Day 20: No Turning Back
Question: Why is having faith hard?
Bible Passage: John 6:66-69 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Reflection: When Brock and I moved to Wilmington, we went on prayer and hope. We had only been there a few weeks when what felt like the perfect job opportunity fell into our laps. It was with a local faith-based organization that served and cared for the marginalized. It felt ideal. I would work in their offices, Brock would handle warehouse and delivery work. The best of both worlds: provision for our family while also loving and serving our community. Before accepting the positions, we attended one of their worship services. Nothing was particularly wrong or off about it, but we both drove home in silence that night until we finally looked at each other and said, “This isn’t it.”
We both knew it. And honestly, it hurt. We thought we had followed God’s call to move to Wilmington. We thought we had landed exactly where we were supposed to be, only to be met with a closed door. I remember looking at Brock that night and thinking about this passage, almost as if Jesus Himself was saying, “This isn’t it.” And in my hurt and frustration, my response was, “But where else would we go?”
I’m not an eloquent writer or speaker, so I don’t know how to wrap this up perfectly, but I do know this: I find hope in hearing other people admit that faith can be hard. For me, it’s a daily struggle. A constant choice to believe today and let tomorrow deal with itself.
So if you’re like me, I just want you to know you’re not alone.
Jesus knows faith is hard. As fully human, He understood how easy it is for us to doubt, question, and wrestle. I think that’s part of why He asked the disciples if they were going to leave too. And I think it’s why He already knew Peter’s answer: “Lord, where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Even on the days when it’s hard to believe, we have believed.
Even on the days when it would feel easier not to, we have believed.
Prayer: Jesus, we have believed, help us to believe until we come to know. Help me to choose faith today over worry and doubt. Jesus, to whom else would we go? You alone can restore all the places we try to tear down. Give me faith for today.
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back . . . no turning back.
Bible Passage: John 6:66-69 “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Reflection: When Brock and I moved to Wilmington, we went on prayer and hope. We had only been there a few weeks when what felt like the perfect job opportunity fell into our laps. It was with a local faith-based organization that served and cared for the marginalized. It felt ideal. I would work in their offices, Brock would handle warehouse and delivery work. The best of both worlds: provision for our family while also loving and serving our community. Before accepting the positions, we attended one of their worship services. Nothing was particularly wrong or off about it, but we both drove home in silence that night until we finally looked at each other and said, “This isn’t it.”
We both knew it. And honestly, it hurt. We thought we had followed God’s call to move to Wilmington. We thought we had landed exactly where we were supposed to be, only to be met with a closed door. I remember looking at Brock that night and thinking about this passage, almost as if Jesus Himself was saying, “This isn’t it.” And in my hurt and frustration, my response was, “But where else would we go?”
I’m not an eloquent writer or speaker, so I don’t know how to wrap this up perfectly, but I do know this: I find hope in hearing other people admit that faith can be hard. For me, it’s a daily struggle. A constant choice to believe today and let tomorrow deal with itself.
So if you’re like me, I just want you to know you’re not alone.
Jesus knows faith is hard. As fully human, He understood how easy it is for us to doubt, question, and wrestle. I think that’s part of why He asked the disciples if they were going to leave too. And I think it’s why He already knew Peter’s answer: “Lord, where else would we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Even on the days when it’s hard to believe, we have believed.
Even on the days when it would feel easier not to, we have believed.
Prayer: Jesus, we have believed, help us to believe until we come to know. Help me to choose faith today over worry and doubt. Jesus, to whom else would we go? You alone can restore all the places we try to tear down. Give me faith for today.
I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back . . . no turning back.
by: Bethany Tharpe
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2026
May
Day 1: The Joy of Conviction Day 2: Formed for WisdomDay 3: God is Our Refuge Day 4: Fighting the FleshDay 5: What is the next right thing to do?Day 6: The Spiritual Discipline of Silence Day 7: Not Fast, Just Furious Day 8: The Rosetta GroanDay 9: The Secret Place, It Starts HereDay 10: Call GodDay 11: Leave Nothing Undone Day 12: WhyDay 13: Obedience That Hurts, Endurance in the Midst of Suffering Day 14: Unbalancing Your Life for GodDay 15: What weighs you down?Day 16: The Delusion of Pride Day 17: The "It's Not that Serious" SinDay 18: The Primary Goal of Prayer is Presence Day 19: The Privilege of Lamenting Day 20: No Turning Back
1 Comment
Thank you Bethany. It’s funny how God places that special feeling on your heart that things aren’t right! God’s discernment - where would we be without it?