When Faith Gets Hard

It’s no secret that there are going to be times in our lives when having faith can get really hard. Just look at the world we are living in today. The state of affairs can sometimes make it seem like having faith is the worst thing in the world that a person can do. Or sometimes we find ourselves in places of desolation. Places where praying is the last thing on Earth that we want to do. Or maybe, sometimes we doubt. Doubt God’s existence, His goodness, His faithfulness, or love for us. No matter how it manifests in your life, the hard truth is that there is more than likely going to come a point in time when you feel like giving up, like throwing in the towel on believing in God or having faith. 

I don’t say this lightly. In fact, I say it as someone who has been in that place before. Who has done everything in her power to not hit her knees because honestly I was just so mad at God for allowing things to happen in my life the way that they did. The thing is though, when we get to that place, when we are so sure that God is the last thing or person we need or want, is typically when we need Him most.

I’ve learned this through trial and error in my own life. My hesitance to be around God is often the thing that alerts me to my actually needing him the most at that specific time. The Christian word that is used to describe this time of life, or state of being, is desolation. It’s never a fun thing to be in, but happens to a lot of us. Given that most people will struggle with desolation, or being far from God, at some point in their life, I want to highlight a few things that worked for me to help when I found myself in this state.

• Pray. I know, I know, I literally said just a few paragraphs up that this was the last thing I want to do when I find myself in state of desolation. Hear me out though. Most of the time, when we want to pray the least is when we need it the most. Think about it. What is prayer? It’s simply entering in to a relationship, or conversation with God. Our creator. The person who loves and understands us more than any person here on Earth ever could. When we think about it in that sense, why would we not want to run to him when we are feeling weak or downtrodden? He is the only one who can truly heal our hearts and allow us to feel whole again. 

• Unite your suffering to Christ’s. Jesus felt every single emotion that we do. Think about it, he was truly human and truly Devine. He understands all that we go through. This was something that I reflected on a lot during Holy Week this year. Our Lord made himself human and came down to earth, and truly lived a human experience. When we get frustrated or sad or lonely or even depressed, we can be consoled in the fact that Jesus felt that too. That he wants to be there for us in those times of desolation. This goes back to the first piece of advice, but one thing that I have found to be helpful is meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. There we can see the ways in which Jesus suffered, and truly unite our sufferings with his. 

• Let others in. This is something that is also really hard for me to do in these times of suffering, but it is so important that we let others in. We are made to be in relationship with other people. We are called to walk with one another through the hard times we may experience in life. When we do that, we are able to grow in love and understanding for each other and the hardships we may face. 

Times of desolation are hard, there is no sugarcoating that. However, if we persevere and lean on those around us, as well as God, we are able to get through these hard times and unite ourselves once again with Christ in all ways. 

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• Pray. I know, I know, I literally said just a few paragraphs up that this was the last thing I want to do when I find myself in state of desolation. Hear me out though. Most of the time, when we want to pray the least is when we need it the most. Think about it. What is prayer? It’s simply entering in to a relationship, or conversation with God. Our creator. The person who loves and understands us more than any person here on Earth ever could. When we think about it in that sense, why would we not want to run to him when we are feeling weak or downtrodden? He is the only one who can truly heal our hearts and allow us to feel whole again. 

• Unite your suffering to Christ’s. Jesus felt every single emotion that we do. Think about it, he was truly human and truly Devine. He understands all that we go through. This was something that I reflected on a lot during Holy Week this year. Our Lord made himself human and came down to earth, and truly lived a human experience. When we get frustrated or sad or lonely or even depressed, we can be consoled in the fact that Jesus felt that too. That he wants to be there for us in those times of desolation. This goes back to the first piece of advice, but one thing that I have found to be helpful is meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. There we can see the ways in which Jesus suffered, and truly unite our sufferings with his. 

Let others in. This is something that is also really hard for me to do in these times of suffering, but it is so important that we let others in. We are made to be in relationship with other people. We are called to walk with one another through the hard times we may experience in life. When we do that, we are able to grow in love and understanding for each other and the hardships we may face.