Needing Propped Up

Dear Judy, Here I’ve been a Christian for 47 years and yet I still feel I am weak in the faith. I should be stalwart in the ways of God, sought after for my depth in biblical understanding. But alas, I feel just the opposite. I need others to prop me up when my way is tough. Why is this? What am I doing wrong? I gave my life to the Lord for His service when I was about 20. I read my Bible and pray a little each morning, and other times as situations arise. But this quaking tree feels like it could tip over if a strong wind came up. Can you help me figure how to go from weak to strong in the Lord?

Dear Quaking One,

You are certainly asking the right questions! When you gave your life to the Lord, did you also resolutely determine to study and apply the word to your life? Did you decide to make daily “yes’s” to God and His ways? Many people study the Word, but do not apply it to their daily decisions, to their life in a practical way.

When we are saved we are all given the same amount of faith. Romans 12:3 says, “God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” This means when we are saved we all start with the same amount of faith. God does not play favorites. We all get the same amount of supernatural God-kind of faith! We read throughout Scripture about weak faith, little faith, and great faith.

I believe at one time or another we all walk in all three. We all have strengthens in different things. Some are strong in faith when believing for healing, some for finances, some for relationships, and in other areas our faith level must be worked on.

You say you need someone to hold you up. The body of Christ is designed to hold one another up. We need one another, for sure. Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” When you love other people, you help them. I am sure you have supported and helped someone else when their faith was causing them to tip a little.

None of us has it all together in every area of our life. Daily we are growing in our faith and the trials of life are our educators in faith. We will know where we are when an unforeseen situation comes. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT): “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into His glorious image.” The veil is removed when we are saved! Now it is a daily walk of living by faith and not by sight, allowing the Holy Spirit to move us closer to being like Christ. He was full of faith, no doubt in Him!

One last thought. Maybe you are being too hard on yourself. The fact that you’ve kept close to the Lord all these years says something! Your roots might be deeper than you think. Trust what God says and not what you are seeing going on in the world! Even the apostles said to Jesus, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). Your faith will keep growing when you stay in the Word of God, apply what you read to your daily life, and pray more than a little! Never quit or give up and stay close to brothers and sisters who are strong in their faith.

Recent Dear Judy Posts

hands on a bible
By Dr. Judy Baus • October 19, 2026
When we give our life to Jesus, we have believed He is the son of God who went to the cross for us and was raised from the dead! We confess this truth with our mouth and then we are born again.
women in alignment with each other
By Dr. Judy Baus • August 28, 2026
What does it mean to align my will with God’s will?
A woman searching using binoculars
By Dr. Judy Baus • August 4, 2026
What does it mean to be saved? Saved from what?
church building
By Dr. Judy Baus • July 6, 2026
Is going to church really necessary? Why?
Show More

Recent Food For Thought Articles

hearts of many colors
By Dr. Judy Baus • October 19, 2026
I am going to talk about the benefits of a merry heart! We live in very unstable times! Nothing new under the sun so we should not be surprised at what we’re seeing today!
yes or no
By Dr. Judy Baus • August 28, 2026
We are living in a time when we MUST get our mindset on spiritual things and not things of the flesh or our emotions. Very important! We also need to get rid of offenses, hate, and unforgiveness! If we have our mind set on the spiritual, we will live with the understanding that
Two people jumping for joy
By Dr. Judy Baus • August 4, 2026
Rejoice means to brighten up, joy, cheer up! Many of us may rejoice when things are going well, but to rejoice when we see the darkness all around us?
man praying
By Dr. Judy Baus • July 6, 2026
We are living in very serious times! It is important that we take an account of our heart. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to search our heart and expose any hidden place of unforgiveness or offense. If we hang onto those and do not repent, we are the only one chained and we leave a door cracked
Show More