Why Desperation Can Lead You Back to Faith

The newcomer became angry when the subject of God in the Program came up.

This was a familiar experience. Many of us have seen the flash of anger and disappointment on newcomers’ faces when we raise the subject of God or a Higher Power.

Why do so many people have so much trouble with something that, for them, either does not exist or is irrelevant? They protest that they will not turn their lives over to God.

Maybe they protest too much.

If they truly believe there is no God, then getting on their knees when they are alone and uttering some words into the air means nothing. If they believe there is a God, but He is too remote or uninterested to touch our lives, prayer will make no difference; He does not care and will not do anything.

But the anger is real; what causes it?

As we talk with them, we often uncover the real reasons.

Some are angered because they have tried God before, and it did not work. Some are angry with what men and women have done with the idea of God. Others are dedicated to the idea that human reason can conquer all and prefer the worship of reason. Some hate the idea of someone or something controlling their actions and lives.

I have tried to work through these excuses and have learned that if you defeat one, the next is waiting in line. It is tedious and challenging. And often, when we get to the bottom of the problem, in their heart of hearts, in their secret place in the soul, they don’t believe there is a power greater than themselves.

But if I stand back and wait, desperation overcomes all arguments against relying on God. They have to hit a spiritual bottom. And when they do, God will be there.

All things come to he who waits.