There is no experience more painful than grief over the loss of a dearly loved one. That pain is so penetrating it cuts not only through the heart but into your faith, too. Sadly, grief will not be the only challenger of your faith. You will experience bitter disappointment or may suffer an unjust consequence or violence. You might even lose your health or abilities to injury or disease. When suffering like this after having given yourself to Jesus and trying so hard to walk the good walk, it would be understandable that you find it difficult to hold onto your faith.
There may be other reasons your faith is attacked, for the enemy is an insidious beast. You may think you are doing all the right things as a believer but do not see the promised blessings coming to you. You may pray passionately and often and think that God does not hear you or care to answer you. Perhaps there is no joy in your acts of service because no one seems to be grateful for your efforts. Maybe a friend demeans your faith and worship and belittles you in such a way that you wonder if Christian living is a worthy endeavor. At some point, one or more of these circumstances will become yours. Your spiritual strength will become weak, and you will wonder what to do or where to turn. You might even tell yourself you no longer believe.
Friend, we all have seasons of doubt, and when you are in that season, know that you are not alone. Many people begin to lose faith in God following cruel or unbearable life experiences. Feeling frustrated when your life takes an unexpected turn is understandable and okay. It is okay to be angry at God when you think he is not listening to you. But when you feel this distance from God, remember that he is not at all distant from you. His presence is constant, and he is closer to your situation than you may think. This is the time when you should call out to him. Bring to him your pain, frustration, and unmet expectations, knowing that he is a good Father and he cares about your concerns. He won’t shame or condemn you. Be honest with him because he already knows what you think and feel. He is not angry with you for having doubts or struggling with unbelief; he understands your weaknesses and has compassion and empathy for you in these moments.
This may seem counterintuitive, but when you feel as though you are falling away from God, kneel and pray. Confess your unbelief and ask that it be restored. Continue to worship him. God wants you to reach out to him in faith, even when your faith seems to be slipping away. He wants you to trust him even when it seems there is very little reason to do so. Summon up the resolve to continue your relationship with God. He will not refuse you but will welcome you back, for he promised that all who seek him will indeed find him.
My friend, do not keep your failing faith a secret and attempt to restore it by yourself. God wants you in fellowship with other Christians so that you can be helped when you are burdened. The more you hide and pretend, the worse the challenge will become. I am, as are your other friends in Christ, ready to pray with you and encourage you through the time. Share your doubts with someone strong in the faith who would have the wisdom and discernment, as well as the compassion, to guide you back to belief. Not only will you experience the blessing of working out your faith with someone who desires your success in that endeavor, but you might also be surprised and helped at the same time to learn that even the most passionate evangelists have experienced falling away from God.
I pray that you never begin to fall away, but should you, let a brother or sister help you, my friend. You will be reminded that grace is unmerited, and Christ’s love is unconditional; and because of that, you have not, nor cannot lose your salvation. May knowing that people are interceding on your behalf give you the determination to be restored to the initial joy you had when you were sure of God and trusted his ways. May the Holy Spirit bring you peace and solace and fill your thoughts with the goodness of God. And may all the angels sing when the lost sheep is found! Amen.
