Faith Doesn’t Always Feel the Same

There’s something beautiful about celebrating milestones not just because they mark the passage of time, but because they remind us of how far we’ve come. As my husband and I approach our first wedding anniversary, I’ve found myself reflecting not only on our marriage but also on the journey of faith that mirrors it so closely.

In the same way that a healthy marriage matures and deepens with each passing year, so does our relationship with God. It doesn’t stay the same. And more importantly, it’s not supposed to.

The Highs and the Lows

I remember the early days of my faith vividly how everything felt fresh, powerful, and electric with passion. I couldn’t get enough of worship, sermons, or Christian books. Every song felt like it was written just for me. But somewhere along the way, that "on fire" feeling dulled. And I panicked. Had I done something wrong? Had God pulled away?

For two years, I kept chasing that initial spark, hoping a new worship album, a sermon, or a conference would reignite the flame. But what I finally discovered through tears and prayer was this: I was holding on to too little. I wanted to go back to what I knew, but God wanted to take me higher. I was still looking for mountaintop experiences, not realizing that maturity often grows in the valleys.

Faith Isn’t a Feeling

It’s easy to associate spiritual maturity with emotional highs. But like any lasting relationship, our walk with God isn’t always filled with fireworks. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes confusing, and yes sometimes mundane. But that doesn’t mean it’s not real.

In Revelation 2, we’re reminded of our “first love” the early tenderness of discovering Christ. That memory is precious, and we should cherish it. But clinging to the past can blind us to the beauty God is writing in the present.

Statistics show that nearly 70% of young Christians experience a “faith fade” within the first few years of their walk with God. Many of them feel they’ve failed simply because they don’t feel the same way they did in the beginning. But feelings aren’t the measure of faith covenant is.

Just like marriage, your spiritual journey will have highs, lows, and everything in between. There will be seasons of closeness and seasons where God feels silent. But silence does not equal absence. In fact, some of the deepest spiritual growth occurs during those quiet times.

A Love That Matures

Imagine if Peter had stopped after his failure after denying Jesus three times. He went back to fishing, convinced his part in the story was over. But Jesus wasn’t done with him. And He’s not done with you either.

It’s easy to let guilt creep in when our passion cools. But God isn’t looking for perfect passion; He’s looking for faithfulness. As Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful.”

Your relationship with God will grow, stretch, and evolve. It’s not meant to remain in the emotional highs of your “first love” season. The real evidence of spiritual maturity is the ability to stay steady even when the emotions fade.

In any genuine relationship, adaptation is key. You learn new things about each other. You face different seasons. And while the core of the relationship love remains, the way it expresses itself shifts. The same is true with God.

According to a Barna study, 46% of practicing Christians report going through significant periods of spiritual doubt. But rather than being a sign of failure, these seasons can be the soil in which deep, lasting faith is rooted.

Embrace the Journey

Beginnings are magical. They’re full of hope and discovery. But they’re not the whole story.

We love stories like The Lord of the Rings not because Frodo starts his journey, but because he finishes it. We remember Lucy walking through the wardrobe, but what moves us is her growth, her courage, and the redemption that follows.

Your story with God is no different. The first spark was just the beginning. What makes it powerful is your decision to keep walking even when the feelings shift. Even when the road is hard. Even when you’re not sure what comes next.

So if you find yourself in a place where your faith doesn’t “feel” the same, take heart. You haven’t failed. You’re growing. You’re maturing. And God is still right beside you, leading you to places you couldn’t have imagined when you first said yes.

On days when the emotions fade and routine seems to overtake wonder, remember: faith is not about staying on the mountaintop. It’s about continuing the climb trusting that God’s love is constant, and His plans for you are still unfolding.

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