does anybody else struggle with their faith?

Question

and if so, how do you cope with it?

I'm at a point now where it's just so hard to accept anything.

Answer 1

Remember you are a daughter of the Most High purchased by the Blood of the Lamb.
This help me when I read it. So I read it a lot. It show that not only did He rescue me from hell and death but God told us How He was going to do it and that to king David 900 years before the event.. Think about this being fulfill prophecy and it will strengthen you: Jim
Psalms 22:12-18
Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

Answer 2

Well you don't say which faith you adhere to, but from the point of view of Christianity, try reading some of the psalms. King David struggled with his faith, a lot, but never took his eye off God in the end. Even the disciples struggled, they all deserted Jesus when he was arrested. I think you will find amongst all believers that testing times come along. I have struggled too, through some awful personal times, but someone once said, 'never forget in the darkness what you learned in the light.' I learned God's word and he promised never to leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5) and that he works all things for the good of those who love God. He sometimes seems distant, he may be testing your faithfulness. Hang on in there, I can testify that things will get better.

Answer 3

I think we all do, even people with no faith struggle with that at times. (at least I did when I was there)

When I am struggling, I stop, and take inventory of my life. What have I been putting in lately? Have I put any time into studying anything about my faith? Have I been attending Mass at least once a week? When was the last time I prayed?

Then compare that with:

How much TV have I watched? How much Internet time have I logged and what was I looking at? What have I been doing with my free time? How am I treating others around me?

Now to keep your faith, you don't have to join a monastery and pray all day, but you cannot completely ignore your faith either.

It is kind of like your body, if you don't exercise and only eat garbage your body is going to suffer, that does not mean that you have to run 24/7 and only eat bean sprouts and peanuts, but a diet of jelly donuts and beer wont work.

Happiness is all about balance in life.

Peace be with you!

Answer 4

Hello, Yes I have had struggles in my trust towards God. Especially when things were difficult and I could'nt figure them out on my own. I don't always know the 'whys? or whynots? When I feel 'lost' Thats when I would start with the basics that I 'Do Know'. The truths according to the Bible. You might also ask yourself "Why?" Did you choose to 'Walk by Faith'? Are you studying the Word? Attend any kind of encouraging God centered, Bible believing group? When I was pretty young in my own faith, I remember one thing that really blessed and encouraged me was inspirational worship music. There are many to choose from. I prefered those that sung about their 'real experiences with and love for God. I 'also' read other inspirational true stories of other christians and the real God encounters they have had. Both are Highly recommended. I don't struggle about my faith any more as a result. Hope this helped. Hang in there. Don't give it up, It's the most valuable treasure you have! Sincerely, Rose

Answer 5

With faith comes struggle as well, it is in the nature of Christian belief. Anyone who has no doubts and never questions their belief or teaching believes without understanding, and fool themselves in thinking that they have all the answers.Faith means taking things on trust without any evidence or proof. It may be a cop out but I think each follower of Christ must find their own answers, through prayer( something that I am not very good at doing), reading, or taking lessons from life experience. Remember the bumps are what you climb on and the struggle can be likened to the refining of gold; it is through the heat of the furnace that the pure metal is produced, leaving the dross behind.

Answer 6

Everyone struggles with their faith.
Remember the apostle Paul (Romans 7 v 22-24)

We all cope in the same way, prayer and christian fellowship.

Like our bodies need food our minds need spiritual nourishment. When did you last pick up the bible and read a good portion of it, it may help.

I will pray for you.

Answer 7

Are you struggling with your faith because what your religion professes to believe and what their actions are don't line up often?

Are you disenchanted by the traditions of your faith, that may have overshadowed its purpose and mission?

If you had said, "I'm struggling with my religion" I'd say GREAT! God isn't interested in manmade traditions that so many hold to, that contradict at best and promote vicious behavior that disgusts Him...all done in His name.

www.truthortradition.com
www.notreligion.com

These are two websites for Christians who feel as you do...if you're a Christian, you may find them helpful. If you're of a different faith, you may be able to draw a parallel because the problems the Christian faith faces today in this area aren't exclusive to Christianity.

I'd also recommend a book called "A Different Kind of Christian" by Brian MacLaren. Again, even if you aren't a Christian, you may see an interesting parallel.

I say all this because it's usually the stuff above that leads to a person who is actually prepared to shuck it all and believe in nothing. Continue to seek...those who truly seek..find.

Answer 8

It would be according to what you mean "struggle with faith” does my faith get weaker? No, why would it? Cause I have rough times? Don’t we all? Cause I hurt sometimes? Don’t we all? I don't always get what I pray for? Thank God for that, most would have been a big mistake. As my mom was dying at 48 of cancer, when she found out she had 17 tumors in her head, crushing in on her brain, and the pain would make her almost pass out, she would tell me, "God never said he take me out of it, only that he would take me through it".
Man, God's creation nailed God in the flesh to a cross, while laughing, mocking, and enjoying his suffering. His earthly mother stood crying at his agony. Who am I, to complain about anything? I and you, if you are a Christian, have a great promise, Christ said, " I will NEVER leave nor forsake you" "I am a friend who will stick closer to you than a brother” What a promise. Who else can say their god promised to never leave them? No one, because there is not other name, buy which man can be saved.
So hard to accept anything..... Accept this, our suffering is for just a little while, eternity is forever. Until we have suffered as Job, we have nothing to complain about. Tell God how you feel, Shout it out, scream it out, he wont mind, tell him what you are dealing with, get it all out, he's loves you, more than you could ever know, or understand

Answer 9

Anyone that says they have never had a faith struggle is a liar. Either major or minor it happens to all believers.
Try reading the third chapter of proverbs on the wisdom of God.
Return to the source of your faith and ask God for more strength and then receive it.
God Bless!

Answer 10

You are definitely not alone. It took me most of my adult life to get up enough courage to make a decision on which way I would live the rest of my life. And in no sense was it ever easy for me. I had to accept that I, as a human being, was created for a reason and not just born into the family of man for the heck of it. I had to find purpose. I had to evaluate my logic side as well as my emotional side and find the common ground. In that way, I could look at myself, my accomplishments, my choices and my hopes so that I could decide what was going to put me in balance with the world.
And even though it feels that sometimes the world is wobbly, I have no problem walking straight.
I found that just as anyone else, I was unique in that I have a free will. The questions for me was, Is God real? Was Jesus Christ who He said He was? And when I answered that question without doubt, without outside influence, I knew what I had to do. Ever since then, I doubt no more.
The hard truth is, no one can decide for you. The choice is yours alone. If your choice makes you feel right and comfortable in your own soul as a defining moment, then chances are, you made the right one.

That's all I have to say, hope I made sense.

Answer 11

Dear, I think everyone of faith struggles with it from time to time. I know I do, and I usually consider myself to be strong in my faith. I have even had the thought that it would be easier for me to simply give up my faith. But, Jesus Christ wouldn't let me go. And, I'm so thankful now, that He wouldn't. Just pray and tell God about your struggles.( It's not like He doesn't already know) and ask Him to strengthen your faith.

What you are going through is totally normal. The only way I know of to cope is to pray and praise my way through it. Peace.