Breaking the Barrier
“But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2
It’s easy to show up to church, lift your hands in worship, and say a prayer. But it’s also easy to forget that there are things in your life that can actually block your connection with God. Not because He’s distant or uninterested, but because you’ve built a wall.
Scripture is clear that certain things create distance between you and God. Psalm 66 says if you’re holding on to sin, He won’t listen. Proverbs 28 says that if you ignore His Word, your prayers are detestable. James 4 reminds us that God opposes the proud. And Matthew 5 tells us that unresolved conflict with someone else will keep you from worshiping freely. These aren’t minor issues. They’re barriers.
But God’s not after behavior modification. He’s after your heart. That’s why Jesus made such a strong statement about leaving your gift at the altar. It wasn’t about the gift. It was about the condition of your heart when you gave it. A divided heart cannot offer pure worship. That’s what Isaiah meant when he said your sins hide His face from you. The wall doesn’t come from God’s side. It’s built from ours.
So what do you do if you feel distant from God? Take action. First, recognize the rift. Be honest about any unresolved sin, broken relationships, or pride that you’ve let settle in your heart. Second, respond with repentance. Own it. Don’t justify or downplay it, just lay it down. And third, restore the relationship. Whether that’s with God or with someone else, do what it takes to reconcile before you try to worship again.
God wants closeness with you, but He’s not going to compete with sin, pride, or division. If you want to feel Him again, hear Him again, and walk with Him again, it starts with breaking down the wall. The next move is yours.
It’s easy to show up to church, lift your hands in worship, and say a prayer. But it’s also easy to forget that there are things in your life that can actually block your connection with God. Not because He’s distant or uninterested, but because you’ve built a wall.
Scripture is clear that certain things create distance between you and God. Psalm 66 says if you’re holding on to sin, He won’t listen. Proverbs 28 says that if you ignore His Word, your prayers are detestable. James 4 reminds us that God opposes the proud. And Matthew 5 tells us that unresolved conflict with someone else will keep you from worshiping freely. These aren’t minor issues. They’re barriers.
But God’s not after behavior modification. He’s after your heart. That’s why Jesus made such a strong statement about leaving your gift at the altar. It wasn’t about the gift. It was about the condition of your heart when you gave it. A divided heart cannot offer pure worship. That’s what Isaiah meant when he said your sins hide His face from you. The wall doesn’t come from God’s side. It’s built from ours.
So what do you do if you feel distant from God? Take action. First, recognize the rift. Be honest about any unresolved sin, broken relationships, or pride that you’ve let settle in your heart. Second, respond with repentance. Own it. Don’t justify or downplay it, just lay it down. And third, restore the relationship. Whether that’s with God or with someone else, do what it takes to reconcile before you try to worship again.
God wants closeness with you, but He’s not going to compete with sin, pride, or division. If you want to feel Him again, hear Him again, and walk with Him again, it starts with breaking down the wall. The next move is yours.
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