post was very comforting to me today, thank you.
Anna praying for you to find your comfort in Him alone today. He is faithful!
Father, You are the God of all comforts and I ask You to comfort Anna today. Also that You fill her hopelessness and loneliness with your Joy and Peace. Thank You that as You never leave us nor forsake us, You are right there with Anna.
The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of Joy. Zeph. 3:17
Hugs and prayers to you Anna!
Courtney thank you for being open and honest with us. For encouraging us to be strong in our Faith. Times are tough and we need to be constantly in His presence and in His word each day. Many blessings to you my sweet friend.
Lyn
Amen and Amen!
What beautiful scripture we are studying right now. Thank you Courtney for leading us through this.
Thank you so much Courtney. I really needed to read these assuring words today. My family is struggling now and I have been praying and feeling God is distant. Your blog was a great reminder that God is still here with us and that he does care and love us. He has a plan and it is good.
This psalm hits home to me. For 7yrs my mother was afflicted with a disease whom no doctor no specialist was able to say what it really was. From psoriasis to very rare skin diseases to skin cancer she was told that’s what she had. It was a really hard season in my life and I remember I was at the point I couldn’t sleep and I would awake and cry out to God “please be attentive to my cry!”. Oh what a hard and painful trial it was to watch my own mother in so much pain. I felt helpless but, yet hopefully that God would one day hear me. My sister’s for his honor for his glory he did! It was his will for her to be healed and he choose the time. Our God is faithful even when he chooses not to anwser. God bless you all????
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Helps me gain spiritual perspective on my physical predicament…Every day I am being inwardly renewed regardless of what is happening outwardly in my life…Today’s troubles are achieving for me an eternal glory that far outweighs all of them …What I see is temporary, but what I can not see is eternal…So what can I do today? Not loose heart and fix my eyes on eternity. Hebrews 12:2,3 I will fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith and consider Him, so I will not grow weary and lose heart!
Hi, thank you for your message. I wanted to know if there is any encouragment when you have been believing God for something for close two 20 years?
Keep praying! Keep believing unless God has clearly closed the door and there is no hope. If there is something you are hanging onto that you cannot let go of seek help from a pastor or counselor. But if you believe that this thing that is heavy on your heart is from the Lord – keep praying.
I’m reminded of the parable of the Persistent Widow that Jesus told in Luke 18 – I encourage you to read it. Also, I’m reminded of a friend of mine who prayed for 27 years for her unsaved husband and now he is saved – here’s her story: https://womenlivingwell.org/2011/02/thriving-in-spiritually-mismatched/
If this thing you are believing for is interfering with your life and mental health – please seek help. But if it is a prayer request that is heavy on your heart – keep praying and do not give up – and while you wait – keep on living with Joy.
Lots of Love,
Courtney
Psalm 147
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
If you hope, let it be in him and his will for your life. I still have faith in the Lord even though things may not have or ever work out with the love of my life. ( I met him when I was 19 and am already 46. )
Such a right on time devotional! My heart is crying out to God at this moment. I will continue to hang in there knowing He hears me and have not forsaken me. This is during this time that’s He’s carrying me! Thanks for the encouragement……this was truly a message I needed to hear and soak in…
MEDITATION FOR TODAY IN PSALM 9
S — But the LORD will remain and sit enthroned forever; HE has prepared and established HIS throne for judgment. And HE will judge the world in righteousness; HE will execute judgment for the nations with fairness (equity). The LORD also will be a refuge and a stronghold for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble; Put them in fear, O LORD, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah [Vs. 7-9, 20]
O – It is so easy to say “It’s not Fair!” The enthroned, eternal GOD will make all things right. HE has HIS eye on the poor, the abused, the afflicted, the oppressed. One day, HE will judge ALL in righteousness with fairness & equity. HE IS GOD ….. WE ARE NOT!
“And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;”
[A Mighty Fortress is Our God]
“And in despair I bowed my head;
‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said;
‘For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!’
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
‘God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.’”
[I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day]
A – Bow before HIM in humble adoration. Hear & Heed HIS instructions. Submit to HIS plan & purpose for my life. Serve HIM with GLADNESS!
K – FATHER, thank YOU for YOUR righteous justice that we can depend on rather than personal vengeance & vindication. Thank YOU that greater is HE that is in me than he that is in the world. In humility, giving thanks, praising, sharing, rejoicing with gladness, singing in the name of Jesus, wonderful LORD.
MEDITATION FOR TODAY IN PSALM 10
S — But YOU do see; YOU take notice of trouble and suffering and are always ready to help. The helpless commit themselves to YOU; YOU have always helped the needy. [Vs. 14]
O – The LORD is our shield and defender. HE is the righteous judge and gives protection and HELP in times of trouble.
A – Commit my way to the LORD; trust/lean on HIM. “Take it to the LORD in prayer.” Be strengthened and encouraged from HIS SPIRIT and HIS WORD!
K – FATHER, YOU are my STRENGTH and DEFENDER. YOU are with me always. YOU love and cherish me and bring about good in whatever circumstances. I can cast my cares on YOU ….. YOU are my HELP! Giving thanks in the name of Jesus, wonderful LORD.
Praise God!!!
Thank you for this post. I so needed to read this today. I know God does hear my cries even if nothing seems to ever change in my situation. I know that He has a plan. While it is hard to be joyful in this situation which is a very sad and lonely place to be sometimes, I just hold on to the faith that I know He will work everything out for the good and He is a good God and I know He loves me, even when sometimes I dont even have the strength to cry out to Him. He’s got this!! I am so thankful.
Chronic Pain has been a fact of life for me since I was 18 {I’m 65 now}. Compressed two vertebrae {car accident} then and the doctors could only drug me {in the hospital}and let me lie in bed for 4 weeks large back brace for 6 months and only hope it healed correctly {it did not}. It is now collapsing and not allowing my lungs to expand enough so I’m on supplemental oxygen full time. Prayer gets me through the day and when I wake at night then too. God did allow me to have a full life. between the healing of my back until I got to be 58, so I am very glad. My daughter helps take care of me now along with her fiancee. I tell all this just to let those that are just starting out on this chronic road of pain and illness or just one of them. God has never left me and he will never leave you. god bless you all.
Thank you for this encouraging message. Reading the Psalms has helped me have more faith in God hearing my prayers and knowing he is on my side as opposed to feeling abandoned. Thanks for reminding us sometimes it takes time for us to see what he has done.
I am running behind on the readings but sure do appreciate you leading us through the psalms!
I just feel soo pained sometimes as to why God allows so much happen to me. I feel its not fair at all.
I am a sickle cell patient who by His grace Hardy fall ill, but I have gone through so many emotional roller coater. I was to be married in 2015 but the young healthy young man died after a brief illness. That was very devastating to me. I got past that, and fast forward to 5 years later, I found someone I really love, until he was diagnosed with cancer, started facing some terrible financial problems and different sad circumstances which has affected us…and it’s just so heavy on me(us). I just can’t help but ask WHY?
I just feel so lonely.Thanks fellow ladies pray for me I feel like my strength is fading away.