In order to speak a word of encouragement to someone (what you sense God saying), you must change your focus from the task at hand to God who is the Great Encourager. When you engage your mind on the task at hand, it’s difficult to sense His impressions. Not only do you need to re-activate our relational circuits, but you also must connect with the Spirit. Here are five ideas on how to connect with God when you feel disengaged.
1. Bring to mind a memory you appreciate or are thankful for.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving Ps 95:2a
Thanksgiving invites God’s presence. The very act of looking for something to be thankful for sends endorphins into your system. Practicing thankfulness will change your attitude because you are focusing on the positive aspects of your situation or the uplifting characteristics of God. Begin a storehouse of appreciation.
2. Bring a song to remembrance that brings you closer to God.
Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms. Ps 95 2b
Find a favorite worship song. One that always brings you peace or a place where you feel the presence of God. Some songs seem to have that effect no matter when you play them. One such song is by JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise “Spirit of the Living God”. The lyrics start this way: Spirit of the living God
We affirm your presence here…To heal us and to deliver us, To fill us and to change us,
Spirit of God.” What song comes to your mind that touches you deeply so that you feel immersed in His Spirit?
3. Smile and start laughing – Your spirit will respond
In Your presence is fullness of joy; PS 16:11
A smile is contagious. Your brain is wired for positive emotions such as love, joy, and peace. When your another person sees your smiling face, a 1-to-1 brain connection begins. Your smile will be mirrored back to you by the receiver. You will see the smile returned to you. This can result in a chain reaction, spreading joy to others. Your “attachment light” turns on when you notice someone is glad to see you. One of the first emotions a baby experiences is joy. “Someone is glad to see me!” Jesus is full of joy. “God has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” (Heb 1:9)
4. Relax your body.
Your body, soul, and spirit are interconnected. What affects one, affects them all. You might notice when you are tired or not feeling well, that it’s harder to relate to people. When your body is worn out from an exercise session, or you are not feeling well physically, your emotions are affected. Taking a few slow deep breaths will help you connect again. Relaxing breathing exercises such as Shalom my body https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_h42NC5sFE affect your parasympathetic nervous system, which calms your body. When your body is at peace, your emotions calm down as well. Guess what your spirit does? It is open to peaceful thoughts from God.
5. Bring to mind a time you felt close to God
You probably experienced a time when you felt close to God. It may have been during worship at church or hearing a song being played in your car. Perhaps you were on a leisurely walk enjoying nature and noticed the beauty around you. Was it a colorful sunset? Was it fabulous cloud formation? Did you sense awe when you first drew near a huge mountain? It could be a newborn baby that gave you a sense that God was close. Picture the scene in your mind. Notice the details. What else did you see? Recall any sounds, smells, and activity that enhances the scene. Who else may have shared the experience? In this way, you increase your sense of God’s presence.
What are your ideas?
There are many more ways you can connect with God – through reading your favorite Bible passage, remembering a close friend, speaking in tongues, closing your eyes, and picturing Jesus close to you, etc. When you connect, you will sense peace inside, a calm reassurance that everything is alright.
The next time you find yourself disconnected, give one of these secrets a try and then add it to your list of happy memories so you can retrieve it at a later time. You can build your own library of experiences and methods to re-connect with the One who loves you best.