Why Do You Struggle With Faith?
Struggling with faith is a common issue, and many people are blunt about not believing and are certain that God doesn’t exist. Others want to know God better but can’t because of their present circumstances. So, what are some common reasons people struggle with faith?
You struggle with faith because you don’t truly know God and are going through a lot of pain and suffering. Another reason could be that you’re not interacting and praying with other believers. To flourish in faith, reading, studying, and meditating on the Bible is important.
In this article, I’ll provide an in-depth explanation of why you might struggle with faith. Let’s get started!
Reasons People Struggle With Faith
Even those who have been Christians for a long time go through seasons of great testing and even unbelief. It’s important to understand that Christian life isn’t always a bed of roses but one of spiritual warfare and one that’s already been won.
What causes lack of faith, below are seven reasons:
1. Not Truly Knowing God
One of the most common reasons people struggle with faith is not truly knowing God. Many people in popular culture–even in the Christian community– are now peddling a gospel of God’s love and end their teaching there.
They often don’t emphasize the importance of getting to know God more deeply through prayer, meditation, reading the Bible, and experiencing God in one’s daily life.
When people encounter hardship or pray for things, and their prayers go unanswered, meaning they don’t get what they want, they may suddenly conclude that God must not exist. Or that if he does, He isn’t good or doesn’t care.
Unless we push through and persevere in seeking God in these moments of hardship, we won’t be able to understand that God is God, and He is perfectly loving while being perfectly just. He is merciful, yet He chastises those He loves.
In the end, those prayers that we think are unanswered are all actually answered, one way or another. Sometimes, it’s difficult for us to accept that God does as He wills precisely because He is God, and even His “no” is according to His perfect will.
2. Pain and Suffering
Another significant issue hindering people from holding on to their faith is great adversity. The subject of pain and suffering is something that every believer must tackle. Every Christian must understand that pain and suffering exist in the world because the world is fallen, humankind is fallen, and each person has the will to do either good or evil.
The presence of pain or suffering doesn’t nullify God’s presence, goodness, or sovereignty over his creation–even Jesus himself was no stranger to suffering.
He is described in the Bible as a man of sorrows, a man whom people esteemed not, who was not attractive in appearance, and who didn’t have everything fall in place for Him on Earth.
Instead, Jesus had to experience the worst possible suffering. He died on the cross like the worst of sinners so that humankind could be credited with his perfect righteousness and eternal life. The way God operates cannot be more unlike how the world operates (or expects Him to operate).
The Apostle Paul also is a powerful example of a Christian whose life was suffering at every turn. He explains the life of a flourishing Christian, not as the successful, go-getting, rich person. Instead, Paul is someone who is “hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ” (2 Corinthians 4: 8-10)
There is perhaps no better encouragement for a suffering believer than these words from Apostle Paul, a man in chains:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
3. Not Interacting and Praying with Other Believers
Having fellow believers in your life is important if you want your faith to be strong. For instance, if you’re a new Christian, becoming friends with a more mature believer can teach you things you never knew about God.
Other Christians can also help you learn more about God’s love through personal testimonies, which are proof that God truly cares.
In Matthew 18:20, it’s stated that “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.” By praying with fellow believers, you can experience God’s love, grace, and kindness.
Related: 7 Ways to Build Your Faith
4. Church Hurt
Many people struggle with faith due to negative experiences in church and a lack of connection or trust with religious leaders. Failing relationships with these influential figures can create confusion and doubt, leading to a crisis of faith that is hard to overcome.
Any time a well-known pastor falls into sin or makes a serious mistake, it can cause a struggle with faith. Because if they couldn’t resist temptation and make wise decisions, how can we?
But it’s important to remember that these people are human, and struggle with temptation just like the rest of us. And we need to put our trust in God not man. But overall, we mustn’t let the imperfections of man stop us from seeking out God’s word in church and connecting with His people.
So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:5
5. Intellect
By relying on our own judgement, logic, and reasoning, we cannot recognize the greater truths and rationales that exist beyond what our limited intellect can comprehend. Instead of seeking the divine presence of God, we overlook the spiritual beauty of faith.
To experience the power of faith operating in our lives, we must move beyond our beliefs, open up our hearts and minds to God’s guidance, and have faith in His plans for us.
If you have a problem and need help, tell God. He loves us and will listen to our worries and questions. He is always willing to help us when we call on Him.
Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know. Jer. 33.3
6. Unanswered Prayer
When prayers remain unanswered, it can be a struggle to maintain faith. It may appear as though God is not paying attention or does not care about our needs. Feeling disheartened because our hopes are unmet is natural, but believing in God’s mercy and kindness will sustain us during times of difficulty and uncertainty.
We may never fully understand why our prayers remain unanswered. Faith gives us the ability to trust in the grace and will of the Lord. Even when we don’t know what the outcome will be. This struggle can sometimes seem insurmountable, but it’s a journey that strengthens us and brings us closer to our Creator.
“The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” F. B. Meyer
7, Ourselves
One more reason for our struggle with faith might be our struggle with doubt or insecurities. We may feel God doesn’t love us, which isn’t true, since God sent his Son to save us. God loves you unconditionally and has a good plan for you. Having faith means trusting in God’s plan, even if it isn’t always clear to us, and that can be difficult.
Each person’ s lack of faith in God may vary, but it’s important to remember anyone can rekindle their relationship with Him. The best way to do this is through self-reflection–asking yourself why you’re questioning your faith or disconnecting from God. It will open up a line of communication with God when you pour your heart out.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Final Thoughts
t’s important to know God is not mad at you when you struggle with faith. Faith is a deeply personal thing and isn’t something you can force yourself to hold to. Sometimes it comes from a revelation from the Word, other times through the testimony of believers or through your own answered prayers. Remember, the struggle is temporary, but God’s love is everlasting. Regardless of how it comes to you, as the Bible says, when you hear the voice of God, do not harden your heart. Believe in Him.
Sources
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