Press On
I recently read an article written by Chuck Lawless (accessed at chucklawless.com/2023/03/8-steps-to-press-on-when-faith-is-tough/), and I thought I share it.
“I wish I could say I’ve reached the point in life and ministry that I simply trust the Lord and never question His ways...but sometimes the battle’s still real... Here are the steps I try to take, however, when this grappling starts again:
- Review the promises of God. I generally do a Google search for the promises of God, and I simply read through the many He’s given us—including many He’s already fulfilling. That’s why Joshua 21:43-45 in my daily Bible reading meant so much to me today.
- Review God’s faithfulness in my own life. When I take this step, I generally write a list of the ways God’s always taken care of me. When I see His past-tense care in front of me, it’s a reminder to trust Him with my present-tense questions.
- Stay faithful in my Bible study and prayer. The last thing I need to do when I’m wrestling spiritually is to step away from my time with God. I have no reason to assume God will help me with the unknown if I abdicate responsibilities I know are mine each day.
- Be honest with God about my struggles. His shoulders are big enough to handle my honesty. And, of course, He’s not caught off guard by my confession.
- Invite my prayer warriors to undergird me. Just knowing folks who can touch heaven are praying for me increases my hope. It’s never wise for me to fight these battles by myself.
- Ask the Spirit to show me any unforsaken sin in my life. One of those sins is my lack of trust on the hardest days—and I need to hear over and over again that my worry is disobedience. It’s not uncommon that the Spirit also shows me other areas of needed repentance when I’m seeking Him.
- Fast. I’ve written about fasting in the past (see, e.g. “8 Reasons Leaders Should be Fasting” and “7 Reasons Fasting Has Become More Important to Me”). I understand that others differ with my belief that fasting is still a needed discipline for believers, but my faith is strengthened when I long for God’s hand more than I long for food.
- Take at least one step of faith in some area of my life. I don’t always know immediately what God wants me to do, but I’ve learned that steps of obedience in any area of my life decrease my faithlessness in other areas. They also turn my attention away from the struggle and toward God—and that’s the most important step in pressing on when faith is tough.
Maybe one of these steps will help today if you’re struggling spiritually.”
It is not uncommon to struggle. But how we respond to the struggles in our faith affects us and others around us. May we be a people who allow the Lord to search our hearts, and who respond to the struggles we face by pressing on!
In March, we went out inviting folks to our Resurrection Celebration Service – we wanted to leave no one uninvited (and I hope such an attitude becomes part of the DNA of this congregation)! I trust that as we continue to engage this community with the love of Christ – and the gospel of Christ – we will see more come to know and be known by Jesus! And let’s celebrate that which is worth celebrating...over the course of 4 months, this year, we have seen 7 people added to the membership of the church (3 through baptism!). Thank you for giving of your time to reach out to others – and let’s keep it up!
May The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Cor. 13:14, ESV.
Pastor loves you, church!