Society has this strange belief that Christians are “holier-than-thou” people who have life figured out. This perception is obviously far from the truth. Christians are like anyone else in the sense that we all struggle with the hardships of this world. Each and every one of us. However, those who believe in Jesus seek wisdom and convictions with the hope of turning away from their sins and living a life that pleases God.
Devoting myself to Christ has done wonders in my life. However, living a Christian life introduces one to a myriad of personal problems unique to the individual. I wish to share my experience with others to demonstrate the reality that it is normal for Christians as they struggle with the hardships of this life.
Past Judgment
Prior to taking my salvation seriously, my life was a wreck. I was an alcoholic, porn addict, abuser of tobacco, prideful, and jaded. I didn’t like myself at all. My life was dictated by a severely bruised and insecure ego that wanted to avoid public embarrassment at all costs. Furthermore, my motivations were fueled by lust and career achievement. The pathway I forged for my life led me to commit many acts that I am far from proud of.
In this age of social media, where everything is documented and surveilled, many of my shameful actions have been witnessed by numerous individuals.
Therefore, changing my faith, values, and principles comes across as disingenuous to those who believe they know me based on my past. I know there are so many people who judge me for my change in faith, and to be fair, I don’t blame them.
Yet, what people fail to realize is that a decision to come to faith in Jesus can have a profound and swift transformation in one’s life. Only that individual and Christ understand the authenticity of that individual’s belief. What I have personally experienced is that the Lord truly has the power to transform someone’s heart in a mere moment. Once we come to accept Him, we are a new creation. This aspect of Christianity, in conjunction with my own experiences, has shown me that the judgment of others doesn’t matter. While it does initially hurt, it’s not important. In fact, this reality has made me reluctant to judge all people — even those who commit atrocities. This is because we are all far from perfect, yet redeemable.
Evangelism
As a Gen Z’er, talking about Jesus in any capacity is typically unpopular and can be viewed as forcing religious ideals upon others. Simply put, many people within my age cohort despise Christianity. Oddly, in a nation where 69% of people identify with being Christians, I have found that many proclaimed followers loathe discussions centered around faith. Therefore, sharing the gospel has been difficult. My perception of those judging my faith based on my past actions has also discouraged me from sharing my faith. Sometimes I fall victim to the belief that no one could possibly take a guy like me seriously.
Yet, I still try to spread the Word because I wish to please God. I have found that spreading the Word does not always have to be done through conversations or lengthy social media posts. There are many ways of spreading faith, such as wearing Christian items, sharing an occasional infographic, and updating my profile biographies. In addition, demonstrating my faith can be done directly through how I associate with people through acts of benevolence and kindness.
Scripture
For those new to Scripture, the Bible can come across as extremely loaded. There are topics and concepts that require context. There are deeper meanings and layers to statements within the Bible that require research and guidance. Therefore, it has been important for me to pause prior to establishing my own conclusions.
The most difficult aspect of Scripture is that it typically disagrees with accepted narratives of society. Our society has normalized hedonism and the pursuit of pleasure. There is a pressure to conform to this world, which has resulted in a lack of principles and values. In response, the Bible offers solutions that are wildly radical, yet extremely effective. Scripture offers brutally honest assessments, wisdom, and guidance in a world that offers counterfeits and deception.
Scripture can require years’ worth of studying before a genuine understanding can occur. Nonetheless, Scripture serves as a compass for my life. From the limited application of Biblical principles in my life, I find that the Bible has yet to fail me. The commands, values, and teachings are good attributes for anyone to live by.
Questioning God
One of my greatest challenges of being a new Christian is questioning God and His plan. To devout Christians, this probably sounds blasphemous. But I have so many raw and genuine questions. If God truly knows everything from the beginning to the end, why would He bother creating Lucifer? Why would He create those who He knew wouldn’t choose Him? How are the mentally ill judged? Is a greater level of grace extended to those who were dealt a bad hand in life? I’ve come to learn that my questions come from a place of concern and hurt for those who don’t know Jesus.
When I find myself questioning God’s will, there are a few thoughts that provide me with comfort and assurance. I remind myself that I am not God, and that is okay. I can’t fathom nor comprehend the mechanics and decisions regarding His plan. We are responsible for how we choose to live. Faith requires a devoted belief in the Lord despite my limited understanding of His will. This requires me to humble myself and admit that aspects of this world are out of my control and comprehension.
Conclusion
Being a Christian is difficult. It is, by far, the hardest aspect of my life. Faith requires sacrifice, patience, devotion, and energy. Despite all of this, becoming a Christian has been worth it. My life has drastically improved in areas and in ways that I thought weren’t possible. Most importantly, no matter life’s circumstances and struggles, my faith in Jesus has provided me with an unshakeable sense of assurance that I will be okay.
