Several readers of this blog have contacted me to see why there have been no posts made for several weeks now. Truth be told (and it always will be here) I am just emerging from a disconnect that has lasted nearly four weeks.
You might be wondering, what do I mean by a “disconnect”?
There are times in our spiritual walk when even the most dedicated believer finds themself somehow distanced from God. We see examples of this happening throughout Scripture and it appears that on occasion these occurrences can be explained as tests of ones faith.
The story of Job instantly comes to mind. Job had most likely been somewhat comfortable in his relationship with God before the chain of disaster struck (see Job chapter 1). This is not to say that Job was taking God for granted, there is no evidence to lead our thoughts in that direction, as a matter of fact the comment about Job rising early to offer a sacrifice for all his children, just in case they had done something wrong (Job 1:4-5) tells us that Job not only acknowledged God as his provider, but also as his authority, an authority to be feared and revered.
After the disaster struck, Job felt a disconnect, a separation from God. Job did not get angry with God, but he certainly was frustrated by the sudden and severe change in his situation and his apparent inability to understand why all these things were happening to him (ref: Job 13:24).
Job was being tested, he was not being punished.
Clearly, some of the examples found in Scripture can also be explained as God pulling back as a result of a persons sin. In 1 Samuel chapter 15, Saul directly disobeyed instruction from the Lord which had been delivered to him by Samuel. The Lord then rejected Saul as king over Israel. In 1 Samuel chapter 16 and verse 14 we read that God withdrew His Spirit from Saul and gave Saul a distressing spirit instead. This action, which resulted in Saul experiencing a disconnect from God, was brought about as a result of Saul’s sin, his disobedience.
As we read through the psalms we find numerous passages where David is experiencing a disconnect as well. King Solomon also experienced a time of disconnect after he ignored God’s warning and let his wives distract him with their gods.
So we can already see from these few examples that a spiritual disconnect can occur as a form of testing or as a result of unconfessed sin or continued disobedience with no real repentance.
A disconnect might best be described, as a period when God feels distant, or inaccessible in a way that is noticeably different from the relationship we may have had with Him previously. When believers experience a cooling of their relationship with God, it can be disturbing, borderline frightening. Once we have experienced the peace and comfort that surpasses all understanding we don’t want to go back to our old anxiety filled lives.
So what should believers do when they experience a disconnect?
Speaking from my own experience, I can tell you that the first thing I do, is look for unconfessed sin or disobedience in my life. 1 John 1:9 tells us “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” NKJV
After confessing any discovered sin or disobedience (there will always be some), I begin to investigate my daily focus. Am I continually thinking of God throughout the day and praying about everything I am involved with, or have I drifted back into the world’s method of attempting to accomplish everything in my own strength?
If I am continuing to lift the events of my daily life to the Lord, turning to Him with all my challenges, then I accept the disconnect as a test of my faith and pray that God would give me the strength to persevere and come through the other side of this time of painful separation, with a greater faith.
So I am pleased Praise God, to say that I have once again, come through a time of disconnect, a time of testing, and can hopefully now focus on contributing more regularly to this blog.
Thank you for your patience, and thanks be to God for guiding me in my walk, I am forever in His debt for the mercy and grace that He has extended and continues to extend to me.
