Tag Joy in our journey

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.)

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