How Do I Handle My Weakening Faith In God?

Dear Pastor,

 I tried to enlist into the Marines seven months ago, and they had sent my medical records up to b-med. I’ve been waiting for an answer for seven months. I have prayed every night to God to give me an answer so I know what to do with my life. I feel like my life has been on pause for  seven months. I cant date new girls nor go to school without an answer. I’ve lost faith after a while because I felt like God didn’t care enough to give me an answer. Im 25 and my whole life depends on this. I cant afford school or improve my life in the position im in. I just don’t know what to do. I’ve wanted to join the military since I was 12. I got rejected when I was 18 and now got a second chance at joining. I just want to know what God has planned for me…or am I expecting too much? I just wish God would openly talk to me and tell me what I want to know. I’ve been in this pain for along time wondering and hoping that this will come through for me. I feel I have no other choice but not to join to better my life, even though I want nothing more to join. God hasn’t answered me in seven months and its been a real faith killer. I became a believer two years ago and was on fire for God, but now I feel alone and empty. I figured it was my last hope to talk to you and get some sort of answer, rather then loose all faith and be empty again. Thank you for your time on reading this. I have much more detail in my life that has gone wrong and didnt tell you about it, just been struggling with many  things and figured I would work on one thing at a time, starting with this since it will make or break me.

~Mike

 

 

Dear Mike,

God has not left you. He is not ignoring you either. Sometimes God tests our faith.

Think about it this way, when you went to school you took tests. The purpose of those tests was not to fail you but to reveal how much you had learned. It is the same way with God. The Bible says in James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God is developing your faith. In the meantime, attend church, read the Bible everyday, pray, and look for opportunities to serve others. Consider applying for other branches of the military. Maybe God wants you in the Coast Guard or the Army.

~Pastor Chris