Many Christians face times when they struggle to believe that they are truly saved. Read below and find out how the late wife of Billy Graham found personal victory in this realm:
Ruth Graham's "Crisis Of Faith"
I had what some might call a "crisis of faith," although that sounds a bit grand for a thirteen-year-old's first doubts.
Still, age has nothing to do with a crisis, and the subject was my faith. Perhaps it resulted from unanswered prayer. I had begged God (and my parents) to let me go home. Without success.
Or it may have been spiritual growing pains.
Like the young man who went to a delightfully sane bishop to confess he had lost his faith.
"Nonsense," replied the bishop. "You've lost your parents' faith. Now go out and get one of your own."
I knew God had sent His Son, Jesus, to die for the sins of mankind, but somehow I did not feel included. There were so many and I was only one and, let's face it, not a very significant one at that. I prayed for forgiveness and felt nothing. I wasn't even sure He was listening.
Finally, in desperation, I went to my ever-practical sister, Rosa, and asked her advice.
"I don't know what to tell you to do," she replied matter-of-factly, "unless you take some verse and put your own name in. See if that helps."
So I picked up my Bible and turned to Isaiah 53, one of my favorite chapters. I did just what she suggested—I read, "He was wounded for [Ruth's] transgressions, He was bruised for [Ruth's] iniquities: the chastisement of [Ruth's] peace was upon Him; and with His stripes [Ruth] is healed" (see Isaiah 53:5).
I knew then that I was included.
—Ruth Bell Graham