Mid-Faith Crisis: Finding a Path Through Doubt, Disillusionment, and Dead Ends

Navigating the Storm: Understanding the Crisis of Faith

Many of us embarked on our spiritual journeys filled with hope and certainty, only to find ourselves questioning the very foundation of our beliefs as life unfolded. The faith that once seemed unshakeable may falter in the face of broken trust, unanswered prayers, and the harsh realities of worldly suffering. But you're not alone—mid-faith crises are a shared human experience that can feel isolating yet are a crucial part of our spiritual journey.

In Mid-Faith Crisis, authors Catherine McNiel and Jason Hague provide a compassionate exploration of this challenging phase. With backgrounds in theology and personal narratives of their own spiritual upheavals, they guide readers through the complex landscape of doubt and disillusionment. Mid-Faith Crisis candidly addresses the often-unspoken realities of faith's evolution, offering solace and practical insights for navigating through turbulent waters.

Through storytelling and reflection, McNiel and Hague offer practices and disciplines that help reclaim what is genuine and discard what is not. They reassure us that the crisis of faith is not an endpoint but a transformative stage that can lead to a more sincere and robust belief system. If you're in the midst of a spiritual reevaluation, Mid-Faith Crisis will serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us that while the road may be rocky, the destination holds the promise of deeper faith and connection.

"Chaplain McNiel (Fearing Bravely) and pastor Hague (Aching Joy) deliver an approachable guide to tackling crises of faith. They trace how even strong religious identities can be dismantled by life challenges or new perspectives, resulting in a 'death of faith' that leaves believers feeling lost and isolated. Arguing that this uncomfortable stage can be a productive period in one’s spiritual journey, the authors unpack how readers can harness feelings of betrayal to seek new “heroes of faith”—often those quietly doing good away from the spotlight—and use their doubts to create a more honest, intimate relationship with God." – Publishers Weekly Review, February 2025

"Relevant and practical in a time of church leader scandals and faith deconstruction, this book offers an empathy-filled way forward." – Library Journal Review, May 2025

Catherine McNiel is a chaplain, author, editor, and speaker searching for the creative, redemptive work of God in our ordinary lives. She lives in the Chicagoland area with her husband, three children, and one enormous garden. Catherine holds an MA in human service counseling and is finishing a Master of Divinity at North Park Theological Seminary. Her previous books include Fearing Bravely, All Shall Be Well, and Long Days of Small Things, which was an ECPA finalist for New Author.

Jason Hague is the associate pastor of Christ's Center Church near Eugene, Oregon, and the author of Aching Joy: Following God Through the Land of Unanswered Prayer. Jason has written extensively on the subject of the Christian faith and autism, special needs families, and his own spiritual journey toward hope for his own non-speaking autistic son. His writing has appeared in Christianity Today, Focus on the Family, and Fathom. He and his wife have five children.