When You Don’t “Feel” Like A Christian: A Guest Post by Rebekkah

Hello wonderful people! 

Everyone has days when they don’t “feel like a Christian” – when you don’t want to read your Bible, when prayer is hard – but some days are especially hard. And what about when those days become weeks? 

In this post, we’ll be looking at those times, the lies Satan tells you, and what to do when they hit you. 

Everyone Struggles

You’re not alone. Believe it or not, everyone has days when they don’t feel like a Christian – even pastors and the people in your church. Most people just don’t talk about it. Being a believer isn’t easy – even believing isn’t easy. Let’s not forget that.

Mainstream Christianity Isn’t Everything 

I find modern worship songs hit and miss. There’s some that I adore (Nobody by Casting Crowns, for example), and some that when they come on, I turn the radio off. Sometimes, it’s a matter of mood. 

Don’t feel guilty because you don’t fit in with, or particularly like, mainstream Christianity, or whatever part of it. 

Christ living a perfect life for us, dying on the cross, and being resurrected – that is the core of real, timeless Christianity. Cling to Christ.

Do It Anyway

Sadly, not every Bible study is going to be this relaxing, quiet time with a cup of tea and some journaling at the end. Not every prayer is going to be like talking to a friend. 

Those are wonderful, noble things to aim for, but we are sinful human beings and won’t always accomplish them. Some days, I have to force myself to do it.  I try to remind myself that it’ll pay off. I may not feel the Spirit, but that doesn’t mean He isn’t working (Isaiah 55:10-11).

A pastor once told me that personal devotions are the single most important thing you do, that it will change your life, and that God will give you the strength to do it every day. 

So, it may not be pretty, you may not want to do it, but do it anyway. 

Fake It When You Have To, But Be Honest

Yes, sometimes you’ll have to fake it. Sing the hymn even when you are struggling with doubt. Pretend like you want to when you sit down and read a chapter.  

But in the midst of faking it and doing it anyway, don’t be afraid to be honest about your struggles. It can be scary to drag your struggles and feelings into the light, but it’s a good thing, one that allows you to be strengthened, encouraged, and helped. 

Faith > Feelings

Just because you don’t “feel” like a Christian doesn’t mean that you aren’t a Christian. The doubts that flit through your mind don’t define you. And just because you don’t always act and feel like a child of God doesn’t mean you aren’t His. 

I know it’s hard to remember that. Feelings and emotions overwhelm me at times, and I often wonder if I’m “good enough”. But I’m being constantly reminded that 

 “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but upon God’s mercy.” Romans 9:16, (NIV)

and  

 “How can you be so foolish! You began by God’s Spirit; do you now want to finish by your own power?” Galatians 3:3, (GNB)

It’s not all on me. In fact, none of it is: all I must do is believe that Christ will save me. My salvation hangs on how good He was, not how good I am. 

You are a beloved child of God, and you are saved, no matter how you feel. On the days that you don’t want to, or you’re having a hard time believing it, you ARE still His. Emotions are big, but God is bigger. He loves you, and there’s nothing you can do about it. 

Tips and Tricks

Lastly, I have a few tips and tricks to help you when you don’t feel like a Christian.

• Build habits. Read your Bible and pray everyday. It won’t be easy to start and to stay in it sometimes, but it will 100% pay off. It’ll get easier as you do it more and more. 

• Make it fun. Add things that you enjoy – whether that be creating tabs for your Bible, listening to worship music, or reading through your favorite Bible stories/books. Why make it harder than it needs to be? 

• Pray about it. Take your struggles, your doubt, your hardening heart to God. Ask Him to help. He’s not going to strike you down if you admit to being sinful and imperfect. Remember, He loves you. 

• Keep your eyes on Christ, not on yourself. The funny thing about sin is the more you focus on it (and how you should be doing better), the more you get wrapped up in it. So keep your focus on Christ instead. 

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Well, here we are, at the end. I hope this post helped and encouraged you. It was such an honor to guest post! 

Have you found anything that’s helped you when you don’t feel like a Christian? Any ‘aha’ moments lately? 

May God bless, 

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Rebekkah Waner is an eighteen-year-old Jesus freak who likes music (rock and pop, mostly), Disney movies, reading, squirrels, Pinterest boards, writing, and American Ninja Warrior. She’s a cat lover who tries to be cool, but fails, usually while listening to Skillet.

She blogs over at the Blue Pail, about random awesomeness.