All of us go through seasons when our heart feels tired or “cold” toward the Lord. We might feel like we’re failing as a Christian, and we have a hard time feeling His love and presence.

If you’re in that place today, the enemy is probably trying to make you feel ashamed, but you don’t need to listen to him. He has nothing to say to you. The only words that matter are the words of your heavenly Father, who loves you with relentless love that doesn’t change and never fails.

If you haven’t felt God’s presence in a while, here are two things to consider.

Ask the Lord to Direct Your Heart into His Love

May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thess. 3:5 NIV)

Many of us grow up thinking God wants us to behave and do what we’re told.

“My relationship with God depends on me and whether or not I can get my act together.”

“I have to figure this thing out! I need to pray more and read the Bible more, so God will accept me.”

“When I stop messing up, God will love me more.”

But the truth is, He is the One who gives us the rest we desperately need (Matt. 11:28; Isa. 40:31). We don’t perform our way into it; He simply gives it. We are already 100 percent accepted because of Jesus, and our performance does nothing to earn His acceptance.

This week, ask the Lord to show you where you’re trying to perform for Him. When He does, stop whatever you’re doing, and ask Him to direct your heart into His love.

Trust the Lord’s Love

God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thess. 3:5)

In 2 Thessalonians 3:5, the apostle Paul connected two ideas: God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. Perseverance is the ability to stick with something and to keep going even when it’s tough.

When we feel disconnected from the Lord, that is often what we need: to keep going, trusting that He is with us and loves us just as much as He did before, when we could feel it.

It is okay if you can’t feel the Lord’s presence right now—you will feel it again, because He has not left you. He knows what you are going through, and He delights in you more than you realize. Everything is okay.

Divine Direction and Godly Perseverance

This week, keep those two things in mind:

1. Ask the Lord to direct your heart into His love for you. Expect Him to answer this prayer.

2. Worship the Lord with your trust, believing He is with you and He is still pleased with you, even if you can’t feel Him right now.

The God who hung the stars and keeps the entire universe in working order is the same God who is holding you and showing you the way. He has amazing plans for you, and He loves you more than you think.

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Your heavenly Father loves you more than you realize! For more about His amazing, unending love, check out Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.

Are You Having Trouble Sensing the Lord?