What To Do When You are Frustrated With Your Walk of Faith
“Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.”
~Martin Luther
I used to think I knew God. I knew who He was. What He did for me. How He wanted me to conduct myself.
Years later, I realize I never really knew Him at all.
I knew about God. I had the head knowledge of him. But my heart was off dancing to its own tune.
This created a seesaw effect with my faith. When circumstances were to my liking, I felt close to God. But when circumstances departed from my plans, I felt distant from Him.
I became disillusioned and frustrated.
A Doubting Thomas
The Lord said, “draw near to me and I’ll draw near to you (James 4:8).”
Yet I tended to wait until I experienced His goodness before I drew near. All those times I didn’t see “goodness” as framed by my limited vision, I drew away, widening the perceived chasm.
One of the apostles I connect with is Thomas (otherwise known as Doubting Thomas). He needed to see Jesus’ wounds and touch them before He believed the Lord was alive.
The Savior said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).
I’m like Thomas in that I want a tangible reminder of God’s love and goodness. Yet in my limited vision I miss the everyday goodness the Lord already doles out.
Draw Near for a Vibrant Walk of Faith
Yahweh is not just the God of our salvation but the God of our lives.
Yahweh is not just the God of our salvation but the God of our lives. Click To Tweet
El Shaddai is not just a sideshow but the whole production.
Emmanuel isn’t just the God to know, but the God to experience.
Emmanuel isn't just the God to know, but the God to experience. Click To Tweet
It wasn’t until I drew nearer to God in all circumstances, going to Him in prayer during the joyful and sorrowful times, that I began to experience a different kind of relationship.
It wasn’t until my heart began to step in tune to God, that I finally connected to Him on a deeply meaningful way.
When I finally broke through the barrier of what I should say to God and instead regularly presented Him with what burned in my heart, I discovered an intimacy not known before. I finally understand the key to a vibrant walk of faith: an authentic, vulnerable, continuous prayer life.
A prayer life that didn’t subscribe to a rigid formula or depend on getting something first.
The key to a vibrant walk of faith is an authentic, vulnerable, continuous prayer life. Click To Tweet
Pray Constantly: Alive in the Lord
Scripture says
“Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
That’s hard to do if you aren’t dwelling in Christ. If you aren’t conversing with Him throughout your day.
Our prayer life matters. It’s not meant to be a stoic time of recitation, but a time of intimacy.
The Lord wants to dwell among us and walk among us (2 Corinthians 6:16). He wants our heart, soul, and mind. Not just one or the two, but all three.
Through prayer, a richer walk awaits each of us. Be alive in the Lord by abiding in Him through a rich, dynamic, and responsive prayer life.
“Pray at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).
Reflections: Do you prefer memorized prayers, spontaneous ones, or a combination of both? Has there been a time when you struggled with any kind of prayer? What helped?
And I’m excited to begin another year recording blessings. Since beginning over 3 years ago, I’ve counted more than 3,500 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! So here we go in 2015: #3618–3638, read my entire list by clicking here.
- The many tools we have to make kitchen work easier; Bacon-spinach quiche–a favorite; Hard talks that are good
- Deer bedding down in our front yard; Technology that makes keeping in touch with family and friends possible; A sweet, sweet soul who is willing to give of her precious time to listen and offer wisdom
- A community of familiar faces; A day of several comforting answers to prayer; The many amazing teachers at my children’s schools
- Sharp minds and caring hearts coming together to brainstorm ways to best help Rach learn; Sharing my love for tea; Free books
- Chattering of woodpeckers as they eat out of the cat dish; Goats milk cream to soothe my chapped and cracked hands; Receiving fun mail from our oldest son
- Assurance of the Lord’s everlasting love; Making sweet treats; Evening spent with my loves
- On time to church!–no small feat; Looking out from the choir pews and seeing my daughter’s radiant smile and wave; Love of my man
By His grace ≈ Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
Julie: In answer to your reflection questions, I prefer to pray as the Lord leads me. Some of my prayers that I have posted are almost memorized prayers. When our son was small, I chose not to teach him the “Now, I lay me down to sleep. . .” prayer because it was a rote prayer. We always asked God to bless those in our lives by name. When my uncle was in ICU, I bargained with God to let him live. God had other plans for him. I was angry with God. A friend told me that God’s Will gets done no matter what we ask. I now know she was speaking of His sovereignty. It was best that God take my uncle. I learned a lot through that experience. That was 35 years ago.