Faith is not easy

Over the years times brought me testing of my faith! How about you?

When I was in my early thirties, faith was battered by the experience of a church split. I was astonished at the cruelty and selfishness of those who claimed Christ as Lord. Many questions about the reality of the Christian experience rose in me. I came to realize that we are all ‘in process’ and that Jesus is the only Perfect One.

In my mid-forty’s my faith was nearly extinguished by a terrible depression that lasted over a year. It made prayer seemingly impossible. The Hope of Christ was hidden in a deep fog of confusion and fear. Only the love of family and friends, the power of the Word, and the intervention of a caring physician brought renewal. I learned that God’s Light shines even in the darkest night.

Faith is not simple, nor is it easy, but what reward comes from enduring the hardships, becoming willing to live with the mysteries of suffering, sadness, and unanswered questions. Psalm 40 is true!

We read there
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”

St. John of the Cross called the season of faith-testing - the "dark night of the soul."   I have found those times like traveling through a desert, a journey that makes the soul dry, parched. Temptation comes to find relief, anywhere, anyway we can!

Even Jesus experienced it. When He was in the wilderness, fasting and praying, He felt Himself alone and Satan whispered to Him about turning stones into bread, about forcing a crisis with His Father by throwing Himself off of the temple walls! He did not fail, nor will we – IF we lean hard on the Word as He did. He answered the Tempter by saying ‘it is written.’

The faith chapter (Hebrews 11) describes those whose prayers were apparently unanswered, who were persecuted, imprisoned, and impoverished because of Christ Jesus. Then we read this challenge – “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (v.36)

A moment ago we read about the importance of ‘waiting patiently for the Lord.’ 
Will you? Will I?

When faith becomes difficult, when questions and even doubts come, when God is silent, choose to persevere!  How?

1. Don’t abandon the church and the fellowship of worship.

2. Take the long view, remembering that today’s crisis will pass. Eternity will come.

3.  Weep! Repressed emotions are a poisonous brew. Let your heart be broken. Tears are a language that God understands.

4. Grit your teeth and hang on as you choose to do the right thing even if your heart is not in it.  This is the promise- “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”  (James 1:12)

May we be encouraged to remain steady by this word from the Word.
“When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken. "O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. … 
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever." (Psalm 30:4-12, NIV)

As we enter the New Year, let us pray for renewed faith, for courage, for the Spirit to lead us to light and life.

Amen