Top 10 Biggest Things Christians Struggle With
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Constantly being told our beliefs are wrong
The truth behind any religion is that it is based on faith. Faith is not factual. There are scientific possibilities in existence that allow both sides of the debate to argue that the other side is wrong, but the truth is that we don't have the proof, and we (almost absolutely) never will.
What many atheists fail to recognize is that their belief in there not being any afterlife or God is just that - a belief. They have "faith" that there is no God. That is all. They do not "know." Christians do not "know." They believe. We believe. I believe.
And no, having trust does not mean that we "know." I trust that there is a God. That is my faith. My religion. And if you don't believe in the same thing, then you have an equal, opposing religion.
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Their own sins
If you believe homosexuality is wrong, then we have other sins for you: wearing two different fabrics, eating pigs and rabbits, wearing torn clothes, having short hair, having tattoos, having more than one type of plant in your garden, going to church in the first two months after you've given birth, masturbating, wearing jewellery, remarrying, women talking in church, eating lobsters, divorcing, eating fat, touching women who are on their periods or touching something that has been touched by a woman who is on her period, crossbreeding, people with flat noses becoming priests, cheating, saying God's name, gossiping, going to church with injured genitals, and witchcraft.
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Being generalized
Generalization hurts people no matter what the conversation is about. Christianity is certainly no different.
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Spiritual falls
For some reason or another, we get weak in the faith, we turn against God, we stop going to church... But in the end, His love prevails. I don't let a spiritual fall derail me. It's simply a chance to get closer to God when I come back.
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Hypocrisy
A serious struggle in a Christian life is hypocrisy. We tend to preach and rebuke, and that makes it seem like we are not allowed to sin at all or that we aren't allowed to fall away from God or forget praying before bed or a meal. It makes us hypocrites when we sin, and we don't like acknowledging it, but it's true.
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God's mysterious ways
I refuse to blame all the horror in life on the idea that "God works in mysterious ways." I struggle with the thought that God would let evil things happen and just say it's because He's mysterious. I believe God weeps at the terrible state of the world and that a time will come when He does do something about it.
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Reconciling personal beliefs and the Bible
It is the Holy Spirit who interprets the word of God. You can read the same scriptures on different occasions and take something new from them every time. That is the beauty of the word of God.
Also, the word of God is very clear on homosexuality and touches on the issue of feminism. I think it is important to remember that, though God loves the sinner, He does hate the sin. Homosexuality and anything else that goes against the order of God is indeed sin, not a cultural difference.
If you choose to adopt certain beliefs or values, please own them and ask God to show you the truth rather than trying to change the Bible or its message to suit your own lifestyle or beliefs.
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Temptations
There's always the temptation to steal, lie, and cheat - for everyone. But Christians struggle with this a lot because of the extra guilt that happens when we give in, or simply because of the fact that we struggle with temptation at all.
If we're born again in Christ, why do I still want to sin sometimes? I don't know myself.
That's like fighting against human nature.
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Career and other life choices
I don't know God's plan for me, so I don't know if my plans align with His. Is this what God wants me to do with my life? I really don't know.
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Devoting time to praying and being in the Word
Sometimes it doesn't seem important, and that's just the way it is. However, doing both pays off a lot in spiritual growth and maintaining your faith.
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Referring to the forbidden fruit as an apple
This is a mistake everyone makes, really. In reality, it is unknown which fruit it was.
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Conflict with non-religious people
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Being called a homophobe
Just because most (I think) of us don't support it doesn't mean we have a phobia! It's so annoying, honestly.
It's not a phobia, it's prejudice. As serious as sexism and racism. Love is love.
I am Christian, yet I highly support LGBTQ and am bisexual myself.
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Doubting your salvation
Wondering if you said the right thing, felt it enough in your heart, or thinking, "If I was saved, I wouldn't sin like this," etc.
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Compromising Scripture
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Truth and reality
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Forgiveness
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Fundamentalists
I know of one comic writer in particular who comes up with the most ridiculous things ever about the Catholic Church. Many struggle to disprove it because it's so ridiculous and doesn't make sense at all.
I suggest you check out The Nightmare World of Jack Chick by Jimmy Akin for more details. If you're going to go against my faith, using his words is just going to make me upset. That's all.
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Being judgmental
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Perpetual new discoveries in science about life
They're slowing down the progression of scientific education because they are afraid that science will find answers about life, the universe, and so on.
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Surrendering all areas of your life to God
Letting go can be the hardest, yet most rewarding thing we can do.
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Forgetting that Catholics are Christians
We are Christians. We believe in Jesus and the Holy Trinity. Look up the Nicene Creed. If you have any questions, leave a comment under this so I can answer them!
Just about everyone struggles with this one, really. It's like people think only Orthodox Christians and us Protestants are Christians, or they forget Orthodox people exist.
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Cyberbullying
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Conflict with other religious groups
This doesn't just apply to Christianity, but other religions as well. Some religious groups can't leave each other alone.
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Wanting to fit in instead of being a light like we are called to be
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Evil things Christians did in the past
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Far-fetched things (Noah's Ark, Jonah and the Whale, giants)