Sunshine in the Haze

This post has affiliate links. If you buy a product I recommend, I will receive a small commission—no extra charge to you!

---

My husband sat on our gray, crooked-legged ottoman and gently cradled my hands in his. He whispered a count to twenty while taking slow, deep breaths. I instinctively followed his calm rhythm.

“I feel disconnected from you,” he said. “I miss you.”

Come to think of it, I had been busy all day. I folded baby clothes for our daughter on the way, washed sheets, invited people to our baby shower, and put the last touches on our baby registry—all while rattling off a list of things I still needed to do before November.

By merely holding my hands, my husband brought me back into his reality, reconnecting us again.

This simple act positively changed the course of the day. It stuck out to me. I didn’t realize how much distance I had created between us—even though I was enjoying myself—and appreciated the grounding moment my husband gifted me.

Ever since, I’ve been thinking about how I can plug back into God the way my husband and I reconnect to each other. If I can drift away from my husband while he’s standing right in front of me, how much more do I drift from God?

5 Ways to Reconnect to God

If you’ve been feeling distant from God, I want to remind you of James 4:8.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:8 (New King James Version)

If you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. In the past, I have asked God why He has left me, and every time, I discover that I first left Him.

There are plenty of ways to deepen your relationship with God, which I think most of us know, but as the seasonal shift of bareness is right around the corner, I want this post to be a reminder to dig in with a renewed zealousness, not allowing your faith to grow empty.

Connect With Fellow Believers

One of the best things you can do is confide in and connect with other strong believers.

Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.

Proverb 27:17 (English Standard Version)

The author of Hebrews—theological teachers debate who really wrote the book of Hebrews—urges Christians to assemble, saying:

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (English Standard Version)

Worship in the Gaps

I’ve lightly talked about praying in the gaps before—praying in between the hustle—but how often do we worship in the gaps?

When fasting in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan. Satan led him up an exceedingly high mountain, and he said, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” (Matthew 4: 8-9, New King James Version)

But Jesus responded, saying to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only you shall serve.’” (Matthew 4:10; Deuteronomy 6:13)

Even when Satan pulls on us in our weakest state—hungry, tired, depleted—let us remember who deserves our worship. It’s not our phones. It’s not our families. It’s not our financial state.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (New King James Version)

Invest in Prayer

I don’t mean to pray more—well, I kind of do. I mean go to the store and pick out a prayer journal that will excite you to use.

Got Questions perfectly paints the stage of why I adore prayer journaling by explaining the psalms:

“Many people think prayer must be pristine and polished in order to be holy. But the journaled prayers of the psalmists show us otherwise. They are sometimes angry and sometimes expressive of a raw, visceral reaction to life’s events—just like our prayers.”

Is the concept of a prayer journal biblical? – by Got Questions

My favorite place to imitate these raw prayers is in my Moonster journals. I have used them for years, and I cannot get enough of their leather bound pages!

I have accidentally left one of their lined-page journals outside in the dew and have countlessly cried on my prayers, and my pen continues to glide flawlessly over the pages.

And if you are looking for pens that will excite you just as much as a leather journal, I love Sharpie’s felt tip 0.4mm pens and Sharpie’s S-Gel 0.7mm pens. I have a blog post coming out soon about all the products I adore using during my quiet time, which includes more pens and journals, so stay tuned for that!

If you can’t invest money into a prayer journal right now, invest with your time. Ultimately, the heart behind investing in prayer is about getting rid of distractions and whispering heavenward wherever you are.

With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this: Our Father in heaven,

Reveal who you are.

Set the world right;

Do what’s best – as above, so below.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.

Matthew 6:9-13 (The Message—a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible)

Seek a Mentor or Christian Counselor/Therapist

A while back, in another post, I wrote about my struggle with anxiety—debilitating fear that makes me isolate, lose sleep, and experience vivid mental imagery, etc.

I mentioned how I wanted to heal without therapy or counseling.

That didn’t happen.

I did a lot of self-reflection and healed some things with God and His Word, but He quickly led me to a Christian therapist who could help further my understanding of why I grapple with anxiety and how to navigate it practically as well as spiritually.

There have been some weeks I want to give up, but in due time, God always shows me how He’s working through it.

Whether you find yourself a dedicated mentor—like my husband has done—or you need to touch a deeper need through counseling or therapy, I highly encourage seeking Christian mentorship.

Further Resources:

• How Do I Choose a Good Christian Counselor/Therapist? – by Got Questions
• A Beginner’s Guide to Christian Mentoring – by Life Church
• Finding a Mentor and Being a Mentor – by Let’s Talk Podcast on The Gospel Coalition

Start Memorizing Scripture

To end this post, I want to cover something my husband has been doing in his pastoral training—scripture memorization.

Topical Memory System by The Navigators, the book my husband is currently going through, says it like this:

Attitude makes the difference. Be confident as you begin memorizing, and you will develop skill.

Topical Memory System by The Navigators

However, personally, I have always struggled with scripture memorization, so if you struggle as well, I want to encourage you.

Even though my only memorized verse is Psalm 30:2, God always brings verses to my mind that I didn’t know I had memorized—and quite honestly, I don’t have them memorized. Obedience in reading God’s Word gives space for a remembrance of God’s wisdom, whether you have it “memorized” or not.

Ultimately, the goal of growing closer to God is best achieved by getting in the Word! Write God’s wisdom on your heart!

Remember Why You Want to Grow Closer

I believe we can live a life for Christ, and still miss out on a lot of His goodness because we didn’t go further into His love—we allowed our comfort zone to dictate how much we sacrificed.

I desire to grow closer to God, so I can experience more of Him over my lifespan. The further away I am from God, the closer I am to the world and its sins, turmoil, and lack of joy.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New King James Version)

If you’d love to learn more about studying the Bible, sign up for my newsletter to receive a FREE ebook about studying the Bible in a way that counts.