7 Scriptures for When God Feels Far Away

Kelly-Jayne McGlynn CrosswalkHeadlines Contributor
Updated Oct 27, 2023

I’m just going to tell you this right now: You’re going to want to save this list for later. Because when God feels far away, the last thing you’re going to feel capable of doing is bringing your mind back to the truth. That’s why it’s so helpful to have an emergency list of scriptures on hand to do the thinking for you, so the only thing you have to do is sink into the warmth of where God really is: right next to you.

I’ll be the first to admit how often I need this list. Even though I have been a Christian for 10 years, my default is to believe that God is out there…Somewhere. He’s probably looking at me and paying attention to what I’m doing, but only in a half-interested kind of way. He intervenes every now and then when I’m really desperate, but is otherwise sort of just there, floating, not really caring what is happening to me one way or the other.

Since this is my default, that perceived distance only becomes bigger when I am emotionally overwhelmed. It can be so, so hard to believe that God is there for me, because I’m terrified of the opposite being true.

So in those moments–moments we all have!–I need God’s own sweet Word to bring me back to the reality of how deeply and completely he loves me.

Here are seven scriptures you can turn to when God feels distant:

Psalm 23:4

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” Psalm 23:4a (ESV)

Sometimes we just need to tell ourselves the truth that “God is with me. God is with me.” And what makes this verse even more powerful is its context!

This psalm centers around the metaphor of God being like a shepherd to us. Shepherds typically lead their flock from behind–except when something scary happens. When shepherds find themselves in the “valley of the shadow of death,” this means that they have found themselves still in the desert after nightfall, which is a very dangerous place to be.

When this happens, instead of leading from behind, shepherds move to the middle of their flock so that the sheep surround them.

This means that when things feel the darkest, that is actually when God moves in the closest to comfort us in our fear. How beautiful is that?

Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

When you feel like your heart is breaking, you can confidently reassure yourself, “God is close to me.”

I love this because I often feel lots of pressure to be and do certain things before I’m allowed to be close to God. But this verse says that the only requirement of God being close to you is having a broken heart. And in this broken world…that much we can surely do.

You can have faith that no matter how bad things seem right now, at this moment, they won’t stay that way. God saves, liberates, and delivers those who are crushed in spirit.

By the way, this Psalm was written by David after he had to pretend to be insane before King Achish to escape with his life! Talk about dark times. But God rescued him and will rescue you, too.

John 14:23

“Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’” John 14:23

The image of the trinity coming to make their home with me is one of the sweetest, most gentle things I could ever imagine.

I like to imagine sitting on the floor while God, Jesus, and the Spirit redecorate around me, making the most beautiful home I can think of. Building giant sunny windows, moving in comfy couches with too many throw pillows, and picking out china patterns that we’ll all love. And then telling me, “We’re here to stay.”

When the trinity made their home with you, they did it for the long haul. They chose to be close to you for the rest of time. So know that even if God feels distant, he is actually right beside you, just waiting for you to feel safe and at home.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Pcess609

Isaiah 40:11

“He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11

Have you ever seen a really adorable, burly girl dad? Maybe a dad that was clearly in the military, has huge muscles, lots of tattoos, and could beat you up just by looking at you–but is holding his little girl close to him like she’s the most important thing in the entire universe?

This is the picture that comes to mind when I think of this scripture.

God is so ineffably powerful, strong, and mighty. But he chooses to be so gentle with us instead–holding us close to his heart and leading us at the pace we can go.

When God feels far away, maybe replace that thought with this image instead: God holding you so dearly and tenderly, right next to his slow, steady, beating heart.

Psalm 56:8

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

As much as parents love their kids, they can still (understandably) roll their eyes when their toddler is crying about having to put on pants for the thousandth time or something equally ridiculous.

But that’s not how God treats our tears. In his infinite patience, each of our tears is precious to him. So precious that it’s like he collects our tears in a bottle and records the reason for each one!

How vast and magnificent is the love of our Father to care about us deeply enough to do that? Even when God feels distant, he is right there–close enough to scoop the tears falling from our cheeks and know exactly what is causing them.

Zephaniah 3:17

“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)

There is something so sacred about acknowledging that God is in our midst. Our very midst!

The Blue Letter Bible defines the Hebrew word for midst as the inner part, among, as the seat of thought and emotion, and the middle of. This means where we are, in our deepest, most inward parts, there is God also.

And not only does this scripture assure us of how close God is–he is rejoicing over us with loud singing!

Whatever situation you are in, God is there also. And he is there to quiet you with his love.

1 Peter 2:25

“For ‘you were like sheep going astray,’ but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” 1 Peter 2:25

Sometimes I joke about wanting to hire a nanny…For myself. Someone that can be responsible for me so that I don’t have to be. Being a human comes with so much to do!

Of course, this scripture isn’t talking about eschewing responsibilities–but it does reassure us that we’re not the only ones looking out for ourselves. Jesus is our Shepherd, the Overseer of our very souls! He is caring for us, working for us, and presenting us with opportunities to grow.

This job would be impossible if Jesus were far away from us, only checking in every now and then. Being a Shepherd and Overseer is a 24/7, round-the-clock responsibility. And he’s still there during the tough times, too.

Jesus is overseeing you right now, at this moment, as you are reading this. Whatever situation you are in, whatever emotion you are feeling, whatever decisions you have to make–Jesus is right there, overseeing it all, making sure that you are safe and taken care of because he loves you so.

Keep these scriptures in a journal, on your phone, or anywhere that you can easily access them whenever you need them.

The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.

Kelly-Jayne McGlynn is a former editor at Crosswalk.com. She sees the act of expression, whether through writing or art, as a way to co-create with God and experience him deeper. Check out her handmade earrings on Instagram and her website for more of her thoughts on connecting with God through creative endeavors.