Welcome: An Introduction

Sharing the insights I discover as I explore and experience the mystery that is our reality. Join me in my journey and share yours.




Monday, February 21, 2011

The Battle to Believe


Faith isn't always warm and fuzzy. Sometimes our walks seem to take us off course, down twisted alleyways that are dark. Journeying down these byways with a naked soul is painful, as they are littered with broken glass, nails and other destructive impediments. Sometimes it's as if our soul bleeds, wounded by the world, our own sins and even at times others in the body of Christ. Sometimes even when we try to keep our gaze on Jesus a fog, heavy and oppressive settles all around us and a darkness like no other finds it's hold on our souls. It's during those times when our resolve can falter, our focus diminish.






In our pursuit for truth it's possible to lose site of our hope in God as we can become conflicted more with the many questions we have than caught up in the awe of the revelation of God's glory. There are times when we just can't feel His presence and for those who seek God with all their hearts that can be a dreadful and dark time indeed.  Disbelief can start to invade our thoughts and infect our souls with it's unwanted whisperings.  God uses this time to stretch us and also draw us towards Him in deeper ways and will eventually spare us of our anguish when we finally release ourselves of our own egos and trust in Him with the simplicity akin to the faith a child has in his or her parent.

Many times this juncture in our faith can be described as the "Dark Night". I've written an article about it: http://ascendingthehills.blogspot.com/search/label/dark%20night

The following is a song composed and sung by a freelance pastor and facebook friend of mine, David Hayward. He is also a gifted cartoonist and artist. You'll find one of his cartoons on the bottom of this page if you scroll down :) I feel he captures much of the emotion and experience of one going through such a time. I know I could relate to this song. Check out his website: www.nakedpastor.com







God has a wonderful way of producing peace in the hearts of His children. Sometimes we make the tragic mistake of, when we fail to feel that peace, believing He has abandoned us and a real battle for belief can be a result.The good news is even when we are drawn to our knees, feeling hollow and empty, far from His presence and completely alone and wounded by others, our soul crying out "are you there?" to our God, we can be rest assured that He is! For His Word assures us He never leaves us. If we meditate on that truth  and "hang on His Word", standing firm and letting grief, loneliness, emptiness, wash over us and eventually dissipate, we will walk out of this dark time much stronger than we were when we entered it.  

Here are some Bible promises that we can cling to during such times:

Romans 8:37-38 
 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 10:28
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Isaiah 43:13
"From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done."

Hebrews 13:5b
I will never leave you nor forsake you.


Have you ever found yourself at a juncture in your faith where disbelief crept in and threatened the stability of your walk with God? If so, what did you do, or perhaps even better put, what did God do, to help pull you out of such a dark night and into the dawn of a new day?













20 comments:

  1. I love this post; possibly because I can relate so well. One of the things God gives me at times when I was clinging to my last thread of hope, is music. I am so glad you shared the song. I don't know how many times I will turn on the radio, and a song will be playing that speaks so true to the truth of my hurt...it can't just be coincidence. I hope you don't mind if I share your posting on a FB page I have called Strength for the Journey; Forging Faith and Fitness. I think the members would love your words.

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  2. Melinda, it is always refreshing knowing that I am not alone with such experiences! Yes, God can use music to bring light and healing to our souls! I firmly believe that. I'm so glad you enjoyed the song...I found it really touching. Feel free to share this post with whomever you'd like :) ~blessings

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  3. I think there are so many non-believers today. With so many people in the world struggling for survival faith may seem useless. I've always thought just being alive is a gift from God. It does cause distress to know though, that there is suffering in so many places near and far.
    I so often feel a holy presence when listening to music. It is one of the purest art forms today. Thanks so much for this post - it reminds me to stop to listen and be in the present moment. There is much to be thankful for!

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  4. Thank you ...I'm so glad you liked the post Margaret :) You're so right, there is so much to be thankful for, and oftentimes we lose sight of that, if we slow down, we can find much meaning and life and light in the present moment...for it's the place where illusion fades and reality comes to the forefront of our senses.
    And I agree..music is a gift and a great source of comfort and peace...certainly an instrument God uses to draw His children near.

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  5. I found myself at a crossroads when I was a teenager. I turned my back on faith and God for 20 years. I eventually started looking for something that would give me peace. I tried Eastern religions, philosophy, drugs and alcohol. Eventually, when I was ready, God sent a special woman into my life that guided me back to Christianity. It was an overwhelming feeling when I realized that I had found exactly what I was looking for right where I had started.

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  6. Lovely post, I do believe in god and know that he will always look after me, forever.Thanks for sharing.

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  7. I've found my faith to be questionable in many ways over the years and I always knew I wasn't being a good christian servant but it didn't matter as long as I was happy. That all changed when Erin passed away and my life was at a pivotal point, a place from where a decision had to made. I could easily be dead today as grief consumed me and still does to a point but hopefully the demons are contolled. Instead of blaming God for her death, I have returned to him and thanked him for so many wonderful years. He blessed me with her presence and saved my life years ago and now I find he's fighting to save my hide again as sadness blackens out the sunlight. I have complete faith in God to control my life and the only way I'll ever see Erin again is through him. Nice post Jessica!!

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  8. Whenever I feel I need a little something, a little reassurance or just a moment of clarity, I can come here and find it. I find your words so clear, so comforting and it's always a pleasure to sit and soak them up.

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  9. Jessica,I loved my experience here,I needed this in my life..thank you so much.

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  10. Mark...it's beautiful the ways in which God will use to guide us back to Him...so glad you came back! I too, have had times when I've walked away and am so thankful for God's mercy and grace. My old youth pastor once told me that you can take a thousand steps away fromGod but it only takes one step to come back...I believe that's true.
    Thanks for sharing your experience :)

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  11. Sulekkha...you have a beautiful faith..thank you for sharing it with us.
    ~blessings

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  12. David...thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I'm so glad at life's juncture you chose to put your hope and faith in God! I know it hasn't been easy since Erin's passing..it's painful losing those in our lives that have shared so much with us. My prayers have been with you and will continue to be with you as you continue to heal. Anytime you need to chat with someone, feel free to message me.
    ~blessings

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  13. SJ...thank you so much for your kind words...they are such and encouragement for me! I'm so glad that you find this a place where you can come and be lifted up a bit :) Thank you!
    ~many blessings

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  14. Motifs...so glad you enjoyed your time here. I look forward to getting to know you more here:)
    ~many blessings

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  15. The Battle to Believe... Jess, I think we've all been there in the dark night, trusting for grace to pull us through.
    Thank you for sharing David's song, Are You There? and your own meaningful words!

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  16. Hi Jessica, I really needed this today. The song is beautiful and I am so happy I have a good internet connection today to be able to listen to it!

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  17. You could not have posted this at a better time. Thank you Jessica. This sort of brought me back down to earth :)

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  18. I love this post Jessica...I underwent "Dark Night" when I got sick two years ago. It was such a dreadful feeling that almost resembled hell. My friends told me to ask for mercy instead of feeling eternally condemned...(I felt like Job at that time) but there was this one person who held me through all these and didn't give up on me. She showed me back the path towards life.

    http://grazieadio.blogspot.com/2011/02/one-of-most-radical-demand-for-you-and.html

    I learned to praise God in everything...
    "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."(Job 1,21)

    It's a long journey towards holiness and the Lord purges us of every earthly desires...until then I know that these dark spells will still be here... but it is only to see a new face of God in every encounter.

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  19. such a lovely post! your message is very comforting...

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  20. Excellent Jessica!!!I love this message! Great work!

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