Is It Hard to Keep Believing?

I’m writing this note at the end of a very exciting day at the Keep Believing board retreat in McHenry, Illinois. This morning Peter Faulkner led us in a brain-stretching exercise that started with a discussion of intentionality and ended up with the walls covered with erasable sheets of thin while plastic filled with ideas, concepts, dreams, lists, outlines, all of it relating to the big picture of where we believe God is leading us in the next five years. After lunch we met to work through details of the Book Depot (and the brand-new and yet-to-be-introduced E-Depot) and how we will handle speaking requests in the future. That led to a further discussion of podcasting and something called a V-Blog. All day long–in the sessions and informally between sessions, we have jumped from one topic to another. Tonight Steve Wilson walked us through the brand-new Keep Believing website that is still under construction. We plan to launch it soon and refine it on the fly, so to speak. Steve reminded us that a good website is always a work in progress–it’s never really finished because technology constantly moves forward and the needs of the ministry constantly change. Dave Hoy showed a new Keep Believing Power Point presentation that led to a further discussion of what we’re all about. Finally we talked about China and discovered that we have more connections there than we realized. We’re thinking and praying about our role in assisting the growing Christian movement there.

Along the way we came to a statement that led to a spirited discussion that leads me to ask you, the readers of this weblog, a question. In thinking about the challenges of being a Christian in the 21st-century, and in thinking about the New Testament verses that call us to persevere in our faith, I made the statement that "it’s hard to keep believing." I don’t think I had ever said those exact words before, but when I did, every head turned in my direction. We had a lively and humorous exchange on the topic. I don’t want to say that it’s hard for everyone to keep believing, but I do think it’s hard for many people.

I would like to know what you think. Is it hard to keep believing? Never? Sometimes? Always? Your thoughts are most appreciated.

Visitor Comments:

September 9, 2007, 6:32 AM Paul Barreca says:
	I have often contemplated the meaning of 2 Timothy 2:13, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” Perhaps Ray, you have summarized this text by saying, “sometimes, it’s hard to keep believing.” I would be sure to emphasize the “sometimes,” portion of that phrase. Because we are still wrapped in this body of flesh (2 Cor 4:16-5:5), there are times that our “spirit is willing but our flesh is weak” (Matt 26:41). There came a trial for me and my wife when we knew that the Lord was using difficult circumstances to mold us, but we felt as if He had abandoned us. I’ll never forget that moment, standing in our kitchen weeping and feeling so very guilty for even thinking that the Lord had abandoned us. Since then, the Lord has brought us through many smaller moments of faith stretching, each time using a brother or sister in Christ to remind us of His promises and to help us lift our eyes of faith once again. It is so important to come along side of a struggling Christian and share your faith with them when they have little of their own. Yes, I agree, SOMETIMES, it’s hard to keep believing. What is more important to remember our moments of weakness do not disqualify us from being recipients of God’s love and grace. It is JESUS that keeps us secure, and not our faith. Ray and Board: Keep Believing!
September 9, 2007, 6:39 AM Ray Pritchard says:
	Paul, I think you have captured a great biblical truth. My guess is that most Christians have moments—sometimes many of them—when it is hard to keep believing. I actually think our churches would be stronger if we were more honest about that because then we could help each other to “keep believing.” Thus the strong helps the weak, and since we’re all strong sometime and weak sometime, we all need help and we are all called to lend a hand to help someone else keep believing. The bottom line is that we are not saved by faith in faith, but by Christ who saves us by faith. It’s all about God—not about us. Thanks for your wise words. Ray
September 9, 2007, 10:41 AM Jeff says:
	As I write this, it is Sunday morning 11:30am. I’m supposed to be in church…preaching. I’m not there today. Yes, sometimes it is hard to keep believing.
September 9, 2007, 7:05 PM Beki says:
	I was raised in a home where the love of Jesus and fact that He is always there and helping us and don’t remember ever not believing. My life hasn’t been charmed, I have been through the death of a son at 19 yrs. old (I would not have gone on myself if it wasn’t for my faith), a not always easy marriage (I knew that He was there and would work things out)and it will be 40 yrs. in Dec., I have other memories that I wish I could erase, but I know that I have learned from all these things and have or will someday be able to help others because of them. Even as I go through things I know that there will be a way someday to use them to honor the Lord and comfort others.
September 9, 2007, 9:21 PM Dan J says:
	Yes - it can be difficult to keep believing. It sometimes is less difficult to believe that God created all things and holds them together. Logically and Biblically I can very easily believe that. What I struggle with is relationally. As a human, I tend to organize and categorize my experiences: cause and effect, action and consequences, this pattern generally indicates this thing -that I can understand. What I struggle with is “knowing” where I should be, what I should be doing, knowing the next move to make …. Not everything that I do for God seems to turn out “good”. Sometimes God uses that action done in a period of rebellion to further His kingdom. I struggle with prayer. I pray specifically for somethings and they do not happen. I don’t pray for other things — and God works them out for good through another way I did not anticipate. Since I can trust that God will do best regardless, why pray? Luke 18:1 to 8 seems foreign - except the question that Jesus asks: “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find people on earth who have faith?” My heart is frustrated and crying out with the man in Mark 9:24: “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!”
September 10, 2007, 5:30 AM Helen says:
	This is a great question and I love the answers so far. Jeff were you not at church yesterday because it’s hard to keep believing? Or for another reason? If it was never hard to keep believing, Eve would not have eaten the fruit and the fall wouldn’t have happened. I think some people find it harder than others to keep believing – I don’t know why that is. I think we make it easier for people to believe when we believe in them. Jesus’ faith in Zaccheus and Peter (when he first called Peter, throughout his ministry and then again after Peter denied him) was life-changing for them. When Christians, as Jesus’ representatives, show people “we believe in you”, those people will find it easier to believe God believes in them too. (Which is inherent in the first spiritual law and the Bible – because you don’t make plans for people unless you believe in them)
September 10, 2007, 5:42 AM Debbie says:
	Frankly, it is a relief to me to read these entries…sometimes I think we(my husband and me) are the only ones who are struggling in this way. Paul’s response (above) could have been mine.
September 10, 2007, 2:18 PM Rex says:
	My first response relates to the statement on websites in article from Ray. I am now in the software business and we are creating a website as we speak. We have fully embraced the philosophy of our site always under construction and furthurmore our products will always be under contruction as well. To that end let me give some simple input that would help me as a user to your emails and site.On the emails I get you need to have a link to keepbelieving right in the body somewhere so I do not have to remember the site address.Your emails tend to call for action which prmpts me to go to your site so take me there. Just a thought from a friend. Now to the main question asked.In how it was asked NEVER..but let me suggest that we ask this a bit different..If I were asked do I lack faith at times my answer would be yes and I would guess most may agree. When our faith is low that is when we are very vulnerable to doubt and doubt can lead to disbelief.If that is true then all of us to some degree lack belief in certain things. I tend to think about Thomas.His doubt led him not to believe unless he saw so Christ in His compassion let Thomas touch him. I contend his faith was small and grew that day.
September 10, 2007, 3:09 PM Beki says:
	I already wrote in #4, but I have been giving it more thought and want to add a little. I am aware continually of Christ’s presence by the little things that happen daily (some would call them coincidences) that show me that He is there takeing care of my smallest need. How could I not believe! Keeping daily in the Word and praying without ceasing makes it impossible for me to feel any different. Just say a prayer of praise when you recognize His presence, a simple thank you even. I have wandered from being faithful in my daily reading before, but He always draws me back.
September 11, 2007, 5:58 AM Helen says:
	Here’s another thing: Jesus himself cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” when he was on the cross. I can’t read that and not think: in that moment it was hard for Jesus to keep believing. It would be interesting to know: if Christians were told about a believer crying out like that, but they didn’t know who it was, would they worry that the believer had crossed over into sinful doubt? I think it’s important not to set the bar higher than Jesus’ own response to extremely difficult circumstances.
September 11, 2007, 3:18 PM Gwen Boucher says:
	Dear Ray: I imagine that you will find it difficult to believe I am a Christian when I finnish but perhaps not. I have led a really tulmultious life which included both successes and failures. Throught it all, I can not ever being angry with God but I can remember complaining piteously to him. Overall, through my experiences certainly have not been what so called normal people would think of as growing experiences, I can look back and see how they have changed my point of view. Often, life does not make any sense at all to me but I still recognize that it is he who created everything and it is he who knows it all. So, my complaints have most often been “I don’t understand”. In the past few years, I have lost everything that ever meant anything to me. Still, in it all, I think my faith in God is stronger for it. I recognize that his goals are not mine. Sadly, I do not think that Christianity in general is doing any better job than Judaeism or Islam. Of course, when you look at it from the available written work, I have often felt like the end times are a challenge to anyone. I fully expect the returning presence of God to find the world embattled and those who love God to be nearly defeated. One good thing about that time is that it will be easy to see who loves God and who does not. Many blessings to you. Gwen
September 11, 2007, 4:32 PM Debbie says:
	Thank you Helen.
September 11, 2007, 8:09 PM Ray Pritchard says:
	I deeply appreciate the searching honesty of the responses so far. I think it’s healthy for us to admit that sometimes it is very hard to keep believing, and sometimes we may doubt more than we believe. Since writing this, I was part of an lively discussion with some friends. One person said that he had never doubted or never found it hard to believe. Now this is a man I happen to greatly admire and consider to be a very close friend. He also said he had never really been discouraged in his whole life (80+ years). Because I know him well, I am happy to take him at his word. Part of the answer here is that we’re all wired differently by the Lord. If some people struggle greatly or repeatedly, others seem to have no trouble believing even in the worst of times. I suppose most of us fall somewhere in the middle. That leads to me say that we needn’t feel bad if our experience doesn’t match up to someone else’s (although I do envy my friend’s bouyant faith). And I’m glad we can talk openly about our struggles to believe. It’s healthy to air this out and to give each other some grace in this regard, knowing that we’re not all the same and our faith experiences are not the same (nor should they be). Ray
September 13, 2007, 10:38 AM karen says:
	One of my favorite songs is written by Brian Doerksen and it’s based on psalm 13. It is written in a minor key and it has been my cry more than once. It goes like this: “How long O Lord, will you forget me? How long O Lord, will you look the other way? How long O Lord, must I wrestle with my thoughts, and every day, have such sorrow in my heart? Look on me and answer, O God my Father, bring light to my darkness before they see me fall….But I trust, in your unfailing love, yes my heart will rejoice. Still I sing, of your unfailing love, You have been good and you will be good to me….” David wondered where God was too, he didn’t have faith that God was present, even though of course He was. David’s faith may have wavered in times of darkness, but he remembered to praise anyway. He knew that God is good no matter what. I find it helpful to put on the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness. I try to do that when I think I may be losing faith. It seems to me faith is a gift from God and we need to ask for more. If I don’t have any, I don’t put myself down about it, but I do ask for some and meanwhile just keep praising.
September 14, 2007, 9:06 PM Ray Pritchard says:
	Karen, that’s a great point you made. Faith is indeed a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8) and sometimes we need to ask for more. I like your idea. Admit your need. Ask for help. And just keep on praising. Ray
September 15, 2007, 10:12 AM Derek says:
KBM Website Administrator	Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. It certainly stands to reason, that if the research on evangelical trends is true, that Christians are reading less and less of their Bibles, that belief and faith will fade as well. On an anecdotal level, I can say that from my experience, when I have had seasons of being grounded in the Word, my “belief” is strong, and when I am less grounded, doubts creep in by natural course, just as weeds in a garden.
September 15, 2007, 1:29 PM Barbara says:
	It is very hard to believe and keep up your faith when you are a breast cancer patient and cannot drive to church. I have to just keep reminding myself I am still here for a reason, that God must Love me. It is hard to just rely on TV ministries when, you cant drive. So everyone pray for me.
September 15, 2007, 6:39 PM karen says:
	Barbara, my heart goes out to you. I understand very well how you feel and I agree with you that the situation you are in is extremely hard, scary and lonely. I recently came through a serious and life-threatening illness that kept me homebound and in severe constant pain for over three years. I could not walk or drive. I learned many lessons during that time, too many to name, but there are two that stand out for me right now and I’d like to share them with you. 1. My help comes from the Lord. That means that I cannot be angry with anyone who is not helping me. I can’t say in my heart “I’m disappointed in so-and-so because they are not supporting me right now.” If my help comes from the Lord, I will accept the help that he sends in whatever form it comes and not tell Him how to help me. He knows my need daily. 2. There will be days when no one comes. On those days I am truly alone with my Lord. Me and Him and no one comes, no one calls, no one is here. Those are the days I thank God for more than any other, those were the days when His grace was sufficient for me and I felt His presence more than any other time. I am not trying to give you advice, just sharing my own experience, I hope you don’t mind. I pray that you experience healing soon. Yes, I will pray for you today.
September 16, 2007, 10:22 PM Susan says:
	Is it hard to keep believing? No and yes. I know that God is the Creator and the Savior. I know that from what I read and what I study and what I believe in my heart, I can totally rely on Him. But why is it that I worry about some things and am distraught about other things. When I tell myself to give it to God I cant seem to let go. So is it lack of faith, is it unbelief??….but yet I believe so much in God. So your question is a great question to give us the opportunity to explore our own hearts.
September 17, 2007, 4:17 AM Ray Pritchard says:
	Three things strike me about the comments so far: 1) Many people do find it difficult to keep believing—at least occasionally. The honesty of these comments has been refreshing. That’s actually a good thing to know because when you are in that sort of valley, you can tell yourself, “I’m not the first person to be in this place.” 2) Several people have pointed out the value of the “means of grace” that God has given us—such as the Word, prayer, singing, meditation, worship and the Lord’s Supper. These means are to be used by the believer, not only as a bulwark against times of doubt but also as ways to direct our heart when your faith is small. 3) It’s much harder to keep believing when you are alone. The devil attacks us precisely at this point because we have become isolated from the larger body of Christ. I am not suggesting that simply being with other Christians stops all doubting. But I do mean to say that God never intended us to live the Christian life in isolation. As Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, two are better than one, and a three-fold cord is not easily broken. Ray
September 21, 2007, 5:03 PM Nancy Kamm says:
	I am one of those people who have always found it hard to “keep believing”. I envy those for whom belief in and love of God seem to come so easily and so passionately. For a long, long time, I struggled with feelings that something was wrong with me, that I was somehow spiritually inferior… until I read: “When they (his disciples) asked him (Jesus), ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent.’” John 6:28-29 NIV If I am rightly dividing my Greek dictionary, that word “work” means: toil, labor, work. Work is hard, and Jesus said that it is work to believe. Finding it hard to keep believing does not mean that I don’t believe. It means that believing is hardly ever an easy, enjoyable, rather passive activity for me. In the moments of my life, I find that I am constantly having to come against doubts, the world’s lies and the devil’s accusations; I often have to let go of my illusions (and delusions) about God, evaluate and refuse incorrect feelings, etc., etc., etc. Sometimes it is a sheer teeth-clenched act of will for me to keep holding on and moving forward in faith, obedience, and the power of Christ. Sometimes, for long times, I find myself just shutting down until I’m ready (humbled enough) to do business with God again and seek His face and counsel. On top of all that, every victory seems to be followed up with a more challenging set of circumstances. For me, it never ends. I get weary and I have to fight discouragement all the time. And I’m okay with that now – because I think that, messy as it often is, scripture affirms that I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I am doing, what is for me, personally, the hard work of believing. I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling.
September 22, 2007, 6:00 PM Ray Pritchard says:
	Nancy, I think you speak for many believers who understand exactly what you are saying. I love your commentary on the words of Jesus. For some people believing comes easily, even in the midst of the storms of life. As one friend said to me not long ago, “What else is there to believe?” Good point. But there are times when believing is a struggle for most of us. I really can’t add anything more to what you have written because it is so well said and it is true to the Bible and to the human experience. God bless you for sharing your own story. What you have written is a big part of what it means to keep believing. And you are indeed working out your salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Ray
November 23, 2007, 11:41 AM Rob Moore says:
	I seem to have very little trouble with the intellectual aspect of the Christian faith. I know that the Bible is inerrant, true, supernatural - and that all of His promises are absolutely reliable and true. I know that God is on the throne, in control, and creator of the universe and me. What I struggle with is the relational part of my faith. With prayer, with devotion and meditation, with the rubber meets the road part of how my faith applies to the innermost parts of my life. That is when the darkness of doubt assails.
August 8, 2009, 8:37 PM Jorge says:
	Yes, it is difficult to keep believing. I got saved in 1987 and even though I have remained faithful, there have been periods in which I have doubts and lack of faith. But thanks God our salvation does not depend on us or our great faith but in Jesus and His finished work on the cross. Blessed be His name forever. I am very glad that a blog like this exists. I grew up as a Christian in a fundamental baptist church where I was taught that if you had doubt it was because you were not saved.
August 9, 2009, 1:11 PM butch88 says:
	Read all of the comments and they all are very helpful and written from the heart. “KEEP BELIEVING “ IS THE CORE OF OUR FAITH IN GOD.