If you’re reading this story, you’re probably just starting your journey in faith. I am proud of you, and I love you. It is a struggle and that is always okay.

Here are some tips backed up by scripture that helped me get to the point I am at today. It’s quite a long read, but I urge you to trudge along till the end.

When you are just starting to put your faith in Christ Jesus, it says that you must keep His commands. If you keep His commands, you truly love God. (John 14:15, 21). What’s a better way to keep the Lord’s commandments than to actually ready and study them.

When you are adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven as God’s children, you have different standards in accordance with His law. The only way to know these standards and follow them is to read the word.

If I were to recommend starting anywhere, I’d say start in the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). From there, read Romans then Proverbs following that. Then read the 150 Psalms.

Following Christ means you must have a relationship with Him, not just keep His word.

While Christianity is a religion, Jesus preaches for a relationship (John 15:4-9). The apostle Paul, who wrote a bunch of the new testament books, always said to stay constant in prayer (Romans 12:12, Colossians 4:2, Ephesians 6:18). Jesus preached this as well (Luke 18:1) and so did the disciple Peter (Acts 1:14, 6:4)

• How to Pray – In Levitical Law there are certain prayers you must memorize and recite for different occasions. Jesus simplified prior to His death and gave us only a guideline to follow (Matthew 6:9-13).  However, if you read this verse, you don’t need to pray exactly like that. It is a simple guideline, saying: acknowledge God’s character, declare your faith to Him, forgive us for our sins, and help us turn away from evil. Staying constant in prayer, however, does not mean you must say this one every 15 minutes. It simply means to think of God and keep Him on your mind throughout the day. Also, learn to listen. The Lord works and speaks to you through the Holy Spirit when you wait on Him.

You know the quote “iron sharpens iron?” That came from the Bible (Proverbs 27:17 ESV). There are so many verses all over the Bible that say to surround yourself with the right company (Proverbs 13:20, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Psalm 1:1-2, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Acts 2:42) 

• “But Jesus Sat with Sinners” – We are not Jesus. Jesus is the exception because He is the Son of God (Luke 5:30-31). Jesus IS God so he is going to call to the lost to invite them to the kingdom (Luke 15:7, 10). We are also called to bring as many people as possible to the kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20). We are specifically told to sit with the lost to bring them to know Christ.

2 Timothy 3:12 says it pretty clearly. “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Satan will do all he can to keep you from turning to Christ. He will hurt you and beat you down constantly (2 Corinthians 4:4) but Christ Jesus always has power over Him. He delivers you from your sufferings (John 16:33) and is always a way out. God allows suffering to test and strengthen your faith (James 1:2-4).

Take the story of Job for example. Job was a righteous man who endured many sufferings because Satan challenged his faith, causing him to lose his wealth, health, and family. However, he never cursed God nor lost faith, so God restored all he had and multiplied his fortunes. So, no matter what, you must know that even though you are suffering it will always get better (Romans 8:18).

I strongly recommend reading the book of Job (pronounced as Jobe) as well.

Matthew 7:7-8 says “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

This verse causes Christians to get pretty caught up and lose faith. You must know that God provides, and he provides abundantly, but God is not a genie in the way that when you ask for something it immediately happens. He knows what is best for you and when to give you something, however there is also an aspect of showing that you deserve something.

This verse, Matthew 7:7-8, is said in the context of when you chase after God first. If you chase God first, he will provide you with anything. If you seek first the kingdom of God, then you will receive abundantly (Matthew 6:33). But, God knows the timing of when to send better than you know the timing (Galatians 6:9, Isaiah 60:22, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Proverbs 3:5-6).

You will make mistakes and that is completely normal. No one is perfect aside from Jesus, even atheists recognize that. Friedrich Neitzche, author of “The Antichrist,” even said “In truth, there was only one Christian, and he died on the cross.” You must know that you won’t ever be a person perfect in faith. No one has, no one is, no one will be.

Take for example King David, a man known for his devout faith and love for God; he wrote a bunch of the Psalms. In 2 Samuel 11 David commits adultery on his wife Bathsheba with a woman named Uriah. Or even Moses committing murder in Exodus 2:11-12. No one will be perfect, but thankfully in God’s ever abounding grace, we have a way out. Repentance. If you call upon the Lord for forgiveness, it will always be given because he loves you that much (1 John 1:9, Acts 3:19, Luke 15:7).

If you are struggling with a certain sin, reach out to someone perhaps in a church to help you. Don’t expect to be judged because any person strong in faith will love you. Celebrate progress.