Christians may find that offensive, but if we're honest, we may also know it's partly true. At times our relationship with God is a crutch. We go along leaving it stored away until we experience some pain and need some support - then we get it out and lean on it awhile. It may be stored for years and come out for something major, or it may be a cool collapsible "pocket crutch" that's always with us to take out often for all the little struggles. Either way, your relationship with God can be so much more....
Check out the kids in the picture; in my boat, we wear life jackets. As an adult fishing with other adults, I've had guys see me put on my jacket and ask: "Don't you know how to swim?" My answer is always this: "If you really need a life jacket, you're probably not in a condition to put one on. Are you sure you don't want to wear yours instead of strapping it to the seat?"
Some Christians embrace the crutch idea: We are broken in sin and need God to hold us up. That's great for the big picture, but when it comes to practical life application, faith needs to be a lot more like a life jacket - already in place when trouble comes and always visible to others to encourage them to wear theirs too.
So how does life look different with a life jacket instead of a crutch? Don't let your relationship with God be something you just take out when you think you need it or something you just use for a couple hours of therapy each a week. Wear it all day, every day, regardless of your circumstance. Have a relationship with God that keeps your focus on Him and what he's already done for you. When things are good, you know He's with you giving you every good thing. When things get bad, you don't need to reach for help, you're aware that He's already with you and you won't sink nearly as far before feeling His support.
Just like your life jacket doesn't help if you don't take the time to put it on, cultivating this type of relationship with God, available only by His grace, takes effort on our part. Start with whatever works for you, allow yourself some variety, and don't get discouraged if you miss a day. Guilt is a favorite tool of the Enemy to make you feel like you might as well not try. Simply start again the next day. Intentional quiet time with God has many forms - a daily verse or reading plan; journaling; listening to a podcast or sermon series; quiet prayer; but regardless of your method, focusing on God for bit will bring greater comfort and peace knowing He is keeping you afloat in life and giving you opportunities to share His Love with others.