It's nice to know that I am not alone in my struggles. Every one always seems to have it so together while I don't. I used to think their was something wrong with me. Over the past couple of years God has shown me it is honest transparency and that it doesn't put Him off, it draws him near. He can work with that.
My Mom & I use to discuss this topic and she taught me to pray and ask God to help me with any of my unbelief. I have allowed Pastors in the pulpit who spoke that dought of any kind was a lack of unbelief and salvation. I appreciate your honesty in the writing, I too agree that they can both exist together. That's life, some seasons are full of Faith and someone's we go through seasons of dought. I know when someone shares their dought, I am quick to encourage Faith to them. So that tells me I believe.
I’m dealing with a son who has OCD to the point that he can’t eat or sleep sometimes, fixated on if God is real. He needs tangible proof for everything and asks me how I can believe without proof. It’s a tough situation.
He's not alone. And that's a fair question...how can we believe without tangible proof? For me, it's peace I can't explain, prayers answered beyond common sense or coincidence, a sense of purpose that feels too deep to invent. I can't tangibly see love but I know it exists. I can't see oxygen or gravity, but I can feel their presence. Jesus is tangible proof. Historically proven without a doubt, but not something your son can see. His own body, too complex and miraculous to write off as happenstance. I think God welcomes these thoughts and questions. I would challenge him to ask God to give him something as proof...and then genuinely remain open to seeing or hearing or feeling that answer when it comes. And I will pray for him!
I pray Mark 24:9 a lot. My faith has certainly increased over the many years of walking with the Lord, but if I still feel anxious when praying about something I might as well be honest with both God and myself, as I still have unbelief. also, Proverbs 3: 5-6 has become my life verse as I daily attempt to trust God with all of my heart and not rely on my human understanding. Thanks Bill
I have learned over the past 10 years that I can’t fix things but I can pray and draw close to God and that is real faith. Life isn’t easy but Jesus walks with us and shows us the way to have an intimate real relationship that is worth everything!
In my struggles, I have always come back to this verse…real life, real belief is not perfect nor is it always constant. Thank you Bill, for this message.
Having been a participating Christian in a few different churches over my sixty seven years I've seen and experienced it all, including the talk by faith. I've come in for a landing as a faith realist. I have faith, walk by faith, prefer to speak positively when possible but I'm going to be honest. When things are going poorly I'll say so but with the hope and belief that it's going to turn out ok. It always has.
It's nice to know that I am not alone in my struggles. Every one always seems to have it so together while I don't. I used to think their was something wrong with me. Over the past couple of years God has shown me it is honest transparency and that it doesn't put Him off, it draws him near. He can work with that.
My Mom & I use to discuss this topic and she taught me to pray and ask God to help me with any of my unbelief. I have allowed Pastors in the pulpit who spoke that dought of any kind was a lack of unbelief and salvation. I appreciate your honesty in the writing, I too agree that they can both exist together. That's life, some seasons are full of Faith and someone's we go through seasons of dought. I know when someone shares their dought, I am quick to encourage Faith to them. So that tells me I believe.
God Bless.
I’m dealing with a son who has OCD to the point that he can’t eat or sleep sometimes, fixated on if God is real. He needs tangible proof for everything and asks me how I can believe without proof. It’s a tough situation.
He's not alone. And that's a fair question...how can we believe without tangible proof? For me, it's peace I can't explain, prayers answered beyond common sense or coincidence, a sense of purpose that feels too deep to invent. I can't tangibly see love but I know it exists. I can't see oxygen or gravity, but I can feel their presence. Jesus is tangible proof. Historically proven without a doubt, but not something your son can see. His own body, too complex and miraculous to write off as happenstance. I think God welcomes these thoughts and questions. I would challenge him to ask God to give him something as proof...and then genuinely remain open to seeing or hearing or feeling that answer when it comes. And I will pray for him!
I pray Mark 24:9 a lot. My faith has certainly increased over the many years of walking with the Lord, but if I still feel anxious when praying about something I might as well be honest with both God and myself, as I still have unbelief. also, Proverbs 3: 5-6 has become my life verse as I daily attempt to trust God with all of my heart and not rely on my human understanding. Thanks Bill
I have learned over the past 10 years that I can’t fix things but I can pray and draw close to God and that is real faith. Life isn’t easy but Jesus walks with us and shows us the way to have an intimate real relationship that is worth everything!
In my struggles, I have always come back to this verse…real life, real belief is not perfect nor is it always constant. Thank you Bill, for this message.
Love this. I feel seen.
Having been a participating Christian in a few different churches over my sixty seven years I've seen and experienced it all, including the talk by faith. I've come in for a landing as a faith realist. I have faith, walk by faith, prefer to speak positively when possible but I'm going to be honest. When things are going poorly I'll say so but with the hope and belief that it's going to turn out ok. It always has.