How to Strengthen Your FaithSample

What About When …? 

Sometimes, faith looks like being used by God to do things that are far beyond what we could ever accomplish on our own. 

But sometimes, faith looks like being pushed far beyond what we could ever endure on our own. It’s in these moments that we can start to question whether faith is even worth it anymore. Our trust in God is tested. The evidence we felt so confident in seems less convincing. And the idea of obedience just seems crazy.  

… There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:35-38 NIV 

What do we do when we don’t know if we can believe anymore? When this life of faith isn’t going the way we hoped it would? 

To answer that question, let’s skip ahead to the next chapter.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

Therefore, throw off everything that hinders. What things have you believed about God that aren’t actually true? Did you believe that following Jesus would always be fun and easy? That life with God wouldn’t be hard anymore? Or that you would never experience doubts once you began the journey of faith? Sometimes, it’s in the moments when we’re pushed to our breaking point that God is inviting us to let go of the faulty ideas about Him that we’ve picked up and replace them with truth. 

“And the sin that so easily entangles ...” What sin has buried its hooks in you? Whatever it is, remember, confessing your sins to God brings forgiveness, and confessing your sins to others brings healing. Repent from that sin, ask God to heal you, and do your best to return to the life of faith. 

“Run with perseverance …” When you’re tempted to stop, remember why you started. Jesus endured the pain of the cross because of the joy that was in front of Him: the joy of bringing us back to God. The joy of disarming the powers of darkness. The joy of resurrection and a new creation. What joy have you lost sight of in the middle of your pain? 

“Fix your eyes on Jesus …” Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. The pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Fix your eyes on Him and let His faithfulness inspire faith in you. Look back on your life and reflect on where you’ve seen Him move—think about who you are today and how Jesus has transformed you. Imagine all the ways Jesus wants to use your present circumstances to prepare you for your future. 

Challenge: If you find yourself questioning your faith, take a moment to reach out to someone whose faith inspires you. Share with them your questions and struggles.