When I Know God Loves Me — But I Can’t Feel It

I know God sees me.

I know He hears me.

I know He loves me.

But lately, it feels like that truth just sits in my head instead of reaching my heart. I know the verses. I could quote them. But they aren’t moving me the way Leah was moved when she realized, “My husband may not love me, but the Lord does.” Or like Hagar, who said, “You are the God who sees me.”

I know He sees me… I just can’t seem to feel seen.

Why That Happens

For a long time, I thought that meant something was wrong with my faith. Now I’m starting to realize it has more to do with the way my heart was trained.

When love came with yelling, comparison, or silence, my nervous system learned that “love” equals danger. So even when my mind believes God is safe, my body doesn’t trust it yet.

That wall between knowing and feeling isn’t rebellion — it’s protection.

The Numbness Isn’t Proof of Distance

Sometimes I feel like I’m standing in worship or reading a verse and waiting for that rush of emotion everyone else talks about… and nothing happens.

But maybe the numbness is just my heart catching its breath after years of being on guard. Maybe the absence of feeling isn’t proof that God left — maybe it’s proof that I’ve survived.

What I’m Learning

• I can tell Him the truth: “God, I know You love me, but I can’t feel it right now.”

  He doesn’t leave when I say that; He stays.

• I can pray with my body: Hand on my chest, slow breath, “I’m safe right now.”

  Love has to become physical before it feels emotional again.

• I can collect small proofs: The butterfly coloring book, the unexpected kindness, the quiet peace that shows up for no reason.

  Those are God’s love notes to my nervous system.

  
  

The Hope

Leah didn’t feel loved until God showed her. Hagar didn’t feel seen until He met her in the desert. And I think God’s doing the same with me — showing me, slowly, through ordinary moments, what love that doesn’t hurt actually feels like.

I’m not resisting Him. My heart is just learning a new language. And He’s patient enough to wait while I learn it.

Reflection Prompt: When was the last time you knew something about God that you couldn’t feel yet? What small, gentle ways might He be showing you love even now?