Why Do Some People Struggle to Believe?

Why Do Some People Struggle to Believe?

By Doug Mithun | Mithun Impact

1. Pain Has Clouded Their View

Some people don’t reject God—they reject a version of Him they think let them down.

They’ve suffered loss, heartbreak, abuse, or betrayal. Maybe they cried out to God and heard silence. Maybe they grew up in a home where church was a place of rules, not love. Their unbelief isn’t rooted in rebellion—it’s rooted in wounds.

“If God is real, why did He let this happen to me?”
Until those wounds are acknowledged, belief can feel impossible.

2. Pride Fights Surrender

Faith requires humility.

Believing means admitting we’re not in control. That we don’t have all the answers. That we need saving. And for some, that’s a hard pill to swallow.

Romans 1:21 says,
“Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks.” (NLT)

Pride says, “I’m fine on my own.”
Faith says, “I need Him.”

3. Culture Drowns Out Truth

We live in a noisy world.

Science, technology, self-help, and skepticism dominate the narrative. Faith is often seen as weakness. God is dismissed as outdated. Miracles are mocked.

But faith isn’t blind—it just sees beyond what the eyes can. And in a world obsessed with proof, that kind of vision feels foreign.

“The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers…” —2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV)

4. Spiritual Warfare Is Real

There’s more going on than we can see.

The Bible makes it clear: our battle isn’t against flesh and blood.
There is an enemy actively working to confuse, harden, and distract.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” —John 10:10

So when someone seems closed off, bitter, or resistant—don’t just argue. Pray.

5. They Haven’t Seen Jesus in Us Yet

Some people have only seen religion—not relationship.

They’ve seen hypocrisy, judgment, politics, and rules. But they haven’t seen what Jesus really looks like in a transformed life.

They haven’t seen love that forgives, faith that perseveres, or peace that doesn’t make sense.

But when they do? It’s hard to forget.

So What Can We Do?

Don’t argue people into faith.
Love them into curiosity.

Let your life shine so brightly that people have to ask:
“What makes you different?”

“If someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” —1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

You may not win every debate.
But you can still win hearts.

And sometimes… that’s all it takes.

Keep Believing. Keep Shining.

If you're praying for someone who doesn’t believe yet—don’t give up.

God isn’t finished. He knows how to reach their heart. And He may just use you to do it.