Why do people struggle with believing in God?

Q: Why do people struggle to have faith in God?

A: There are many reasons, so I’ll focus on just two.

~Trusting in one’s own knowledge and relying on self.

~Relying only on reasoning - thinking logically, sensibly.

Imagine unplugging for a day to take a solo trip in your sailboat. Throwing caution to the wind, you forego the usual pre-departure boat checks and head out.

On the water, you enjoy watching the wind fill your sails, propelling your boat across the lake, never giving thought to the power behind the wind.

Eventually, you drop anchor and enjoy the delicious picnic dinner you prepared and packed. After a day of napping and relaxing in the sun, it’s time to head home.

But there’s no wind. You find that you have no gas to fuel the boat’s engine. You left your phone in the car, and there’s no radio to call for help.

In light of the facts, it’s logical to think that you’re dead in the water.

Suddenly, the wind begins to blow again. Sensibly, you position your sails to catch the wind, trusting the sails will be filled. After all, it is what they are made for.

If you’re a person who doesn’t have faith in God, in this scenario you consider yourself fortunate that an act of nature helped you navigate your way home. You say, ‘thank goodness’ I’m lucky!

If you’re a person who does have faith in God, you know the provider of the wind and purposely positioned yourself to receive and rely on His power to get you home. You say, ‘thank you God!’

This is a stripped down illustration of faith, I know. But it is a good analogy.

The sailboat represents those who place their faith in God and raise their sails so they can catch the power of the Holy Spirit and rely on God to navigate their lives. A believer uses his knowledge, reasoning, and seeks God’s wisdom. But he also believes that God’s power, knowledge, and wisdom trumps his own.

The wind is the Holy Spirit - God’s power in those who believe in Him. And that power is not of this world.

Faith in God is more than believing He exists.

Faith requires trust and reliance on His knowledge and power. Proverbs 3:5-6

Faith is displayed when we trust in God and His promises rather than our own strength. Jeremiah 17:5,7

For with God nothing is impossible. Luke 1:37

When the disciples of Jesus asked Him why they failed to drive out a demon from a man, Jesus answered, “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible.” Matthew 17:20

Jesus is saying it’s not the quantity of faith you have, it’s the quality!