On Christianity

DEAR REV. GRAHAM: My faith is like a yo-yo, constantly bouncing up and down but not going anywhere. I'd love to have a solid faith like some of my friends but it isn't happening. What's wrong with me? Maybe I'm just not the religious type.

-- J.R.

DEAR J.R.: If you weren't "the religious type" you wouldn't be concerned about your faith. In fact, you'd probably never give it a thought. (I don't believe that only some people are "religious types." God is real to all kinds of people, and He loves us all.)

The most important thing I can tell you is that God doesn't want us to have a "yo-yo" faith, and He has done everything possible to give us a strong and stable faith. The key is to build our faith not on our feelings but on facts, the facts of Jesus' life, death and resurrection, and the facts of His promises and His presence with us.

Feelings come and go, and if we look only at whether or not we "feel" God is with us, our faith will never be strong. But when we focus on Jesus, our faith will grow. The more you focus on Christ and His love for you, the stronger your faith will become.

How does this happen? First, make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ. Have you put your faith and trust in Him? If you aren't sure, turn to Christ and ask Him to come into your life today. Then take time every day to focus on Him -- through reading the Bible, through prayer and through your fellowship with other believers in a church where Christ is preached and lived.

The Bible says, "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ" (Romans 10:17).

Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C. 28201 or visit the website at

billygraham.org

ActiveStyle on 09/01/2014

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