"And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame." (1 John 2:28, NLT) "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:7) God tests our faith, our resolve, our patience our determination, our love, our commitment. God tests everything. The reason God tests us is not because He needs to be "sure" about us. No, the reason God tests us is because this test produces something in us which we can't get otherwise. And there is no greater test than the test of silence. At times God keeps quiet - acts like He is not there; acts like He is not seeing everything; acts like He is not in control. But all these is meant to test us and produce the honour and glory which we need in life. We must know that the ultimate need of God is to bring us to His glory: to show forth His glory in us and through us; and to crown us with His glory. And there can't be any glory without trials..
And what is a little test compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us? When it seems like God isn't listening; like He isn't showing forth, like He isn't there anymore... just wait and remain in fellowship with Christ. The period of test is the period to get closer in fellowship. It is a time to devote your life and time more. It is not a time to give up. it is not a time to be discouraged.
Peter says that the trial of our faith is more precious than the trial of gold. Gold is refined with fire, yet gold is temporal and perishes. But our faith is eternal and must be tried with greater fire to produce the honour and glory desired. God is coming. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. Remain steadfast so that when He returns, you will be full of courage!