This new series of posts is going to focus on how we as believers can support others in their faith journey. Recently, I reorganized this website to have categories so you can find blog posts by subjects. I have felt “called” and led to write various posts about the difficulties and trials that a person faces in a journey of faith with the hope that individuals will find truths, insights, and hope to keep pressing ahead!
Disclaimer:
It’s important for me to be clear that this series of posts is intended to encourage others to be proactive in ministering to those who are struggling in the journey of faith. I am not criticizing any church, congregation, or group of people, denomination, etc. I am exploring these issues to bring them to light and provide solutions for those who truly care and want to minister to others!
Currently, I am on a sabbatical leave from ministry and full time employment as I work through various issues in my own life and seek God’s restoration. God has graciously provided me with time to reflect, heal, and make decisions to move forward to being more healthy and ultimately more like Christ and less like my fleshly nature.
I am not a licensed mental health practitioner. Nor do I desire to provide simple five step solutions to complicated/complex issues. Hope that you will use these insights to encourage and pray for others who need your presence! Please encourage others to seek appropriate medical and psychological assistance when struggling.
The Challenge
First, I want to challenge all believers to encourage others as you receive encouragement yourself! Often we, (myself included) are quick to judge and criticize others who display distress or doubts when we need to come alongside our fellow pilgrims. I assert that doubts and having questions are signs of true, growing faith. My evidence for this assertion: consider the disciples and Jesus in the Gospels. It’s obvious reading through the Gospels that the disciples don’t understand Jesus and are thus slow to recognize His nature and properly respond. Notice that Jesus patiently instructs them over a period of time as He reveals more about Himself. We should relate to others as Jesus does in the Gospels!
Why would we be any different if we walk the path of discipleship? The first century was a time of great suffering, injustice, oppression, and spiritual longing. Is our present age not similar in various ways? People are seeking the truth, but often lack mature believers to encourage and mentor them. People turn to YouTube, secular humanists like Joe Ragan, and self-help podcasts, books, and etc. instead of the truth of the Gospel and Christ!
Living the Gospel
Why is this? I present that we as Christians fail to proclaim the Gospel by our actions and words. Churches often are not safe places for hurting people. I have been deeply hurt serving in ministry. I have also failed people myself. Numerous people have shared their stories of spiritual, emotional abuse and manipulation online in various posts and videos. We all struggle with sin and personal difficulties that seek to overwhelm and defeat us. Pastor, deacons, and leaders are human and struggle in their own ways. I’ve seen firsthand people harshly criticizing and condemning ministers/leaders simply because of a perceived slight or miscommunication.
We respond to perceived “attacks” and struggle to understand others because we don’t know or take the time to hear their stories, background. The true body of Christ isn’t about our personal desires/preferences nor is it about how a person or group of people “want” things to be! Young believers are watching and notice how others behave and relate to others!
Who is the real enemy?
Finally, our faith is always under attack from the Enemy and his powers of darkness! We often blame our culture: the secularists or atheists for our issues and things getting worse. Paul reminds us that:
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 Berean Standard Bible
When a person is struggling in his or her faith journey, it’s critical to view and respond to their questions and doubts with active listening and Godly empathy. Remember that people aren’t our real enemies. I struggle with this myself. We all have experienced being treated unfairly and being “left out” at difference points in our lives. Yet, do we become better or bitter? This is the question that matters!
Concluding Prayer for You
May God’s presence fill your life to overflow with His Love, Hope, Grace, and Truth! Thanks for reading this post.
18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Words of Grace & Hope 