Comedian and podcast host Russell Brand feels he has had a breakthrough in figuring out how to move forward in his Christian walk when Jesus seems silent. Brand had only been a Christian for three months when he spoke of struggling with feeling that "Christ is far away" or "suddenly remote." He made his thoughts known in a recent TikTok video.
Then, in a TikTok video he posted on Wednesday, he said, "There are times when I've told you that I felt far from Christ. This is a verse that brought me back into connection with our Lord."
Brand quoted from Isaiah 43:1, saying, "...Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine."
He went on to explain, "My feelings of faith have altered lately because I've had the sense that through fear, I might take back my self-will—that I might, through fear, think that I have to be in control of the situation."
Brand gave an example of when a person feels attacked or threatened. In such a situation, he said it may seem "obvious, rational, sensible, to take back control."
He then spoke about faith, attempting to describe it in his own words. The Bible breaks it down like this in Hebrews 11:1-3: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it, the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith, we understand the worlds were framed by the word of God so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
@russellbrand My feelings of faith have altered lately, and here’s why… #christianity ♬ original sound - Russell Brand
That passage then gives specific examples of what Christians often refer to as "heroes of the faith."
These heroes have faith stories that encourage Christians when they find themselves walking through difficult circumstances and perhaps feeling like Jesus is silent or that God is far away from them.
The stories can be seen as a general example of how to overcome, helping a person feel less alone in their struggle. They're only a sampling of many stories throughout the Bible from which a person could gain encouragement or inspiration to continue moving forward in their Christian walk and personal relationship with Jesus when they're in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Brand also spoke of grace and feeling that he has been granted a new freedom because he is willing to admit that he's a sinner, surrender, and allow Jesus to carry him.
Many Christians refer to the Roman Road in connection to God's grace and His gift of salvation:
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"...But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
"...For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)
"...that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)
Related Article: Russel Brand Speaks on 3 Months Being Christian and the Struggle of Not Hearing God
Photo Credit: ©Tik Tok/Russell Brand
Elizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.