Is it possible to experientially “lose” one’s faith?
Sadly, the answer is yes, according to Dr. James Dobson and other Christian leaders.
David Sanford, co-author of the 400 pages of devotional application notes in the Living Faith Bible, didn’t grow up in a Christian home. Thanks to the invitation of a friend, however, he started attending church at age 8 and committed his life to Jesus Christ. He had no idea, however, that his faith would be severely tested when his own children were ages 8, 10, and 13 …
Faith that Goes the Distance
by David Sanford
Various pastors, professors and mentors over the years have helped motivate me to stay in the Christian race until the end. In fact probably none has influenced me more than the late Dr. John G. Mitchell. Never have I met a man who was more in love with the Savior.
On two occasions Dr. Mitchell made a point of reminding me — more than 60 years his junior — that there are only three reasons Christians die. These reasons are true in Scripture, in church history, and in our experience today. Believers die:
Dr. Mitchell also urged me to make sure, when it comes time to die, that dying is all I have left to do.
Thanks to the influence of Dr. Mitchell and others, I love God’s Word. As a teenager, I started reading it from cover to cover, and before college I had memorized nearly 100 pages of Scripture. I’ve read through the Bible dozens of times. And I’ve discovered that only a few chapters don’t talk about sin and temptation.
From Genesis to Revelation we find that the biggest temptation is for believers to experientially “lose” our faith. How? We stop doing what the Lord says. Why? We stop believing what God’s Word says.
Think about it. What happened to mighty Judge Samson? What happened to powerful King Saul? What happened to wise King Solomon? They all fell away. What about these good kings — Asa, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah and Hezekiah? They followed God for a number of years, then each one turned away. They didn’t lose their final reward, but they lost God’s blessings and reward for staying true to Him until the end.
What is the single greatest warning in the Gospels and Acts? In the New Testament letters from Romans to Jude? Even in the book of Revelation? Keep following the Lord — endure to the end — don’t shipwreck your faith — don’t fall away.
Of course for many years I thought these biblical warnings didn’t apply to me. Then seven years ago, I was hit with a rapid-fire series of crises: emergency surgery for my oldest daughter, unexpected house repairs, two vehicle breakdowns, and a stack of unpaid bills.
I felt that the hand of God was crushing me in every way. In my despair — and I say this with deep trepidation — I started doubting God’s character. I couldn’t read the Bible — not a single verse. I couldn’t pray, even over a meal, for days on end.
Experientially I was in danger of losing my faith. Why? Because I’d failed to heed the clear warnings of Scripture. I’d let my circumstances temporarily overshadow what I knew to be true. As a result, I was suddenly spiritually adrift.
Thankfully, God renewed my faith when I started taking several simple steps of obedience. I forced myself to open my Bible, read a verse and honestly answer the question “Do I believe it?” I said yes and read another verse, and then another. I felt God speaking to me again, at long last. I started praying to Him, as well. Within three days, my faith was renewed.
Since then, I’ve talked with my children — and many others — about my experience. Not because it’s dramatic but because it’s true to life. Every Christian is tempted, at one time or another, to experientially “lose” his or her faith. The good news is, God never abandons us. Even in the worst of circumstances, He’s still there, urging us not to lose hope.
Today, pictures of Dr. Mitchell and other faithful older saints adorn my home office. They are reminders that, like the apostle Paul, I want to be able to come to the end of my life and say:
“I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith”
(2 Timothy 4:7).
