Handling the judgment of faith

 Handling being judged either about our faith or lack of as Christians is such an added burden. Even if you’re reading this and you are not a Christian, I’m sure in some way you have been judged by well-meaning people.

One of the greatest times we are hurt by judging friends or family is during health problems. I’ll address this as a Christian because I am one.

There are so many scriptures about healing. They are as trustworthy as any other ones we have stood upon in our faith. The very first one is for salvation. Trusting that God IS and that Jesus’ death on the cross bought our salvation and forgiveness. Its all by faith. And until the day we pass from this world faith is what we hold on to. We trust. We believe. But the actual experience can only come on the day the Lord takes us home.

Healing is something that we can see with our eyes and experience in our bodies while we are still here. It starts with going to God in prayer with His Word. That is the key to healing. Holding up God’s Word to Him in prayer is like taking a written promise from another person back to them and trusting they meant what they said to you. Of course, talking about other humans, that’s not always possible.

We can fail one another for so many reasons, even when we truly did mean what we said. But with God, his character is perfect. He cannot lie and is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the only ironclad promise for any need in our lives.

So what happens when you have prayed, believed the Word, and asked others to agree with you, and the healing doesn’t come?

The absolute worst part of it, more than the continued symptoms, is the judgment. It comes in the form of, “You must not have prayed right.” “Your faith is weak.” “You are not believing enough.” “You are trying too hard or too little.”

If you have read the book of Job, then you can understand this posting. Job’s friends accused him of every lack of faith and sin at the time when he was in such pain already. He’d lost his livestock, his family, and then his health. What more could he possibly have left?

Judging friends.

They wanted to find some kink in Job’s armor to justify what was happening. Going through my current situation, I have found myself sitting in Job’s world listening to the emotional beating he took on top of the main loss.

It's so easy to judge another person’s faith. To pick around in their life, trying desperately to find THE reason prayers are not being answered.

I have a statement that I make to God all the time when I find myself in a new valley. It goes like this;

“Lord, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to stop loving You or trusting you. Even if things don’t change, I’m still going to praise You and thank you for my life.”

That’s the bedrock of my faith. Loving God, trusting Him despite what befalls my life. THAT to me is a solid faith. Everything here in this life is subject to change or not change.

Faith in God alone is the only solid ground we can stand on. It’s the only thing that brings peace and stills my heart. Especially when even the body of Christ sits around you with all the theology of healing. All the testimonies of other people who were healed. All the pamphlets, videos, and teachings offered to you even in good faith, and still your situation remains.

I walked through a previous time of healing and came out the other side healed. I know what it means to speak the Word of God, believe and pray, and also follow that path of obedience like the man with the mud on his eyes. Jesus put the mud on his eyes and told him to go wash in the pool.

Other times, direct instant healing was given. I think that is when the judgment comes in. I certainly don’t have all the answers. I can only go to God with my whole heart, confess my need of Him, and believe IN Him.

If you are amid a valley, slogging through the problem, and on top of it, the judgment of others… Dear Soul, let it go. Turn your eyes on the Lord alone. Forget even trying to understand healing.

Rest in His loving comfort. It’s okay to not be okay. To not understand. All that truly matters is seeking the presence of the Lord more than your healing, being perfect in your faith, or what anyone believes about you.

You have my sincere prayers if you passed by here today. I hope you found something to hold on to.

No judgement…. I bless you.