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"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?" (Psalm 13:1) |
The Prophet ELIJAH felt it! Righteous JOB lived it! HANNAH prayed 19 years in the midst of it! NAOMI bitterly expressed it! SO WHY CAN'T I?
You can if you do it their way! Every one of these saints went through a period of extreme pain and confusion while serving God and they showed it with all the complexities of thought and emotion we humans possess! Not a single one was a Super Saint yet...
Elijah was bold enough to ask God to cause a three and half year drought over the land to prove his anointing as a prophet and God's Sovereignty over false gods. (I Kings 17:1)
God trusted the integrity of Job enough to put him on Satan's radar (Job 1:8-11). He knew what He had put in Job's heart and mind would not fail even under severe testing.
Hannah prayed so hard the preacher thought she was a drunk (I Samuel 1:9-14). But in the end it was just enough because she arose victorious her womb filled. Naomi overwhelmed with the loss of husband, sons, and livelihood complained bitterly (Ruth 1:19-21) but finally said enough and changed her perspective. She wisely counseled daughter in-law Ruth also a widow and she ended up in Christ's genealogy. What do all these personalities have in common? They LOVED THE LORD but, devastated with personal situations found their faith lacking in their dealings with Him... they wound up in a CRISIS OF FAITH.
HANDLING YOUR CRISIS OF FAITH!
I hope you noticed that I didn't start the second part of this post with the words: IF, or JUST IN CASE you have a faith crisis. Truth of the matter is, if you are a functioning Christian, trying to do the Lord's will, you will find yourself in one. Look at this definition from the Greenstone Counseling ministry:
"A faith crisis is a deeply personal and often disorienting experience.
It occurs when a person begins to question their foundational beliefs
in religion or spirituality. This isn't just doubt; it's a seismic shift
that shakes the core of one's identity."
Did you get that last statement? A seismic shift shaking the core of your identity. Authentic Christians hold their belief in God and His Word as a central, undeniable part of their everyday existence. Our faith is not just a once a week ritual, routine, rite of passage for the pseudo religious. A SAINT IS WHO WE ARE! It is first among any role or title we may hold. When an unexpected or significant death occurs; a chronic physical or mental condition develops; or any circumstance that alters our life in an extreme way happens, it affects EVERYTHING! It not only changes things it makes us question WHO WE ARE!
God has already equipped you to be victorious over your Faith Crisis. He has created you with emotions to express your pain and frustrations. These can be spiritually healthy and conducive to balancing out many of life's trauma. We just need to make sure we don't let them cycle down into sinful negative ones. Psalms, Lamentations, or any study of saints listed in Hebrews chapter 11's Hall of Faith will bear this truth out! In other words, my friends: "It's okay NOT to be okay!" Just don't stay that way!
WHAT NOT TO DO IN A FAITH CRISIS!
DON'T GIVE UP!!! Believe that your prior investment in
prayer, bible reading, meditation and memorization of scripture will see you through this period. Each of the Bible personalities we named above found victory in the end and became stronger witnesses for us to read and learn about today. their trials were not only for their generation but future generations as well! God is Faithful HIS WORD WILL NOT RETURN TO HIM VOID:
Isaiah 55:11
DON'T DISCONNECT: The Enemy already knows you're vulnerable so now more than ever you need to be around your community of faith, your church, small groups, prayer circles. Anyone who can encourage you in the faith. Resist the temptation to isolate:
Hebrews 10:25
AVOID THE SHAME/BLAME GAME: False teachers misquote scripture and manipulated the hearts and minds of earnest Christians telling them that sickness, poverty, and bad things come to those whose faith is not strong enough or that they will dissipate quickly if it is.
This is not biblical! Jesus warned that in this fallen world troubles will come.
John 16:33 In the stages of a faith crisis it may look as if fasting and praying is not working
You may begin to think: "Maybe I'm not really saved!"
"God is punishing me!" "I'm not serving or giving enough to win God's favor!" None of these are true even if emotionally you feel that way.
2 Timothy 2:13 We must remember even when we are faithless God still IS!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever Hebrews 13:8
CONTINUE YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES: Praise, Prayer, Bible Reading, Bible Study, Serving, Journaling and if you are able Church Attendance. The same faith habits you practiced during the good times will keep you stable and anchored during the rough time.
When you Think your Faith is Not Enough
Just Pray a little bit longer! Believe Just a little more!
Run on Just a little bit farther!
God's Grace is Sufficient!
UNTIL NEXT TIME...
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