Today, we’re looking at a second sign that you’re in a mid-faith crisis. If this sounds familiar to you, remember: You’re not alone!

Sometimes, we hit a mid-faith crisis not necessarily because we doubt, but because we simply start asking questions. Why does my church teach this or that doctrine while the church down the road teaches the opposite? Why must I hold certain political or scientific views to be considered a Christ-follower? Why am I required to hold positions on issues the Bible says nothing about?

Most times, these questions feel threatening to our Christian friends and communities—maybe even our pastors. So there’s little chance to explore the answers or grow as a community into a more Christlike faith. It may feel like our only way to question is to leave the faith entirely.

But even this is not found in Scripture! In the Bible, we find an expectation that as we grow and mature (in life and in faith), we’ll outgrow some things we believed before and need to “level up” to a more mature position.

Acts 17:11 ESV
Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

The writer of Acts described a group of faith-curious seekers in Berea as “of more noble character” simply because they did their own research to discover if what Paul was teaching rang true.

Hebrews 5:10-14 ESV
being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

And the writer of Hebrews expressed frustration that so many believers remained like infants, still needing milk when it comes to truth and unable to chew solid food. “Let’s move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward in maturity!” the writer pleads.

Hebrews 6:1 NLT
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.

Friend, if you are ready to move beyond simplistic teachings and really dig into what it looks like to follow Jesus in your time and place, this is reason to rejoice, not despair. May you find joy and good partners as you move from milk to solid food, oh person of noble character!