Two profound truths I learned being a lonely Christian

There are two things I wish I had known sooner—things that would have helped me navigate the loneliest season of my life with more strength and peace.

I discovered these truths after that season had passed, but they’ve been a constant source of encouragement, reminding me to persevere and trust in God.

Two things.

The first one is this: I can continue to trust God even when I don’t feel anything.

Isaiah 50:10 says, “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of His servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.”

This verse paints a picture of someone who is walking in complete darkness, with no light to guide them. They have nothing to rely on—no feelings, no tangible support—and yet they trust in the Lord anyway.

You will face moments in life when you have nothing to hold onto. Your faith may feel weak, your emotions may be absent, and all you’ll have left is the knowledge of God’s character.

People often want to see something, feel something, or experience something in order to trust God—as if knowing God’s character isn’t enough. But imagine walking in utter darkness, with no light at all. It’s in those moments that you learn to trust God for who He is, regardless of how you feel.

What I once saw as a desert experience turned out to be a place where God could receive even greater glory from me than He would have if I had all the support and feelings I thought I needed.

The second thing is that my ability to have faith in God is a gift from God.

We often think of faith as something we must muster up on our own. So, when our faith feels weak, we start to doubt whether it’s genuine or if we’ve truly been saved.

But not everyone has the privilege of recognizing that they cannot produce their own faith. Faith is a gift. It’s not something we can create on our own.

As human beings, we are spiritually depraved, and we cannot produce faith by our own strength. This realization was one of the most profound lessons I learned during that season.

Faith is a gift, as Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God…”

So, I began to see my ability to have faith as a precious gift—a privilege. And it humbled me deeply. At the same time, it encouraged me, because I realized that it’s not about my own strength (which can fail and exhaust me), but about God’s unlimited power to carry me through until the end.

As Philippians 1:6 reminds us: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

These two truths empower me every single day. Even when I don’t feel anything, I can trust God through the knowledge of His character. And I can cherish the gift of faith He’s given me, knowing that I am deeply dependent on Him to carry me through to the very end.

I hope these two insights encourage you in your own battle of faith.

May you come to know God more deeply in your life.

References:

John Piper, Desiring God | What do I do if I’ve tried to believe in God but can’t?

https://youtu.be/eebuJdVBses?si=HOeln4l4hfNXtXKM

Paul Washer, I’ll Be Honest | Trust God even when you have no feelings

https://youtu.be/skOJMUYhgQ8?si=9eH41d5bwxTeOSHc