How to Feel Closer to God (Even When Life Feels Too Busy)
- Kelsi Ozorio
- Mar 8, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
I was that overly responsible girl, saying yes to everything with hand raised like it was full of helium. 🙋🏼♀️
Being the oldest of six with a severely depressed mom, I learned to keep the world spinning before I could spell "boundaries."
Even though God’s presence was my lifeline, but my overcommitment and my people-pleasing still left me burnt-out and feeling distant—from Him, myself, and the people I loved most.
Sound familiar?
Between work, family, ministry, and to-do list that never quits, it’s no wonder so many of us feel spiritually tapped out. The house is full, the schedule’s fuller. You're caring for kids, juggling ministry, texting friends back between errands, and whisper-praying through traffic just to stay sane.
Everyone gets your energy, and some days all your soul gets is leftovers. So your heart goes quiet—or, if you’re anything like me (Miss Italian Spice), it starts expressing itself in all the wrong ways. 😬
✨ What if feeling connected isn’t about doing more?
If you’ve been wondering how to feel closer to God in the middle of a busy life, you’re not alone.
Sometimes you’re praying... but you still feel the gap. You’re doing all the right things but something’s missing. Deep down, I think we all crave that sense of deeper connection.
For me, life started to feel surface-level—like my spirit was calling out for more while the rest of me felt stuck, lost, and trying to shove it all into a “just be content” box.
But healing from burnout (which included another round of the Revival Life Signature Course, thank You Jesus! 🙌🏽) taught me something essential:
Abiding.
Not just doing for God. But being with Him. Moment by moment.
✨ Abiding Moments: the spiritual practice that changes everything
In John 15, Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and I will abide in you... apart from Me, you can do nothing.”
He’s not just offering a sweet idea... He’s laying out our lifeline. Not just for the mountaintop moments, but for the ordinary ones too. Because until abiding meets you at the dinner table, your soul will still feel hungry.
His presence really is everything—the source and key to everything you’ll ever need or want. It might sound cliché… until you actually start snacking and feasting on it. 🍽️ Then it becomes the nourishment you didn’t know you were starving for.
And it's available like a 24-hour all-you-can-eat buffet. Right now, I can connect with Him. In traffic. In the laundry room. Between meetings.
✨ Here's the simple practice I use:
Put your hand on your heart. Take a deep breath. Imagine Jesus near you. Let child-like wonder wash over you. Whisper, "Right now, I am with You, Jesus." Where is Jesus? What does His face look like? What does He want you to feel and know right now?
You can do this 100 times a day, wherever you are. What possibilities await you when you become aware of His caring presence and tap into His power?
Even as I type this, I’m pausing to practice an abiding moment afresh.
And something shifts. My stomach unclenches. My shoulders drop. Peace fills my body. An image of my spirit-self flashes in my imagination and I remember: I’m seated with Him in heavenly places, focused, dedicated, and secure. I belong. I’m not alone. I’m living in an epic story, and the unseen world is more real than this one. The weight of my present problems backs away while I feel confidence rising and hope in heavenly solutions on the way. Gratitude fills my heart, and I smile back at Jesus, ready to face whatever comes next. 💞
What if it's really that simple?
Instead of spiraling into stress or regret, we pause and recognize His nearness.
Because while God’s holding galaxies together, He’s also sitting beside you.
✨ You don’t have to feel distant from God another moment
Deeper connection with God isn’t some far-off goal. It’s possible right now—right here in your real life.
So instead of skimming and scrolling, try it now: breath deeply, imagine Jesus beside you, and whisper aloud “Right now, I’m with You, Jesus.”
Notice the uplifting thoughts and peace trying to reach you. If positive truths, desires, or solutions arise, write them down.
He’s not hard to reach. He’s not waiting for you to get it all together. He’s already here.
Jesus said His way is “easy and light” (Matthew 11:28). That means these little moments of abiding and tuning in can be simple, gentle, and real. No striving and no pressure!
Faith isn’t about how strong or spiritual you feel. It’s about staying connected, like a branch to the vine. You can come back to Him again and again… and over time, peace, love, and joy begin to grow.
“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
“Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts.” — Hebrews 3:15
That word today? It’s your permission slip. You don’t have to wait until things calm down. This moment, you reading this, is sacred ground.
Even if life feels heavy. Even if you’re numb or stuck. Every whisper toward Jesus matters. Every pause. Every deep breath. Every “I want You, Lord” carries weight in the spirit.
Seize the present moment, say YES to God, and find rest right now. Jesus saves you now, in this moment—this is the secret to rest and victory!
Nothing is wasted. It’s actually impossible for nothing to happen when you pray.
He answers every time you call. He meets you right where you are.
So keep practicing. Keep saying yes. Let these abiding moments become your new rhythm. He’s closer than you think. 💛
✨ Meditate on these truths when you feel spiritually disconnected
👉🏽 Truths to Meditate On in Abiding Moments:
I’m seated in heavenly places with Christ. What kind of faith does that give me?
Nothing separates me from His love. Not time, feelings, circumstances.
Jesus is everything I need right now. He owns it all and knows it all.
God’s power in me is resurrection-level strong. What boundless possibilities and options come with it?
👉🏽 Tips to Create Space for Abiding Moments:
Put your phone down and your hand on your heart. Breathe. Say His name.
Use the in-between moments—in traffic, in line, during a shower.
Ask God to help you slow down inside, even when life feels fast.
Try listening prayer. Write out your friction points, lay your questions on the table, and trust Him to sort it out with you. Then listen for His timely truths and solutions.
If you try this and still feel blocked, don’t panic. Sometimes, disconnection is our soul’s cry for emotional healing. Jesus sees every wound and will meet you there with so much gentleness.
Don't give up on the journey. And remember, life-giving community is part of His plan for your inspiration and wholeness!
✨ Because this is His promise
One of my favorites is this solid-bottom truth:
“Christ… fills all things everywhere with Himself.” — Ephesians 1:23
It’s His promise, and it starts with a simple YES in those everyday moments.
Yes to the next step. Yes to the quiet moment. Yes to connection over performance.
Because abiding is the secret to rest and revival.
And it starts right here, in this very breath.
With you in the practice,
Kelsi
P.S. If you want someone to stand with you in prayer, please reach out. You were never meant to walk this road alone.
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