When You Feel Like God Doesn’t Care – Here’s What To Do
We have all been there: feeling empty, hopeless and alone, convinced that God doesn't care about our struggles or our lives.
We may go looking for Him everywhere such as crevices in the corners of our minds, vacant churches and crowded sanctuaries only to find a deceptive nothingness.
It's like we're calling out into a silent abyss, grasping for something solid to which we can cling. But it's hard when we’re spinning our wheels without an ounce of traction, praying tirelessly with no answer.
We feel sluggish at every step forward, stuck repeating this battle cry in your head, “Doesn't anyone care?”
The uncertainty and unrequited longing can leave us devastated, laden with despair and utter dejection.
But despite these seemingly endless moments of darkness, don't forget that God is listening.
He's never exempt from the pain or too far away to feel what we feel. He hears the cries of strife and sees the sorrows of life.
The Christian life isn't easy but it doesn’t have to be impossible either if we remember why clarity can sometimes only be found through believing in the unseen (Hebrews 11:1, 6).
Why you feel like God doesn't care about you
When we come face to face with disappointment, grief, sadness, and fear, it’s easy to struggle with the idea that God doesn’t care. The feeling of being ignored and not heard can be a heavy burden to bear.
But God hasn't abandoned us. Despite how overwhelming things may feel right now, He still loves us and is longing to meet us in this place of exhaustion and hurt.
God knows that feeling helpless brings a sense of vulnerability. He understands our struggle but loves us too much to leave us there.
Even in our darkest moments when life seems out of control and emotion overwhelms us, He invites us into His presence so that He can provide the strength we need to carry on.
When intense feelings are stirred up by difficult experiences it's important to remember that God is still watching over us and longs for nothing more than to bring deep healing for our brokenness.
Letting Him in isn't always an easy thing, but it's in those moments of surrender that true freedom will be found.
So even though you might feel like God doesn’t care about you or your pain, He does. And he cares about you too much to just stand by silently until everything is better again.
Instead, He tenderly invites us into His love as we take one step at a time toward healing and hope-filled futures.
Why what you feel is wrong about God
Faith can seem elusive. In a world where honesty and transparency seem to be more in short supply than ever, it’s easy to forget that our feelings don’t always tell us the truth.
Yet even when we feel furthest from God, there are still reasons to trust Him, instead of giving into fear or doubt.
The Bible tells us that the Lord is good and faithful, no matter what our circumstances may look like at any given moment.
He never changes or abandons us, even when everything seems uncertain. His love for us is unfailing.
In fact, He loves us so much that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins on the Cross.
God also has a plan for each of us. Plans difficult to discern yet full of hope. We can trust Him with even our messiest feelings and pleadings because He understands them before we do.
His compassion and mercy have been poured out over human history, ushering in transformation at every turn.
No matter the size of our faith, God never stops reaching out with tender grace and answers untold. By opening ourselves up to his abiding presence, we allow ourselves the courage to believe Him, against all odds, and trust yearnings locked deep within our hearts as if they were true.
What to do when you feel like God doesn't care about you
Discouragement can be deeply disheartening, and feeling like God is distant or not interested in you can amplify feelings of loneliness and isolation. But it is important to remember that God is always there, and He loves us even when we feel unloved.
Start by acknowledging your feelings. Recognize the emptiness you experience and accept that it’s okay to feel this way but don't let yourself stay stuck.
Draw on Scriptures that encourage you such as Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reach out for help. Talking with a trusted family member or friend can help you gain an understanding of what's going through your mind and heart.
An outside perspective can make all the difference in finding effective solutions to shake off unsettling anxieties.
Find ways to nurture yourself through prayer, meditation, worship music or even journaling your thoughts - use whatever activity helps focus on connecting with Jesus better.
Rather than being discouraged when trials come our way, may we recognize them as opportunities for growth.
We can turn painful moments into life lessons where trust in His faithfulness deepens our dependence on Him, transforming them into moments of spiritual maturity.
Trust that God understands your vulnerabilities. He knows everything about us before they ever happen (Psalm 139).
His loving grace places potential resources around us so that we discover strength in sharing each other’s joys as well as sorrows (Romans 12:15).
Finally, keep up your hope in Him. Romans 5:3 says “we also glory in our sufferings because we know these sufferings produce perseverance” showing us how suffering leads to endurance which in turn strengthens faith so don’t be anxious if things seem too hard.
No trial lasts forever.
What to do when you feel like God is not with you and distant?
The feeling of loneliness, particularly when the path ahead is uncertain can be daunting. But if we look deeper, we may find something waiting there - God’s presence.
For many of us, connecting with God begins in our hearts as an inner longing for meaning and understanding, a voice resonating with something bigger than ourselves that speaks to what is for our highest good.
And no matter how lost or scared we feel, we can always tap into God’s love and companionship through prayer, meditation, and conversations with friends.
While it's natural to experience times of separation from what feels like spiritual abundance, those moments may merely be markers in our journey towards greater growth and insight.
They call us to dig down deep and find our own resolve instead of relying on some outside source of comfort.
Rather than pushing away your inner state, let yourself experience it fully as a part of the process because all feelings are welcomed as messengers of awareness when coming from a place of acceptance and openness.
Over time you will notice how these experiences serve to nurture a stronger spiritual bond with the divine within you.
What to do when you feel forsaken by God?
In times of hardship, it can be difficult to feel God's presence. We could react by turning away from Him, forsaking our faith and believing He is punishing us for something we did wrong.
Alternatively, we could choose to lean into the suffering, considering pain a form of purification that tests our fortitude and further develops our faith.
The life of a faithful devotee doesn't necessarily mean an easy road or comfort in difficult circumstances. Indeed, they often face the greatest battles and have the most to lose.
Only by praying with everything within us and trusting His plan – no matter how hard it may be to accept – can we open ourselves up to grace and inner peace during trying times.
Through prayerful communication, reading inspiring texts and reflecting on words of wisdom from wise people who have walked this road before us, will we find solace and clarity when there seems no way out — even if the answers are not entirely clear.
The search for authentic answers requires courage as well as humility in order to accept that sometimes there may not be definitive solutions available at present.
Even when feeling forsaken by God, our trust must never waver, for surely in His infinite mercy He shall respond eventually by directing our steps anew towards greater faith, hope and love.
He will illuminate areas previously obscured by darkness, using these moments as signposts towards spiritual healing and growth along our divine path.
Why do I feel like I lost faith in God?
The world that we live in can feel unfair and chaotic at times, and it's natural to question why the struggles arise.
The strain of our hardships can induce feelings of despair, leading us to lose faith in God.
But, don't forget that life is always unfolding with purpose, even if it feels like nothing makes sense from a distance.
In times of suffering, we often look for meaning in the situations around us and put our trust in those who promise deliverance. Turning to human solutions may not ease the spiritual turmoil at play within us.
Rather than cling to hope through external sources of comfort or misguided sense of control - understand that God’s greatness cannot be contained or seen primarily through what happens on earth.
Reconnecting with your spiritual beliefs requires accepting that this life doesn't have all the answers and taking a leap of faith into what lies beyond the physical realm - looking to Jesus.
Refocus on the divine plan that is already continuing despite your doubts, reminding yourself that behind every storm is the sun shining brighter than ever before because God is good.
Why do I feel like God doesn't answer my prayers?
It can be disheartening when we don't feel like our prayers are being answered. We might wonder what we're doing wrong, or why God does not seem to be listening.
The truth is, often it’s not about us or God. It's our expectations that need to change.
Our hopes and desires should come from a place of true communion with the Lord rather than just seeking comfort or material gain.
Learning to trust in faith and developing patience are qualities essential for allowing God’s plan to reveal itself at the right time.
Acceptance that what we have right now is probably the best thing for us in this very moment will help us be more relaxed and ultimately bring inner serenity.
Letting go of our individual will allows us to connect with a universal power, enabling us to see beyond our limited understanding. In these moments of stillness, God may start communicating with us through signs and messages.
Although sometimes too subtle for direct comprehension, trusting our intuition can help uncover hidden gems if we pay attention closely enough.
When You Feel God Doesn't Care About You Bible Scripture Verses (KJV)
We are reminded in Scripture of God’s divine care for us. He promises to be our defender and strength, watch over us and never leave us. Even when facing difficult times, he will provide comfort and hope.
Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 John 4:19 - We love him, because he first loved us.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Isaiah 41:13 - For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
Galatians 2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
1 John 3:1 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ephesians 3:19 - And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
1 John 4:10 - Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Jeremiah 31:3 - The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
I suppose I will believe in Gods love and concern for me once He actually helps me! After 70 years of unanswered prayers and much suffering I don’t hold much hope for that to happen. Trevor
That’s a tough spot to be in. Thanks for being honest and sharing this. I am praying about this for you and standing with you in prayer.
I wish I could believe any of this anymore. It’s been 47 years of hell, and all of these hopes I held fast too were all lies. God never showed up, never comforted. I surrendered everything to Him and now I only have despair left. The thought of having to spend eternity with the God who rejected me in every way makes me wish He had never been so selfish and cruel as to create me. How can the thought of eternity with the God who calls this ‘good’ fill me with anything but fear? I tried all of these, but they only made everything so much worse in the long run.
You have every right to feel this way. I’ve been there. I’ve been so mad at God at times. Then the breakthrough finally came for me (boy did I wish it came much sooner). I am praying for you and standing in prayer that you’ll see the light and love of God.
Oh my, Ann. Your experience sounds so much like mine! 47 years of absolute torture starting at 13. And this while the rest of my family lives lives that are dang near perfect: wealth, happiness, security, some fame, you name it. It’s like God decided all the calamities in our family would be given to me. Accepting Jesus actually made things worse! And prayer is completely worthless, He doesn’t even answer the prayers others offer on my behalf. And God doesn’t even have the, er, courage to explain anything. Why would I want to spend eternity with a God I’ve come to hate? Really, eternity with a God that sat by and watched me suffer, and even allowed it when He knew through all time that this is what my life would be? And He says He loves me? Well, could He love me a little less so things could be better for me? Or, maybe He could show His face so I could punch him in the nose! And I’m sure the response here will be the same as it is always: we’re so sorry to hear of your suffering, we’ll pray for you. Well, I try to appreciate that, but God is the only one who can fix this and He just doesn’t give a ****. He’d rather lose me and whatever “purpose” He had for my life than to just be nice for once.
God is able. Thanks for this article.