Feeling abandoned by God at times

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30Something

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I’ve been pretty depressed because I kind of feel abandoned by God. I’ve had OCD and anxiety most of my life, and I’m going through some hormonal issues (peri menopause).
(I take medication for the anxiety and see a wonderful therapist .)
The reason I feel abandoned by God is because the cross of anxiety I carry every single day seems to be too much at times.
I worry about everything. I feel angry with God about this because I believe He could heal me if He really wanted to.
I just don’t understand that if God loves me why does He allow me to suffer like this?
 
The one thing I want to say to you is God has never made a mistake. I am young compared to most people who have gone through really tough times and In my 20 years on this earth I have experienced more ups and downs than anybody else I personally know. I have been on the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I have lost sight of God and turned away from him. But at the end of all this I still find myself asking, why? Why me god? And it’s not for us to ask or understand his plan. But to just have peace in knowing it is all part of his plan and he has a plan for every single person no matter what we are going through. Through some of my toughest times in life When I had thought god had completely abandoned me he has come through and made things for the better. Take peace in knowing it is all for his glory and love of us and he will never abandon us no matter what the situation is.
 
I know how that feels, to a certain extent. I suffer from depression and psychosis. God doesn’t like it when we suffer, but He promised us [in the scriptures] that He loves us. What He will sometimes do is allow us to go through hardships in order to make us more like Christ. Christ suffered from all kinds of things-- it wasn’t just the crucifixion.

When I get hurt from something physical, like falling over a banana peel, I thank God. Yes, that’s right; I thank Him. I thank Him for making me more like Christ. That suffering is there to help me understand what Christ went through for me. Whenever I thank Him for my suffering, the devil runs away and the suffering typically stops immediately. 😀

Try to practice that (next time you encounter suffering). Thank Him for it-- and you will be surprised by how effective that is. It’s OK to feel like life is overwhelming. God loves both of us and one day we will get into the Kingdom of Heaven and we’ll realize that all of that suffering was worth it. Let your anxiety be the reason for you to cling to the cross. God is making you more like His Son with each passing day. It may be that God is endeavoring to draw you closer to Him, more so than a mentally healthy person.

Say what you will about a mentally healthy person, but I guarantee that they are going through hardships, too. Until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes, don’t always assume that you’re getting ripped off. We are all tempted and we all suffer, just in different ways. One of the ways you personally suffer is in the area of anxiety, but we all face different things. God still loves you and He wants intimacy with you. Just take His hand and walk with Him. He’s so worth it. 😀
 
I have had a horrible year. I lost my car, my job, my license, my wife divorced me, I went through 5 months of rehab and I’ve only seen my kids 1 time since July. I was living in a motel for awhile even. I also struggle with horrible depression and anxiety at times and that led to my divorce.

Now I live in a different state where I don’t know anyone. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration but am working cleaning floors because I don’t have a vehicle to get to a location where I could make more money. I barely make ends meet and don’t have the money to pay my debts or buy a car. Now I have child support so all of my money goes to my rent, utilities, child support, and I have about $75 a week to live on after that. It has been bad.

But I’ve gotten closer to God this year than I have EVER been. I have my own place, a job, and there is a small chapel less than a mile away so I can visit the blessed sacrament daily. God has also provided me food daily, even when I couldn’t find a job.

I often feel abandoned by God. Why won’t he just give me a better job? How am I going to be a good dad now? I’m not dating or sleeping with anyone because I love God and don’t want to turn away from Him, even though I’m tempted to think that would have helped me get over my ex faster. I am doing all I can and still feel abandoned sometimes. I’ve even had moments where I wished I could die to escape all this, but doing that would also be turning away from God and I don’t want to do that.

But God has a better plan for us than we can imagine. Something tells me that this pit I’m in will lead to His glory, though I can’t see how from here. Jesus knows how we feel, for he also felt abandoned on the cross. Christ prayed and prayed that this cup would pass, and the pain still came.

If Christ knows what we are going through and still allows it, it must be for something better than we can imagine. I was thinking about this today when I was walking to work…I can’t see how heaven could possibly compensate for this pain or give me any greater benefit than seeing my kids or having a restored marriage would. But you know what? Heaven MUST be amazing because Christ died to reconcile us to God. He didn’t die to bring me more money, a better job, or even a stronger marriage…he died to reconcile me to God. If anything on Earth could compare to heaven, I honestly don’t think it would have been worth Christ’s passion.

I hope this makes sense and brings you some kind of comfort.
 
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Because we aren’t given to know the “why” of suffering, we can feel abandoned very easily.

We do know that God became a person and suffered everything we do.
So never imagine you’re alone 🙂

But just the same, I’ll remember you in my prayers today ❤️
 
I don’t have any advice, but you’re not alone in feeling this way. I feel the same way sometimes. It can be a constant daily struggle.
 
First let me say, Wow!
I can’t believe that I sometimes complain. Shame on me.
JosephDColeman said:
but am working cleaning floors
Click to expand...
Embrace your job. Maybe it’s what you’re supposed to be doing?

With everyone so busy and caught up in the secular, starting a small cleaning business may lead to the satisfaction and money you need.
 
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God never leaves us.
God is with us through thick and through thin.
Prayer is the answer.
 
Hi there,

I think I may know what you are going through. I suffer heavily from ocd and anxiety as well. I am also going through some tough issues that no one knows about- not even my family. Yes, sometimes the pain and suffering feels so so great and heavy that I feel angry at God and feels like He has abandoned me…sometimes I even shout out to Him in anger!..But once I re-find the peace and start trusting Him in the midst of this confusion and great suffering, I start feeling consoled and know that He is with me and watching me every step of the way. Yes, if he wishes He can heal you at any moment but.i think that there is a greater “meaning” to this suffering…I know for a fact that God does not enjoy seeing any of his creatures suffer in any way…but I think sometimes He let’s one suffer out of love for him, in a way that suffering draws us closer to God, to trust Him and depend on Him more and purifies our souls…I kid you not, but once I was in pain and I was complaining to God as I was eating…“grumble grumble, how can you do this to me God”…and as I left the restaurant and was walking to the park, I heard a voice in my mind that was cleary Jesus, he said " I suffered and died for you, cant you do this ( suffer) for me…" …God bless…I know how extremely hard mental illnesses are…

I think the most important thing when you suffer is that you have to just let go and accept whatever you are suffering from. I learned two things from my suffering 1) curse god, blame my past, blame myself or others and or kill myself because it feels like there is NO OTHER WAY OUT OF THIS SUFFERING ( and maybe there isnt).2) Trust God in the midst of suffering, depend on Him, still giving Him thanks for whatever He is providing you with and know that there is always a purpose to all this…
 
Thank you so much for sharing your story! I am grateful that you are able to stay close to God after all you’ve been through.
 
Thank you! It’s refreshing to hear your perspective as a fellow OCD sufferer. God bless
 
Thank you all so much for taking time to reply. I truly appreciate it. May God bless all of you and have a Merry Christmas!
 
God loves you and will always be there for you. I would recommend try praying to god in a quiet room with no distractions or maybe go on a religious retreat.
 
I had an emotional moment (30something) after reading your text… :cry: I will keep my personal problems to myself…we all go through trials and tribulations…I never question my beloved God about them…(permit me not to be disturbed , by that which soon will pass, and may it be Your face I see, within my looking glass) I am an elderly woman and as I look back on my past, I understand that life is about choices…I made some bad ones and I learned from them. My Dear Mom would say…God gave you a “brain” so use it! But…when I received my Baptismal Certificate, a “directional Map” was not included! 🥺 (rid me of all distractions, that threaten inner peace, calm the storm within my soul, and bid the thunder cease) I am in a turmoil in my life now only because I believed a person in what they were saying to me…I trusted that the words were genuine. I am suffering for it now and am trying to seek a way out… (press Your Will against my own, till only your remain, teach to welcome all you send, the pleasures and the pains) sometimes I think that I am too old to make certain decisions…but NO I am not for my well-being! I also have anxiety problems, however I practice staying CALM…and make the words "Thy will be done, the only ones I know) AMEN!
 
I feel like that at times so I know what you’re saying. I’m single for me it’s almost feels like Father doesn’t care or is listening. I am kinda going through that right now and I’m still trying to be patient and wait for his timing.
 
Retsel said:
Embrace your job. Maybe it’s what you’re supposed to be doing?
Click to expand...
That’s how I try and think as well. It’s God’s plan. I’m actually happier cleaning floors than when I was making $100,000 a year managing 60+ people.
 
I know the feeling. You aren’t alone. Everyone has felt that way at times. Not judging. There but for the grace of God could go I.
 
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