Experiencing God’s Love: When You Struggle to Feel Loved

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Inside: Struggling to feel loved? You’re not alone. Even when our hearts wrestle with doubt, God’s love remains constant. Let’s explore how His unchanging love can heal our deepest wounds and fill the longing in our souls. Ready to experience the kind of love that never fails?

Have you ever felt unloved? Maybe someone said something to you?

Or maybe it wasn’t words directly, but the absence of love was just as loud.

Perhaps you’ve been overlooked, misunderstood, or left out.

Or maybe the negative thoughts in your own mind whispered lies that no one cared.

I had someone close tell me I’d be all alone. That was said years ago, but I still carry it with me 40-some years later.

Let me tell you if any of these apply to you: you’re not alone.

Even as Christian women, we can struggle to believe we are deeply loved.

The world tells us that love is conditional- based on what we look like, how successful we are, or how much we please others.

But God’s love? It’s different.

It’s constant, unshakeable, and never dependent on our performance.

Let’s dive into what God’s Word says about His love, why it’s so hard to feel sometimes, and how we can start living like we’re truly loved.

Why Do We Struggle to Feel Loved?

Before we can embrace God’s love, we have to understand why it feels so distant at times.

Past Wounds: Hurt from family, friendships, or relationships can distort our view of love.

Comparison: Scrolling through perfect photos online can convince us we aren’t good enough.

Shame and Guilt: We might believe we’re unworthy of God’s love because of mistakes we have made.

Seeking Love Elsewhere: We chase validation through achievements, people, or possessions.

But none of these things define our worth.

Only God does.

Romans 5:8 reminds us:
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT).

That means His love isn’t conditional.

It’s not like the world’s love- based on how well we perform or how “put together” we seem.

He loves us- period.

When the lies creep in, we need truth to stand on.

Here are four foundational truths about God’s love:

1. God’s Love is Unchanging

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8, NLT).

Unlike human love, which can falter, God’s love remains steady. No circumstance can separate us from it.

2. God’s Love is Personal

Isaiah 43:4 says:

Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you. (NLT).

He knows every detail of your story and still calls you His beloved.

3. God’s Love is Sacrificial

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16, NLT).

The cross is the ultimate display of love. He didn’t just say He loves you- He showed it.

4. God’s Love is Pursuing

Psalm 23:6 says,

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. (NLT).

Even when we wander, God lovingly pursues us. You are never too far gone.

A Me Too Moment: When I Struggled to Feel God’s Love

There was a season in my life when I desperately wanted to feel God’s love, but it felt out of reach.

I believed He loved the people around me- the ones who seemed more “spiritual” or had their messes together.

But me? I felt like an afterthought.

I tried to fill that ache through approval from others, constantly saying yes to avoid rejection. You know…make myself so loveable, people would just have to love you.

But no amount of validation could quiet the ache.

It wasn’t until I sat with God’s Word and let His truth sink into my heart that I realized: I was already fully loved.

Not because of what I did, but because of who He is.

(And don’t think this is a one and done thing, some days I need to remind myself of His love over and over again.)

And friend, the same is true for you.

God loves you just as you are.

Practical Ways to Experience God’s Love

If you’re struggling to feel God’s love, here are some practical steps to draw closer to Him:

Get Honest with God
He’s not afraid of your questions or doubts. Pour your heart out to Him like David did in the Psalms.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
(1 Peter 5:7, NLT).
Soak in Scripture
Fill your mind with truth by meditating on verses about God’s love.

Start with:
Romans 8:38-39
Zephaniah 3:17
Psalm 136:26
Speak Truth Over Yourself
When the lies slither in, counter them with God’s Word.

Create a list of biblical affirmations like:
I am deeply loved.
Nothing can separate me from His love.
I am chosen and treasured.
Look For His Love Daily
God’s love often shows up in the ordinary- a sunrise, laughter with a friend, or a moment of peace.

Keep a journal to write down “love notes” from God each day.

A Christian Quote to Remember

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.” — C.S. Lewis

Isn’t that a relief?

His love doesn’t waver, even when ours does.

What’s Next?

Friend, if you’re still wrestling with feeling unloved, I want you to know that God sees you.

Just like He saw Hagar in the wilderness, feeling abandoned and forgotten (Genesis 16), He calls you by name.

You are never out of His sight.

Take a moment today to pause, breathe, and ask God to show you His love.

He is near.

You are loved. Fully, completely, and forever.

Want More Encouragement?
- Join our Rise Above the Struggles community on Facebook for uplifting conversations.
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- Subscribe to the Rise and Thrive email series where we dive into topics like this every week.
You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Let’s grow in God’s love together.