For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39
In an era where technology has erased geographical barriers, we can instantly connect with anyone, anywhere. With a single tap, we bridge distances that once felt insurmountable. Despite this, many of us still feel spiritually distant from God, as if He is unreachable or requires a long journey to access. But what if this sense of separation is nothing more than an illusion? What if God has never been far, and there has never been a delay in His presence or love?
Dispelling the Myth of Separation
Feelings can be deceptive. Just because we feel distant from God doesn’t mean we are. Perhaps life’s hardships make us question His nearness, leading us to ask, Where is God in all of this? The belief that God is absent in our struggles fosters frustration, doubt, and even resentment.
However, this perception is built on a misunderstanding. God has never abandoned us—not for a second. He is intimately present in every second of our existence. The idea that God turned His back on Jesus at the cross—and, by extension, on us—is one of the most damaging misconceptions. In truth, God has never forsaken us, and He never will.
Breaking Free from the "I Am Not" Mentality
One of the most insidious lies we tell ourselves is rooted in the phrase "I am not."
I am not good enough.
I am not spiritual enough.
I am not worthy of love.
This self-defeating mindset keeps us trapped in a cycle of striving, making us believe that if we just did more—prayed more, served more, tried harder—we’d finally be enough. But this isn’t how God operates. The truth is, we’re already enough. We’re already loved, already accepted. We’re not on a journey toward worthiness; we’ve been worthy from the beginning.
Since the dawn of humanity, we’ve been deceived into believing we lack something essential. Adam and Eve believed they were missing out, tricked into striving for what was already theirs. Today, that same deception lingers, whispering to us that we’re incomplete and that God is withholding something we must earn. But He has never withheld anything. His love, His presence, His acceptance—these have always been freely given.
The Difference Between Religion and Relationship
For centuries, religion has functioned like a never-ending checklist—one more sermon, one more act of service, one more step before we finally "arrive." It operates much like the fast-food industry: offering just enough to keep us coming back without ever truly satisfying our hunger. Religion thrives on a scarcity mindset, making us believe we must do something to earn God's love.
But God isn’t keeping score. He doesn’t operate on a merit system. He isn’t waiting for us to check the right boxes before He declares us acceptable. We’re already embraced, already whole, already home.
Legalism places heavy burdens on us, convincing us that Divine approval must be earned. Grace, on the other hand, is a gift. When we stop striving for something we already have, we enter into the peace and freedom that has always been ours.
Living in the Reality of Our Union with God
The moment we shift our perspective from striving to resting, we step into the fullness of our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul emphasized this truth repeatedly: We are in Christ, and Christ is in us. There is no distance or separation. Only our perception keeps us from fully experiencing this reality.
To live in this truth means shedding guilt, shame, and the relentless pursuit of approval. Instead of trying to become something, we recognize that we already are. This realization transforms how we live, pray, and relate to God.
In my years of counseling, I’ve seen how past trauma—whether abandonment, abuse, or profound loss—creates an overwhelming sense of separation from God. Many believe that if God truly loved them, He would have prevented their pain. But the truth is, God was never absent. He was there, carrying them through, even when they couldn’t perceive His presence.
Embracing Our True Identity in Christ
If you’ve ever felt unworthy, unloved, or distant from God, know this: Your feelings don’t define your reality. You’re not a lost cause. You’re not abandoned. You’re not lacking.
You’re not unloved. You’re deeply cherished.
You’re not distant. You’re one with Christ.
You’re not unworthy. You’re fully accepted, just as you are.
The invitation is simple: Stop striving. Stop trying to earn what has already been given freely. Rest in the truth that you’re already embraced by a love beyond measure.
The Power of Letting Go
Many of us live as if we must constantly prove ourselves—to God, to others, even to ourselves. We believe that if we just do enough, we’ll finally feel whole. But true freedom comes when we let go of this exhausting cycle.
When we embrace who we are in Christ, we find the rest our souls have been craving.
Remember, God is not far. He never has been. There is no distance, no delay. Only the eternal embrace of our Abba Father, who has never let you go and never, ever will.
Want to know more? See D. Scott Cook’s book Alignment Of Authentic Love: Living Your Highest Life.