Feeling Distant...

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joanna Trusdle on March 17, 2010 at 11:14am

Joanna, I've been in that place - more than once. I really went through an empty place during my divorce. Now, I could so easily feel that way again, but my situation has really brought me closer to God. I have a cross necklace that has footprints on it and the footprint poem on the back. Every time I see it, it reminds me that God is always there and is carrying us, even though we can't see Him. You are so right about getting back to church. It so makes a difference in staying focused and on track. It always lifts my spirits to get through another week. I am looking forward to hearing your "progress" report! Get some rest! : )

Permalink Reply by Meagan Frank on March 17, 2010 at 2:11pm

Joanna,
Just the fact that you can identify your distance is one step closer to bringing you back. Do you have a smaller group at church or even just one friend to connect with? I have found that church can do wonders but groups of loving and supportive people can truly work miracles. I am in a wonderful group of women right now who invigorate and challenge me. Getting centered and staying there is a huge challenge, but as you know, totally worth it.

Hang in there, and pray...I will too!

Meagan

Permalink Reply by Cara Nitz on March 19, 2010 at 11:12am

Well, we are all here for you. That is what makes this group so great! Yes, we all go through ups and downs in our faith. We walk farther away from God some days, and he draws us close to him again and again. Always know that He will never leave you! Reading the Bible, even a little bit each day has really helped strengthen my faith. It may sound bad, but I had to schedule it into my day. It is hard to keep focused on the true source of peace and love when we are so busy and get caught up in our own lives. But, just a few minutes a day can make a difference! I will be praying for you!!

Permalink Reply by Joanna on March 19, 2010 at 1:31pm

Thanks all ladies for your support! I feel blessed to have you all to hear my sharing. It is definitely true that there are ups and downs in my walk with God and everytime I start to drift away, there is always a feeling of wanting to return to Him. There is as if some kind of bonding that is being formed between us that can never be broken. Like you said, the one thing that keeps me going is knowing the He will never leave me. Unlike any other human relationships, this is the most trustable bondage that can be formed.
I have moved to California just over a year ago. Both the busy life and the move makes it that I have to start all over again. Leaving the church I was familiar with and having to explore new places and join new small groups. I think that I will break the cycle of exploration and start attending Sunday church regularly. I will also start to read the Bible everyday. Hope it will get better. Keep you guys posted.
Love,
Joanna

Permalink Reply by Kelly Ann Kortright on March 19, 2010 at 6:22pm

I have been there before. Going to church is great it is one of my most favorite days of the week but what is important is finding olone time with god. Take at least 20 minutes out of your day to pray and read the bible. This will really help even with your busy schedule this will make it easier to fit it into your own schedule. Pray that he will help you to open up more to him and keep you organized. things will work out.

Permalink Reply by Holly Bowne on April 22, 2010 at 9:38am

Hi Joanna:

I'm sorry I'm so late to respond to you call for help. Maybe you could try taking baby steps? Try spending 10-15 minutes a few days a week just reading the Bible. And I strongly support what Meagan says about small groups. Maybe even offering to volunteer as an assistant to a teacher working with the young children. There's nothing like working with little kids--I learned so much about God from them!

Permalink Reply by Joanna on April 22, 2010 at 3:15pm

Thanks Holly:) I hope that I can be better. These days are even busier than before but I have to re-priortize things better. It is interesting that you mentioned about working with kids, and the fact that u are learning a lot from them, can you tell me a little bit more about that?

Joanna

Holly Bowne said:

Hi Joanna:

I'm sorry I'm so late to respond to you call for help. Maybe you could try taking baby steps? Try spending 10-15 minutes a few days a week just reading the Bible. And I strongly support what Meagan says about small groups. Maybe even offering to volunteer as an assistant to a teacher working with the young children. There's nothing like working with little kids--I learned so much about God from them!

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Castle on April 29, 2010 at 7:38am

Hi Ladies, I'm new here, this is pretty cool. I see this topic and I have so much to say, maybe if I just list a few questions? a. Why do we attend church? (sometimes knowing the purpose for something helps us to invest in it)
b. Why should we read God's word daily?
c. What happens in a small group setting that makes it different than church?
I think a lot of times as Christians we know the right answers, but we don't take the time to explain WHY. Like parents that always say "Because I said so!" (not that I am not guilty of that particular phrase on occasion - and sometimes it IS appropriate - look at Job!) If we say to our kids, for example that "pre-marital sex is bad, don't do it" without explaining all the sad reasons why, we are not being responsible parents. We say "read the Bible". Why? Isn't it just another book, and a difficult one at that? But if we can point to all that God does, when we invest the time to sit in the quiet and get to know him; how the words jump off the page to the very point in our soul that needs healing, or comfort, or rebuke, or counsel; that every single day we have begun in God's word has been better because of it; that by knowing truth, as it is presented by God Himself, makes us very quick to recognize that which is NOT truth; that as we look back over the years of study, we can bookmark the positive change in our lives and attribute most, if not all of it, to the living words that drove us closer to the living God; if we can say all that and more, then we have given someone a hope that what they are doing is not just opening the page of some old self-help book, but they are opening up the beginning of a new chapter in their life. And we can't stop there, because we need to teach people to study the Bible, to get the most out of what they are reading, to learn how it all fits together.
All you have said here is good stuff: scheduling the Bible into your day, starting with a small amount of time, small groups, regular church attendance, volunteering. By not doing these things, we starve our soul of the one thing that makes live worth living! Been there, done that, it just doesn't work!

Permalink Reply by Joanna on August 2, 2010 at 11:44am

Hi ladies,
Just want to share that my husband and I were finally able to go back to church this Sunday. The service was about how to maintain a good married relationship. I just want to say that God is very kind and forgiving. I pray that we can get back on track to a better life with Him.

Keep praying!
Joanna