Feeling Far from God? Here’s the Hope You’ve Been Missing
Heart Happy
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For years, I ran from God. It wasn’t as if I didn’t know better. I attended church from the time I was seven up until high school. My mom and grandma had become Christians when I was in second grade, and it seemed as if we were at church every time the doors were open.
I don’t even remember when I stopped going, but my guess is it was when I became sexually active as a teen. Deep down, I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I was so desperate to be loved that I kept turning to the arms of boys instead of the arms of God.
At seventeen, abandoned and pregnant, I lost hope. I sank into a depression. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life. I felt dirty, unworthy, weighed down by the shame of my sin. One night, with tears running down my face, I whispered a broken prayer:
“God, I have messed up big time. If You can do anything with my life, please do.”
And immediately, I felt something I hadn’t in years: light, hope, and life flooding my heart.
The Story That Changed My Life
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–22).
Jesus tells of a young man who demanded his inheritance, left home, and wasted every coin on reckless living. Hungry and humiliated, he finally decided to go back home. He rehearsed a speech, hoping maybe his father would hire him as a servant.
But here’s the turning point:
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20, NIV)
The son expected punishment. Instead, he received an embrace. He expected distance. Instead, he was restored. He expected to eat scraps. Instead, he was welcomed back to the family table.
What Are Your Expectations of God?
If you feel far from God today, I wonder—what are your expectations of Him? My guess is they might be too low. Here are three truths that can transform the way you see Him:
1. Expect More From God
The prodigal son expected crumbs. Instead, he got a feast.
When you expect God to show up, you begin to see Him in unexpected places. Jesus promised:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7, NIV)
Faith changes your perspective. Look for God’s fingerprints in your day. A kind word, an answered prayer, even the strength to take one more step. These are signs of His nearness.
2. Trust That God’s Forgiveness Covers Every Sin
When the son returned home, he began his speech:
“‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’” (Luke 15:18–19, NIV)
But before he could even speak these words, his father interrupted with love, forgiveness, and restoration. Forgiveness isn’t earned. Forgiveness is received.
The apostle John reminds us:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NIV)
No matter how far you’ve wandered, the cross of Jesus Christ reaches farther. His blood covers the sins you can’t forget.
3. Allow Yourself to Be Embraced by God
Imagine standing in the mud of pig pens, smelling of failure and regret, and then suddenly being swept into your father’s embrace. That’s what grace feels like.
The prophet Isaiah describes it this way:
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18, NIV)
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t believing God loves us. Instead, it’s allowing ourselves to be loved. To let Him hold us. To let Him whisper that we still belong at His table.
Coming Home
For years, I believed hope was lost. I thought I was too far gone. But when I finally whispered that broken prayer, God met me with arms open wide.
Friend, if you feel far from God, know this: you are not beyond His reach. You may expect Him to turn you away, but instead, He is running toward you.
You may expect judgment, but God offers mercy. You may expect rejection, but God longs to restore you.
Come home. The Father is waiting.
A Prayer for the One Who Feels Far From God
Heavenly Father,
I confess that I have wandered far from You. I have tried to fill my heart with things that never satisfy, and I feel the weight of my sin. Thank You that, like the prodigal son, I can come home. Thank You for running to me with open arms and covering me with forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Thank you for the hope of a future.
Lord, I choose today to believe that Your love is greater than my shame, Your mercy is deeper than my failures, and Your grace is stronger than my regrets. Wash me clean. Restore my hope. Help me to walk in Your ways again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
Take a few minutes to write or pray through these:
- What lies have you believed about God’s love for you?
- Where do you need to raise your hopes and expectations of God’s goodness in your life?
- What sin or shame do you need to confess and release into God’s hands today?
- How can you allow yourself to fully receive God’s embrace instead of holding back?
Final Encouragement
You don���t have to have the perfect words. Just like the prodigal son, you can come home with nothing but repentance and trust. God isn’t waiting to scold you. He’s waiting to embrace you.
Jesus said:
“There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7, NIV)
Today, heaven can rejoice over you.
Recommended Resources for Your Journey Back to God
If today’s message stirred something in your heart, here are some powerful resources to help you grow deeper in your faith:
- Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby — A classic guide to recognizing God’s voice and joining Him in His work.
- Walk It Out by Tricia Goyer — Discover how walking out God’s Word daily can transform your life and bring lasting peace.
- The Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia Goyer and Michelle Hill — A free daily journey through the Bible, helping you understand God’s truth and apply it to everyday life.
Take the next step. Don’t just hear God’s invitation—walk into His embrace.
