We are starting a new series called The Gap, which focuses on how to navigate our faith and see God when things get in the way.

Life doesn’t always match our expectations. When that happens, it can create a gap between what we hoped God would do and what we are actually experiencing. In those moments it’s easy to feel like God is distant, silent, or not paying attention.

Key Takeaway

God’s silence isn’t God’s absence.

The prophet Habakkuk experienced this firsthand, expressing frustration over what he was seeing in the world and questioning why God didn’t seem to be responding. His struggle reflects what we often feel when life doesn’t make sense.

The good news is that we don’t have to hide those feelings. God can handle our emotions, and he invites us to bring everything to him honestly.

In the gap, we are often tempted to believe lies – that God isn’t listening, that he’s not helping, that nothing will change, or that we’re stuck.

But the truth is, even when God feels silent, he’s not absent.

He is still present and working – often in ways we don’t immediately see. In every gap we have a choice: believe the lies or run to God with everything we’re carrying.

Pray

Prayer is our time to talk to God. Let this prayer inspire your conversations with God this week.

Father God, you care about our feelings and our worries. You are The God Who Hears. When we grow weary from what we see in this world, you meet us with compassion and remind us that you have a plan.

At times we hold back from sharing our deepest thoughts with you. We struggle to admit that you can handle our emotions, even when they don’t feel very Christ-like. Yet you already know our hearts, and you invite us to come honestly before you.

Like Habakkuk, we cry out, “How long must I call for help?” But we know you are a God who hears your people and answers their prayers. Remind us that you are listening, that you are just, and that you are always present. For it’s in Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Worship

Bring the worship set from this weekend into your Slot and Spot and praise God for hearing our prayers.

• I Know That I Know by The Belonging Co.
• That’s My King by Cece Winans
• Holy Forever by Bethel Music

Learn

This week, read through the scripture shared in the message and dive deeper into God’s word.

• Read Habakkuk 1:2-4
• Watch – Bible Project’s Habakkuk Overview
• Listen – Habakkuk 1 from Through the Word

Reflect

Reflect on these questions during your Slot and Spot/discussions with others.

When you think about resilience, how does prayer shape your ability to withstand hardship, struggles, and fears?

• Has there been a time in your life when you cried out to God in the midst of a storm and he provided the strength to endure?

Read Habakkuk 1:2-4. Habakkuk prays to God and says, “How long, O Lord, must I call for help?” (Habakkuk 1:2). How does that encourage you to change the way you communicate with God?

• Does this encourage you, as 1 Peter 5:7 says, to “cast all your cares upon him?”
• How does it challenge your presumptions about God?

When you think about God’s silence not being the same as his absence, how does that change the way you view prayer and your relationship with Him?

• What courage does it give you for the trials you will face in the future?
• How might this shape your trust in God when you don’t immediately see an answer?
• In what ways could this perspective strengthen your endurance during difficult seasons?

What’s ONE thing you learned from this message that you want to apply to your life this week?

• What step do you need to take to do that?

Next Steps

Staying with Jesus changes us into people who can go through anything and still have joy. You can live that out in three different environments here at The Journey:

• In the gap it can feel like God is absent, but he IS there and listening. Spend time everyday this week speaking to God and reading his word. That time with God is what we call a Slot and Spot and it will help you to connect with God in a powerful way.
• If you have said yes to Jesus but haven’t been baptized, visit our Baptism Page to learn more about this meaningful step and to register for our next Baptism Weekend.