“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
Have you ever felt completely disconnected—like you’re behind a wall no one else can see? It’s a lonely feeling. For me, that disconnection usually isn’t because someone’s shut me out. It’s because I’ve built the wall myself.
I have a habit of carrying everything on my own. I’ll juggle all my responsibilities, frustrations, and worries without asking for help, convinced I’ve got it under control. But eventually, it catches up with me. I get tired, overwhelmed, and—if I’m honest—a little resentful. The truth? No one steps in to help because I don’t let them know I need it.
There’s no closer relationship than marriage, and I’ve noticed more than once that when I feel distant from my wife, it’s not because of her—it’s because I’m holding things in. I’ll keep my struggles, frustrations, or even my to-do list to myself, trying to shoulder it all alone. But the moment I open up and share honestly, something amazing happens. That distance I was feeling vanishes, replaced by a deeper sense of connection and partnership. Sharing the truth, even when it’s hard, creates intimacy. It allows us to work together, to support one another in ways we simply can’t when I’m closed off.
Just like sharing builds closeness in human relationships, the same is true in our relationship with God. Psalm 145:18 reminds us that “the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” God doesn’t ask for polished prayers or a curated version of us. He wants the real us—the messy, stressed, uncertain us. He wants us to stop pretending we can handle it all and call on Him honestly and openly.
When we’re vulnerable with God, we find that He’s been there all along, ready to step in and carry the burdens we were never meant to bear alone. Truth builds intimacy, and that intimacy brings peace. The distance we feel fades, and in its place, we find comfort, strength, and the reassurance of His unwavering love.
So, what’s been sitting in your heart, unspoken? Maybe it’s frustration, doubt, or something you’re not even sure how to put into words. Whatever it is, God is near, and He’s ready to listen. You don’t need the perfect words to find Him; you just need to call out. God’s not waiting for you to figure it all out—He’s waiting for you to trust Him with the truth.
— Paul Radke, LifeSongs
Reflective Question:
What’s one thing you’ve been holding back from God? How can you share it with Him honestly and experience the intimacy of His presence?
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