One moment, we may be praising God and feeling passionate about our faith, but the next moment, we may find ourselves doubting and questioning Him when things don’t go according to our plans. One week they’re praising Jesus, and the next they’re calling for His crucifixion. It’s pretty mind-boggling, isn’t it? 

But here’s the thing – it’s not just something that happened back in Jesus’ time. It still happens today, and Christians are not immune to it. Think about it. How often have you seen someone go from loving Jesus and being passionate about their faith to becoming disillusioned and walking away? Or maybe you’ve witnessed Christians turning against each other, or even against their pastors and church leaders. It’s a sad reality, but it happens more often than we’d like to admit. 

So, why does this happen? Well, there are a few reasons. One of the main ones is that we’re easily swayed by our emotions and circumstances. When things are going well, it’s easy to love Jesus and feel passionate about our faith. But when trials and difficulties come our way, we can quickly lose sight of what’s important and start doubting God’s goodness. 

Another reason is that we sometimes place our trust and faith in people rather than God. We forget that humans are flawed and imperfect, and when they inevitably let us down or disappoint us, we can become disillusioned and lose our faith. 

But here’s the good news – we don’t have to be blown around by every wind of doctrine or circumstance. In Ephesians 4:14, Paul encourages us to not be”tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Instead, he urges us to “speak the truth in love” and “grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4:15). 

So, how do we avoid falling into the same trap as the crowds on that fateful day in Jerusalem? How do we stay rooted and grounded in our faith, regardless of the changing tides around us? The key lies in staying connected to the truth of God’s Word and keeping our focus on Jesus, the unchanging rock of our salvation. When we build our lives on the solid foundation of His teachings and His love, we can withstand the storms of doubt and uncertainty that threaten to shake our faith.

Here 5 actionable steps we can take:

1. Stay connected to the Word of God. Spend time reading and studying Scripture daily, allowing it to guide and shape your thoughts and actions. 
2. Cultivate a strong prayer life. Make prayer a priority in your daily routine, seeking God’s guidance and strength in all things. 
3. Surround yourself with godly community. Find a church where you can fellowship with other believers, encourage one another, and hold each other accountable. 
4. Guard your heart and mind. Be discerning about what you allow into your heart and mind, avoiding negative influences and staying focused on truth and righteousness. 
5. Remember who you’re ultimately following. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and trust in His unfailing love and faithfulness. 

By following these steps and staying rooted and grounded in Christ, we can avoid being swayed by every wind of doctrine and circumstance. Instead, we can stand firm in our faith, no matter what comes our way, and continue to love and serve Jesus with all our hearts. 

As we reflect on the events of Palm Sunday and the days that followed, let’s take heed of the lessons learned from the fickleness of the crowds. Let’s commit to staying rooted and grounded in our faith, no matter what circumstances may come our way. And let’s continue to worship and serve Jesus with all our hearts, trusting in His unfailing love and faithfulness, both now and forevermore.