7 replies to this topic

[Becky McMoil]

I am fairly new to this forum although familiar with Tozer's works. I am in the middle of a faith crisis. Some things have happened over the last few weeks that have me doubting God cares for me at all. No matter how much I pray or read my Bible or cry to God I just feel abandoned. I know feelings cannot be trusted. My head knows this but my heart is not so sure. It hurts to be betrayed by people you thoguht cared about you especially when those people say they are carrying out their act out of Christian love. Anger, hurt, sadness all envelope me and I find I am losing any trust in God I had. I know David often felt like this and it is recorded in Psalms for us. I read these over and over yet still have no relief. Because the issues involve not only me but a few members of my family, I can't talk to people and let them in on what is going on (out of respect for privacy to my family). David cried to God and he answered him. It seems God is ignoring my pleas.

[Joel Stoddert]

I am fairly new to this forum although familiar with Tozer's works. I am in the middle of a faith crisis. Some things have happened over the last few weeks that have me doubting God cares for me at all. No matter how much I pray or read my Bible or cry to God I just feel abandoned. I know feelings cannot be trusted. My head knows this but my heart is not so sure. It hurts to be betrayed by people you thoguht cared about you especially when those people say they are carrying out their act out of Christian love. Anger, hurt, sadness all envelope me and I find I am losing any trust in God I had. I know David often felt like this and it is recorded in Psalms for us. I read these over and over yet still have no relief. Because the issues involve not only me but a few members of my family, I can't talk to people and let them in on what is going on (out of respect for privacy to my family). David cried to God and he answered him. It seems God is ignoring my pleas.

Becky, your last sentence describes so well what a crisis of faith looks like. David would indeed have understood how you feel. Remember that, although the Lord answered David, it sometimes seemed to him that God ignored his pleas too--he says as much in some Psalms. You're right in saying God didn't really ignore David, but sometimes it felt like He did--and now to you. too are experiencing that "dark night of the soul" John of the Cross speaks of. For what it's worth, you sound like you know Scripture well and are doing the right thing as you go to God's Word and pray about what's going on. That's the way to deal with a time like this--keep doing what you're doing. I would also encourage you to take it easy on yourself, while clinging to what you know from Scripture about the Lord. It's ok for Christians to feel anger, for example. Don't beat yourself up over being mad at those you feel betrayed by. You may feel unable to pray as you're accustomed to doing in better times; but the Word tells us the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we can't put our prayers into words, and assures us our heavenly Father's all-knowing (so must know what you'd pray if you could only come up with the words). I'll stop here, as I know from experience that I can't say anything that'll "fix" the situation for you. Keep sharing your struggle with people you believe you can trust, &, most of all, don't be afraid to be honest with the Lord about feeling abandoned by Him. He has big shoulders--He can take it.

[Travis Richey]

Becky,

There is not a lot to add to what has already been said, except more confirmation that you are not alone in going thru something like this. I believe, and this is mst me talking here, that God allows times such as this in order to grow our Faith. I used to really struggle with that concept, but I keep finding it more and more true. I think God does want us more grounded in Him than just emotionally, and as we go thru trials and periods of doubt and confusion, we learn that our Faith is not just a Faith of emotions and feelings, but a Faith IN God, no matter what.

I find comfort during times like you are going thru in the Book of Job. I was reminded again just yesterday of Job's Faith that allows him to state with such conviction that "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another." Now if Job can say that, after all he had been thru, I believe it is a statement of Faith based on far more than emotions or feelings...because Job could not have felt okay about things as he said that.

I would urge you to stay in the Word, stay there deeply. And pray for Wisdom, and for counsel. Pray that God will lead you to some Godly person you can be open with about your situation. And be open with God, as the Psalms record for us the open conversations of others in similiar trials, and as Job was open in asking the why's of his ordeal.

May the God of comfort, comfort you this day.

[Laurie Collett]

Dear Becky, My heart goes out to you, and it is a blessing to read the good advice the others have given. Don't be discouraged by the actions or reactions of those you thought cared about you -- because of our sin nature, even believers may be unintentionally hurtful instead of giving you the comfort and uplifting you need. But God loves each of us infinitely and works all things together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). This is easier to say than to believe when we are in the midst of a crisis, but sometimes God allows us to go through trials to strengthen our faith, to conform us to His image through the fellowship of His sufferings (Phil. 3:10-14), and to give us greater compassion and experience to be able to help others going through similar trials. His timing is always perfect, and even though you may feel alone, He is watching over you and loving you infinitely. He will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). Sometimes He delivers His children from the storm, and sometimes He delivers His children in the storm. I will keep you in my prayers, and please feel free to contact me through my blog, Saved By Grace (http://savedbygraceb...y.blogspot.com/). Love in Him, Laurie Collett

[Julie Daube]

Dear Becky,
The following verse has helped me during times of doubt: "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand" (John 13:7). I also you want you to know that you are not alone in this - all of us who follow Jesus, at one time or another, have felt abandoned by God or have had a crisis of faith. In my own life, some of the people who hurt me the most were fellow believers and members of my own family. I am glad you have been reading the Psalms and also encourage you to look at the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis. I imagine that he must have felt completely abandoned by God when his brothers threw him into the well and even more so when he languished in prison all those years. Yet both of those terrible experiences were part of God's plan to spare the lives of Joseph, his family, and countless others who would have died in the famine. Later on, Joseph realized that what his brothers had intended for harm, God intended for good.

There is a devotional book that may help you through this time as well, called "Streams in the Desert," by L.B. Cowman. It has helped me through some very dark times in my life.

I pray that the Lord will give you a fresh revelation of His love for you.

[JimmyS]

I am fairly new to this forum although familiar with Tozer's works. I am in the middle of a faith crisis. Some things have happened over the last few weeks that have me doubting God cares for me at all. No matter how much I pray or read my Bible or cry to God I just feel abandoned. I know feelings cannot be trusted. My head knows this but my heart is not so sure. It hurts to be betrayed by people you thoguht cared about you especially when those people say they are carrying out their act out of Christian love. Anger, hurt, sadness all envelope me and I find I am losing any trust in God I had. I know David often felt like this and it is recorded in Psalms for us. I read these over and over yet still have no relief. Because the issues involve not only me but a few members of my family, I can't talk to people and let them in on what is going on (out of respect for privacy to my family). David cried to God and he answered him. It seems God is ignoring my pleas.

Hi Becky, I have felt like God is ignoring me at times too or that he has abandoned me. Even now while I am in an RN program when it gets hard I keep wondering if God cares how anxious I am. I have been betrayed by family too. It is really painful and difficult. I am thinking of this passage that says "consider Him (JEsus) who endured such hardship."

The pain is real that is why you can't make it go away with reading and prayer alone. I believe that you are hungering and thirsting for the living God. The relief is not a method for freedom, but that relationship with JEsus CHrist. Allow Him to speak to you. He is the comforter. He is there even in our silence. "We do not know what we should pray, but the Spirit intercedes with groans which words can not express."

[Charles Miles]

Becky,
I would suppose that all of us have been where you are and it`s not an easy place for any of us. I often find that when I think the Lord has moved away from me so far I can`t feel Him or feel my prayers are ineffectual, I find that God hasn`t moved at all...He is right where He said He would be. Our God loves us more than any of us can possibly imagine and Jesus said that once in the Father`s hand, none would ever be lost or slip out of His grasp. All I can say is keep praying and know the Father is with you...closer than your skin. He WILL NOT fail you and yes, He does hear your pleadings. Psalms 28:6-8. You are in a place that is tough, but also a place to recieve new revelation from the Holy Spirit about how to cope and handle rejection. Your worth to the Father is not determined by what others think or do to you. God loves you and all His true deciples love you for that is what we are commanded to do. All these excellent commentaries from people who are followers of Christ probably don`t mean much or help much right now(I`ve been there) but as you look back at this time you will see the truth that I have seen expressed by the people who responded above.
Yours in Christ,
Charles Miles MD