So, why do some of us fall away?
There are probably as many answers to that question as there are people who fall away, but I want to share something I read today that I think could help us all evaluate our own faith and strengthen it so we too don't.
From Unexplainable Jesus by Erica Wiggenhorn:
"If we think God owes us something because of our own goodness or obedience, Jesus warns we will most likely lose faith. If we feel we are somehow more deserving of His blessings than others, we will also lose faith when the blessings seemingly run dry."
I think a lot of us go through periods of doubt when unexpected disaster or disease or whatnot hit our lives. Naturally we ask, "Why is this happening?" or "Why did God let this happen?"
That is the wrong question to ask. I believe we should instead ask, "What does God want to do through this situation?"
We all will deal with things that aren't fair (we all should know by now life isn't fair), or things that are just plain bad, or things that are obviously an awful tragedy. We don't wish for those kinds of things and we don't worry about them arriving. But they will arrive, and when they come there will be no answers to why questions that satisfy. So, let's ask the "what" question instead.
This is how James 1:2 can actually occur. James writes, "Consider it all joy my brethren, when you encounter various trials,"
There is joy in trials when we realize it is through these very things that God will shine brightest through us -- brighter than He does when life is "good."
Resolve right now to approach life this way. It is powerful. It is freeing. It is what God calls us to do.