When the World Feels Far Away: Finding God in the Fog of Depression and Disconnection
Do you remember what it felt like as a child to wake up lost in a nightmare? Eyes wide open, but the fear wasn’t gone. Your heart pounding, but the world still didn’t make sense. And all you wanted—desperately—was to feel safe again, to feel real again.
Now imagine if that nightmare didn’t end. Imagine if that strange disconnection, that suffocating darkness, became the backdrop of your daily life.
If you’ve ever felt like this, you’re not alone. Depression and disassociation have a way of making us feel like ghosts, haunting a life that we used to live but can’t seem to grasp anymore. It’s a hard place to be, but it’s not a hopeless place. Today, we’re going to explore how God meets us right there—in the fog, in the numbness, in the despair.
This isn’t about pretending the darkness doesn’t exist. It’s about finding the God who enters the darkness with us.
Part 1: The Shadows of the Soul
Let’s talk about what depression and disassociation really feel like. Because if you’ve been there, you know—it’s more than sadness, more than stress. It’s like you’re trapped in a room with no windows, where time moves strangely, and even the good things feel dull and distant.
The prophet Elijah knew that feeling. In 1 Kings 19, we find him at the end of his rope. This is a man who had just called down fire from heaven, a prophet who had seen the power of God in undeniable ways. And yet, we read in verse 4: “He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’”
Do you hear the despair in his words? Elijah wasn’t doubting God’s existence—he was doubting his ability to go on. He wanted to quit, to escape, to disappear. Sound familiar?
But here’s the first thing we learn from Elijah’s story: God didn’t condemn him for feeling that way. He didn’t lecture him about gratitude or demand that he pull himself together. Instead, God sent an angel to provide food and rest. He met Elijah in his exhaustion before asking anything of him.
What if we started there? What if, instead of berating ourselves for feeling weak, we allowed God to meet us in our need, offering rest, nourishment, and care?
Part 2: The Lies Depression Tells
Here’s the hard truth about depression: It doesn’t just drain your energy—it distorts your reality. It tells you lies so convincingly that you start to believe them.
Lies like:
“You are alone.”
“You are unlovable.”
“Your life will never change.”
But Scripture is clear that these lies don’t come from God. Jesus says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Depression steals. God heals.
When you hear the whisper that says, “You are alone,” remember Hebrews 13:5: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” When you feel unlovable, hold on to Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love, He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
And when you think nothing will ever change, let Romans 8:18 remind you: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” The pain is real, but it’s not permanent. God is not done with your story.
Part 3: Walking Through the Fog
But what about when the promises of God feel far away? What about when you know the truth in your head but can’t feel it in your heart? That’s where disassociation comes in. It’s that eerie sense of floating, of being detached from the world and even from yourself.
The Bible has a word for this kind of experience: exile. In Lamentations 3, the writer—likely Jeremiah—describes it vividly. He says in verses 17-18:
“I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, ‘My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the Lord.’”
It’s a description of disconnection, of being cut off from the life you used to know. But here’s the turning point. Just a few verses later, in verses 22-23, we read this:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Do you see it? Even in exile, God’s faithfulness remains. Even when we can’t feel it, His compassion is at work, renewing us day by day. Sometimes, faith isn’t about feeling—it’s about trusting. Trusting that God is holding onto you, even when you’re too numb to hold onto Him.
Part 4: Practical Light in the Darkness
Now let’s talk about practical steps. Because God isn’t just interested in your soul—He cares about your whole being, mind and body included.
Rest and Nourishment:
Just like Elijah needed food and sleep, so do you. Depression often strips away your ability to care for yourself, but even small acts of self-care can be acts of worship. Eat something nourishing. Take a nap. Give yourself permission to rest without guilt.
Community:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”Depression thrives in isolation, so let someone in. A friend, a counselor, a pastor—anyone who can remind you that you’re not alone in this fight.
Movement and Stillness:
These may sound contradictory, but hear me out. Gentle movement—a walk, stretching, even just stepping outside—can help ground you in the present moment. And stillness, through prayer or meditation on Scripture, can anchor your soul. Psalm 46:10 invites us: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Small Acts of Gratitude:
When the big picture feels overwhelming, focus on the small things. Thank God for the sunlight on your face, the sound of rain, or the taste of your morning coffee. Gratitude doesn’t erase pain, but it reminds us that beauty still exists.
Part 5: Hope Beyond the Darkness
If you’re in the thick of it right now, I want you to hear this: Your story isn’t over. Psalm 30:5 says, “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
The morning is coming. It may not be tomorrow, or next week, but it’s coming. And until it does, God is with you in the night. He’s not waiting for you on the other side of your pain—He’s walking through it with you, whispering, “Hold on. I’ve got you.”
In Closing: Light Breaks Through
The truth is, the darkness may not lift all at once. But step by step, moment by moment, the light will break through. And one day, you’ll look back and see how God was with you, even when you couldn’t feel Him. Until then, keep holding on to this: You are loved. You are not alone. And the God who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.
If today’s message resonates with you, I encourage you to take one small step toward connection—whether it’s reaching out to someone, opening your Bible, or simply praying, “God, help me.” You’re not meant to do this alone.
Visit FaithLabz for resources, encouragement, and community. Let’s walk this road together.
