How Do You Keep the Faith?
Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof. – Kahlil Gibran
Article written by Alex Blackwell. Connect with me on Facebook.
The first decade of this century has been challenging. Terrorists raised our awareness of evil, and fear, to a place few of us could have ever imagined. Our world will never be the same again, or at least our feelings and sense of comfort and security in it.
An economic crisis brought recession and real financial hardship to practically everyone. Many were faced with losing their jobs and most of us had to manage through shrinking family budgets because of rising inflation and bank loans that exploded right in front of us.
At times the first decade of this century has been more than just challenging – it has been difficult and sometimes downright grim.
The past ten years have tested our resolve, patience and courage. Our faith has also been tested, but when I look into the faces of strangers, co-workers, friends and family I still see hope and I see some faith left in this world.
There is a sense I get from others that suggests “everything will be OK.” These people have not lost their faith, and I’m holding on to mine with both hands.
So, how do you keep the faith?
I’m starting a new project entitled A Time for Faith and I would be honored if you were a part of it. Please consider sharing how you keep your faith in difficult times. You may answer this question by contacting me in the following ways. Also, if you are willing to be interviewed for this project, please let me know that, too:
- Email me
- Connect on Facebook
- Share in Comments below
When leaving your answer, feel free to share a story that exemplifies your faith commitment. In addition to your strong faith, you may also discuss your commitment to hope, love, strength, trust and grace.
Thank you in advance for your support and participation. Look for details about A Time for Faith soon.
Blessings for a peaceful 2010,
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11 Responses to “How Do You Keep the Faith?”
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I grew up in a “church family” and God was a part of my family as a child. As I grew, my teenager self decided attending church was just really something that was getting in the way of sleeping in, so my mom let me decide for myself. I chose to sleep on Sunday mornings.
Many years later at age 30, my marriage was beyond crumbling and I was considering leaving my abusive husband. I was walking through the campus at CSUSM toward the parking lot. An old man stopped me and as he approached I thought he was going to ask me for directions. He said, “Who is Jesus Christ to you?” I replied with no hesitation, “He’s my Lord and Savior”. I almost had to turn around and look over my shoulder to see if that answer had come from someone else. I hadn’t been to church since 8th grade and prayed maybe a dozen times since then. But the answer came out of my mouth like I was saying my own name. He smiled and gave me a flyer for his church and walked away. As I walked down to my car tears streamed down my face. I knew where I had to go. As I pulled into the parking lot of the church I grew up going to I didn’t know exactly why I was there. I asked for Pastor Borgie, my childhood pastor, and the church secretary showed me to his office. He said he remebered me and asked me why I was there. I broke down in uncontrollable sobs and told him. “Please don’t think I’m crazy, I’m not on drugs, really!” That’s all I could come up with. He handed me kleenex and said, “Andrea, everyone is born with a hole in their heart. All our lives we try to fill it up with things like money, food, sex, alcohol and whatever else. If you fill it with God, everything will work out.”
Since then, God is back in my life. He never left me, but I took my faith for granted. He helped me through a time when I was destroyed mentally, emotionally and spiritually. He held my hand and brings me strength.
I also believe the old man that approached me was an angel sent by God to lead me back to him. I believe that with all my heart.
“These are the times that try men’s souls,” wrote the British statesman, Sir Winston Churchill.
Apart from terrorism, today our planet earth itself faces the problems associated with global warming or climate change. Have we invited this disaster by our greed, selfishness and ego?
The ego is an untamed and wild beast. The ego won’t be satisfied until it has acquired material wealth with no end in sight. The ego is a devilish creature of habit in its pursuit of power and glory. The ego will lay our earth barren by encouraging a lifestyle geared toward consumerism, wastage, and the wish to dominate and control instead of living in peace and harmony. Over time, this mindset will lead to the despoiling of our environment. Soon, we will reach a point of no return: I fear the worst, but I pray for the best. So what’s the solution?
Why, going for a leisurely stroll in the outdoors, of course, will help to restore the dignity of our natural world. It is so much better to walk to work than to drive your car and ruin the environment with gas-guzzling SUVs. Thoreau was famous for his walks near Walden pond.
A life of simplicity also gives me hope. Do we really need to buy so many things in the first place? Most of the world lives on less than $2 a day. Isn’t it in bad taste to “shop till you drop” when the majority of the human race can’t afford even the basic necessaries like food, clothing, shelter and access to education?
How about starting community-building activities too? For example, start a soup kitchen to feed the hungry and provide a shelter for the homeless.
If you are the owner of a small business, train and hire a new recruit. Those who are out of work could really use your help. In the freezing winters, organize an event that encourages the well-off to contribute warm clothes to those less fortunate. Smile and encourage somebody who is depressed to see the brighter side of life even if the chips are down. Encourage people in your community to use “alternative technologies” like wind and solar power to harness crops and power homes. Try to build bridges between members of different faiths. Get people to open up about the problems/issues they are facing and let’s talk about it. Try to find solutions to problems instead of playing the blame game. Avoid name-calling, stereotyping and don’t be too judgmental.
Finger pointing will not allow you sometimes to even try to understand the underlying cause or the roots of some recurring problems in your community. Instead, try to keep an open mind and listen with empathy to the stories of people.
Feed a hungry child with food and tender loving care, if you can. Teach him/her about the wisdom inherent in books, for the child may not have access to opportunities you have taken for granted. There are a lot of poor and hapless people out there who need your help and compassion. Try to be there for them, if you can.
Instead of blaming politicians and the owners of multi-national corporations, see what difference you can make within your own community. If your municipality is doing a poor job, try to clean up your local environment by enlisting the help of volunteers. And start them young, so children can help make a differnce and feel good about themselves for lending a helping hand and making a contribution. And make sure you let your local media know about such activities: issue a press release and invite reporters to broadcast it.
It seems like there is gloom everwhere, but it is still better to hope there is light at the end of the tunnel. Every dark cloud has a silver lining.
Faith is however one defines the progress of their life, and is much like hope, logical positivism, or just following your dreams. Trust in other people is just as important.
@ Andrea: I think your story filled a lot of holes today. Thanks so much for sharing!
@ Archan: I love your powerful antidotes to hopelessness. You have inspired me.
@ Ian: Trust and faith are indeed linked.
Honestly I keep the faith when I see plants or animals growing. Us humans may not be the ideal creatures we’d wish we were… but seeing a plant grow tall, a tree blossom, a dog beg for food… it’s all so innocent and pure.
That just tells me that we can make it through anything. It may not be logical, but I don’t think it needs to be. As long as it works for me.
“Problems only exist in the human mind.” Anthony de Mello.
@ Nathalie: Agree! Plants and animals don’t bring the drama to life that we sometimes do. They keep it simple and pure.
@ Mark: One of my favorite quotes.
Fabulous conversation everyone
I view every life experience as a healing and growth opportunity to fulfill my soul path and evolution. What I have come to know and embrace in my 20+ year spiritualjourney has created an inner foundation of faith, trust and courage that has strengthened my “inner knowing”. Because of the work I do as a spiritual life coach and an interfaith Rev. Dr, my daily experiences are rooted in faith.
When fears and doubts arise, that’s a signal I have disconnected from Source. My spiritual practices, attitude shifters, ongoing inner transformation and healing, incredible spiritual community of loving friends and colleagues, my environment, and animals help me to stay strong when my faith gets shaky. In addition to the practices I use below are some questions that can help shift fear to faith:
Ask yourself:
1. In what do I trust?
2. In what do I have faith in no matter what happens? Where is my faith unwavering?
3. What am I gratefull for? (I write one full page of things I’m gratefull for every night).
4. What do I know (in my heart and soul) that is absolutely true? (The stories and dramas I create vs. what is real).
5. What might be the gift, blessing, healing opportunity in this experience?.
6. What is asking to emerge in this experience? 7. Who am I being called to be & what am I being called to do?
8. What is the truth (right here and now?)
9. Do I have what I need in this moment?
Then I take a deep breath, raise my arms and exhale as my arms drop to my side. Put a huge grin on my face, take one step forward in faith and trust, crisscross both hands over my spiritual heart, take another deep breath and say out loud, “All is well.” This is a practice I learned from my friend Christine Kloser.
The Universe is conspiring in our favor to have a fabulous life! In those challenging and painfull times, some of the most incredible healing and growth can occur!
Thanks for the invitation Alex!
Love and gratitude,
Lorraine
@ Lorraine: I really like the concept of shifting fear to faith. The questions you offer provide the framework for a helpful exercise. Like you, I truly believe, and have faith, we are all meant to have a wonderful life!
I trust that the universe gives me everything I need to be a better, a fuller, a truer me. When I find myself in times of strife I thank the universe for all that I am learning, for all that I am feeling and experiencing. When I find myself in times of joy I thank the universe for all that I am learning, all
that I am feeling and experiencing.
I no longer question Why. The brain governs the why, it has to know, it must find an answer. When I let go of having to know why and just trusted in being, I found my faith; my life, it has brought me to live from my heart. If you live from the heart all the rest falls into place.
In any direction I turn I believe it is the right way to be going for these are the lessons I need to be learning. There is never a wrong turn , just a journey of exploration into myself.
@ Michelle: I love “If you live from the heart all the rest falls into place.” Amen to that.