How to Move Forward When a Loved One Walks Away from the Lord

Listen to this devotion on You Tube: When Loved Ones Walk Away.

Many people have family members who've walked away from their childhood faith in Christ. This is true for my family, so I understand how heartbreaking it is.

 

When cultures turn from God and worship man as our present culture does, family relationships suffer. This phenomenon is recorded throughout Scripture (Jeremiah 9:4-6; Micah 7:2-7; Luke 12:51-53). 

But we need to remember what God told Samuel when the people rejected his priestly leadership and demanded a king. God said, "It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king" (1 Samuel 8:7).

People who reject the gospel often turn on those who remain faithful, just as Cain turned on Abel (1 John 3:11-13). They often justify their unbelief by criticizing family members who have faith. Satan loves to blame the faithful for the bad choices of the unfaithful, but we must not listen to his lies. Instead:

1. Keep praying for your loved ones - 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

2. Trust that God has plans and purposes for your life and He will somehow use your situation for good (Romans 8:28; Ephesians 2:10).

3. Continually refocus sad and discouraging thoughts on the goodness of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:8).

I pray that this wisdom from God’s Word will help you as it is helping my husband and me. 

For more on this subject:

Jesus Understands Your Pain

Why People Fall Away 

Helping Loved Ones Find Christ

I Can't Be Happy Unless... 

It's helpful to be aware of the Progressive Christian movement because it is damaging many families. See Wilderness Wanderers.

Why Some Folks Have Created a "New Jesus" explains what happened when one of my close friends told me she was bi-sexual.

It's also helpful to be aware of the Boundaries teachings which appeal to our selfish and judgmental tendencies. See Are Boundaries Biblical?

One way that God helps me refocus my thoughts is through reading the Psalms. They show us how to "unload and reload" as I like to call it. You can find devotions I've written about Psalms in The Wonderful Psalms Collection here on Bible Love Notes.

And I also recommend that you check out my new book Wisdom for Life which features 100 one-minute devotions from Psalms and Proverbs. Many of these devotions can encourage you when you are discouraged. If you order it, be sure to get the free downloadable Bible studies as a pre-order bonus. Find out more here: Wisdom for Life Devotional. To find out where you can order it in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Philippines, see It's Not for the Money.

Bible Love Notes