5 Practical Ways to Feel God's Presence

Do you ever wonder what it must've been like to be the Israelites who saw God in a cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night?   Or Moses, who talked to God face to face?   They were in the presence of almighty God!  

Although we have not seen God, we have been sealed by His presence through the power of the Holy Spirit.  God's presence resides inside each of His children!  

Do you not know that you are God's temple 

and that God's Spirit dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

Yet as Believers is this something that we are acutely aware of or focused upon. 

I believe that our walk of obedience, our spiritual life and our usefulness for the Kingdom would be greatly enriched by these five practical ways to feel God's presence:

How to Experience God's Presence

This post is not intended to be a mystical treatment of conjuring up the presence of God, but an encouragement to the reality of God's presence even when we might not feel it.

So how does one experience God's presence?  Through His Word.  

Moses may have talked to God face to face, but indeed God is still speaking today.  His very words are being spoken to us through the Bibles we read.  His presence is right there on every page.  

Who hasn't been engrossed in a very descriptive novel where you felt like you were actually there.  Well  not only do we have the amazing accounts of the Bible to draw us into the presence of God, BUT we have the Holy Spirit's presence inside of us giving us wisdom and spiritual insights, essentially opening the Scriptures to us as we read.

So the next time you are distressed because you can't feel God's presence, open up His Word.  His presence will meet you right where you are at, and the Holy Spirit will confirm that He is abiding with you.

You will seek me and find me, 

when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

James 4:8

Signs of God's Presence

It certainly would be an awe-inspiring experience to see God face to face, but do you realize, that there are signs of God's presence even now...

In the church...

And let them make me a sanctuary, 

that I may dwell in their midst.

Exodus 25:8

In a gathering of Believers...

For where two or three are gathered in my name, 

there am I among them

Matthew 18:20

In showing love...

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. 

God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 John 4:16

We are a conduit of God's presence to our brothers and sisters in the Lord and to a dying world.

There are those times where signs that God is present appear like the wind in the leaves.  Though we cannot see the wind, we know it's there...  in the healing of a loved one whether physically or spiritually; in the miracle of conception; in coming through a catastrophe unscathed; just to name a few...

If we look, we can see signs of God's presence everywhere!

Resting in God's Presence

There is a reason why God's Word exhorts us to stay focused on the Lord, because the only true place of rest is in His presence...

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,

 because they trust in you.

Isaiah 26:3

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,

 whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

When we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and practice Philippians 4:8, we are resting in God's presence for the focus of our minds is on Christ and His attributes...

And he said, “My presence will go with you, 

and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

When we live by these verses, we will indeed rest in the presence of God.  Being focused on the goodness of the Lord will saturate our hearts and minds upon Him and we will feel His presence profoundly and feel rested.

That times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord

Acts 3:20a

Focus on the Lord and His goodness and there you will feel His presence.

Enjoying God's Presence

One of the best ways to enjoy God's presence is to be fully present with Him.

We can take God with us wherever we go through prayer.  A happy Christian is one who talks to the Lord throughout their day.  Their contact with the Lord is not just reserved for petitions, but a constant dialogue, as one talking to a Friend.  

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; 

but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15

Jesus greatest desire is to be in relationship with His flock.  We have the gift of prayer for engaging in the enjoyments of intentional time spent with our very present Friend.

You make known to me the path of life; 

in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11

We have the choice every day to enjoy God's presence.  It's as simple as talking to Him throughout the day...

"And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known"

Benefits of God's Presence

All Believers, of course, benefit greatly from experiencing God's presence, but I would say that those who suffer with anxiety find special comfort in feeling God's presence.

Anxiety definitely is the great isolator, just how Satan wants it, which is why it is so important for those who suffer with anxiety to practice these five ways to feel God's presence.  And practice makes perfect.  The more you feel God's presence, the more you will operate from His presence and the less anxiety you will feel.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, 

 you are there.If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"

even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, 

for darkness is as light to you.

Psalm 139:8-12

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go

Genesis 28:15

God's Word promises many benefits from experiencing God's presence.  When we recall the blessings of spending time with God, it will spur us on to seek His presence more and more.  And we know that when we seek Him He will be found.

As Christians, whether we suffer with anxiety or we don't, when we actively seek God's presence, His peace will envelop us, and He will be glorified.

For similar posts, click on the following:

Be With Me Lord

Conversations with God

God's Provision When Your World is Falling Apart

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