Have You Lost Your Faith? 8 Practical Keys to Keep Your Faith

Maintaining faith in God can be challenging, especially when life feels overwhelming or your spiritual journey seems unfulfilling. If you’ve noticed that your relationship with God feels empty or distant, it’s important to pause and reflect: Have you been praying consistently? Are you seeking scripture to strengthen your faith? The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to restore and deepen your connection with God. In this article, we’ll explore 8 key practices that can help you keep your faith strong, no matter what life throws your way.

Many times God is relegated to a building or book without ever becoming that which we truly seek. If God were a visitor in your home, would He be sitting in a corner chair away from the dinner table. Would anyone be speaking to Him? Would He even be stored in a converted attic space so as not to get in the way?

For God to be central to our lives, we need to deliberately put Him there to keep our faith. But how and why? Why would we even bother? What difference does it make? You probably know people who seem to be getting along successfully who never go to church and might even think you were dying if they knew you contemplated it!

You probably also know people whose faith practically oozes out of their pores. What’s the difference? Knowing God and including God in every part of life changes everything. It’s such a common mistake to think that the Bible and God only exist to take away the fun. In contrast, knowing God and reading the Bible actually make life meaningful and worthwhile. Knowing Jesus brings peace and joy regardless of our circumstances.

If your faith is on shaky ground right now, keep reading for insight, hope, and encouragement. And most importantly, keep believing and keep pursuing God!

Here are 8 key practices that can help you keep your faith strong:

1. God Makes a Difference to Your Faith

So, to keep your faith, the first order of business is to contemplate the difference God makes as shown in scripture. God is not mad at you or bored with you. He is not waiting for you to be worthy of His attention and concern. God’s presence and love are available to you right now because God is near, as near as the very breath you take. The Bible has many references to the difference God makes. The Psalms are full of praise for God for the very fact that God is near and makes a difference.

Scripture References

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10, ESV

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18, ESV

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” – Ephesians 1:11, NLT

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10, NLT

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” – 2 Peter 1:3-4, NLT

“God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” – Psalm 46:1, NLT

“⁵ Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.
⁶ Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
    your justice like the ocean depths.
You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.
⁷     How precious is your unfailing love, O God!
All humanity finds shelter
    in the shadow of your wings.” -Psalms 36:5-7, NLT

Music References

Heartfelt proclamations about God and indeed the difference He makes can be heard in music. There are more than just a few classics that demonstrate God’s “Wow” factor. The Christian music industry is huge with words written and sung by people who felt something and just had to let it out. And they’re singing about the One who makes them whole, their Sovereign Lord, their Comforter and friend.

The interesting thing about music is that whether we listen to old, old hymns written in the late 1800’s or popular, contemporary music, they are proclaiming the same attributes about the same God. The reason for this is that God doesn’t change. People change, styles change, tastes change but not God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Here are a few music suggestions based on scripture that show God’s character and indeed how He makes a difference, the key to faith for that which we believe.

2. Prayer and Faith

Prayer is so important! You may think that God isn’t listening or that if He knows everything already so, what’s the point? There are many benefits to prayer. Perhaps the most important is that God wants a relationship with us. Yes, He knows all. He is sovereign, and He wants us to include Him in all areas of our lives, including the temptations, wrong thoughts, frustrations, victories, struggles–all of it, every aspect of life! When we go to God, we acknowledge our need for His presence and place in our lives.

Pray and then listen. Give God time. Be consistent with your efforts and thank God for every blessing. Many times, the Psalms are prayers and so they speak for us, especially when we’re at a loss for the words. If you don’t know how or what to pray for, read the Psalms.

“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” – Psalm 55:22, NLT

“I wait quietly before God,
    for my victory comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will never be shaken.” – Psalm 62:1-2, NLT

3. Knowing God’s Character Leads to Greater Faith

God is kind. God restores, supports, and strengthens us: “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10, NLT

God is merciful: “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10

God corrects, and loves us. He is an encouraging, loving parent who disciplines us: “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” – Hebrews 12:5-6, NLT

God blesses us: “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3, NLT

God created us and planned for us to do good: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” – Ephesians 2:10, NLT

4. Knowing Satan Helps Avoid Loosing Your Faith

The fourth item on our list is Satan. Is Satan real? Yes, the Bible makes it very clear that Satan is very real. The Bible also teaches us who Satan is. Do you know the enemy’s character? When we know the character of Satan, we become aware of the tricks and schemes He has to take us far, far away from the love and goodness of God.

Satan is a thief who kills and destroys. “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10, NIV

Satan is a great enemy and actively seeks people to destroy. “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8, NLT

Satan fears God. “ You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” – James 2:19, NLT

Satan is a murderer who does evil and hates the truth. Satan is the source of lies. “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – John 8:44, NLT

5. Seek Truth to Maintain Your Faith

Another great resource is The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel. In this book, which is now a movie, former atheist Lee Strobel seeks answers to tough questions like: Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?, Was Jesus crazy when he claimed to be the son of God?, and Was Jesus’ death a sham and his resurrection a hoax?

6. Seek Encouragement, Seek Faith

The sixth action to check off in order to keep your faith is to seek encouragement. You’ve probably had your eye on at least one person who seems to have “it” all together, especially when it comes to their faith. It’s time to ask this person some questions, ask them for prayer, and get their suggestions. There’s a reason you’ve looked with admiration at this individual. Find out what they are doing and copy it, if it feels right for you.

Music is another great source of encouragement. There’s a reason people sing with passion and belief–because it matters! The anointing of the Holy Spirit is palpable in the music videos below:

6. Temptation and Faith

Are you losing your faith because you’re being tempted? Do you need help resisting the schemes of the enemy? Satan chips away little by little with small temptations, doubts, and lies. In Genesis 3:1, we read how Satan tempted Eve by asking “…Did God really say you must not…”. Satan placed doubt which lead to temptation and a very wrong choice with horrible consequences.

Also, watch out for the information you allow into your mind. As Joyce Meyer discusses in her bestselling book, Battlefield of the Mind, our minds are truly a battlefield where our thoughts ruminate and lead to decisions. Do you choose your thoughts are allow random thoughts to take control? Are your friends people who make right choices? Do you include God each day? Do you strengthen yourself each day with scripture? Do you pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance as well as forgiveness? Your answers to these questions will make a difference.

7. Reflection – The Difference in You and Your Faith

The last step to ensure keeping your faith is reflection. It’s an important step to guard against losing your faith by recognizing the difference faith has made in you. When was your faith strong? Who were your friends at this time? What were you doing? In contrast, what questions and actions have made your faith weak? What has caused this current season of struggling?

8. Church, Faith, and God

For many people, “church” is a word that conjures up all kinds of negative thoughts and feelings. Yes, a Christian Church is full of hypocrites. It is full of people reaching for an ideal way of life with ideal values based on the perfect life of Jesus’ love for us. HOWEVER, it is probably one of the only places you will encounter people who admit their faults. Yes, “church people” sin. So, why is church so important?

Going to church is a time of worshiping our Holy God and learning more about living a life with Him. If you’re not currently going to a church where you are actively hearing God’s word and growing in faith, it might be time to consider another church. Pray. God will lead you to the right place of worship where you can be fed spiritually. Church is also a place to encounter like-minded people of faith who are actively pursuing God and showing God’s love toward others. It’s a great place to volunteer and be part of sharing in God’s love.

Summary

Hopefully the above list will help strengthen your faith and provide a list of resources to continue your Christian faith. Jesus’ love makes a difference. Joy and peace are attainable through Jesus.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16, ESV

God is near, even in a season of struggles. His presence changes everything. Pray and allow His presence to begin changing you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV

“so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 2:5, ESV

Further study and help:

31 Days Toward Intimacy with God by Joni Eareckson Tada

Battlefield of the Mind: Winning the Battle in Your Mind by Joyce Meyer

Managing Your Emotions Instead of Your Emotions Managing You by Joyce Meyer

Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, PhD

The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus by Lee Strobel

100 Days to Freedom from Depression: Daily Devotional by Stephen Arterburn