Gyms and basketball courts have been closed for months now, and as someone who enjoyed going to the gym and playing basketball at least a couple of times a week, it’s been a challenge thinking of creative ways to stay active during lockdown.
They say that faith is like a muscle. Sadly the positive and negative sides of the similarity are true: muscle memory means it’s possible for faith to become easier and stronger when put into practise often. But it’s also possible for faith to weaken over time if it’s neglected. So, how do you not lose your faith in lockdown?
During a recent Zoom Bible Study, we all admitted that we have days where our faith is really struggling, and sometimes we’re not even sure that we’re Christians or that there is a God! We asked everyone in the group to answer this question: What do you do to keep your faith when you are doubting? Here are some of the answers, I hope these encourage you!
1. Nature
Multiple people in the group agreed that for them, admiring nature is a real faith-booster for them. Whether it’s the colours of a sunset, staring up into the stars, thinking about the way the human body can heal itself, or the argument for intelligent design based on an impossibly fine-tuned planet which sustains life, there are plenty of spiritual and physical benefits for getting out there and enjoying God’s good creation.
2. Worship
One aspect of spiritual-life which has been particularly affected by lockdown is sung-worship. Although we can still listen to music and even enjoy it on YouTube, there’s something profound about actively singing worship. For me personally, some of the moments in my life when I’ve felt closest to God are when I’ve been singing worship songs either in festivals with bands and lighting, or small settings with just a guitar. If this is at all true for you, then find ways to build worship into your daily rhythm through Spotify playlists or singing along in your car!
3. Prayer
Answered prayers are one of the most effective proofs for God’s existence, and can really help to sustain faith when things get tough. I keep a journal of answered prayers, or things that God has said to me. I’m pretty rubbish and keeping this journal, but even reading a small number of God’s promises, or remembering answers to prayer, will lift your spirit and remind you that God is for you and can communicate with you.
4. The Bible
God’s book, The Bible, is the easiest and clearest way to hear his voice and get to know Him better. Reading even a single verse every day will help you to grow in faith. Maybe try reading a short Psalm each day. Or download the YouVersion Bible App and start a short reading plan over the summer. A friend of mine used to say he’d leave a Bible open in his house so that he’d remember to read it at least once a day, even if it was just a sentence. Pick the book back up, and get into it!
5. People
Who are you spending time with? They say that you should hang around people you want to be like. So if you’re struggling in your faith, it can be a good idea to try and make time for being with people who will encourage you in your relationship with God. Are you joining the Zoom call after church on a Sunday morning? Are you part of a small group or Bible study? Do you talk to Christian friends on a weekly basis?
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
6. Practice
Our final pointer takes us back to where we started. Faith is like a muscle, so you need to activate it in order to keep it strong. So put your faith into action in some of the following practical ways:
Go to church (or watch it from the comfort of your bed while it’s online!)
Care for others who need it most (give to charity, volunteer at a youth club, offer a listening ear to a friend)
Talk to your friends about Jesus and what difference He’s made in your life
Attend an online Alpha Course and explore the basics of faith (this is a great idea for experience Christians as well as people new to faith)
Join a group which meets during the week. You’ll be amazed at how many people struggle with faith and meeting during the week gives an opportunity for honest questions, chances to pray together and to read the Bible.
Well, I hope that something in this list will encourage you. Don’t forget that the one thing we all have in common as Christians is the reality of doubt. We’ve all been there, which means we can all help to encourage one another towards faith. We all share one another’s stories - both the difficulties and the wins.
May you grow during this uncertain time as you begin to activate your faith and enjoy the full life that God has for you.
