Recovering from crises of faith
For many in our generation today, God is like a discarded lover, condemned to the backside of history. Many have gone completely "no contact", and for others, faith in God is a topic they would passionately resist and avoid.
Once upon a time
There is no doubt there's been a tectonic shift in the spiritual dynamics of our societies over the last few decades.
For some, God only exist in their memories in the form of childhood religious rituals.
Such people never had a personal experience with the divine. As a result, they are inclined to see God as an obsolete idea which had served its time.
On the contrary, some truly believed in God at some point in their lives. They once had an active conviction but have succumbed to a gradual erosion of faith and lost all spiritual convictions.
Others still believe in God in their hearts, but they lack the courage to live their convictions.
The question is, how did God become a distant figure in the lives of so many who once believed?
It's not about the crowd
Love relationships are built on intimate connections of hearts and souls.
Our societies have largely lost that intimate connection with the divine.
However, a society can only connect with God through the individual experiences of the people.
When Jesus went to Jericho, the multitude followed Jesus, but there was a man in the crowd who desperately sought a personal experience with the Saviour.
Each person needs to examine where they stand with God and where they have fallen short like Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-5).
Self-examination is a personal business. Nobody can do it for you, so you don't feel judged by another.
Self-examination is not self-condemnation. It is a profitable exercise that helps reveal the condition of your own heart to you as regards where you stand with God.
Time to let go of the pain
You may have had some grouse with God. Job's wife said to him, "curse God and die." (Job 2:9).
Faith dies when men blame God and what follows is alienation.
You may have been disappointed by religion; abused and defrauded by professors of faith.
It hurts and may continue to hurt for a while.
But I can guarantee you that it wasn't God who did those bad stuff.
God is too good and loving to do evil. God is too gracious and merciful to have scourged you the way men did when you did wrong.
It's time to forget the past.
If you are struggling with unbelief; heart-broken, and discouraged, returning to God will guarantee your healing and fast track your restoration.
Prophet Hosea spoke to a hurting nation in Hosea 6:1 (NKJV), saying:
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up."
First love, everlasting love
Without love, faith in God will be unstable or non-existent.
God is the first love that never stops loving. He is always calling people into His love or back to His love (Revelations 2:4-5).
If you have been a stranger to God's love, it's time for a relationship makeover.
Ask God to fill your heart with His love, and you will see your faith come alive.
Photo: Wix