DEFINITION and QUALITIES
A Wayward Believer is an individual who is best described as "Someone who has turned away from God, Church, and many things Christian. It usually describes someone who resists guidance, chooses their own path, or strays from accepted standards because of horrible experiences they've had with 'Christians' or life in general."
Wayward Believers usually struggle with some or all of the following:
I know this position very well because I was a Wayward Believer for over 20 years! And while it's true I turned away from God, the church, and everything Christian, it's also true I believed in God during those dark years - even though I didn't acknowledge Him. I felt betrayed by God because I felt He should have been there for me and prevented all of those bad things from happening to me. Little did I know He was preparing me for a ministry to help Wayward Believers overcome their heartbreaks and return to their Lord - not to a church or pastor!
FOCUSES
So, if you find yourself in this category, or if you know someone in this position in life, here are some words of encouragement:
God misses hearing from, and talking with, you! He wants to hear from you... today! In the privacy of your heart, would you reach out and tell Him how you feel. Tell Him your thoughts! Unload everything upon Him - because He cares for you. Ask Him to help you heal!
NOTE: Please try NOT to allow pride to swell up inside you and say, "I don't want to heal. I don't want anything to do with that former life!" I understand that's how you may FEEL right now, but as you know, FEELINGS are temporary and only last for a short period of time - unless of course we choose to hold onto them because they give us a feeling of power (e.g., anger FEELS powerful, but it is a false power that hurts the person who holds onto it). Instead, choose faith and hope!
Here are four things to focus on right now:
1. Prayer. Talk to your Lord about all that happened and how they made you think and feel. Ask Him for strength and help to overcome.
2. Fast. As you know, there were some demons in Scripture that would only come out by fasting and prayer. So, if you'd like to draw near unto the Lord but find yourself hitting a wall, consider praying AND fasting for a couple of days!
3. Read His Word. Begin with the Psalms. Here are a few to get you thinking:
"You have let me see troubles and hard times, but You will give me new life; You will lift me up from this pit of death! You will help me do even greater things. You will comfort me again!" Psalms 71:20-21
"The Lord is near to the heartbroken. And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin). Psalms 34:18
And of course...
"The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord." Psalms 23.
4. Talk with someone who cares for your soul. More importantly, talk with someone who can listen for hours and not give advice!
If you have questions or comments, or would just like to talk with someone who will listen, empathize and not give you advice, email me here.
In His Name,
Roy