Is Christianity a Crutch

I’m sure we have all heard people say that believing in any God or gods is just a crutch for weak people who can’t handle life and reality.

So the question: is believing in God or any god(s) a crutch for the weak? Is it just for those who can’t handle life? Is it something that just makes us feel better when life sends, well, life? Do we just pull out our faith when we get bad news, a death of a loved one, a bad diagnosis, get left by our spouse, see our children turn to drugs, have to file bankruptcy, etc.? Is it just to make us feel better when life crushes us?

The answer may surprise you.

Let’s go through the process to get to the answer.

This discussion is going to be limited to the Christian God otherwise this talk would take a lot more time than I have.

So is God just a crutch? Is He just a platitude waiting to happen when we need Him?

In order to get the most out of our faith and a “crutch,” we must go through a few steps.

We much believe in Jesus Christ and dedicate our lives to Him. Sounds easy. And in some ways it is. But in other ways, it’s next to impossible.

First. We have to be willing to humble ourselves and bend the knee and accept that we aren’t the greatest, the smartest, the best, etc., but that God in heaven is. James 4:10

James 4:10 NIV

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Humility is hard. It is much easier to be proud and think we don’t need God.

Second. We have to have faith that God is able and wants to take care of us and any issues we may have—even when He doesn’t take away the problems but holds us in His hands. Heb 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 LEB

Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen.

When God answers prayer with no or wait, it’s sometimes hard to maintain our faith.

Third. We have to give up control. Yes. I think I just heard an audible gasp around the world at this statement. I know I internally gasped myself. Because it is a struggle for me, everyday, to give up control.

“The exercise of authority and restraint over individuals and events. Scripture stresses that God is in sovereign control over his creation. A limited degree of control over creation is delegated to humanity.” Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

Manser, M. H. (2009). Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser.

An oft used, but little understood, saying is “Let go. Let God.” How do we give up control? We tell God the problem is His and then we walk away from it, no more carrying with us or thinking about it, no more worrying. Is that even possible? Not on our own, but God can help us surrender control.

If we don’t do these steps, then the crutch is just wood without any screws or bolts to hold it together and as soon as we put any weight on it, we fall. Many people who haven’t experienced a true relationship with God, will fall away from Him at the same time as crutch gives out. Because you see, praying and reading scripture are the nuts and bolts, the screws that hold the pieces of wood together to make the crutch.

Is Christianity just a crutch? No

Can Christianity be a crutch? Yes. It’s the best crutch you will ever experience.

And now...