Feeling Disconnected? This Is Why:
Have you ever wondered why life often feels off, like something just isn’t quite right? That unsettled feeling, that ache for more, could be pointing to something deeper than stress or fatigue. According to Scripture, you might actually be living in exile right now.
That word might sound dramatic, but once you trace the pattern of exile through the Bible, it becomes clear: this theme is more than historical. It’s deeply personal. And understanding it could change the way you experience life.
Exile Isn’t Just in the Old Testament; It’s Your Story Too
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible consistently returns to the idea of exile: God’s people living under foreign rule, away from their promised land, yearning for rescue and restoration.
You’ll find it in four major biblical events:
The Assyrian exile – When the northern kingdom of Israel was taken.
The Babylonian exile – Where prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel served under harsh rule.
The Persian exile – The setting for Ezra and Nehemiah’s reforms and rebuilding.
The Egyptian exile – Perhaps the most well-known, where God’s people lived in bondage before the Exodus.
But exile wasn’t just about geography. It was spiritual. God’s people were stuck under rulers who didn’t know or honor Him. Their true King, the one from David’s line, was nowhere to be found. Sound familiar?
Even With Jesus, the Language of Exile Remained
You might expect that once Jesus arrived, the language of exile would disappear. But it didn’t.
In 1 Peter 1:1, the apostle writes to Christians scattered across regions, calling them “foreigners” and referring to their time as “your exile.” Why would Peter use that term if Jesus had already conquered death?
Because spiritually speaking, we’re still not home.
Jesus Himself, in John 17, referred to His followers as “not of this world.” That’s not just poetic, it’s positional. If your identity is in Christ, you are living under a ruler who isn’t your King. That ruler? Satan. He’s called the “prince of this world” in John 14:30 and other places.
That’s why things often feel chaotic, painful, or unfair. We’re in a world that isn’t governed by the values or love of our true King. That’s the tension of being an exile.
The Pain You Feel Has a Context
It’s not just life being “hard.” It’s the reality of exile.
When bad things happen, when people hurt you, when tragedy strikes, it’s easy to blame God. But the Bible offers a different lens: we are not yet home. The current ruler of this world wants to separate us from God’s love, purpose, and joy. He deceives, accuses, and twists truth.
You’ve likely felt that impact. Whether you’ve been the one hurt, or the one doing the hurting, we’ve all tasted the sting of living in a broken world under broken leadership.
But here’s the turning point.
Living With Hope As an Exile
The danger isn’t just being in exile. The real danger is forgetting that you are.
When you forget, you start thinking the pain is all there is. Or worse, you start blaming the wrong source, thinking God is the one hurting you.
But what if you changed lenses?
What if, instead of viewing your life through pain or revenge or survival, you saw it through the lens of exile? You would begin to understand that:
You’re under a ruler who doesn’t have your best interests in mind.
You’re meant for another place, another King.
The ache in your heart is actually homesickness—for heaven.
And with that, your faith could come alive again.
You’re Not a Victim: You’re a Foreigner with a Future
That old gospel lyric says it best:
"This world is not my home, I’m just passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue."
This isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about naming it properly. The world may still be under Satan’s sway, but Jesus has already won. The resurrection wasn’t just an event; it was the beginning of the end for exile.
Until He returns, you and I are exiles. But not without hope. We live differently because of that. We love even when it’s hard. We forgive when others hold grudges. We worship even when the world mocks. Why?
Because we know the exile doesn’t last forever.
What Lens Are You Living With?
You can live with the lens of hurt. Or with the lens of hope. The first keeps you bitter, jaded, and stuck. The second sets you free. You’ll still face pain. But you’ll face it with perspective. And that makes all the difference. So the next time the world feels heavy or unfair, remember: you're not home yet. And that's exactly why your faith still matters.
