DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I don't understand myself. Sometimes I believe very strongly in Jesus and feel close to Him, but then it all fades away, and I'm filled with all kinds of doubts. Why can't I have a strong faith, like some of my friends do?
-- A.G.
DEAR A.G.: The most important truth I can tell you is that God doesn't want you to have an unstable, up-and-down faith. He wants you to have a strong faith -- and because God wants your faith to be strong, He has given you everything you need to make it possible.
Think of it this way. Suppose you never ate nourishing food, or you never exercised. Suppose too that you never made an effort to spend time with other people. What would happen to you? You'd grow weaker and weaker, physically and emotionally. And if it went on too long, you'd get sick or even die. We all need food and exercise, and we also need other people if we're to stay healthy.
The same is true spiritually. If we never feed our souls, we'll grow weaker and weaker spiritually. God will seem distant ... doubts will fill our minds ... and we'll be more vulnerable to sin. We need food -- the spiritual food that God has already provided for us -- to keep strong.
What is this spiritual food? First, God has given us His Word, the Bible. He also has given us the privilege of prayer, welcoming us into His presence at any time. In addition, He has given us other believers (especially through the church) to encourage and help us. Make each of these a part of your spiritual diet every day. The Bible says, like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (1 Peter 2:2).
Write to Billy Graham in care of Billy Graham Evangenlistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201 or visit the website at
billygraham.org
ActiveStyle on 10/23/2017