Struggles as Christians: How we overcome. (Part one)
Life’s struggles
Life is full of struggles, and as Christians, we are not exempt from struggles. In fact, our faith often calls us to face trials with courage and trust in God. But what does it feel like to struggle as a Christian? These posts explore the raw, honest emotions and experiences of facing difficulties while holding onto faith.
Feeling Spiritually Dry or Distant
Struggles come in many forms—financial hardships, health issues, broken relationships, or even spiritual doubts that challenge our faith and convictions. As Christians, we sometimes feel the pressure to appear strong and unwavering, as if we must always put on a brave face to reflect our beliefs.
However, the truth is, we all have moments of weakness, times when our faith feels as fragile as a thread and our burdens seem too heavy to bear. During these difficult seasons, it’s essential to remember that vulnerability is not a sign of defeat, but rather an opportunity for growth.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God…” – Psalm 42:5
It’s in these quiet valleys that we often feel most distant from God. It’s like our prayers echo back unanswered, or Scripture feels hollow despite our efforts. In these moments, silence pervades our hearts. The weight of the world presses down on our shoulders. We may find ourselves questioning our faith and the very essence of our connection to the divine.
Elijah’s struggles mimic ours.
Elijah knew this firsthand when he was hiding from Queen Jezebel. (I Kings 19:9-18). He knew his life was over, but God spoke to him quietly and gently.
Elijah was rescued.
Just like Elijah, each breath we take can be a testament to resilience. We slowly recognize God’s presence that surrounds us. He urges us on to embrace our struggles as part of a greater journey toward healing and understanding.
In these moments of desperation, a flicker of hope urges us to seek the light in the shadows. The very act of searching for that light can lead us to a deeper understanding of faith. Consequently, our struggles become a pathway to greater strength and resilience.
Struggles lead to deeper insight.
The stillness can be deafening, and it often leads us into a deeper exploration of our innermost thoughts and vulnerabilities. In moments of quiet, we find that our minds can wander freely, unearthing feelings and memories. We may have long buried these beneath the noise of everyday life. Yet, it is precisely in these valleys that we are allowed to reflect.
We seek meaning in our struggles and to understand the lessons that our experiences impart. But it is in these valleys that we can rediscover the gentle whispers of hope that can guide us through the darkness. Pats will be illuminated that we might not have noticed before.
As we navigate these terrains, we discover not just our fears but also the resilience within us. This enables us to rise above and emerge stronger.
Real-Life Reflection:
Sarah, a devoted believer, went through a season where her faith felt dry. She attended church, served faithfully, read her Bible—but inside, she felt spiritually parched. She had been a Christian a long time, but now felt as though she was taking steps backward.
Sarah went through the motions, but nothing helped. One evening, she was overcome with despair. She hadn’t prayed much for months, but now found herself on her knees, tearfully admitting for the first time Lord, I believe… but I feel nothing.”
Over time, gentle reminders surfaced—a comforting verse, a friend. After a few months, Sarah found her way back to God. She now knew the hope described in Psalm 42:5, “Why, my soul, are you so downcast?….Put your hope in God.”
Sometimes we have to go through the desert before we find the life-giving water.
Reflection Questions:
- Have you ever had to talk to your soul?
- What scriptures spoke to you the most?
- How would you encourage others going through a dry spell?
((I am re-posting this because I ended up writing a series of posts, of which this is the first one.)
Related posts
-
Depression isn’t for “sissies
For sure, depression isn’t for “sissies”. Those that struggle with depression are usually sensitive and intelligent people. But one thing is for sure, depressed people learn courage. Depressed is an illness What is interesting about those that suffer from depression is that it’s almost never the “bad”, “mean” or “shallow” person that experiences depression. Almost Read more
-
My word for the year. Choices
Do you sometimes feel your prayers aren’t effective? Do you wonder sometimes if there are “right” or “wrong” ways to pray? I think we all get frustrated at times and that’s a good thing. It’s good to revisit how we pray. Maybe there’s more we can learn….Read more here. Read more
-
Spiritual exchanges. What is it?
What is a spiritual exchange? Spiritual exchanges are always happening. These first three paragraphs are quoted from “the me I want to be” by John Ortberg. “Dr. Jilll Taylor was a thirty-seven-year-old, Harvard-trained brain scientist who suffered a massive stroke. The left side of her brain, which regulates speech and linear thinking, was devastated. For Read more
-
Is your heart aching?
My heart is aching. How could it not? But I pray because in this case, it is truly all I can do. I tell myself I won’t watch any more news coverage of the Russian War on Ukraine. But I have to. I need those scenes in front of me to keep my prayers on Read more
-
A heartfelt prayer for the anxious today.
Anxious feelings are so uncomfortable. We feel such pressure on our chest. Our heart flutters, our pulse quickens but talking to God helps. Everyone feels anxiety Each of them, male and female, struggles with some emotional or mental issues, ranging from anxiety, depression, fear, etc. It’s not something they deal with all of the time Read more
-
How to avoid a recurrence of depression
A recurrence of depression is a common fear in those who have experienced an episode. I’m currently reading an interesting book about depression and the overwhelming research about the misuse of antidepressants. The research is becoming clearer all the time: Antidepressants only somewhat effective Antidepressants are not as effective as the drug companies have reported, (only about thirty Read more
Discover more from goodthoughtsgoodlives
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
