What happens if you can’t keep the faith through the trials?

[Waymarker]

I see all sorts of things about how to keep the faith through trials, or the rewards for keeping the faith. But what happens when you can’t?
I honestly want to know because I am there. I am on the edge (some days feeling like I am over the edge) of completely losing any faith I have. So what happens?

If somebody is an Elvis fan, he/she is never going to wake up one morning and say "I don't like him any more".
Likewise, if somebody likes Jesus, he/she's not suddenly going to think "I don't want to be his chum any more", so why exactly don't you seem to like him any more?

"You're my friends if you follow me. I don't call you servants, but I call you friends"- (John 15:15)

 

[GirdYourLoins]

You make a decision not to reject God or your salvation and to wait until he blesses.

Maybe you are a Job. A man who was greatly blessed and protected by God, but had it taken away for a little while and then blessed even more. Most people see Job as someone who suffered and that is what he is known for. I see him very differently, I see him as someone who was greatly blessed and protected by God for all but a short part off his life.

I would say of everyone in the Bible I associate most with Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. You just have to hang on and wait for your turn to be comforted.

 

[Questioning Brother]

You make a decision not to reject God or your salvation and to wait until he blesses.

Maybe you are a Job. A man who was greatly blessed and protected by God, but had it taken away for a little while and then blessed even more. Most people see Job as someone who suffered and that is what he is known for. I see him very differently, I see him as someone who was greatly blessed and protected by God for all but a short part off his life.

I would say of everyone in the Bible I associate most with Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. You just have to hang on and wait for your turn to be comforted.

Never, ever wanted to be Job. The reward at the end would be too little to late.

I also see comforting as a waste of time. If I wanted to be comforted, I don’t need God to get it. I hate being comforted. I don’t need him to be comforting, what I needed, and continue to need, is Him to act.

 

[aiki]

I see all sorts of things about how to keep the faith through trials, or the rewards for keeping the faith. But what happens when you can’t?

I honestly want to know because I am there. I am on the edge (some days feeling like I am over the edge) of completely losing any faith I have. So what happens?

First and most dire is that any chance at knowing and enjoying the Greatest Thing in or out of the universe (God) dissolves. Of course, if God is small and uninteresting in your view this won't seem much of a loss at all. But this doesn't mean it isn't a horrendous loss, only that you can't yet see that it is. When, though, you're standing face-to-face with Him one day, it will be too late to make adjustments to this diminished view of Him that will be of any benefit to you.

 

[1watchman]

I see all sorts of things about how to keep the faith through trials, or the rewards for keeping the faith. But what happens when you can’t?

I honestly want to know because I am there. I am on the edge (some days feeling like I am over the edge) of completely losing any faith I have. So what happens?

What happens is that IF ONE IN NOT "BORN AGAIN" (as John 3:16) that one will perish when he/she leaves this world. God says: "ye must be born again"; so one trying to be religious or do good things, without being a real "child of God" by possessing the Lord Jesus as their Savior and Lord of their life, will be cast into 'outer darkness' when he/she dies (and later cast into the "lake of fire" forever.
One should read the four Gospels and the Epistles to learn what God is saying to mankind (note John 3; John 14 to hear God speaking to you. If one does not understand all the Bible, that one MUST be clear about salvation of their soul.
Certainly all saints of God have the 'flesh' problem always, so we WILL fail daily in many righteous things; but we can ask our Creator-God for mercy and His help to learn to do the 'right thing' and be a good witness to others to come to the Lord Jesus now. I hope this helps you some, friend. Feel free to write me at Conversation page herein if you wish to chat further.
--1watchman

 

[joegar007]

I see all sorts of things about how to keep the faith through trials, or the rewards for keeping the faith. But what happens when you can’t?

I honestly want to know because I am there. I am on the edge (some days feeling like I am over the edge) of completely losing any faith I have. So what happens?

“The Antidote to Worry (Philippians 4:5b-9)ShrinkMe.io

 

[joegar007]

“The Antidote to Worry (Philippians 4:5b-9)
ShrinkMe.io

 

[Hazelelponi]

Not exactly what I was asking. That is what to do. I was asking what happens when you fail the test/trial?

Read the parable of the seed...

Sometimes, it's a good idea to assess what or where exactly your putting faith.

One way to think of faith is trust. Are you trusting in God, or are you trusting in yourself?

If self, you will fail. We are fallen creatures who don't succeed, most especially we don't succeed at saving ourselves.

If you're having problems trusting God, perhaps it's good to reassess what you're expectations are, and whether they are grounded.

God said it is to everyone to die once, and then the judgement. Nowhere in scripture did God promise death to be painless - these mortal bodies are dying vessels. The point of life is to eventually put on that what is incorruptible, and that happens when we pass from this life.

That is grounded in a reality you've yet to come to grips with, and trust in God for.

As far as failure or success, ultimately you have until the time of your own death to ground your faith in the right thing - which is the work and person of Christ for salvation (not in the power of God to grant you an easy life on earth) - so you can't say failed until that time comes. All you can currently say is your facing a personal stumbling block.

When you have placed your faith and trust in the right place, the rest will fall into place.

 

[Questioning Brother]

Read the parable of the seed...

Sometimes, it's a good idea to assess what or where exactly your putting faith.

One way to think of faith is trust. Are you trusting in God, or are you trusting in yourself?

If self, you will fail. We are fallen creatures who don't succeed, most especially we don't succeed at saving ourselves.

If you're having problems trusting God, perhaps it's good to reassess what you're expectations are, and whether they are grounded.

God said it is to everyone to die once, and then the judgement. Nowhere in scripture did God promise death to be painless - these mortal bodies are dying vessels. The point of life is to eventually put on that what is incorruptible, and that happens when we pass from this life.

That is grounded in a reality you've yet to come to grips with, and trust in God for.

As far as failure or success, ultimately you have until the time of your own death to ground your faith in the right thing - which is the work and person of Christ for salvation (not in the power of God to grant you an easy life on earth) - so you can't say failed until that time comes. All you can currently say is your facing a personal stumbling block.

When you have placed your faith and trust in the right place, the rest will fall into place.

Didn’t need to worry about that. That was already taken care of. So praying for what I need: protection. Not comfort (strength, wisdom, etc) through the problem. Protection FROM the problem. The rest without protection doesn’t mean much to me.

 

[Louise15]

I see all sorts of things about how to keep the faith through trials, or the rewards for keeping the faith. But what happens when you can’t?

I honestly want to know because I am there. I am on the edge (some days feeling like I am over the edge) of completely losing any faith I have. So what happens?

 

[Louise15]

I feel like that at the moment. I feel severely lonely and depressed. My mum died in 2018, then I've had to work from home since the 1st covid lockdown so ive lost all my workmates. I'm closest to my dad and next neighbour but they're both 74 now and I'm frightened they're going to die soon and I'll be left alone. Please can people pray for me to have relief from the exhaustion, lonliness and depression and for me to meet other Christians soon because the only other christian I know is my dad. Thanks

 

[aiki]

that at the moment. I feel severely lonely and depressed. My mum died in 2018, then I've had to work from home since the 1st covid lockdown so ive lost all my workmates. I'm closest to my dad and next neighbour but they're both 74 now and I'm frightened they're going to die soon and I'll be left alone. Please can people pray for me to have relief from the exhaustion, lonliness and depression and for me to meet other Christians soon because the only other christian I know is my dad. Thanks

And God? Is He no longer the God of all comfort? Is He so small, so insignificant, in your view that nothing about Him can at all relieve your fear and despair? Perhaps He is stripping away from you all the things that have replaced Him in your life, all the things that have distracted you from Him. It is He who awaits you on the far side of death's door. Are you ready to meet Him? God will act to help you get ready, narrowing your focus upon Him through trouble and isolation, if He must.

 

[Questioning Brother]

And God? Is He no longer the God of all comfort? Is He so small, so insignificant, in your view that nothing about Him can at all relieve your fear and despair? Perhaps He is stripping away from you all the things that have replaced Him in your life, all the things that have distracted you from Him. It is He who awaits you on the far side of death's door. Are you ready to meet Him? God will act to help you get ready, narrowing your focus upon Him through trouble and isolation, if He must.

Focus what? My hatred and acrimony? If that is the plan, it is working perfectly.

 

[aiki]

It must be evident to you by now that you can't coerce God into doing what you want by threatening departure from Him or stomping your feet in anger. God's perfect. He needs nothing. Your rejection of Him will diminish Him not at all. But the same is not true on your side. You need Him desperately, whether you realize it or not. And you are beholden to Him and will one day answer to Him for your conduct toward Him.

 

[1watchman]

I feel like that at the moment. I feel severely lonely and depressed. My mum died in 2018, then I've had to work from home since the 1st covid lockdown so ive lost all my workmates. I'm closest to my dad and next neighbour but they're both 74 now and I'm frightened they're going to die soon and I'll be left alone. Please can people pray for me to have relief from the exhaustion, lonliness and depression and for me to meet other Christians soon because the only other christian I know is my dad. Thanks

I will certainly pray for you, dear one; and I invite you to chat with me personally, if you would like, at the Conversation Page here on CF.

 

[Zonderzug]

I see all sorts of things about how to keep the faith through trials, or the rewards for keeping the faith. But what happens when you can’t?

I honestly want to know because I am there. I am on the edge (some days feeling like I am over the edge) of completely losing any faith I have. So what happens?

What happens is that the person goes back to square one. Peter lost faith, but he stayed around and rediscovered his faith. Judas lost faith, but he ran away and ended up taking his life. Many people lose faith when they go through trials because what is going on is not what they expected, not how they pictured things would become, and certainly not the result they imagined. But these are because they do not see the trial from God’s point of view which in some cases they will never see but in other cases, are revealed to them through patience and incessant prayer.

 

[Macchiato]

"When we are faithless He is faithful, because He cannot deny Himself.

I love that.