Unfiltered Faith: The Raw, Real Struggle of Following Jesus
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
—Luke 9:23 (KJV)
Faith Beyond the Filter
Scroll through your favorite Christian content on social media and you’ll likely see smiles, lattes, devotionals with perfect lighting, and captioned verses that shine with feel-good inspiration. And praise God for those moments—they’re real too. But is that the whole story?
In the age of filters and curated moments, it’s easy to believe that a true walk with Christ is always aesthetically pleasing. But the real path of discipleship is not always pretty. Sometimes it’s crawling on the floor in tears. Sometimes it’s silence when you’re desperate to hear from God. Sometimes it’s temptation, weakness, and failing. Again.
We need to tell the truth: Following Jesus includes suffering.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
—2 Timothy 3:12 (KJV)
Christianity Is Not Just a Coffee Date
There is nothing wrong with joy in Christ. But when we only show the wins, the peace, the community, the “Christian aesthetic,” we risk presenting a version of faith that excludes the cross.
Jesus promised us peace (John 14:27), but He also promised tribulation (John 16:33). The walk of faith includes beauty—but it also includes warfare.
“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings…”
—1 Peter 4:12–13 (KJV)
When you follow Jesus, you’re saying yes to daily death—to self, to sin, to comfort.
Some days that will feel glorious. Other days, it will feel like torment.
Why We Must Keep It Real
When Christians paint a flawless version of discipleship, it can discourage struggling believers. If all you see are the “perfect moments,” then when your spiritual life hits a wall—when you feel disconnected, when you're tired, when your prayers feel unanswered—you might think you're doing it wrong.
But you’re not alone.
Even Paul said:
“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us…
that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.”
—2 Corinthians 1:8 (KJV)
Jesus Himself wept (John 11:35).
He sweat great drops of blood in agony (Luke 22:44).
He cried out to the Father, “Why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
He kept it real. Shouldn’t we?
The Cross We Carry
Jesus never called us to a life of ease. He called us to die daily.
“And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me,
is not worthy of me.”
—Matthew 10:38 (KJV)
This means there will be days where the burden feels unbearable. There will be moments when temptation is relentless, when prayer is hard, when joy is distant.
But take heart: this is part of the process. It’s called sanctification. And God is not looking for Instagram perfection. He is looking for broken, surrendered, desperate hearts that long for Him.
A Call to Repentance and Realness
To anyone who feels like a wreck right now—who’s crying themselves to sleep, questioning their worth, doubting their faith—you’re not alone. That’s part of walking with Christ. You’re not disqualified.
Jesus didn’t come for the polished. He came for the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3).
He came for the weary, the burdened, the crushed.
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18 (KJV)
Drop the mask. He already sees it all. Bring your mess. He can handle it.
The Gospel Message
The truth is, we’re all flawed. All sinners. All weak. All desperate for a Savior.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23 (KJV)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8 (KJV)
Jesus took your punishment on the cross.
He rose again, offering you eternal life.
And He promises to walk with you—even in the tears, even in the silence.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved.”
—Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Final Word
Yes, Christianity includes beauty, blessing, and peace.
But it also includes pain, wrestling, and weeping.
Let’s not only show the light.
Let’s tell the truth about the dark.
Because in that honesty, the real Jesus shows up—full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
—Psalm 30:5 (KJV)
Stay in the fight. Don’t fake it. Jesus is with you in the fire.
And He's worth it all.
Comments
Post a Comment