When our normal routine and way of life are turned upside down we’re left scrambling trying to make adjustments. Our days just got a lot more weighted, and our world is bursting at the seams of chaos and questioning. Where is God in all this? How do we find God’s presence in the middle of this storm?
I read the words from Isaiah 41:13 this morning, “For I hold you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help.”
And I wonder, really? It just doesn’t feel like you are here right now. Why can’t I feel God’s presence?
How To Find God’s Presence
So what do you do when you can’t feel God’s presence? What do you do when you read declarations from God telling us not to be afraid, He’s here to help and it just doesn’t feel true?
How to get into the presence of God in the chaos?
My feelings were building and my doubts and questions were mounting. What does it look like to rest in this always and forever truth that God’s presence never leaves us?
How Do I Feel Closer To God?
How to feel God’s presence is what we crave. We often seek for signs of God’s presence.
No matter the weight of our feelings, or questions, or doubts, He is still with us.
How do you hold on to this in the middle of overwhelm?
When we want to experience God’s presence, we stand our ground with the truth of God’s Word. (Ephesians 6:14)
We keep seeking Him and we fight through the distractions for what we know is true about God’s presence.
Sometimes, to experience God’s presence:
We fight for what we know is true about God’s presence because we know that our feelings are not enough to stand on alone.
We fight for what we know is true about God’s presence because we know in our souls that He is always faithful, always reliable, and always trustworthy.
We fight for what we know is true about God’s presence because we know that’s the only place that true peace will be found.
We fight for what we know is true about God’s presence because His presence IS the calm in the storm.
We humbly come to God with open hands and hearts to meet Him in spite of the chaos around us because, when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)
When it doesn’t feel like it, we keep knocking because we are promised that the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7)
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Benefits of God’s Presence
Once we begin to start recognizing God’s presence, the benefits of God’s presence is endless.
The benefits God’s presence gives us Security. Safety. Shelter. Peace. Protection. Strength. Renewal. Comfort. Rest.
Signs of God’s presence is what we crave. It’s what our hearts desire and long for. It’s what we truly need.
The Presence of God Scriptures
Security – The Lord is your security. Proverbs 3:26
Safety – You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
Shelter – Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Peace – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
Protection – The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7
Strength – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Renewal – Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31
Comfort – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3
Rest – Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
The benefits of God’s presence goes on and on. But how in the world do we do this?
How to get into the presence of God in the middle of chaos?
Where do we even begin to get into the presence of God when chaos surrounds us? How do you experience God’s presence when life has been turned upside down?
What does that look like when:
- Our kids are unexpectedly home all day for endless days?
- Our jobs are anything but normal?
- Our schedules are wiped clear but chaos still fills the pages?
- Our routines have been traded for upside-down days?
- Our mind and heart are on the verge of exploding with overwhelm?
Ways To Experience God’s Presence
Use these 6 Ways to Experience God’s Presence:
- We confess we are desperate for Him.
- We get into God’s word – even if it’s a quiet time for only 5 minutes.
- We pray – even if it’s a simple prayer, “God, I need you.” over and over.
- We worship – even if it’s listening to one single song, The Blessing, when we grab a quick shower.
- We give thanks – even if it’s hard to find something to be thankful for because we know these practices take us straight to the throne of God.
- We remember – our part is to seek after Him, moment by moment.
He’s always there. Always. We just may have to fight a little harder on some days through the distractions to rest in God’s presence in the thick of the storm.
He promises that He’s there.
We’re told, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13
The Lord replied, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16
Related Post: What Is The Good News of The Gospel
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Friend, being in God’s presence is worth the fight every single time.
Recognizing God’s Presence
Recognizing God’s presence takes faith. It’s trusting God’s Word when he says He is always with you. When the world is spinning but you have an unexplainable moment of peace, security, safety, shelter, strength, renewal, comfort, and rest, God is showing Himself to you.
In faith, you will begin recognizing God’s presence in your life and trusting Him to fully care for you.
Signs of God’s Presence
Signs of God’s presence are there when we pause to notice. Our broken world cannot give lasting peace or any of the previously listed gifts with lasting value.
Wherever you are, meet God in this very moment. He’s there now, waiting for you.
Keep your faith eyes open for signs of God’s presence. Fill up on His peace. Breathe in deeply His renewal and strength recognizing He’s available to us at all times.
Then, take a step forward and do it again. Your steps are in His.
Download your Peace Toolkit Bundle of Promises, Bible Verses, Truths to Claim, and Scriptures to write out so they can be inscribed on your heart.
Prayer for God’s Presence:
Use this prayer for God’s presence or prompts from the Holy Spirit when you are seeking how to feel God’s presence in the chaos.
Father, all we can do is humbly come before you and seek you alone in this storm. Though the world changes around us, you are unchanging, steadfast, and our ever-faithful God.
Help us take your truths and promises to heart. Write them daily on our hearts. Help us believe you when questions and doubts start to rise.
Lord, when life as we know it gets stripped away from our tight fists, help us to recognize your voice calling us to you.
We desire to trust you, to rest in you, to find comfort in you, to find peace in you, to find security, and protection in you.
Father, we want the abundant life that only you can give – even through storms. We thank you for the gift of your presence and for Jesus Christ who made it possible for us to even be here. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.
By the end of my quiet time with the Lord, my heart and mind were renewed with His strength. Peace washed over me and my spirit was at rest.
How to find God’s presence in the chaos?
Keep drawing near to Him and fight through the distractions for the sweet refreshment of God’s presence. He will give it to you.
Call to Action:
Write down the verse that spoke to your heart today and keep it close by. Take your next step knowing you’ll be in His.
Amen! I love how full of scripture this post was. Thank you for these reminders and tips! I always listen to worship when I’m in the shower. I use to listen during my daily commute, but now that that’s been taken away, it’s harder and harder to find that time of solitude.
Worship music is so powerful! I try to sneak it in as much as I can 🙂 I’m so glad you stopped by today! Thank you for your encouraging words!
How inspiring! Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I will definitely meet God where I am and fight through the distractions. ❤️
Samantha, thank you for visiting today! He will meet us every single time!
Such encouraging and wise insights. Thank you! 💛
Hi Sarah, thank you for stopping by today! Blessings to you!
Such a great and encouraging post. His presence is the peace and calm in the storm. Thank you for sharing, love the prayer at the end as well💚
He sure is the peace and calm in the storm. Amen! Blessings to you, my dear Tinashe!
So many great and comforting verses, Erin! This is exactly what I needed to read and remember! I think we’re all feeling off-kilter to one degree or another. It’s tough continuing to quarantine. But I suppose the best part is that it can give us more time to be with the Lord and absorb His peace. I’m like you. Once I get in God’s presence, let His word wash over me and pray, I feel so much better than before I came to Him. Hugs to you from afar! Pinning and tweeting!
Big hugs to you my dear!! Absolutely. It’s certainly an altered world these days. I find comfort knowing the Lord is still present no matter how chaotic the world gets!
What an encouraging word! All of these verses you list really spoke to me tonight as I read them. I love Isaiah. It’s one of my favorite books. Most of the verses I write down and put up around my house come from that book.
Oh, I love Isaiah, too!! Such a great book. I find myself having lots of favorites 🙂 Putting verses around our homes is such a good practice to keep us surrounded in God’s word. Blessings to you, Melissa!