Wellness Wednesday: Growing in Your Spiritual Wellness Through Your Perception of Nearness to God
This week, we continue our journey through the GPS Spiritual Inventory to empower your spiritual health and wellness by exploring the vital role of perceiving God’s nearness.
Experiencing God as nearby—or even within us—gives us peace, courage, and a sense of security, especially in times of crisis. Drawing from attachment theory, we know how essential proximity is for fostering trust and confidence. Just as a child feels safe when their caregiver is nearby, we, too, experience spiritual security when we sense God’s presence. Over time, we grow to trust that God is near, even when we cannot “see” Him in our daily experiences in life. This perception of nearness equips us to face life’s challenges with greater boldness and love, even when our circumstances feel overwhelming.
Scripture speaks repeatedly of God’s promise to be close to us:
- “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
- “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” (Isaiah 41:10)
The ultimate assurance of God’s presence is revealed in Jesus, whose name, Immanuel, means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Through His incarnation, God dwelt among us, demonstrating His deep care and commitment to our redemption. Jesus not only walked with us in His life and ministry but also promised before His ascension, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Three Ingredients of Secure Attachment to God
Research shows that secure attachment depends on three key elements: caregivers are 1) nearby, 2) accessible, and 3) attentive. Similarly, we experience spiritual wellness when we recognize that God is present, attentive to our needs, and accessible in every moment. This sense of God’s nearness restores our courage, allowing us to face life’s challenges with faith rather than fear.
Recognizing God’s Presence
While God is always near, our ability to sense His presence often depends on our openness and attention. We can grow in this awareness by:
- Immersing ourselves in His Word and Sacraments, where God promises to meet us.
- Seeing God’s love through the hands and feet of others, as Martin Luther emphasized in his teaching on vocation.
- Reflecting on moments when God showed up in our lives—especially through answered prayers or unexplainable peace during trials.
As Psalm 139:7–10 reminds us, there is nowhere we can go where God is not with us:
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”
The more we believe in God’s nearness, the more we experience it—and the more we experience it, the more our faith grows. This upward spiral of trust and connection strengthens us to love boldly and serve courageously, knowing that God is always with us.
Building Practices to Remind You of God’s Presence
It’s easy to lose sight of God’s nearness in the busyness of life or when overwhelmed by fear and worry. That’s why creating intentional practices to stay connected is essential. Here are a few ways to grow in your awareness of God’s nearness:
- Start each day with a prayer of gratitude, inviting God to guide you through the day.
- Reflect on moments when you sensed God’s presence and write them down in a journal.
- Engage with others in your faith community, experiencing God’s love through relationships.
- Meditate on Scriptures that remind you of God’s closeness, such as Psalm 46:1 or James 4:8.
Take the Next Step
Are you ready to deepen your trust in God and invest in your spiritual health? The GPS Spiritual Inventory is a powerful tool to help you reflect on your relationship with God and identify areas for growth.
Click the link below to take the assessment and begin your journey toward greater spiritual health. Use the code “tguse” to take the inventory free of charge. Afterward, contact me to schedule a complimentary coaching session to debrief your results.
Take the GPS Spiritual Inventory
Let’s make 2025 a year of spiritual growth and transformation as we learn to trust in God’s unfailing love and draw closer to Him each day.
