Why do I feel as if God isn't in my heart?

I was looking at my stats today and this was one of the search terms that someone, somewhere in the world had put into google.  Whilst the question wasn't directed at me to answer, I feel as though I should.  If there is one person feeling like this in the world then there are others, and this feeling is one of the loneliest feelings someone can have.

Trust me when I say that every Christian has felt this way at some point in their lives.  And the typical response from those who are older, more experienced Christians is that, "God hasn't moved away from you, you have moved away from God".  Now in some instances this is true.  Let's face it, we live in an imperfect world, it is very very easy to slip some "bad habits" into the mix that do indeed take us further away from God.  If this is the case then to feel closer to God you need to step back closer to Him.  Easier said than done I assure you, but worth it.

Identify what it is in your life that has taken you away from Him in the first place.  Partying too much? Too focused on work and everyday life? Done something that has caused you some sense of guilt? Once you identify the problem (ask God to show you if it isn't immediately evident), then you simply ask forgiveness and make the effort to spend a little time each day talking to God.

Sometimes it isn't necessarily (directly/knowingly) something that we have done.  We all have a past, we all have things that we aren't proud of.  That past could be years ago, or days ago, either way to the enemy it is useful.  It's easy to ask forgiveness for something that we have done, and God forgives us straight away.  He doesn't expect any sort of pay back, Jesus did that for us, He just expects us to press into Him so that we (as imperfect people) "feel" His forgiveness.

His forgiveness is given easy, excepting it is sometimes the hard part.  The enemy uses this, he reminds us of the things we have done that may have been displeasing to God.  We dwell on them because we are reminded of them by someone who wants us to stay as far away from God as possible.  Remember that the enemy is bent on our destruction, he is doomed and he wants to take as many of us with him as possible.

If this is the case, whenever that moment comes when you are reminded (and it makes you feel far away from God, trust me I know), you need to stop what you are doing and claim your forgiveness.  Ask god then and there to clear your mind of all bad thoughts, thank Him for His forgiveness and ask for His peace.  When we call on God he always answers, and when we ask for His peace, he always gives it.  Try not to let your brain get in the way because you are worth being forgiven and you do deserve to have a close relationship with God.

What I find helps me most during these times is music.  There are some amazing songs out there that speak to the heart of a person.  If I find I am feeling distant from God I take myself somewhere quiet and put good, spirit inspiring music on.  Music creates atmosphere, and if the atmosphere it is creating is a God centred one, then God will always show up.  I personally find dwelling in this atmosphere is much easier than "quiet time" with God.  I love to sing along and let the words fill my spirit, if you invite God to these moments, He will always show up.

Below I have included some of the songs that work for me, I hope they work for you, and I hope that you can reconnect with God in a new way.  Just know that no matter who you are or what you have done, God loves you, he can't help but love you, because you are is perfect creation.

These are just a few, I hope they help you through tough times as much as they have helped me.