“Tired Of Trusting”

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

I feel I have lost faith in humanity.  Now, at the age of twenty-three, after going through some extremely challenging times and feeling deeply wounded, I find myself not developing relationships with others.  However, I have a strong relationship with God and have strong spiritual conviction.

In my past, I have never been able to trust men, and I fear returning to church because I know it’s set up in a patriarchal structure.  I feel like if I go back to the church, then I will have to be inferior to men and God, and I cannot accept that fate as I am a strong, loving woman and feel that gender should have no role in my relationship with God.  How can I restore my faith in humanity when I have suffered and endured so much and am continuously disappointed by the acts of others?

Sincerely,
Jaded

Dear Jaded,

Before you give up on mankind, remember something – God hasn’t given up on us.  Until God destroys this world with fiery judgment at the Second Coming, there is hope for people (2 Pet 3:7-9).  Even though many people are ungodly and uncaring (after all, the gate to destruction is wide – Matt 7:13), not everyone is that way.

Any religious groups that treat women as inferior aren’t reading their Bibles.  The Bible clearly states that women are equal heirs of life with men (1 Pet 3:7).  Men and women are different, but different doesn’t mean one is better than the other.  The Bible is the only great religious document to treat women with such esteem.  Two books of the Bible are named after women (Ruth and Esther).  An entire chapter of Proverbs is dedicated to the worth and wonder of godly women (Proverbs 31).  While the Koran, Dharma, and Veda all treat women as inferior… the Bible protects your rights and esteems your value.

It is impossible to serve God and not interact with people.  People are what Christ came to this earth for (Matt 28:18-20).  Christians are warned against forsaking the church and failing to gain and offer the encouragement that can be found in church services (Heb 10:24-25).  Christianity isn’t meant to be pursued alone… God put us on this earth together.  We can help you find a faithful church in your area.  We admit that many churches aren’t faithful and aren’t trustworthy, but just because false teachers have let you down, that doesn’t mean you stop looking.  Searching for a Bible-fearing congregation is part of what hungering and thirsting for righteousness is all about (Matt 5:6).  Maybe, just maybe, all your struggles have been leading up to this moment when you could find us, and we could help you find people who love the Lord as much as you do.  You never know until you try.  Our e-mail is askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we are happy to help.

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