I know God is always with us. What I don’t understand is how His presence is experienced. I have felt sure of God’s presence but only rarely. Other times I hear a song or have a dream or similar that might be from God but I can’t be sure. I need His love and guidance in my life but I don’t want to be mistaken.
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I have found that in times when I have been at my lowest point. Trouble at home and work. Depression and anxiety. Self loathing and doubt. Prayer and giving all that I endured to God. That I have felt his presence as arms around my shoulders. Warm and peace and love.
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Thank you for raising this important question @diane1 and thank you @gina1 for sharing your wonderful experience. This discussion resonates with me because I have witnessed much confusion surrounding the concept of the presence of God in the past. In some Christian circles, this presence is equated with emotional experiences, sensations, or exciting teachings. However, if these experiences do not lead to genuine repentance, humility, love for God, character transformation, or holy desires, I would question authenticity of some of these experiences. Emotional experiences that have their foundation in truth will not in any way oppose that truth. Jonathan Edwards book “Religious Affections” is a wonderful resource to know what to look for when evaluating such emotional experiences.
While the presence of God can manifest through dreams, visions, or miracles, these occurrences are initiated by God at His discretion. If we limit our expectations to certain experiences or spiritual manifestations we once had, we risk missing out on new works God may be doing in our lives. Not only that, Satan can provide counterfeit experiences to distract us from God. Where the evil one is at work, there is often selfishness and disorder (James 3:15-16). For instance, if we imagine God speaking to us when He has not, we are likely to develop a high opinion about ourselves rather than humility that the Holy Spirit desires of us.
The presence of God typically seems to be experienced in the ordinary aspects of daily life. Apostle Paul who understood the presence of God, was seen as foolish and weak by others, yet he understood the power of God that was reflected in how he loved others ( 1 Cor 4:10, 1 Cor 4:20). The presence of God may manifest as a renewed desire to be guided by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14), an internal struggle between the flesh and the Spirit (Gal 5:17), the fruits of the Spirit in our lives (John 15:4-5; Luke 6:44), or acts of service such as feeding the hungry and thirsty (Matt 25:37). James 3:17 has been helpful to me in discerning the work of the Holy Spirit.
James 3:17 ESV states, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
When the Holy Spirit works, we retain control of our spirit. There will be no condemnation or confusion (1 Cor 14:32-33). The Holy Spirit gently leads us to conviction and fills us with a desire to love the Lord. As we become more aware of God’s presence, we see gradual growth in our faith, grace, knowledge and love of God (2 Peter 3:17-18).
It’s a common misconception that only the spiritually mature experience God’s presence, but none of us could even begin our journey of faith without it. In my own life, when I see my inner desires being wooed by the Holy Spirit to do His will in how I use my tongue, think, love, serve etc. I view it as growing in the awareness of the presence of God. For God has sealed all who believe in Jesus with His Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13-14).
After having been to different churches, charismatic, pentecostal, reformed, and baptist over the last couple decades, this is where I now stand. Our experience of the presence of God must lead us toward holiness. I look forward to learning from questions and thoughts of others in this community.
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