Shawn Thought he Had Faith Until Life Fell Apart 💔
Here's what he learned the hard way: Having faith in good times is easy. Having faith when everything falls apart is what separates real believers from pretenders.
He spent years building what he thought was solid faith. He knew theology. He could quote Scripture. He served in his church. He prayed regularly. He thought he was good.
Then his dad got sick. Really sick. The kind of sick where prayers don't seem to work and God feels distant.
And he realized: He had three types of faith, but was missing the fourth.
According to research from Barna Group, only 18% of Christians report having a mature, integrated faith that sustains them through difficulty. Most of us are operating with incomplete faith,strong in some areas, weak in others.
In this post, I'm sharing the four types of faith and how they work together. More importantly, I'm showing you how to develop all four so your faith doesn't crumble when life gets hard.
Why Most Christians Have Incomplete Faith 🤔
The Problem With One-Dimensional Faith
I talk to believers all the time who fit into categories:
The Intellectual Christian: Knows all the theology, can debate doctrine, but doesn't experience God's presence. Faith is all head, no heart.
The Emotional Christian: Feels God deeply in worship, has powerful spiritual experiences, but can't explain what they believe. Faith is all heart, no head.
The Moral Christian: Lives a good life, serves others, makes ethical choices, but doesn't have a real relationship with God. Faith is all hands, no heart.
The Fair-Weather Christian: Believes when things are good, but falls apart when crisis comes. Faith is all sunshine, no storm.
The problem? None of these is complete faith.
What Mature Faith Looks Like
Mature faith integrates all four dimensions:
- ✅ Intellectual: You know what you believe
- ✅ Relational: You know whom you believe
- ✅ Consequential: You live what you believe
- ✅ Crisis: You trust what you believe even when tested
When all four are working together, you have a faith that's resilient, authentic, and transformative.
Type 1: Intellectual Faith (Head Faith) 🧠
What It Is
Intellectual faith is the cognitive foundation of your belief. It's understanding and accepting Christian truths and doctrines. It's knowing about God.
This is where faith begins. You learn that:
- God exists
- Jesus is God's Son
- Jesus died and rose again
- The Bible is God's Word
- Salvation comes through faith in Christ
Why It Matters
Here's the thing: You can't believe what you don't understand.
If you don't know what the Gospel is, you can't believe in it. If you don't understand who Jesus is, you can't trust Him. Intellectual faith provides the foundation for everything else.
But,and this is crucial and**intellectual faith alone is they don't have saving faith because they lack the other three dimensions.
How to Develop Intellectual Faith
Read Scripture regularly Start with the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). Read a chapter a day. You'll learn who Jesus is and what He taught.
Study theology Read books like "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis or "The Reason for God" by Tim Keller. Understand the why behind Christian beliefs.
Ask questions Don't accept things blindly. Ask your pastor, mentor, or trusted Christian friends to explain doctrine. Good faith can handle questions.
Use study tools Bible commentaries, study Bibles, and apps like FaithGPT can help you understand Scripture more deeply.
Engage in discussion Join a Bible study or small group. Discussing theology with others deepens your understanding.
The Limits of Intellectual Faith
Intellectual faith can be cold and disconnected. You can know all the right answers and still feel empty. You can understand the Gospel intellectually and never experience its power.
That's why you need the other three types.
Type 2: Relational Faith (Heart Faith) ❤️
What It Is
Relational faith is personal connection and intimacy with God. It's experiencing God's presence, love, and character. It's knowing God, not just knowing about God.
This is faith that transforms the heart. It's the difference between:
- Knowing that God loves you (intellectual)
- Feeling that God loves you (relational)
Why It Matters
Jesus emphasized this: "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3)
Notice the word "know." In Greek, it's ginōskō,intimate, personal knowledge. relational knowledge.
The Psalmist expressed this longing: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." (Psalm 42:1-2)
This is relational faith buta deep longing for God's presence, not just intellectual agreement about His existence.
How Relational Faith Manifests
- In prayer: You're not just reciting words; you're having a conversation with God
- In worship: You feel God's presence and respond with genuine emotion
- In Scripture: God's Word speaks to your heart, not just your mind
- In community: You experience God's love through other believers
- In guidance: You sense the Holy Spirit's direction in your life
- In comfort: You feel God's presence during difficult times
How to Develop Relational Faith
Create space for prayer Don't just pray requests. Spend time listening. Sit in silence. Let God speak to your heart.
Engage in worship Sing, pray, meditate on Scripture. Let yourself feel the emotions of worship;awe, gratitude, repentance, joy.
Journal your prayers Write out your conversations with God. This deepens intimacy and helps you see how God is working.
Seek solitude Find quiet moments to be alone with God. Turn off your phone. Minimize distractions.
Share honestly Tell God your real struggles, doubts, and fears. Don't pretend. Authentic relationship requires honesty.
Experience community Worship with other believers. Pray together. Share your faith journey. Experience God's presence in community.
The Limits of Relational Faith
Relational faith can be unstable and emotional. You can feel God's presence one day and feel abandoned the next. You can have powerful spiritual experiences that don't translate into changed behavior.
That's why you need the other three types.
Type 3: Consequential Faith (Hands Faith) 🙌
What It Is
Consequential faith is faith that produces action and obedience. It's the practical outworking of belief through behavior, choices, and lifestyle.
This is faith that demonstrates its reality through fruit.
Why It Matters
James is clear: "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." (James 2:26)
This doesn't mean works save you. But it does mean genuine faith produces obedience.
Jesus taught: "If you love me, keep my commands." (John 14:15)
Love without obedience is just sentiment. Faith without obedience is just belief.
How Consequential Faith Manifests
- In ethics: You make decisions based on Christian values, even when it costs you
- In service: You serve others and show compassion
- In generosity: You give your time, money, and resources to God's work
- In forgiveness: You forgive others as Christ forgave you
- In honesty: You live with integrity, even when no one's watching
- In courage: You stand up for what's right, even when it's unpopular
- In discipline: You practice spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and Bible study
How to Develop Consequential Faith
Identify one area to obey Don't try to change everything at once. Pick one area where you know God is calling you to obedience.
Start small If God is calling you to generosity, start by giving to one person. If He's calling you to service, volunteer once a month.
Find accountability Tell someone about your commitment. Ask them to check in with you.
Practice regularly Obedience becomes easier with practice. The more you obey, the more natural it becomes.
Expect resistance Your flesh will resist. Culture will push back. Stay committed anyway.
Celebrate progress Notice how obedience changes you. Celebrate the fruit it produces.
The Limits of Consequential Faith
Consequential faith can become legalistic and self-righteous. You can do all the right things and still be spiritually empty. You can serve others and still be proud.
That's why you need the other three types.
Type 4: Crisis Faith (Tested Faith) 🌪️
What It Is
Crisis faith is faith that persists and grows stronger when tested by adversity. It's the faith that holds firm when circumstances challenge your beliefs, when prayers seem unanswered, and when life doesn't go according to plan.
This is mature faith that has been refined through difficulty.
Why It Matters
The book of Job exemplifies crisis faith. Despite losing everything.his health, wealth, and family orJob declared: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." (Job 13:15)
Peter wrote: "In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith orof greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire ormay result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Notice: Trials refine faith. They prove its genuineness. They make it more valuable than gold.
How Crisis Faith Manifests
- In illness: You trust God even when healing doesn't come
- In loss: You find meaning in suffering and God's presence in grief
- In unanswered prayer: You continue trusting God even when He doesn't answer the way you hoped
- In doubt: You hold onto faith even when you have questions
- In persecution: You stand firm in your beliefs even when it costs you
- In darkness: You trust God even when you can't see His hand
- In waiting: You remain faithful even when God's timing doesn't match yours
How to Develop Crisis Faith
Build your foundation now You can't develop crisis faith during crisis. Build it through the other three types during good times.
Study biblical figures who endured Read about Job, Joseph, David, Paul. See how they maintained faith through difficulty.
Memorize Scripture When crisis comes, you won't have time to look things up. Memorize verses that speak to God's faithfulness.
Develop a prayer life Learn to pray before you're desperate. Develop a relationship with God before you need Him most.
Connect with community Build relationships with believers who can support you through difficulty.
Expect trials Jesus said: "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33) Don't be shocked when difficulty comes.
Remember God's faithfulness Keep a record of how God has been faithful in the past. When crisis comes, remember.
The Limits of Crisis Faith
Crisis faith can be isolating and lonely. You can feel abandoned by God and by your community. You can lose perspective and wonder if God cares.
That's why you need the other three types to sustain you.
How the Four Types Work Together 🔗
Imagine a chair with four legs:
- Intellectual faith is the front-left leg (structure)
- Relational faith is the front-right leg (connection)
- Consequential faith is the back-left leg (action)
- Crisis faith is the back-right leg (resilience)
If you're missing one leg, the chair is unstable. If you're missing two, it collapses. But when all four are strong, you have a solid, stable faith that can support you through anything.
The Integration
Here's how they work together:
Intellectual faith provides the foundation butyou know what you believe and why.
Relational faith makes it personal butyou experience God's presence and love.
Consequential faith makes it real;you live out your beliefs through obedience and service.
Crisis faith proves it genuine.you trust God even when tested.
A Christian might have strong intellectual faith but lack relational intimacy. Another might experience deep relational faith but struggle with obedience. Someone might live a moral life but never experience God's presence. And many discover their faith is shallow only when crisis comes.
The goal is to develop all four dimensions, creating a robust, resilient faith that sustains you through every season of life.
Real Stories: The Four Types in Action 💪
David's Journey
David grew up in church and had strong intellectual faith. He could quote Scripture and explain theology. But he never felt God's presence.
At 25, he hit a crisis. His marriage was falling apart. He realized his faith was all head and no heart.
He started spending time in prayer and worship, developing relational faith. He began to feel God's presence, not just know about it.
He committed to serving in his church and being honest with his wife, developing consequential faith. His marriage began to heal.
When his father died a few years later, he had crisis faith to sustain him. He grieved deeply but trusted God through it.
David says: "I thought I had faith, but I was missing three-quarters of it. Now that I've developed all four types, my faith is actually alive."
Maria's Transformation
Maria had powerful relational faith. She felt God deeply in worship and prayer. But she couldn't explain what she believed.
She started studying Scripture and theology, developing intellectual faith. She could finally articulate her beliefs.
She joined a service team and started living out her faith through action, developing consequential faith. Her faith became more than just feeling,it became real.
When she faced a health crisis, she had all four types to sustain her. She knew what she believed, felt God's presence, lived out her faith through trust, and held firm through the trial.
Maria says: "Developing all four types of faith transformed me from an emotional believer to a mature Christian."
James's Renewal
James had been a Christian for 30 years. He had intellectual faith, relational faith, and consequential faith. But he'd never really faced a major crisis.
When his business failed and he lost everything, his faith was tested like never before. He discovered that his faith was strong enough to hold him.
He didn't lose his faith. Instead, his faith deepened. He experienced God's faithfulness in ways he never had before.
James says: "Crisis faith isn't something you develop in good times-it's something you discover when you need it most. And I discovered that my faith was solid."
Practical Assessment: Where Are You Strong? 📊
Intellectual Faith Assessment
- Can you explain the Gospel clearly?
- Do you understand basic Christian doctrine?
- Can you defend your faith with Scripture?
- Do you study the Bible regularly?
If you're weak here: Start reading Scripture and studying theology.
Relational Faith Assessment
- Do you experience God's presence in prayer?
- Do you feel God's love and care?
- Does worship move your heart?
- Do you sense the Holy Spirit's guidance?
If you're weak here: Create space for prayer, worship, and solitude.
Consequential Faith Assessment
- Do you make decisions based on Christian values?
- Do you serve others regularly?
- Are you generous with your time and resources?
- Do you live with integrity?
If you're weak here: Commit to one area of obedience and practice it regularly.
Crisis Faith Assessment
- Have you faced significant trials?
- Did your faith hold during difficulty?
- Do you trust God even when prayers aren't answered?
- Can you find meaning in suffering?
If you're weak here: Build your foundation through the other three types now.
Your Next Steps 🎯
This Week
- Assess yourself: Which type of faith is strongest? Which is weakest?
- Study Scripture: Read passages about the type you need to develop
- Take one action: Do something to strengthen your weakest area
This Month
- Develop one type: Focus on strengthening your weakest area
- Share your journey: Tell someone about your faith development
- Find community: Join a group that can support your growth
This Year
- Develop all four types: Work on each dimension systematically
- Integrate them: Let them work together to create mature faith
- Help others: Teach others about the four types of faith
Related Posts to Deepen Your Understanding
- What Are the ABCs of Faith . The foundational framework for Christian belief
- What Religion Owns the Bible? but Develop intellectual faith through Scripture study
- Does the Bible Mention AI? or See how biblical principles apply to modern life
- AI and Spiritual Formation but Use tools to support your faith development
- Understanding the Gospel . Deepen your intellectual understanding of Christianity
FAQs
Q: Can I have crisis faith without going through a crisis? A: You can prepare for it by building the other three types. But true crisis faith is tested through actual difficulty.
Q: What if I'm strong in one type but weak in others? A: That's normal. Work on developing the weaker areas. Most Christians are stronger in some areas than others.
Q: How long does it take to develop all four types? A: It's a lifelong journey. You'll keep developing and deepening all four types throughout your Christian life.
Q: Can I lose one type of faith? A: Yes, if you neglect it. That's why it's important to maintain all four types regularly.
Q: Which type is most important? A: They're all important. But if I had to choose, I'd say relational faith orbecause without experiencing God's presence, the other types can become dry and lifeless.
