Being, or becoming, a Christian is one of the most profound journeys a person can choose to embark on. It will completely change a person’s life, and many have come to learn that living according to the word of God is a deeply rewarding experience. However, it can also be incredibly challenging, and Christians will be the first to admit it. To some, faith might seem like a clear path, but for many of us, it’s filled with complex struggles and moments of doubt.
This was the subject of an online forum where Christians from around the world came together to discuss the difficulties they face, revealing the real and sometimes tough experiences of living out one’s faith. We’ve collected some of these insights with the goal of offering understanding and solidarity to those who find themselves wrestling with their own spiritual challenges.
Cutting Away Sin
Users in the forum could relate to cutting away sin to follow God, with many arguing that it is the toughest part because God requires us to stop wilful and unrepentant sin in order to follow Him.
One particular user went on to explain how many things that were once acceptable and enjoyable had to be put to an end because they did not align with God’s will. Some examples provided were cussing, lying, listening to secular music, watching movies that do not abide by the word of God, and ungodly dressing.
Stopping all such activities at once can become overwhelming, and it is a process that we will gradually learn to triumph over. And after all, the Holy Spirit has our back and will guide the way.
Obeying Certain Teachings of Jesus
Jesus offers many teachings in the Bible, and some are easier to follow and obey than others, especially when they challenge our everyday habits or cultural norms. Some examples offered include forgiving those who have wronged us, loving our enemies, and keeping His commandments. These teachings push us to grow in ways that can be uncomfortable or counterintuitive; however, embracing these lessons will only lead to a deeper connection with our faith.
One user so aptly quotes John 14: 15-16 ESV: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever.”
Listening to God in a World Full of Noise
Today’s fast-paced world is full of noise, distractions, and demands pulling us in every direction. This way of living can make listening to God extremely difficult, and many forum participants could relate to this.
It is crucial to find those daily sacred moments of quiet and stillness amidst all the chaos, to allow ourselves time to hear God’s voice and listen to His guidance. Admittedly, it does require effort to tune out the clamor and create space for spiritual reflection and connection, as difficult as it may be.
Loving Your Enemies
Leviticus 19:18 – Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
The book of Leviticus teaches us that we should not attempt to take revenge on those who have harmed us, and nor should we bear a grudge against others. Instead, we should love our enemies and neighbors as we love ourselves and pray for those who persecute us.
One user comments that so many would not even attempt this were it not a teaching of the Lord. The fact that people are often so bad at forgiveness or loving our enemies proves how hard it is to achieve. This could not be more true in today’s world.
The Battle Between His Will and Our Will
Another user explains that they find it hard because every day, they are engaged in a fight between His will and their own will. Many Christians face this deeply personal struggle, as it involves aligning our desires and plans with God’s larger purpose for our lives.
This internal conflict between two, sometimes opposing, sides can feel particularly intense when the goals and ambitions we once longed for no longer align with the path we believe God is guiding us towards.
In this situation, we need to take a step back and sit quietly in contemplation, thinking deeply about why we set the ambitions we did and accepting that we may need to surrender our own agendas – even if it means trusting in a plan we do not fully understand.
Balancing Faith with Daily Life
Being a true Christian requires commitment. It means finding time to pray daily, read and study the Scriptures, and regularly participate in a local church community. Many of us can find it challenging to juggle the demands of our faith with the demands of our work, family, and other commitments.
This was a common comment from forum members who explained that daily commitments make it hard to maintain a consistent and meaningful faith life.
Facing Criticism
Many Christians in the forum noted that they sometimes face ridicule or hostility for their religious beliefs, which presented an unnecessary struggle in following the word of God. Some explained how they found criticism from others particularly difficult to endure, especially in environments where faith is not widely accepted.
Struggling with Doubts
Some Christians are fortunate enough never to doubt God and the word of God. However, both newcomers to Christianity and long-time Christians sometimes struggle to believe some of the things said in the Bible. At least, that was the case with some forum members.
Our advice to anyone feeling this way is as follows: Just the same way you came to believe and started following God, trust in His word and everything that He has said in the Bible. After all, the Bible is God-breathed.
Personal Sacrifice
Christianity is all about sacrifice. You either sacrifice your time, your resources, or your comfort—sometimes even your life, as we have seen with the disciples who were martyred because they believed in Jesus. Knowing how modern society is, where individualism and self-centredness have become the order of the day, it becomes very difficult to be a Christian.
Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, and when it was time to go to Heaven, He commanded us to love each other. Loving entails sacrifice, just like a relationship, and it is no different with Christianity.
Praying and Reading the Word
Praying is a difficult thing to do, and many Christians will attest to this.
Praying is talking, and it’s a challenge to talk to someone who isn’t standing in front of us. Finding the right words is also not an easy task because most Christians think you have to be eloquent and speak perfectly. That’s not what prayer involves.
In my own case, before the revelation that God is with me and hears me just like I am talking with a friend, it was very difficult for me to sit and start talking and even find the words to express myself.
The same applies to reading the Bible. If you haven’t had the revelation of God living inside of you, it will be very hard for you to read the Bible with understanding. Otherwise, you’d be reading the Bible like a novel or any other book.
Church Hypocrisy
Others in the forum also found their Christianity to be a struggle when faced with difficulties in their Church community. After all, churches here on earth are run by human beings, and none of us are immune to flaws or are capable of perfection. Some church communities can be fraught with conflict, judgment, or hypocrisy, challenging the ideal of a supportive and loving fellowship.
In such cases, it’s important to remember that salvation is a personal relationship. Don’t let what something someone has done push you away from God. You will not go to heaven or hell because of the actions of others.
Walking in Holiness
All Christians can attest that it is very hard to walk in holiness, and Christians commenting in the forum agree. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, none of us can manage it. With society as it is today, it’s very hard to be the one that’s different amongst people who care little for holiness, and this in itself can make being a Christian and believer in Christ all the more difficult.
The enemy is working full-time to prevent us from walking in holiness. He’s using so many enticing ways that you find yourself trapped, either with what you hear or what you see—by the end of the day, you find that you fell. But this shouldn’t push you away from God. If you realize that any of this happened during the day, just repent and ask God for forgiveness, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk in holiness tomorrow.
Being a Christian is Not Easy
In short, the Christian journey is not an easy one to walk. It is the narrow way to God. Don’t give up, or let these challenges discourage you.
It’s only become very easy if you just surrender and let God lead you. You will make it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who was given to us to be our help and our teacher.
John 14:18-20, 25 NIV – “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more, but you will see me; because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. “These things I have spoken to you, while I am still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
Ending Prayer
Father, thank you for your salvation.
Thank you for choosing us and separating us for yourself.
As we walk in this difficult journey, we ask that you give us the wisdom, the courage, and the strength that we need.
Thank you for always being with us.
In all this, you have won, and because of that, we will make it.
Thank you, Father, for the Holy Spirit, who is our guide.
We pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen
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Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.