How Do We Reconcile God’s Apparent Absence with His Promises to Be Present?

What does the Bible say about God’s hiddenness?

The Bible speaks to us in many ways about the mystery of God’s hiddenness. This is not a simple matter, but one that requires prayerful reflection. In the Hebrew Scriptures, we find passages that express the anguish of those who feel God has hidden His face. The psalmist cries out, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13:1). Yet even in moments of perceived absence, there remains hope in God’s steadfast love.

The prophet Isaiah tells us, “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior” (Isaiah 45:15) (Fabrikant-Burke, 2021, pp. 159–181). This verse reminds us that God’s hiddenness is part of His very nature as the transcendent, all-powerful Creator. His ways are above our ways, His thoughts above our thoughts.

Yet the Bible also reveals to us a God who desires to be known. In the person of Jesus Christ, we see the fullness of God’s self-disclosure. As St. Paul writes, “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9). Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

The Scriptures teach us that God’s hiddenness is not absence, but rather an invitation to seek Him more deeply. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). In times when God seems hidden, we are called to persevere in faith, trusting that He is working in ways we cannot always perceive.

How do we reconcile God’s apparent absence with His promises to be present?

This question touches the heart of our faith journey. We must approach it with humility, recognizing that God’s ways are not always easily understood by our limited human minds.

God has promised to be with us always, as Jesus assured his disciples: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Yet we all experience times when God seems distant or silent. How do we reconcile this apparent contradiction?

We must understand that God’s presence is not always felt emotionally or perceived clearly. His presence is a reality that transcends our feelings or perceptions. Just as the sun continues to shine even when hidden by clouds, God’s presence remains constant even when we cannot sense it (Fabrikant-Burke, 2021, pp. 159–181).

We should consider that what we perceive as God’s absence may actually be an invitation to grow in faith. St. Augustine beautifully expressed this idea: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” The sense of God’s absence can awaken in us a deeper longing for His presence, spurring us to seek Him more earnestly.

We must remember that God’s presence often manifests in ways we might not expect. He may be present in the kindness of a stranger, in the beauty of creation, or in the silent depths of our own hearts. As people of faith, we are called to cultivate an awareness of God’s presence in all aspects of life (Montang et al., 2023).

Finally, let us not forget the powerful truth of the Incarnation. In Jesus Christ, God has entered fully into our human experience, including times of feeling abandoned. On the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Through this, He sanctified even our experiences of God’s seeming absence.

When we struggle with God’s apparent absence, let us hold fast to His promises. Let us trust that He is working in ways we cannot always see, drawing us into a deeper, more mature faith. For as St. Paul reminds us, “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Is God’s hiddenness a test of faith?

This question touches upon a deep mystery of our relationship with God. While we must be cautious about simplistically labeling all of life’s challenges as “tests” from God, there is a sense in which God’s hiddenness can serve to strengthen and purify our faith.

In the Scriptures, we see examples of faithful individuals whose trust in God was tested through periods of apparent divine absence or silence. Consider the story of Job, who maintained his faith despite immense suffering and God’s seeming hiddenness. Or think of Abraham, called to sacrifice his son Isaac, trusting God even when His purposes seemed incomprehensible (Fabrikant-Burke, 2021, pp. 159–181).

These biblical accounts suggest that times of God’s perceived absence can be opportunities for our faith to grow and mature. As gold is refined by fire, so our faith can be purified through challenges. The apostle Peter writes, “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

But we must be careful not to view God’s hiddenness solely as a test or trial. God is not a distant examiner, coldly observing our struggles. Rather, He is a loving Father who desires relationship with us. His apparent hiddenness may be an invitation to seek Him more deeply, to move beyond surface-level faith to a more powerful trust and intimacy (Mello, 2002).

What we perceive as God’s hiddenness may actually be a reflection of our own spiritual state. Sin, distractions, or an unwillingness to listen can create barriers that make it difficult for us to perceive God’s presence. In such cases, the “test” is not one imposed by God, but an opportunity for self-examination and renewal.

Let us also remember, that faith itself is a gift from God. If we find ourselves struggling with God’s hiddenness, we can pray for the grace to trust even when we cannot see or feel His presence. As Jesus said to Thomas, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).

While God’s hiddenness can serve to strengthen our faith, let us not reduce it to a mere test. Instead, let us see it as an invitation to deeper trust, a call to persevere in love, and an opportunity to grow in our relationship with the One who, though sometimes hidden, is always faithfully present.

How can we experience God’s presence in our daily lives?

Experiencing God’s presence in our daily lives is both a gift and a practice. It requires an open heart, attentive spirit, and willingness to recognize God in the ordinary moments of our days.

We must cultivate a life of prayer. Prayer is not just speaking to God, but also listening. In the silence of our hearts, in moments of stillness, we can become attuned to God’s gentle voice. As the psalmist encourages us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Make time each day for quiet reflection and communion with God (Montang et al., 2023).

We can experience God’s presence through His Word. The Scriptures are not merely ancient texts, but the living Word of God. When we read and meditate on the Bible, we open ourselves to God’s voice speaking directly to our hearts and circumstances. As St. Jerome said, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”

We can also encounter God in the beauty and wonder of creation. St. Francis of Assisi saw God’s hand in all of nature, from the sun and moon to the tiniest creatures. Take time to appreciate the world around you, recognizing it as a gift from our loving Creator (Montang et al., 2023).

We experience God’s presence in our relationships with others. Jesus taught us that when we serve the least of our brothers and sisters, we serve Him (Matthew 25:40). Look for Christ in the faces of those you encounter each day, especially those who are suffering or in need.

The sacraments are also powerful ways to experience God’s presence. In the Eucharist, we encounter Christ in a uniquely intimate way. Regular participation in the sacraments can deepen our awareness of God’s presence in all aspects of life.

Remember, that God’s presence is not always felt as an emotional experience. Sometimes it is perceived through peace in difficult circumstances, strength to face challenges, or unexpected moments of joy. Be attentive to these subtle signs of God’s work in your life (Proeschold-Bell et al., 2014, pp. 878–894).

Finally, cultivate gratitude. When we approach life with thankfulness, we become more aware of God’s blessings and presence. As St. Paul exhorts us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we can grow in our awareness of God’s constant presence. Even in moments when God seems distant, we can trust that He is near, for as St. Augustine beautifully expressed, “God is closer to us than we are to ourselves.”

What role does sin play in our perception of God’s absence?

This is a powerful question that touches on the very nature of our relationship with God. Sin, in its essence, is that which separates us from God. It can play a major role in our perception of God’s absence, though we must approach this topic with great care and compassion.

We must understand that sin can create a barrier between us and God, not because God withdraws from us, but because we turn away from Him. The prophet Isaiah writes, “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). This verse suggests that our sins can cloud our perception of God’s presence (Fabrikant-Burke, 2021, pp. 159–181).

Sin can distort our spiritual vision, making it difficult for us to recognize God’s work in our lives. It can lead us to seek fulfillment in things other than God, leaving us feeling empty and distant from Him. As St. Augustine famously said, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Unconfessed sin can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, causing us to hide from God as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden. This self-imposed distance can be mistaken for God’s absence, when in reality, it is we who have turned away (Gruseke, 2022, pp. 254–256).

But we must be careful not to assume that every experience of God’s absence is due to personal sin. As we see in the life of Job, even the righteous can experience times of spiritual darkness. God’s ways are mysterious, and His apparent absence can have many causes beyond our understanding.

The good news, is that no sin is too great to separate us from God’s love. As St. Paul assures us, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

When we find ourselves feeling distant from God due to sin, the remedy is not despair, but repentance. The sacrament of Reconciliation offers us the beautiful opportunity to experience God’s mercy and restore our relationship with Him. As we confess our sins and receive absolution, we can tangibly experience God’s presence and forgiveness.

Let us also remember that our perception of God’s absence can be an invitation to examine our lives, to turn away from sin, and to seek God with renewed fervor. In His great love, God uses even our struggles with sin to draw us closer to Himself.

While sin can affect our perception of God’s presence, let us never forget that God’s love and mercy are always greater than our sin. As we strive to live in harmony with God’s will, may we grow ever more aware of His constant, loving presence in our lives.

How does God’s hiddenness relate to free will and belief?

The question of God’s hiddenness and its relationship to human free will is one that has perplexed theologians and believers for centuries. Yet in wrestling with this mystery, we can gain powerful insights into God’s love and the dignity He has bestowed on each of us.

God’s hiddenness – the fact that He does not make His existence overwhelmingly obvious to all – is intimately connected to the gift of free will. Our loving Creator desires a genuine relationship with us, one based on free choice rather than coercion. If God’s existence were as undeniable as the sun in the sky, we would have no real choice but to believe. Our faith would not be a gift freely given, but a logical necessity imposed upon us(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

By maintaining a certain hiddenness, God creates the space for authentic faith to flourish. He invites us into a relationship of trust, where we must take steps toward Him even when we cannot see the full picture. This hiddenness allows for the possibility of doubt, which in turn allows for the possibility of freely chosen belief(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

At the same time, we must remember that God’s hiddenness is not absolute. He has revealed Himself in countless ways – through creation, through Scripture, through the witness of believers, and most perfectly through the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. God provides sufficient evidence for those with open hearts to find Him, while still preserving the freedom of those who choose not to believe(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

This delicate balance reflects God’s powerful respect for human dignity and free will. He does not force Himself upon us, but gently and persistently invites us into relationship. In this light, we can see God’s hiddenness not as absence or indifference, but as a sign of His loving restraint – a restraint that allows us the space to freely choose Him(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

Are there historical reasons why God seems less visibly active today?

When we look at the world around us, it can sometimes feel as though God is less visibly active than in the stories we read in Scripture. But we must be careful not to mistake a change in our perception for a change in God’s activity. Our loving Father is just as present and active today as He has ever been.

There are, But several historical and cultural shifts that may contribute to the sense that God is less visibly active in our modern world:

We live in an age of rapid scientific and technological advancement. Many phenomena that were once attributed directly to divine intervention can now be explained through natural processes. This shift in understanding, while expanding our knowledge of God’s creation, can sometimes lead to a diminished sense of God’s immediate presence(Kaufmann, 2011).

Our modern society has become increasingly secularized, particularly in the Western world. The public sphere is often seen as separate from religious concerns, and faith is increasingly viewed as a private matter. This compartmentalization of religion can make it more difficult to recognize God’s action in our daily lives and in society at large(Kaufmann, 2011).

The pace and distractions of modern life can make it challenging to cultivate the stillness and attentiveness needed to perceive God’s subtle workings. Our constant connectivity and the barrage of information we face can drown out the quiet whisper of God’s voice(Foster, 2014).

We must consider the changing nature of religious experience itself. In earlier times, communal religious experiences and shared interpretations of events as divine interventions were more common. Today, faith is often more individualized, which can make it harder to recognize and validate experiences of God’s activity(Foster, 2014).

But we must not lose heart. God’s seeming hiddenness is not a sign of His absence, but an invitation to seek Him more deeply. In fact, this perceived distance can be an opportunity for growth in faith and spiritual maturity.

Let us remember that God often works in ways that are not immediately apparent. His activity is not always in grand miracles, but in the quiet transformations of hearts, in acts of love and service, in the beauty of creation, and in the mysterious workings of grace in our lives and in the world.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be attentive to these subtle signs of God’s presence and action. We must cultivate eyes of faith that can perceive His handiwork in the ordinary moments of life. Through prayer, reflection on Scripture, and participation in the sacraments, we can develop a deeper sensitivity to God’s ongoing activity in our world.

How should Christians respond to feelings of God’s absence?

Feelings of God’s absence are a common and often painful experience in the spiritual life. Even great saints like Mother Teresa have wrestled with such feelings. Yet these moments, challenging as they may be, can become opportunities for powerful spiritual growth and deepening of faith.

We must remember that feelings of God’s absence do not equate to His actual absence. Our God is faithful and has promised to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). These feelings, while real and sometimes intense, are not the full reality of our relationship with God(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

When faced with such feelings, I encourage you to persevere in prayer and in the practices of your faith. Continue to attend Mass, receive the sacraments, read Scripture, and engage in works of charity. These practices keep us connected to God and to the community of faith, even when our emotions may suggest otherwise(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

It can be helpful to express your feelings honestly to God in prayer. The Psalms provide beautiful examples of believers crying out to God in times of felt absence. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1) is a cry echoed by Jesus himself on the cross. God is big enough to handle our doubts, fears, and feelings of abandonment(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

Seek support from your faith community. Share your struggles with trusted friends, a spiritual director, or a priest. Sometimes, hearing the experiences of others who have walked through similar valleys can provide comfort and perspective(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

Use this time to examine your expectations of God and your spiritual life. Sometimes feelings of God’s absence arise when our ideas about how God should act or how our faith should feel don’t match our actual experience. This can be an invitation to let go of false images of God and deepen our understanding of His true nature(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

Remember that spiritual growth often involves periods of consolation and desolation. St. Ignatius of Loyola teaches that times of felt absence can be opportunities for growth in faith, hope, and love – virtues that are strengthened when we choose to believe and act faithfully even without the support of positive feelings(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

Finally, look for God’s presence in new and unexpected places. Sometimes when God seems absent in traditional religious contexts, He may be revealing Himself through nature, through acts of kindness from others, or through service to those in need. Broadening our vision can help us recognize God’s ongoing activity in our lives(Foster, 2014).

Above all, hold fast to hope. God’s love for you is unchanging, regardless of your feelings. These times of felt absence, while difficult, are often precursors to new and deeper experiences of God’s presence. Trust in His faithfulness and love, which endure even when hidden from our immediate perception.

What can we learn from saints and mystics who experienced the “dark night of the soul”?

The “dark night of the soul,” a term coined by St. John of the Cross, refers to a powerful spiritual experience of seeming abandonment by God. Many saints and mystics throughout history have grappled with this challenging spiritual state, and their experiences offer valuable lessons for all of us on our spiritual journeys.

The dark night teaches us that periods of spiritual dryness and felt absence of God are not signs of failure or abandonment, but can be integral parts of spiritual growth. St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Avila, and Mother Teresa all experienced prolonged periods of spiritual darkness, yet emerged with deeper faith and closer union with God(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

These holy men and women teach us the importance of perseverance in faith. Despite feeling no consolation in prayer and sometimes even doubting God’s existence, they continued to pray, to serve others, and to live out their vocations. Their faithfulness in the face of darkness is a powerful testament to the strength that comes from grace(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

The dark night also reveals the limitations of emotional experiences in the spiritual life. While feelings of God’s presence can be beautiful gifts, the saints remind us that true faith transcends feelings. St. John of the Cross teaches that God sometimes withdraws sensible consolations to purify our faith and lead us to love Him for Himself alone, not for the good feelings we might derive from spiritual practices(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

The experiences of these saints and mystics highlight the transformative power of suffering when united to Christ. Their dark nights, painful as they were, led to powerful spiritual growth and a deeper capacity to love God and others. They exemplify St. Paul’s words about participating in Christ’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10)(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

The dark night also teaches us about the nature of God’s love. Even when these holy individuals felt abandoned, God was actually drawing them into deeper intimacy. This paradox reveals that God’s love and presence transcend our perceptions and feelings(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

The saints’ experiences of the dark night can offer comfort to those struggling with depression or other mental health challenges. While the dark night is distinct from clinical depression, the saints’ ability to find meaning and even growth through their suffering can provide hope and perspective(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

Finally, the dark night as experienced by the saints reminds us of the paschal mystery at the heart of our faith. Just as Christ’s death on the cross – His moment of deepest darkness – led to the glory of the resurrection, so too can our times of spiritual darkness lead to new life and deeper union with God(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

If you find yourself in a spiritual dark night, take heart from the example of the saints. Your experience, challenging as it may be, can be a path to growth and deeper intimacy with God. Persevere in faith, seek support from your community, and trust in God’s unfailing love, which is present even when hidden from our sight.

How does Christ’s incarnation impact our understanding of God’s hiddenness?

The incarnation of Jesus Christ – God becoming human in the person of Jesus – profoundly impacts our understanding of God’s hiddenness. In the face of Christ, we see both the revelation of God and, paradoxically, a new dimension of divine hiddenness.

The incarnation is God’s ultimate self-disclosure. As St. John tells us, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14). In Jesus, the invisible God becomes visible, tangible, and knowable in a radically new way. Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection reveal God’s nature and love with unprecedented clarity(Sasidhar & Gonnuri, 2020, pp. 2479–2486).

Yet, even in this supreme act of revelation, there remains an element of hiddenness. Jesus did not come as a conquering king or with overwhelming divine power, but as a humble carpenter from Nazareth. His divinity was veiled in ordinary humanity, recognizable only to those with eyes of faith. As St. Paul writes, Christ “emptied himself” (Philippians 2:7), taking on the limitations of human existence(Sasidhar & Gonnuri, 2020, pp. 2479–2486).

This paradox of revelation and hiddenness in the incarnation teaches us important lessons about God’s way of being present in our world. It shows us that God often chooses to work through the ordinary, the humble, and the seemingly insignificant. The incarnation invites us to look for God’s presence not just in the extraordinary, but in the everyday moments of our lives(Sasidhar & Gonnuri, 2020, pp. 2479–2486).

The incarnation provides a model for how we might understand God’s ongoing presence in the world. Just as Christ’s divinity was hidden within his humanity, so too might God’s action in our world be hidden within natural processes and human events. This challenges us to develop a more nuanced understanding of divine action, one that doesn’t always expect dramatic interventions but recognizes God’s subtle guidance and sustaining presence(Foster, 2014).

The incarnation also speaks to why God might choose a degree of hiddenness. In Christ, we see God’s desire for genuine relationship with humanity – a relationship based on love and free response rather than overwhelming power. The vulnerability of the incarnate Christ invites our love in a way that a display of irresistible divine might could not(Dobrzeniecki, 2022).

Christ’s incarnation provides hope and comfort in times when God seems hidden. It assures us that God understands human experience from the inside, including feelings of divine absence. Jesus himself cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46), identifying with all who feel God’s absence(Martin, 1964, pp. 216–219).

Finally, the incarnation points us toward the sacramental nature of reality. It teaches us that the material world can be a vehicle for divine presence and action. This sacramental vision encourages us to look for signs of God’s presence in the people, events, and natural world around us, even when God seems hidden(Foster, 2014).

Let the mystery of the incarnation deepen your faith and sharpen your spiritual vision. May it help you recognize God’s presence even in moments of seeming absence, and may it fill you with hope, knowing that our God has drawn so near to us in Christ.

Bibliography:

Avny, A. (2023). Violence, Its Roots, and How to Stop It