Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/28/2008

Question
I am a christian studies major at GCU. I am learning a lot and it is very interesting. The problem I am having is not one of head knowledge - it is heart knowledge. I am a christian, I know that with my heart, but I have no real relationship with God. I read my bible, I pray several times a day, but sometimes I feel I am all alone. I am not sure why God is being so silent at this point in my life. I am activly seeking God and God's will, and I feel He is not around right now. What more can I do? I am still constantly sinning (smoking, not submitting fully to my husband, rebellious to God at times) and feel no better than someone unsaved. I try to be a "good person" but I know that doesn't save you. I also know that we are to daily take up our crosses, and I fail at that miserably. I am working so hard in school and in my everyday life to find God, but I feel He is just out of reach for me. What can I do? Why am I struggling so? This has been going on for a long time. I just can't get my heart right. Do you have any advice?
Thanks,
Struggling

Answer
Hi Jessica,

Thank you for this great question.  I am very sorry for my late response.  I have a couple things for you to consider regarding your "heart trouble".

1.  We often place too much emphasis upon our heart and our feelings when it comes to our walk with God.  You are married.  Sometimes you have that tingly feeling like when you first fell in love, some times you do not.  I would guess that he has the same change of feelings.... yet that DOES NOT change your relationship.  You are still married, and probably still committed to each other, even though your emotions change from time to time.

2.  God tells us that our heart is not a trustworthy guage of truth.  

Jeremiah 17:9
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

We are much better trusting what God's word says than what we are feeling at the moment.

3.  Sometimes we are condemned by guilty feelings from our heart, but God still knows that we have trusted Jesus as Savior... He is greater than our heart that condemns us.

1 John 3:20

20 For if our heart condemn us,  God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

4.  Reading the Bible and praying are great.  These will help you develop a personal relationship with God, but there is one more important aspect of the Christian life, fellowship with brothers and sisters in Church.  Without that you will never be able to grow deeply in your love life with Jesus.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that these things will help you.  I am very sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don