“I’d Better Walk Away from God.”

Has the thought of walking away from God ever crossed your mind? Even if not, you may be familiar with the idea, with scenarios that sound something like this:

“I’m disappointed with Christians. The way they live doesn’t match what they teach. They claim to be Christians, but their attitude doesn’t reflect their faith.”

“I don’t like that person, but we go to the same church. I can’t avoid them. It makes me not want to go to church, and I dread seeing them.”

“Life following God is hard. You can’t do this, you can’t do that. It’s so complicated, with so many rules. I feel restricted. Forget it, I’d better just walk away from God.”

“I’ve already obeyed God, and I’ve also given a lot and served, but why is it that all I receive are bad things? I just want to leave God. He isn’t fair.”

When various events in life do not line up with our expectations, is walking away from God a good idea?

Let’s look one by one at three things we need to consider in this matter.

1. It’s Not A Perfect World

The world we live in right now is not perfect, not a place where justice and truth can be enjoyed to the fullest.

Yet without realizing it, we often assume and set the standard that Christians are like angels. Beings who are perfect, good, and free from sin. We may protest, “Ah, I don’t think that way.” Yet to some degree we may still place Christians under a higher standard, one that roughly says, “As a Christian, surely they know what they should do, so why did they act like that?”

To clear up our perspective, we need to ask ourselves this: What kind of place is the church? Is it a place for the healthy, or for the sick who want to be healed?

If your answer is the second one, you are right.

Jesus heard this and said to them: "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick; I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Mark 2:17

So, if you have been hurt by the actions or words of others that do not meet the Christian “standard,” forgive them, then resolve the matter. Perhaps today you are disappointed in someone else. On another occasion, you may be the one who disappoints someone else and needs room for forgiveness. Treat them the way you also want to be forgiven and given a second chance.

“And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39

Do not let yourself walk away from God just because one or two people have hurt your heart.

2. Don’t Make God the Scapegoat

Once there was a conversation between God and Satan. Satan, who had originally vowed to tempt people onto the wrong path, suddenly asked to stop.

Satan: “Yes, Lord, I’d rather retire!

God: “Why? Didn’t you once ask so that you could always tempt people?”

Satan: “Huh, human behavior now has gone beyond devilish behavior. I’m actually worried humans will tempt me. People commit adultery, they enjoy it, and Satan gets blamed. People commit corruption, they enjoy the benefits, then say they were influenced by Satan. People gamble, and say it was because of Satan’s invitation, even though we don’t use money. People lie, and excuse it as Satan’s influence, even though there’s nothing in it for us. That’s why I’m asking to be retired!”

The humorous illustration above reflects our tendency to blame everything on something else, whether circumstances, those closest to us, Satan, or most dangerously, God. What’s Missing, Not What’s Wrong Another example: when I was writing this article and had reached around 700 words, suddenly my document closed without warning. As a result, the 500 words I had already typed simply vanished.

At that very moment my mind responded, “God, I’m writing this article for You. Why did the program close by itself?”

See how quickly I made God the scapegoat. The next second, I realized that I should not shift the blame to someone else. Wasn’t it the result of my own carelessness for not saving the data more often? Why should God be the one blamed?

We often face things that do not go as expected. But before you quickly ask, “Why, Lord (what’s wrong)?” and begin blaming God, the situation, or other people, first ask, “What has been lacking in what I have done so far (what’s missing)?”

Self-examination. That is the first thing we must do.

What is wrong here? 

Is there something I overlooked? 

Have I still not done my best? 

Why? 

In what area?

If misfortune befalls you, your business goes bankrupt, your parents do not act as you hoped, your GPA nasakom (one-point-something fate), your career stalls, your child rebels, your boyfriend or girlfriend leaves you, your health declines drastically, try asking yourself: “Which part do I need to fix? Is there something wrong with me that caused all this to happen?”

Do not be too quick to blame God for the hardship you experience. In reality, many bad things happen in human life not because God is not good, but because of human foolishness itself. And if the risk we face is the impact of our own mistakes, is it right for us to blame God?

Thus says the LORD: What wrong did your fathers find in Me, that they went far from Me, followed worthless gods, and became worthless themselves? Was it not you yourselves who brought this upon yourselves by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way? – Jeremiah 2:5,17 Walking Away from God Does Not Mean Everything Will Be Fine Besides, what guarantee is there that by leaving God, your life will be happier, more peaceful, and more prosperous? Is our way surely better than God’s way? In other words, what is the point of us doing that?

What is more, this is how God feels when you go away from Him for any reason:

Has any nation ever exchanged its gods, though they are not really gods at all? But My people have exchanged their Glory for what is useless. Be appalled at this, O heavens; shudder and be utterly desolate, declares the LORD. For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water. – Jeremiah 2:11-13

3. Remain Faithful Because God Is Faithful

If you cannot find a single fault in yourself, yet your life still is not going as expected, consider this: perhaps God is teaching something to you.

We find this in the life story of Job, a righteous man whom God allowed to go through many trials (Job 1). Just as with Job, perhaps God wants you to “level up,” whether in (1) character, (2) knowledge of God, or (3) dependence on Him.

Because we know that suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. – Romans 5:3b-4

So, do not give up, because God takes account of every patience and perseverance you have in Him.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial, because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. – James 1:12

Why should problems not become a barrier that keeps us from remaining faithful to God? Because God is faithful. See how patient and faithful He is toward mankind.

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. – Deuteronomy 7:9 . When you begin to lose your reason for being faithful to God, remember why you first decided to follow Him. Recall the moments when you were so close to God. Count every good thing and blessing you have received from Him. Surely all of that will enable you to love that wonderful Friend of yours again!

Remain faithful until the end, until one day you hear these words:

His master said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master. – Matthew 25:21

Do not let anyone or any problem make you walk away from God, because this is where we are: in an imperfect world. Imperfections happening here and there are normal. And when you face problems, there is no need to blame God, but remain faithful, for He is a faithful God.

Have a nice day!  - Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

Related articles: Heal Disappointment the Right Way

Inspirational video: