The leaky roofs don’t ever come at a convenient time. There is never a moment of struggle or hardship that is welcomed with open arms. During those struggles and leaky roofs, in the middle of frustration and questions and maybe even doubt, we can cling to the promises of Jesus.

Faith doesn’t keep storms away; but it does give us an umbrella. Today, let’s talk about meeting life’s leaks head-on—doubts, heartbreaks, and all—with eyes fixed on Jesus, even when we’re not sure what we’ll find.

 

When Doubt Drops In: Wrestling with Questions

Let me be honest with you—I’ve wrestled with doubt more times than I care to admit. Even pastors have doubts, and anyone telling you otherwise is selling something. It’s part of the human experience, not a spiritual failure.

Take Thomas, one of Jesus’ closest disciples. In John 20:24-29, he demanded physical proof before believing in the resurrection. Jesus didn’t condemn him—He showed up and invited Thomas to touch His wounds. That’s remarkable patience with our questions.

Here’s what I’ve learned: questions don’t push us away from faith; they drive us toward a deeper search. Believers who wrestle honestly with their doubts often develop stronger, more resilient faith than those who never question.

Picture this wild thought—Jesus inviting you for coffee, leaning forward as you voice your hardest questions. He wouldn’t dodge them or give you pat answers. He’d engage, just like He did with Thomas.

My advice? Honest prayer beats pretending every time. Tell God exactly where you’re struggling. He can handle your doubts better than you can handle hiding them.

 

Faith and Prayer in the Everyday

I’ve noticed something powerful about David’s prayers in the Psalms. When I read Psalm 13 or Psalm 22, I don’t find pretty, polished words. Instead, I find raw emotion: “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” David wasn’t afraid to bring his messy feelings directly to God.

Here’s what strikes me—God can handle our frustration, anger, and confusion. Research shows that faith-based coping mechanisms, including honest prayer, help individuals navigate life’s difficulties more effectively. David knew this instinctively.

I challenge you to make a habit of praying through the ugly moments, not just the pretty ones. Think of faith like a messy tool belt rather than a magic wand. A toolbelt gets dirty, sometimes breaks, but it’s always there when you need it. Magic wands? They only exist in fairy tales.

Your personal challenge this week: Write your next prayer as a letter to God—no edits. Don’t polish it. Don’t make it sound spiritual. Just write from your heart, exactly as you are right now.

 

Where Community Turns Struggle Into Strength

I’ve pastored our small church plant for almost a year now, and I’ve learned something powerful: small isn’t weak. Our little church isn’t a cruise ship offering entertainment—we’re a rescue boat, pulling people from life’s storms.

When a church member misses Sundays and their fellow members know they are battling depression, we can show up at their door with groceries and prayer. That’s what happens when people know you’re missing. Faith communities provide vital support networks for individuals facing personal struggles, offering encouragement and belonging that larger congregations often can’t match.

Here’s something beautiful: your presence could be someone else’s answered prayer. Sometimes being in fellowship with one another reminds us that God hasn’t forgotten us.

Three ways to show up this week:

• Text someone you haven’t heard from lately
• Bring coffee to someone going through a tough time
• Simply show up—your presence matters more than perfect words

As Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, we shouldn’t forsake gathering together, especially as we see difficult days approaching. Sometimes the strongest thing we can do is simply show up for each other.

 

Words for Survival Mode

When life hits hard, I’ve learned that having Scripture within arm’s reach isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. James 1:2-4 has become my go-to verse: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Joy in trials? I know it sounds impossible when you’re struggling. But faith-based coping mechanisms help individuals navigate difficulties more effectively. This verse reminds us that our challenges aren’t meaningless—they’re shaping us.

My other favorite is Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Notice it says all things, not just the good stuff.

Here’s what I suggest: handwrite these verses and stick them where you’ll see them daily. Your bathroom mirror, car dashboard, or coffee maker. Make them unavoidable.

This week’s challenge? Find one verse that hits home for your situation and say it out loud. Speaking God’s promises activates something powerful in our hearts when doubt creeps in.

 

Side Roads and Dead Ends: When Faith Doesn’t Give You the Map

I’ve learned something important during my years pastoring: faith isn’t a roadmap to success, but it is a steady companion. Too many people expect faith to work like GPS—clear directions, estimated arrival times, and alternate routes when traffic hits.

Reality looks different. Sometimes prayers go unanswered in the way we expect. That promotion doesn’t come. The relationship ends. The medical results aren’t what we hoped for. Faith helps individuals navigate these disappointments by shifting focus from outcomes to presence.

I like to imagine faith as a stubborn old hiking partner—not glamorous, but always there. When you’re lost in the woods, you don’t need someone with a map as much as you need someone who won’t abandon you in the dark.

Trust is often forged in waiting, not in clarity. James 1:2-4 reminds us to “consider it pure joy” when facing trials, because testing develops perseverance. The encouragement isn’t that God will solve everything quickly—it’s that He stays present through the uncertainty.

 

The Ordinary Miracle of Showing Up—Every Leak, Every Doubt

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of pastoral care: healing often looks like persistence. It’s just being here when everything feels broken. Your leaky roof becomes a metaphor for the cracks in life where doubt seeps through.

Faith doesn’t erase pain—it lights the way through it. Believers who acknowledge their struggles actually develop stronger faith foundations than those who pretend everything’s perfect. Your doubts, leaks, and missed prayers? They’re welcome here. Honest faith is real faith.

Jesus didn’t choose people with perfect faith. He chose fishermen who doubted, tax collectors with messy pasts, and women society overlooked. People willing to reach out anyway, despite their uncertainties.

Small faith communities provide crucial support during trials. That’s why I’m challenging you: take one small step. One prayer, even if it feels awkward. One verse, even if you don’t understand it. One act of kindness, even if your heart feels empty.

These ordinary moments of showing up? They change everything. Your leaks don’t disqualify you—they make you human, and that’s exactly who Jesus calls.

Faith doesn’t erase life’s problems—it reframes them. Whether you’re soaked by life’s leaks or questioning the whole idea of faith, there’s hope found in Jesus and the honest embrace of struggle, doubt, and community.