. My pain and loss echoes His own pain over our broken love relationship, for my sin separated me from God. I confess to hurting Him.
. I confess that it was my fault and my sin alone that understandably drove Him from me.
. I acknowledge that I still love Him more than my sin.
. I’m sorry for what I’ve done. I feel terrible over how I could chose momentary sin over a life with Him.
. I know He will never forsake me, though I don’t know when I’ll know His presence again. I can only speak all these words and wait. He is the life-giver, not some activities I could busy myself with.
. I lose the joy I had with the Lord. I smile much less. Life has less fascination than before.
. I remind myself and Him that Christ was already punished for my sin and He had turned away the wrath of God at the cross by taking it onto Himself. So this is not God’s anger, but a bruising of our relationship. This knowledge doesn’t make everything feel better, but it prevents me from punishing myself. There are consequences for sin; and His separation, along with the curtailment of abundant life, is one of them.
. This terrible feeling helps me see the severity of my sin.
. I am reminded that a large bulk of the world feels this alienation every day as normal life. Only the gospel of faith in Jesus can relieve it, for a broken relationship with God because of sin is behind it all. A spiritual problem demands a spiritual remedy.
. I continue in prayer and reading the Word of God, for He still hears prayer, and the open Book keeps the door open to fellowship. Avoiding God is not an option.
. I continue with my responsibilities. My spiritual life is in shambles, but I can still bear witness of a God who is merciful.
. I remind God of His covenant, that when I confess my sins, He is faithful and just (to the new covenant) to forgive all (1 John 1:9).
. I pray with David, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation.”
. Sin helps me acknowledge that I’m not better than anyone else, but I depend on the grace of God to be recovered and live His life. I am still human, and live in a fallen world. My brothers and sisters are suffering temptations as well, and need my prayers of support.
. I am reminded that the Israelites suffered when they broke the covenant with God through disobedience from Deuteronomy through 2 Kings. The new covenant is like the old in this respect. Disobedience will be dealt with.
. Of course, there is the “thankYou thankYou thankYou thankYou thankYou” when life and fellowship is restored.
