63 | God Feels Distant Even Though You’re Praying? Why God Feels Silent + What to Do Next

Speaker A: 00:00:01

And this doesn't just happen automatically. This is where we have to be intentional to notice the thoughts that we're having.

Have you ever found yourself praying, seeking God and direction, but instead of clarity, he feels distant.

In today's episode, we're talking about why that happens, what may actually be going on beneath the surface, and how to move forward when you feel stuck in that place. If you're ready, keep your eyes on the road if you're driving, or load that dishwasher and let's do this.

If you're tired of feeling unsure about your purpose because you don't know how to hear God clearly and you want simple, faith rooted steps to discern his will and move forward with confidence, you're in the right place. I'm Michelle Cradle, Catholic mom of three and a discernment coach for Catholic women.

I learned how to move from confusion and overthinking to hearing God's voice clearly and moving forward with confidence and in his will. If you're ready to grow closer, begin discovering how God uniquely made you and experience mindset transformation.

Grab that laundry, pop in those earbuds and let's do this. I know that there can be this quiet fear that comes up when you start thinking about your purpose.

You want to follow God's plan for your life, but you also don't want to get it wrong. You might find yourself wondering if is that really God or is that just me? What if I take a step in the wrong direction?

What if I don't hear him clearly and those thoughts can keep you stuck and not because you don't care. Because you care deeply about following his will. And if that's where you are, you're not alone in that.

But discernment was never meant to just feel like this constant second guessing. There is a way to walk this through with clarity.

A process that helps you to recognize God's guidance and take a faithful next step without all the confusion. That's what I guide you through inside my discernment coaching sessions.

In our time together, we slow this down, we invite the Holy Spirit in, and we walk through a simple faith rooted process so that you can begin moving forward with peace and confidence.

If this is something you've been struggling with, you can learn more or book your discernment coaching session at Michelle Brannam/coaching that is M I C H E L L E B R-A N N A M.com coaching. You don't have to stay stuck in this uncertainty. One of the struggles when we start seeking direction is that we can start to feel distant from God.

This is something I've heard come up in conversation with others. And it's something we can face in any season in our life really, but especially when we are trying to discern and seek his direction.

I remember during my pregnancy with my daughter, I was dealing with morning sickness, and I was listening to some mindset teachings from someone well known in the personal development space. And I had this moment where I really just started questioning my purpose.

And I spent so much time just trying to force something that I thought was the way. But looking back, it wasn't God's way for me. And that's what really started this whole journey for me.

I felt this nudge from the Holy Spirit asking me, what is your purpose now? Not just in a general, but your personal purpose. What is Michelle's purpose? So I started praying a lot.

And I was asking God, seeking him, trying to understand what he was calling me to. I was persistent. I was doing the things, but at the same time, I felt alone. I felt like he wasn't hearing me.

It felt like he was distant, Especially when I was looking for direction, direction from Him. I wanted that clarity. I wanted to know where he was leading me. And instead it felt quiet.

And I know I'm not the only one who felt this way, which is exactly why I want to talk to you about this. In today's episode, God can feel distant, Especially when we're trying to find direction.

We're praying, we're seeking his guidance, and we want clarity. But he can feel like he's just not there. But the truth is, God is always near. Even if the current thought you're having is that he feels distant.

That doesn't mean he actually is. God has never turned away from you. He's always near. He is always seeking you.

So when you feel that distance, it's important to recognize and become aware that this may not be your reality. This may be what I'm thinking or feeling. You know, we face spiritual battles every single day.

Jesus, he even faced this in Luke 4 as we're coming out of Lent. We were reminded at the beginning that he was led into the desert and tempted by Satan. So if Jesus faced spiritual battles, we will too.

And one of the biggest ways that the enemy works is by planning lies. We see this from the very beginning. When Satan tempted Eve, he twisted the truth just enough to make her question what God said.

And he still does the same thing today. He uses that same tactic. One of those lies is that God is distant, that he's not listening, that he's not there. But that is not God's truth.

That's the enemy. He is planting a thought, a story or a feeling, hoping that you'll believe it.

And Scripture warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to be watchful, because the enemy, he's looking for someone to devour. And sometimes that starts with just a single thought. Even when we feel like God is distant, we have to come back to what is truth.

God tells us in Joshua 1:9 that he is with us. Wherever you go. Today's episode, there's going to be a lot of scripture reference for you. Just a heads up.

We also see in Psalms 145, verse 18 that he is near to all who call on Him. So even if you don't feel it, God is near. And that is the truth.

And we have to begin to anchor our thoughts and our beliefs and that truth, God's truth, instead of what we feel in that moment. And this doesn't just happen automatically.

This is where we have to be intentional to notice the thoughts that we're having and and to begin to replace that lie that isn't the truth with what is truth. We don't have to do that alone. And it starts with taking it to prayer. Because prayer doesn't have to be complicated.

Sometimes it's just simply talking to God like you would to a friend. Prayer is having a conversation with God, just opening your heart and telling Him. This can be simple as Lord, this is what I'm thinking.

And you tell them what's on your thoughts, what's going on, what you're thinking, this is what I'm feeling. And you tell them what you're feeling. Help me see what is truth.

And over time, as we continue to do this, this is how we begin to renew our minds and anchor ourselves more deeply in his truth. So keep talking to him, keep seeking him, even when it feels quiet.

Now stay with me here because just like in all my episodes, I want to leave you with something that you can start doing today.

If this is something that you've been struggling with, you're feeling distant from God, second guessing what you're hearing, or just not knowing how to move forward. This is exactly where I help you walk through. Inside my discernment coaching sessions. I'll walk with you.

I'll help you process what's coming up, and I'll guide you through a simple faith root approach so you can start moving forward with clarity and peace. You don't have to stay in that place of uncertainty.

Me and if you're ready for support, you can learn more and book your session@michellebrannam.com/coaching now the things to anchor yourself to from this episode is God is not distant, even if it feels that way. The enemy he works through lies in your thoughts, so be aware of them.

Let us take this to prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, thank you for always being near, even when we don't feel it.

You see the moments when we feel distant from you, when we're seeking direction, asking for clarity, and it feels quiet.

I ask that you gently reveal to us anything in our hearts or our minds that is not from you, any fear, any doubt, or any thought or story that is keeping us from recognizing your presence. Help us to anchor ourselves in your truth that you are near, that you are guiding us, and that you have not left us.

Give us the grace to keep seeking you, to keep talking to you, and even to trust you even in the silence. We surrender our thoughts, our fears, and our need for certainty into your hands. And we trust that you are working even when we cannot see it.

We ask all of this in Jesus name. Amen. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

All right, now let's take this from head to heart, knowing that truth is powerful, but real change happens when we begin to act on it. If you're feeling distant from God, especially when you're trying to find direction, I want you to slow down and reflect.

You can journal with this, or you can just sit quietly and think through it and ask yourself, why does God feel distant to me right now? And be honest with what comes up. And if nothing comes up right away, that's okay.

Sit with it for a few minutes each day because when you start to notice this, it it's not that God's moved, it's something going on inside of you. A thought, a belief, a fear, a story that you're telling yourself.

And when you see that clearly, you can begin to replace it with the truth, with God's truth. This is something that's been really transformational for me, building a mindset routine rooted in my faith to help me overcome this.

If you feel comfortable sharing, join us over inside the Facebook community Finding youg Purpose, Discernment and Strategy for Catholic Moms. Is this a thought, a belief, or a fear you're telling yourself?

And remember, my beautiful sister in Christ, that God uniquely created you for a unique purpose. You were made to do great things God is within you and you will not fail. I look forward to continuing this journey with you.

I'll meet you next Tuesday for another conversation. Until then, may God bless you and give you peace. I hope you enjoyed today's episode. If so, take 30 seconds to share it with a friend.

Share who's feeling unsure about her purpose and one simple faith filled steps to discern God's will. And if you learned something today, please leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts. It lights me up to know that this show is helping you.

Okay, time to tackle the laundry and unload the dishwasher. Gotta go. I'll see you next Tuesday for another conversation.