Questions and Answers
Q: I am having a difficult time in my life. I have lost
my faith in God. Can you tell me why I should believe in God when nothing
in my life has gone the way I have wanted it to? What can I do to get my faith
in God back? Any advice would be great.
— Reader on Internet
A: You are certainly not alone. We all go through times of difficulties, discouragements and regrets about life. Yet God's Word provides many encouraging solutions to our human dilemmas. Jesus Christ said: "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). The apostle John wrote: "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers" (3 John 2).
While God wants us to experience a positive and encouraging Christian life in the here and now, He is even more concerned with our awesome potential of enjoying everlasting life with Him in His Kingdom. But getting there isn't an easy journey, since society is mostly focused on the here and now. Jesus Christ tells us that "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:14).
As Paul and Barnabas reminded members of the early Church, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). At times God even uses our discouraging "down" times to help bring us to our senses and cause us to rely more on Him, increasing our faith.
It is often helpful to consider the source of our discouragements and trials in life. We may even suffer for doing godly things. The apostle Peter tells us: "For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil" (1 Peter 3:17). Also: "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter" (1 Peter 4:16).
Moses actually chose the consequences of this godly type of suffering over the comforts of a sinful life apart from God (Hebrews 11:25). The majestic salvation our Creator is planning for the rest of eternity will pale into insignificance the sufferings we experience today. Consider the comparison the apostle Paul makes: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).
Jesus Christ tells us that we "always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). Yet we are human and sometimes fall short of that ideal, inevitably losing faith and becoming discouraged on occasion. But Paul has the antidote. He wrote to the brethren at Corinth: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, emphasis added).
Ask God to encourage you and restore your faith in Him! His ears are open to our cry (Psalm 34:15).
At the same time, you should do what you can to rebuild and restore that faith. The Good News has run many articles profiling the lives of biblical personalities and the trials they went through, as well as many other pieces proving the trustworthiness of the Bible as God's Word. You can search for such articles at www.gnmagazine.org.
We also offer a wealth of information in our literature library (www.churchofgodtwincities.org/lit/lit.htm) that addresses these human dilemmas and questions. For instance, we offer free booklets with the following titles: Life's Ultimate Question: Does God Exist?, Who Is God?, Why Does God Allow Suffering?, You Can Have Living Faith and Making Life Work. You can read, request or download these booklets online or we can mail them to you free of charge.
Q: I have a little problem with social anxiety at the United
Church of God congregation I attend. Every time any of the youth talk to me
I just freak out. I don't know what to do. I get really nervous and
want to run away crying. I want to enjoy local youth events like the barn
dance, but I am just too afraid. I was wondering if I could ask some help
or advice.
— A young reader
A: Sometimes meeting and getting to know other young people can be very challenging. Shyness is somewhat normal for some people, especially in their teenage years. Yet it is something one can work on and change over time. We have to be very patient with ourselves in dealing with who we are and how we relate to other people.
Consider the encouraging words of Jesus Christ: "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). The apostle Peter wrote about "casting all your care upon Him [God], for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). Go to God the Father in prayer and ask Him for His peace of mind. Ask that Christ would help you to work through this problem. He is our High Priest and is there for you!
You should also consider talking with your local pastor. He can suggest ideas based on the principles of the Bible and His experience in helping young people. Perhaps he can help you figure out how to break the ice one person at a time. He may even be able to set up occasions and opportunities that will make it easier for you to get to know others and for them to get to know you. Sometimes cultivating just one good friend can make a big difference. Then that friend can help you get acquainted with others and form new friendships.
You may be aware that the United Church of God has been producing a Youth United magazine on the Web for several years.
It now publishes a printed version entitled Vertical Thought. In the Web version, the July- September 2003 edition focused on friendships. You can find a list of other back issues and articles on the Web (at www.ucg.org/vertical-thought/issues/).
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