Faith requires devotion and dedication. However, no matter how much we try, there will be times when our faith in our religion will falter or, worse, vanish. However, this is normal, especially if we are just normal believers and not saints. Our loss of faith may be due to many reasons. Some might get disappointed and then turn away from God because He “does not listen” to our prayers. Some can be convinced by others that faith is just worthless nonsense and a waste of time. Still, others might just fall off “naturally” from their faith. With this said, it does not mean that God loves us less. God has selfless love for us. This is like the selfless love on God Cares book by author Kwaku Mansah.
Even if we stop believing in him, God does not stop believing in us. He gives us a chance to redeem our faith. Thus it is our duty to reciprocate this love and rekindle our lost faith in him. This process can be long and arduous, requiring a lot of sacrifices. Even then, not all may be fortunate enough to get back that faith. After all, for people to regain what they once lost, they themselves must at first want it back. People who do not want to get back their beliefs won’t get them back in the first place. To get back their faith, they need to first desire that faith.
A Seed of Faith Left Buried.
Deep inside the people who have lost their faith, yet express an inclination to believe again, is a kernel of belief. This is like the opposite of the seed of doubt. If nurtured properly, this kernel will fully blossom back to the faith they once had. However, if left alone, this seed will wither and die, along with their creed.
Nurturing the Seed
The easiest way to nurture this seed is to return to the beginning. Think back to the time when Catholicism was just being introduced to us. Just like a child is full of curiosity, this faith will slowly blossom by letting it wander and wonder. It is essential to ask questions and look for the answer to these questions in all the right places.
Looking for Help
There is no shame in asking for help. We do need it from time to time. However, it is essential to talk to someone who you trust when talking about this struggle in your faith. These people, especially if they share the same belief, will help you in your journey back to the Christian religion. These people love you as God loves you, and they want to share that love with you. Listen to them, and you might be surprised at what you hear.
Continue Nourishing that Faith
As you find yourself and your lost faith, it is essential to continue nourishing that tiny seed of faith. You can do this by asking hard questions. Do not worry if you seem to not find the answers. It is normal. Remember, God moves in mysterious ways. His actions and knowledge are without end, and only by believing in him do we someday realize his aims and goals for us.
Pray
Prayer is our one single way to talk to God. This prayer does not need to be the usual prayer. This can be your personal prayer. This can be your small conversation with God. Pray every day and then pray some more. You’ll be surprised at how much prayer can help in bringing you back to the Christian faith.
Participate in the Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist is a weekly Catholic Ritual that affirms the presence of God. The Holy Eucharist or the Holy Mass is a spiritual and communal experience. Being in a solemn and spiritual atmosphere with people who share the same faith as you can influence how much you believe.
Work Through This Struggle at Your Own Pace
Amidst all this, it is important to remember that your faith is your own. It is nobody else’s. As such, you must take your own time to get back into it. Rushing back to believing in the faith usually means the foundations that made you believe again were done without careful consideration and deliberation. These foundations might be weak, and what results would be a falling out with the belief again. Taking your time by asking questions and making sure that all those doubts are ironed out is key to returning as a faithful Catholic who may not lose his faith again.
The Damsel’s Files 