Saints That Struggled With Faith

Even the most devout and revered saints in Christian history were not immune to doubts, struggles, and moments of weakness in their faith. These great figures of the faith experienced deep personal battles and times of spiritual darkness, yet their stories remind us that struggling with faith does not disqualify us from God’s love or His purposes for our lives. In fact, their struggles often led to profound spiritual growth, and their perseverance serves as an encouragement for all believers facing doubt or hardship.

Here are some notable saints who experienced struggles with faith:

1. Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta

One of the most famous examples of a saint who struggled with faith is Saint Mother Teresa. While known for her unwavering devotion to the poor and her deep spiritual life, Mother Teresa experienced what many have referred to as a "dark night of the soul"—a period of spiritual dryness and feelings of abandonment by God. She described periods where she felt a deep sense of isolation from God, unable to feel His presence or experience His love, despite continuing her tireless work for others.

Mother Teresa’s Struggle: In her letters, she shared her inner torment, writing that she often felt spiritually empty, even though she continued her charitable work and devoted her life to prayer. She questioned whether God was truly present in her life, but continued to serve others with deep humility.
Key Lesson: Mother Teresa's perseverance through these difficult times demonstrates that faith is not always about feelings or emotional closeness to God, but about continuing to trust and obey God, even when His presence is not felt.
Quote: "I feel that God has abandoned me... yet I have not stopped trusting in His love and care." — Mother Teresa

2. Saint John of the Cross

Saint John of the Cross, a 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet, is known for his writings on the “dark night of the soul,” a period of spiritual desolation and purification. As a Carmelite monk, he experienced profound moments of doubt and spiritual suffering. Saint John wrote extensively about the soul’s journey through dark spiritual times, where one may feel forsaken by God. These "dark nights" were not a sign of weakness but of deeper purification, as they led to a closer union with God.

John's Struggle: In his own life, John experienced intense spiritual trials. He spent a significant time in prison and suffered physical and emotional hardships, but he also experienced deep spiritual dryness. He believed that these trials were a necessary part of his spiritual purification, drawing him closer to God, even when it felt like God was distant.
Key Lesson: Saint John of the Cross teaches that spiritual dryness and doubt are often part of the process of becoming more attuned to God’s will. Faith is nurtured through the difficult times when we continue to trust in God’s presence, even when we cannot sense it.
Quote: "In the dark night of the soul, bright flows the river of God’s love." — Saint John of the Cross

3. Saint Therese of Lisieux

Saint Therese of Lisieux, known as "The Little Flower," struggled deeply with doubt and the experience of God’s silence in her later years. Despite her simple and humble approach to faith, Therese faced intense spiritual suffering and periods of doubt, particularly as she grappled with the apparent silence of God in her life. She was even deeply troubled by the idea of eternal life and whether she would be saved.

Therese’s Struggle: Towards the end of her life, Therese underwent a period of intense spiritual darkness, questioning God's existence and her place in the world. However, she continued to hold onto her faith in simple acts of love and trust, believing that God’s love would carry her, even when she couldn’t feel it.
Key Lesson: Therese’s “little way” of trusting God in simple, daily acts of love and devotion despite her doubts is a model for those struggling with faith. She teaches us that faith is not about grand feelings or experiences but about trusting God in small, humble ways.
Quote: "I am not afraid of my struggles; they will be the joy of my eternity." — Saint Therese of Lisieux

4. Saint Peter

Saint Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, is a prime example of someone who struggled with faith and yet became a pillar of the early Church. Peter’s most famous moment of doubt came when he attempted to walk on water toward Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31). Despite initially stepping out in faith, he became afraid and began to sink, showing that even a great apostle could falter in moments of fear.

Peter’s Struggle: Peter’s faith wavered several times throughout the Gospels. He denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of His arrest (Luke 22:61), despite earlier declaring his unwavering loyalty. However, his story is one of redemption. After Jesus’ resurrection, He restored Peter, telling him to “feed my sheep,” reinstating him as a leader in the Church.
Key Lesson: Peter’s story teaches us that even when our faith falters, God’s grace is sufficient to restore us. We can always turn back to God, and He will strengthen our faith, even after moments of doubt or failure.
Quote: "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." — Saint Peter, after being restored by Jesus (John 21:17)

5. Saint Augustine of Hippo

Saint Augustine, one of the most influential Christian theologians in history, went through an intense spiritual struggle before fully surrendering his life to God. Before his conversion, Augustine lived a life of indulgence, seeking fulfillment in sinful behaviors. He famously prayed, “Lord, make me chaste, but not yet,” illustrating his inner conflict and hesitation in fully embracing faith.

Augustine’s Struggle: Augustine wrestled with his desires, intellectual doubts, and the question of whether he could truly find fulfillment in God. His journey toward faith was filled with intellectual struggles, but he ultimately embraced God’s grace, especially after the famous moment where he heard a child’s voice say, "Take up and read," prompting him to read the Bible and leading to his conversion.
Key Lesson: Augustine’s story is one of deep transformation, showing that even those who struggle with faith, moral failures, or doubts can be radically changed by God’s grace. His conversion emphasizes the importance of seeking God with honesty, even in the midst of doubt.
Quote: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." — Saint Augustine

Conclusion: Struggling with Faith is Part of the Journey

The saints who struggled with faith show us that doubt, confusion, and spiritual dryness do not disqualify us from God’s love or His call on our lives. In fact, these struggles can deepen our relationship with Him, as we learn to rely on His grace rather than our own understanding or feelings. The key is not to give up but to continue pressing forward, even in the moments when faith feels weak. God meets us in our struggles and uses them to refine us, deepen our trust in Him, and ultimately draw us closer to His heart.

Their examples remind us that faith is not about perfection; it’s about perseverance and surrendering to God’s love and grace, even in the face of doubt. Just as these saints found redemption, so too can we find strength in trusting God, no matter the struggle.