Being a christian isn’t easy. Jesus warned us of this when he said “...in the world, you will have trouble.” Sometimes, the world gets so hard that we begin to question our faith. We begin to wonder whether it’s all a big con. Surely a God that is supposed to be so loving wouldn’t allow all the trials in the world – cancer, death, pain, heartache…
I reached this point. In fact, I went a bit further than this point and decided to tell people I wasn’t a Christian anymore. There were ‘too many arguments’ against Christianity and I started to believe it was all a big con.
There were stupid questions I asked - “Why doesn’t the bible mention dinosaurs but it does mention unicorns?” and “Why is it illegal to sell your daughter into slavery despite the bible saying it’s okay, but it’s not okay to live together unmarried if you really love each other?” These are the sorts of questions that you know won’t get you satisfactory answers. This is why you ask them.
But there were also some genuine questions. “How can God have allowed all this pain in my life without any reason?” (or at least reason I couldn’t see). “Why is the Earth the only one that is perfectly created for life in a universe of so much?” And “What about how science has disproved God?”
I wonder how you would answer these questions to someone who asked you, especially if you knew they were Christian and were struggling. I sent an email to two of my closest Christian friends – one lives a few hours from me and the other lives on the other side of the world. I expected them to say they didn’t want any more contact.
Loving responses
What I got was loving responses. My friend in the US told me how sorry she was that I was hurting like this, and that she wasn’t giving up on me. A bit of background - we have never met, or even skyped. We just email. So when I told her I wasn’t Christian anymore, she asked me to consider a few questions that compared my situation to God:
Are you real? I’ve never seen you. I’ve only read your words
You’ve told me about you – but how do I know what you’ve said is real and true?
Can I trust what you’ve told me is the truth?
She went on to tell me she accepted me by faith. And she challenged me to think about these questions and consider how I felt about God now.
My second friend, who lives a few hours away was just as gracious. She gave me some other (slightly more painful) questions to consider.
Why would you give up believing in God’s existence just because you don’t like the way he behaves (in relation to my question why would God allow pain and suffering)? Would you do that with Hitler and similar people? (don’t we wish)
When reminded of when God answered evil with wrath, would I expect a government to take harsh action for similar acts? For example, would I expect them to act harshly to someone who sacrificed their child or should they just give a rap on the knuckles?
She also challenged where I was putting my faith. She lovingly told me that I was putting my faith in the wrong things. I have been making decisions that suit me instead of asking God what his plan is. She put to me that I know what I need to do to have my sins washed away but I am resisting.
I think about how I would respond to someone who told me they no longer believed in God. I hope that I would respond in the same way my friends have. With love, but also with truth...just as God does. He tells us through his word, with love and truth.
First, love them
So what do you do if someone asks you this question? First off, love them. They must be going through such a difficult time. And then, ask them the same questions:
Are you real, even if I can’t see you?
You’ve told me about you – but how do I know what you’ve said is real and true?
Can I trust what you’ve told me is the truth?
Why would you give up believing in God’s existence just because you don’t like the way he behaves (in relation to my question why would God allow pain and suffering)? Would you do that with Hitler and similar people? (don’t we wish)
When reminded of when God answered evil with wrath, would I expect a government to take harsh action for similar acts? For example, would I expect them to act harshly to someone who sacrificed their child or should they just give a rap on the knuckles?
Only God’s word can truly bring these desperate people back to faith in Him, but you are his chosen mouthpiece to deliver these words to them. Otherwise, they never would have confided in you.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8, NIV)
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV).
May God bless you and keep you,
Emma Seabrook is a Press Service International young writer from Melbourne – this is Emma's first article after a significant break.
