There might be an answer to why God did not listen:
18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
Psalm 66:18
the Lord would not have listened.
Feeling like God is not listening can be a challenging experience. It can leave us feeling hopeless, confused, and even angry. But it’s important to remember that just because we feel like God is not listening doesn’t mean He isn’t there or doesn’t care. In this article, we’ll explore why we might feel like God did not attend, look at examples of biblical figures who felt the same way, and offer practical ways to find comfort and hope in difficult times.
Understanding the Feeling of “God Did Not Listen”
There are several reasons why we might feel like God is not listening. Sometimes, we have unrealistic expectations of what we think God should do or how quickly we believe He should respond. Other times, we don’t see immediate results and think God is not listening. And in some cases, we may be experiencing pain and suffering that makes it difficult to believe that God cares.
Whatever the reason, feeling like God did not listen can be an incredibly emotional experience. We might feel doubt, despair, anger, or confusion. Acknowledging these emotions and bringing them to God in prayer is essential.
Biblical Examples of Feeling Like God Did Not Listen
Knowing we’re not alone in feeling like God is not listening is comforting. The Bible shows examples of people who felt the same way. Job, David, and Jeremiah in the Old Testament all cried out to God in their suffering and felt like their prayers went unanswered. In the New Testament, Jesus Himself cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Even the Apostle Paul, who had a close relationship with God, struggled with a thorn in the flesh that he begged God to take away.
Why God Sometimes Delays His Response
It’s important to remember that God’s timing is not our timing. We may want immediate answers or solutions, but God sees the bigger picture. He may be preparing us for something greater or working on the hearts of others involved in our situation. We also know that God sometimes allows us to experience suffering because it can refine us and draw us closer to Him.
How to Find Comfort and Hope When God Seems Silent
So what can we do when we feel like God is not listening? First and foremost, we need to keep praying and seeking God. He may not answer us how we want or expect, but He always promises to be with us. We can also lean on the support of others, whether that means talking to a friend or family member, seeking help from a counselor or pastor, or joining a support group.
Finally, we can find comfort and hope in remembering God’s promises. We know that God works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We can trust that He has a plan for our lives, even if we don’t understand it. And most importantly, we can remember that God loves us more than we can ever imagine and will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Conclusion
Feeling like God is not listening can be a difficult and emotional experience. But it’s important to remember that just because we think that way doesn’t mean that God isn’t there or that He doesn’t care. We can find comfort in knowing that we’re not alone and that even biblical figures struggled with feeling like God was not listening. We can find comfort and hope in difficult times by continuing to pray, seeking support, and remembering God’s promises.