It is Well With My Soul

Over the years I have struggled with my faith. I don’t regret the struggle because it has allowed me to more deeply understand the core of my belief. And just as a teacher challenges a student to learn, we are to take our individual challenges and converse with Christ, our teacher. Through Christ our soul finds rest, our mind becomes at ease, and our struggle subsides. Further, we are called to use what we are taught as a lesson for others to witness. It is through this process of struggles and reliance on Christ that becomes a public proclamation that Christ is alive.

My Struggle, My Teacher

My faith struggle included a series of difficult questions that I have asked over the years: Is my belief in God based on assumptions or is it based on sound wisdom? Am I looking at only a small piece of the puzzle? Is believing a sign that I am weak minded? Am I just looking for something to “make me feel good” and this is why I believe? Am I naive? Was I brainwashed by my parents to believe in God? Is my brain capable of considering the fact that when I die I will go into oblivion, so my belief in God is just a mental coping mechanism? Am I just plain stupid? These are very difficult questions, but fair questions nonetheless.

After leaving home as a young man, the church became unimportant to me, so, no, I was not brainwashed by my parents. If my parents did brainwash me into believing, their effort was wasted because it didn’t last very long! 

I do not consider myself weak-minded either, in fact, I wish I could think less as I tend to drain myself with over-thinking. I tend to think way too much and analyze all the options. So, no, I am not weak-minded.

Do I believe in God just to “feel good”? No, I can feel good doing many other things; these are called hobbies.

Have I considered that God does not exist? Yes, numerous times. To be honest, it would be easier for me to not believe in God because then the struggle can be avoided. Believing requires far more effort than not believing.

If I can’t prove God exists, is this justification for walking away from God? No, because in the Gospel we are taught that belief is not to be based on proof, but on a commitment towards Jesus Christ.

If God cannot be seen, then how can I say He exists? Because God tells us that He reveals Himself through His creations. I’ve seen the Grand Canyon and I was in awe of the creation of such a vast void in the earth that I witnessed an awesome display of God’s mighty handiwork.

So why am I compelled to believe in God even though there are seemingly endless reasons to walk away?

Consider the definition of the word Spiritual: relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

What I have come to realize is that my struggle is not originating from me; but instead, it is a manifestation of an outside influence which is constantly trying to erode my relationship with Christ. A constant battle between two opposing forces each desiring to claim spiritual dominion over a human soul.

The Father Revealed in the Son

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
–Matthew 11:25-30

Christ uses the word, “babe” in the above verses. Why did Jesus use the word, “babe”?

A baby is not burdened with over-thinking. A baby hasn’t lived long enough to be corrupted by prejudices. A baby’s soul is not burdened with preconceived human notions. Their soul has no pride; and their soul has no concern for the future. A baby’s soul is in the immediate unhindered “now”.

When a baby is hungry, it cries; the infant doesn’t care who feeds it, all the baby knows is it is hungry. When a baby is tired, it cries; the infant doesn’t care where they lay their head, it just desires rest. When a baby thirsts, it suckles and is at peace. A baby holds no judgment towards the one who is holding him or her. The baby is comforted and returns a smile as a sign of peace. An infant is innocent in spirit and only desires comfort from the one who loves it.

Christ is teaching us to be more like a babe. We are to let go of all of our burdens of this world and to be innocent in spirit. We are to find comfort in Christ, because if we do not, then our struggles will divert us away from Christ. As we shed the worries of the world, we will be free to experience a core desire that compels a human spirit to be attracted to all that is good; an unexplainable undeniable love for Christ. This attraction goes beyond a worldly logic system and is so profound that we do not want to live life without Christ; and it is through this our soul finds rest. We are joined to Christ through the Holy Spirit in a shared Love for each other.

Please, my brothers and sisters in Christ, let the burdens of this world go. Allow the spirit to give your soul rest so that you will be comforted in knowing that all is well.

It is well with my soul–YouTube Song