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A struggling Christian seeks hope and finds a new calling
Many Christians struggle with identifying God’s calling in their lives. For some, it may be a career-related calling, while others may serve in other ways, such as feeding the hungry or praying for those in need.
Whatever your struggles, it’s important to remember that God is faithful and will continue to grow you into the person He intended for you in Christ.
1. Find a church
Many Christians are confused about the role of the church. They think of it as a building, an organization or an activity – but that’s not what the Bible says. The word church (ekklesia) means “an assembly of believers”. It is a community that comes together for worship, scripture reading and teaching, fellowship and prayer.
Jesus instructed His followers to go into all the world and spread the gospel message. The primary purpose of the Church is to strengthen and equip its members for an outside relationship with a broken world by representing the love and grace of Christ (Romans 16:5).
The church should be the place where Christians come together to encourage, serve and build each other in faith and maturity, but they also have a calling to reach out with mercy to all in need, including unbelievers. Ask around your church to find a pastor or leader who has experience supporting others in times of crisis. They will be able to help you navigate your doubts and questions, but more importantly, they will help you find hope in Jesus.
2. Invite a mentor
A mentorship can be a great way to grow in your career. But it’s important to ask for it in a professional and thoughtful way.
It’s best to reach out to people you admire or who play a similar role in your industry, says Merrell. Start with a casual email or social media post to introduce yourself and let them know why you want them to be your mentor.
Mention how you want to communicate (video conference, phone call, or even in person) and set a consistent schedule. For example, you might suggest meeting for an hour once a week or every other week for four to six months. If the mentorship is going well, you can continue meeting in person, but if it doesn’t work out, it’s okay to close the circle respectfully. Many successful people like to take young talent under their wing. They may just have more obligations than time.
3. Ask God to make you new
If you are tired of wrestling with doubts and questions, it can help to spend some time resting your soul. Read a book, watch a movie or TV show, spend time with your friends and family, or try a meditation practice. You can also memorize gospel scriptures.
Then when you feel renewed, ask God to make you new. He wants to give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) He will also guide you where your needs are best served.
You should always seek God’s guidance when making important decisions. But don’t be discouraged if you feel that God is not answering your prayers. He has a plan for your life and his timing is perfect. Remember, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) —Paul, early Christian leader.
If you struggle with sin, don’t hide it from the world or from fellow believers. You might think that sharing your pain will diminish your credibility as a Christian or make people believe you have no faith, but vulnerability creates intimacy and builds trust. Plus, your struggles are an important part of your story. The fact that you struggle with sin shows that God is in your life and that you are truly a follower of Christ. Those who don’t struggle with their faith or believe they can live according to their own sinful nature live in a fantasy world of personal spirituality, where they pick and choose beliefs that are right for them.
Find fellow followers of Jesus who will encourage you and remind you of the truth of God’s Word. They will be a source of support and help you overcome your challenges. The community will also remind you that you are not alone and that you can always run to God when the going gets tough.
