Feel so stuck

[bumpiness]

I'm a born again Christian and up until a few months ago was regularly praying and reading my bible and watching church services online when possible. Everything was fine until a few months ago and since then I struggle to pray and read my bible or watch anything remotely spiritual. I don't know why. I wondered if it was anything to do with the strangeness of the past year or so but I haven't had Covid nor have I (thankfully) lost anyone to it. I feel okay in myself, as in not unwell or anything (although I have mobility issues so can't easily get around) and feel like my happiness and joy are as they've always been but also feel completely detached from everything, like I'm watching everyone around me going about their business but am not part of any of it.

Is anyone else feeling like this?

Living through a global pandemic is a huge thing. It's an existential threat to the whole of humanity. How could that not have an effect on every individual's spiritual security, whether one follows a religion or not?

Feeling destabilised, detached, depressed (?) is entirely natural - and only confirms that you're human.

@MayIDestroyYou - thanks for your response. I hadn't even considered that the global panic has been (and continues to be) 'an existential threat to the whole of humanity'. Put like that...

Yes, I think the word I was looking for is destabilised. I recogise the detachment I'm feeling, had considered long and hard whether I might also be feeling depressed and feel that this isn't the case. But destabilised? Most assuredly.

Thanks for your insight as I now feel that I understand better why I've been feeling like this

I find that if I am worried/stressed, that often gets in the way of my ability to hear/feel God. Also, there are several examples in the Bible of 'wilderness' periods where people could not hear God, so you are not alone. I suppose ultimately I find it helpful to think of it as an opportunity to strengthen faith? It's easy to believe when life is going well, and harder when it isn't.

Yes from time to time throughout my life. It comes and goes and is actually quite normal, or perhaps I should say "Usual". In my case I think it is a characteristic of my nature. I have an adult child who is much the same in many respects. For others, it's quite a shock but recent troubles do not help, ie the impact of Covid-19 on society.

The pandemic has increased this sort of thing for many of us.

Let us give thanks that the end is in sight (we hope :-).

I do hope you feel better soon. God bless.

Sometimes, OP, when you feel you are struggling to connect with God, the best thing is to stop actively trying!
Let God come to you, instead of the other way round.
Sit quietly, empty your thoughts, and just wait. Or as the Bible puts it “Be still, and know that I am God”.
The alternative is to give your problem directly to God - to simply tell Him that you are struggling with a sense of detachment. You don’t need lengthy prayers, He already knows how you feel - the act of prayer is for you rather than Him, to help you explore your feelings and express them, while being open to the support and help that God offers freely.
Sometimes we feel God’s presence easily and completely, sometimes there is interference in our “reception” - like static on a radio, we are distracted by life events or our own distress or depression or emotions.
I think all Christians have patches of poor connection, but they pass.
I find communal worship at church, with gorgeous hymn music, an inspirational minister, and my fellow congregants, always restores me and gives me a peaceful sense of being at home and “in tune” with God.

I've had a rough couple of years with my child's mental health and have just been diagnosed with depression. I am sure the pandemic has added to it. I've been put on a low dose of Sertraline and it has helped.

For me, a very sociable person, attending services on zoom, just hasn't felt the same and I have been disengaging from church a bit.

I think we all go through fallow times and I agree with others, the pandemic has taken its toll. Look after yourself.

Bless you.

Notwithstanding the impact of the pandemic I think it's normal to have phases where you feel a bit disconnected. Try not to put any undue pressure on yourself.

As PP have said the pandemic has been a massive global event. We've adapted really well but it's actually been pretty traumatic when you think about it (and especially so for those who have lost loved ones and/or been on the healthcare frontline).

I am perhaps more high-church than you (but we are al part of Gods church) and find reading a daily liturgy or even just the Collect to have been a good routine during covid. Sometimes I feel I am just going through the motions but just doing it keeps it up till I feel closer to God again. But reading those prayers reminds me he is with us even when I don’t feel it or seem too busy to acknowledge His presence.

So I think what I’m trying to say is that a simple routine helps and don’t beat yourself up about not being an amazing spiritual athlete.