The remedies for such may be these. First: that they put all their trust in our Lord Jesus Christ, and often call to mind His Passion and the pains that He suffered for us, and that they then believe stedfastly that all sorrows and travail which they suffer in such temptations, which to unskilful men may seem a forsaking by God, are indeed no such leavings or forsakings, but trials for their good, either for cleansing of their former sins or for the great increasing of their reward and the disposing of them for more grace, if they will but suffer awhile and stand fast, that they turn not again willingly to sin. (John Climacus)

To struggle with sin, according to Climacus, does not suggest forsaking God.

I am distracted from God by my own sinfulness. But awareness of sin restores - or can restore - the attention I give God and our relationship.

The act of separating remains a problem and the origin of many troubles. But the awareness of separation is the beginning of grace.

The image is of the pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14)