Clouds over Manly Beach, Sydney Australia
Faith is a mystery. There are things we cannot understand about God and faith – even if we believe, we cannot fully understand. Knowing the fullness God and His love and mercy are beyond our human comprehension and understanding.
It’s natural to sometimes find ourselves in times of doubt. I know it happens to me! What if there isn’t life after death? There are so many people in the world -- How is God in a loving relationship with all those who know Him, and actively loving the ones who don’t? Why would He care about some of my small, comparatively insignificant prayers and concerns, when there are people in the world crying out to him in fear and pain? It is beyond my understanding.
So when I feel darkness here are some things I do to help strengthen my faith.
When I doubt:
- I hold on to the faith of other people. For example, my Gramma's faith was so strong and she was so certain, that I choose to believe what she believed. I follow her because I believe in her, and she followed the Lord.
- I reflect on moments that I've felt God in my life. Such as appreciating the beauty and wonder in nature, the times of deep joy in my heart, and times I know God brought me to someone or something.
When things are tough:
- I make Jesus my best friend, sharing everything with Him and turning to Him first. I tell Him my thoughts, disappointments, anxieties, and concerns. I give him everything and talk to Him as my best friend, knowing that He loves me and is with me through it all.
- I remember that Jesus conquered the world, and there is nothing that He cannot help me overcome. Jesus has defeated death, fear, and sin. Love wins. There is nothing on this earth that can hold me down if I choose Jesus and follow His way. Love conquers all.
When I need encouragement:
- I talk with my family and friends who lift me up.
- I read about the lives of the saints. Every single one of them is totally different: Some of them were pious from childhood, but many of them lived lives full of selfishness and sin before conversion; they all came to God in their own ways; and each lived a call to holiness that was unique to his/her gifts. God calls us all; He calls me and desires me. There is something, or many things, that I can do to build His kingdom, and by doing so, I become more like who He created me to be.
- I remember Peter. He was Jesus’ best friend, swearing to be by Jesus’ side through it all, and yet Peter denied Jesus during Jesus’ time of need. Jesus forgave Peter and asked him to lead the Church. I am like Peter. I desire with all my heart to do God’s will, and yet there are times I totally fail. Jesus offers forgiveness and healing, and despite all of my failures, He asks me to be a leader for Him. (More on this another time.)
Faith asks us to believe what we cannot see. And while sometimes I choose to believe what I cannot see, there are things in my life that I can see. I see the love God has for me through family and friends. I see how God has worked in my life. I feel how He opens my heart with love. I see prayers answered. I see people who are kind to one another. And I believe. I believe in Jesus, who He is and what He taught. And I believe in the faith of others, in miracles, in saints, and in the lives of people who strive to do good.
