Is it possible to lose faith

We often lose faith or spiritual strength for the same reasons we lose physical strength. The analogy between spiritual and physical strength has limits, but the comparison offers many lessons. Individual gift: Like physical strength, faith is a spiritual gift given to us in varying degrees and requires some to work harder than others to develop and maintain see Luke 8. Atrophy: We lose faith when we are inconsistent or insincere in our prayers, study and other spiritually strengthening activities.

Lack of personal investment: As has been said, people fall out of the church for the same reason they fall out of bed: They were never in far enough. Injury: To varying degrees, we are all prone to having our faith injured by personal sin or the sins of others, as well as life events or experiences generally, which injuries require time and nurturing and occasionally spiritual physicians to heal.

Many tribal cultures have maintained spaces were their beliefs, rituals and practices — are centrally accessible to their people — and lots of children are born into these customs. In tribal communities, people tend to create their faiths, and lose their faiths, around the same three things: a person spiritual leader , a place sacred space , or a thing ceremony. Unfortunately, our belief systems can be riddled with human error, unreasonable circumstances and inconsistent measurements — i.

It seems we can find the gifts of faith communities elsewhere. Fellowship can be found with interest-based clubs, at bars or online. Inspiration and life advice, too, can come from such communities. Perhaps the growing materialism, lack of discipline and preoccupation with pleasure that chip away at faith. For Jews, the Holocaust was a major challenge to faith. Some could not believe that G-d would allow such evil. For people who lose faith, they may face a crushing personal blow which makes them question everything.

For others, G-d may have been an unwanted obligation while they were growing up. To push off G-d is to push away parental mandates. Yet others may have been told that the Bible is always historically factual. They were never taught to read many layers and multiple meanings. G-d is often hidden. Sometimes, even for those who seek, G-d appears elusive. Yet, G-d is ever-present, especially when things are darkest. Faith, like love, is an element that bonds together relationships. And we lose faith like we lose love — for many reasons.

Loss comes from misunderstandings, personality conflicts, tragic circumstances, ill treatment and our own ignorance, to name a few. The issue is that some hold on to and recover their faith while others just let it go. To avoid loss of faith requires decisive constant daily work to grow in our love for God. There are myriad reasons why people walk away from their beliefs. However, in my experience, there are three main issues. I have no faith!!

Why do you say you have no faith? Do you want to go to hell? Do you have a death wish? I have hope. I have seen spiritual things that I cannot explain in words that can be from no other than God himself. Thanks Chris. We all go through difficult times , doubts , trials. These are normal for a Christian. I question the commitment in the first place , if people lose their faith.

Once a believer always a believer. Certainly agree with your first statement about making us stronger though. I have been a life long Christian. That being said, my most recent crisis has been ongoing and increasing despite prayer, reading bible, small group support, reaching out to other believers.

If I … Read more ». Please hold on. I get super depressed as well when I doubt and feel like God is ignoring me. Then afterwards i feel terrible guilt. But I know he sees you. He is Sovereign, try looking for every good thing in your life today amd see how he is giving that to you.

The terrible things are to make you stronger. Hold on. Take comfort that HE holds on to us. Just breath and know he is at work. Some trials, are not trials at all. Just lifelong punishment.

God also does not give us all any good things in this life or the next. I personally have not had one thing in my life for 27 years that was good or even mattered to me. God may be at work, but it can also to bring about your worst nightmare. Breathing is also not an act of mercy if you would rather not exist.

Hi Blakely — Thanks for commenting. Hello Tess Sorry i missed this comment when you made it. Without knowing your situation its hard to comment. Is it the idea of God existing at all you are giving up on? Or the idea that God cares for you? It is hard to keep the faith sometimes. Sometimes I feel like God is so hard on me and expects me to go through life hurting so he can teach me things.

Sometimes I have yelled at God before, but I know I am not right for doing so. Also when I had schizophrenia I thought God was evil. I hope you find your faith again! Sometimes I see everyone else thriving and I think why would God abandon me like this? Why does he make it so difficult to be happy and understand him?

Does God really even love … Read more ». I have been asking myself similar quwstions, why should everything i want only come after great suffering and mental torture, sometimes it doesnt even happen at all i ask myself if i hope too much or maybe i wasnt meant to go beyond this level of living i should just quit trying.

Good to meet you albeit very briefly at Creamfields. I am the older lady you spoke to in the Red Area as you came to do your shift on Saturday; thanks for this new subject. He explains the reasons for his return to faith on the website thefaithpuzzle. Hi Tina Thanks for taking the time to comment — and yes of course I remember meeting you at Creamfields. Reading Time: 5 min. Posted: Sep 11, Why do Christians Lose Their Faith?

Why do Christians lose their faith? I believe there are two main reasons. These troubling questions usually include: Why are science and faith at war with one another? Is hell really eternal conscious torment for millions of people? Why is the God of the Old Testament so violent? Why does scripture contradict itself? Why does God allow so much suffering? And what do we do with other religions?

Some Christians who have had a crisis of faith end up having a crisis of doubt Secondly, Christians lose faith because we are disappointed with God My neighbour told me recently that he lost his faith when a good friend of his died, young and suddenly. And along with these questions we need a healthy view of doubt. Share Notify of. Newest Oldest Most Voted. Inline Feedbacks. Neil Greig.

Chris Goswami chrisgoswami. Reply to Neil Greig. Reply to Jim. Reply to Lorne. Reply to Daniel. Reply to ljupcho. Reply to Vague. Tiffany Mascoll. There are too many discrepancies. Associated with God and the bible.

Reply to Tiffany Mascoll. Lou M. Reply to Lou M. Reply to Kate. Lou m, I share your feelings. I wish I could talk with you. Reply to Raven. Blakely Long. Reply to Blakely Long. Reply to Chris Goswami. Reply to RE. Reply to Anne. Reply to Cat. William Williams. Reply to William Williams. Catharine S Davis. Reply to Anonymous. I do think though a person can admit to their sins and still follow.

I was born roman and Italian. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him.

Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it?

Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.