Feel Like God Has Abandoned You? 3 Keys to Know

Do you feel like God has abandoned you? If so, you’re not alone. As I am writing this, I feel like He has abandoned me too. BUT–and this is the clincher–there are some key things to look at when we feel this way. Let’s look at them together, shall we?

Key #1 when you feel like God has abandoned you:

When you feel like God has abandoned you, it’s important to recognize that feelings are just that–feelings. They are not facts; they are not truth; they are neither divine nor inspired by God. They are also not who you are, and they do not define you.

Feelings are only feelings, produced by outside stimuli from the world and our circumstances (and sometimes produced by our own bodies: body fatigue, hormones, etc.)–and they must be treated only as feelings.

In other words, they must not be confused with fact, and they must not be interpreted as truth.

Here’s why I say that:

The Bible tells us that only God’s Word is correct. One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 8:20:

“To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20 NKJV).

If a thing tells you anything that is contrary to God’s Word, then we can know that that thing is automatically incorrect. And in the case of feeling like God has abandoned us, we know that that feeling goes directly contrary to God’s Word. How do we know it? Because God Himself has promised to never leave us nor forsake us:

“And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV).

And again in Hebrews 13:5-6:

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6 NKJV).

God’s Word is true, and it abides forever. So, we can know with certainty that God has not abandoned us!

I know it may feel like He has, but He has NOT left you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. And friend, that’s good news today!

And here is Key #2 when you feel like God has abandoned you:

When I feel this way, as honestly I do right now (but I know that this feeling is not the truth), it’s usually because I have taken my eyes off Jesus and have begun looking at circumstances.

And y’all, circumstances are never encouraging.

What are you facing today? Are you facing a job loss, a sickness, a divorce, mountains of bills, hopelessness, discouragement, a broken friendship, loneliness, or any other difficult thing? If so, looking at any of those things will only take you downhill. It is never helpful to look at our problems!

But there is a solution, and the Bible tells us plainly what it is in Hebrews 12:

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV).

The solution is that we must keep our eyes on JESUS.

Related: Read and pray this Prayer to Keep Your Eyes on Jesus here!

When Peter stepped out to walk on water, he did fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus.

However, when he looked away from Jesus and started to look at the wind and the waves, he began to sink. And although Jesus still saved him from his sinking, I have to wonder how amazing his journey would have been if he had kept his eyes on Jesus the whole time?

Friend, I know I’m guilty of taking my eyes off Jesus sometimes. Are you?

When circumstances threaten to overwhelm …

… when hopelessness sets in …

… when people really and truly do abandon you …

… it can be so easy to think that God is treating you the same way. But the TRUTH is that He has not abandoned you, and never will. God is faithful; He will always take care of you. But we do have to keep our eyes on Him in order not to sink under the weight and pull of the waves of life.

So, the second key to remember when you feel like God has abandoned you is simply this: lift your eyes back up to Jesus, where they belong, and glue them there. You can’t receive comfort from the Lord while wallowing in your problems; you have to delight in your Savior in order to receive from Him all that He has promised you–including comfort and help!

And Key #3 when you feel like God has abandoned you is:

Weeping may endure for a night, but JOY comes in the morning.

Your problems have a shelf life, beloved. Your problems can and will be solved as long as you keep on looking to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith. He will help you; He will deliver you; He will strengthen you; and He will come riding to your rescue in His Own good time.

Psalm 30:50 says this:

“… Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5b).

I wish that good time were always now, or–better yet–yesterday–but He doesn’t always do things on our timetable. Nevertheless, He WILL help you. Beloved, your problems have a shelf life. He will sustain you while you wait on Him, and He will see you through.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

I know you may be suffering, and so am I. I despair even of life sometimes. But, you know what?

This too will pass.

O my beloved, you are only walking through the valley of the shadow of death; you are not dwelling in it. You aren’t building a house there; your mansion in Heaven does not have an address in the valley of the shadow of death, and you are not going to be in it forever.

Plus, it’s only the shadow of death–not death itself. The enemy cannot touch you, and Jesus your Shepherd is walking through that valley with you right now. He will see you through and keep you safe!

God prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies, beloved.

Remember the precious words of Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV).

The problem you are facing right now is your enemy. But, it can also be the greatest catapult to your blessing and promotion.

God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies. No enemies? No table. The enemies are the prerequisite to your receiving a table prepared just for you:

• a table of good things;
• a table of blessing;
• a table of kingly anointing and kingly bounty;
• a table of rest and refreshment;
• a table of comfort and nourishment.

I want that table, don’t you? I feel so often like the suffering goes on and on without end, but the truth is that, even while those problems and sufferings continue, Jesus is preparing a table for you to sit down at RIGHT NOW. Even in the presence of your enemies, you and I can each sit down at the table of blessing that the Lord has prepared for us.

Hallelujah.

Friend, I’m sorry you’re suffering today, if you are.

But, know this:

God has not forgotten you. He has not left you or abandoned you. Your suffering is not forever; brighter days are coming. And He will bless you even in the middle of all that you are going through. He will seat you at His banqueting table right in the presence of your enemies, and He will make it known to all that His banner over you is love.

Does this word speak to your heart today? If so, please leave a comment below!