How Do You Keep Your Faith Going Strong?

[Guest SDphisheater]

So I need some advice, something to kickstart a "new conversion" for me...
Long story short: About 5-6 years ago, I began a wonderful spiritual renewal that has had it's ups and downs, but has given me a deeply felt desire for heaven and communion with God. I've had downs before but always seem to come out of them with a good confession, a chat with my folks, a new appreciation for a prayer/song, Sacramental grace, something. I'm in one right now that seems hard to shake, and it's driving me nuts. The rosary seems like a chore, I'm impatient and cranky with loved ones, I'm pessimistic and judgemental, oh did I mention prayer is boring now? I just returned from overseas (where priests weren't available) and am back to daily Mass, but I still feel kind of spiritually numb. It's a scary feeling. I lost somebody very close to me about 2 months ago, but I don't think that's causing my funk, but I'm not sure. Anyhow, I'm just kind of curious if anybody has any recommendations of things that they do or that help them out when they need that spiritual boost.

[Faith 1st]

The church that you are attending....do you feel at home there?

I took a vacation from church after I got married, my husband was not catholic (at the time) and he did not want to go with me. Therefore, our Sundays were like any other day. After I had my third child I decided I need to go back and get all of them baptised......I had to visit several churches before I found the one. They were all catholic but at a few I did not feel welcomed. After visiting about three....I finally felt like I belonged.

Prayer became more meaningful after I got involved with CCD. I started teaching 1st year confirmation. Seeing the teenagers feel the warmth of the Holy Spirit it recendled mine and I was able to grow spritually as an adult and a parent.

Edited April 17, 2008 by Faith 1st

[Era Might]

I think the way through spiritually difficult times is to let ourselves die. You say that prayer is boring, which implies that you desire something that is not boring. What you need to do is let your desires die, so that what matters is not whether something is boring, or difficult, but that it is the will of God. Even in small things, such as what you will be having for dinner, let your own will die. Not that there is anything wrong with looking forward to a good dinner, but to love God perfectly, we need to free ourselves of any other concern, even legitimate desires. He does not require us to give them up all at once (unless they are sinful), but gradually as he draws us to himself. It sounds like you need to make a choice, whether you will remain stagnant, or whether you will die to yourself and let only the will of God live through you.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='SDphisheater' post='1501377' date='Apr 16 2008, 09:58 PM']So I need some advice, something to kickstart a "new conversion" for me...
Long story short: About 5-6 years ago, I began a wonderful spiritual renewal that has had it's ups and downs, but has given me a deeply felt desire for heaven and communion with God. I've had downs before but always seem to come out of them with a good confession, a chat with my folks, a new appreciation for a prayer/song, Sacramental grace, something. I'm in one right now that seems hard to shake, and it's driving me nuts. The rosary seems like a chore, I'm impatient and cranky with loved ones, I'm pessimistic and j, that judgemental, oh did I mention prayer is boring now? I just returned from overseas (where priests weren't available) and am back to daily Mass, but I still feel kind of spiritually numb. It's a scary feeling. I lost somebody very close to me about 2 months ago, but I don't think that's causing my funk, but I'm not sure. Anyhow, I'm just kind of curious if anybody has any recommendations of things that they do or that help them out when they need that spiritual boost.[/quote]
Are you in good physical health, had a checkup lately? Are you depressed or just a bit blue?
I am sorry you lost an important person in your life, it probably has not helped your situation, and could be affecting you in ways you don't yet realize. Loss makes you feel vulnerable.

It can also be a sign you are ready for another step in your spiritual journey. God wrought a conversion in your heart and it probably felt wonderful. Its like a courtship, but after courtship comes the ups and downs of married life, and the intense feelings come down to earth. We transition from depending on feelings to keep us going to mature commitment. Feelings come and go, and aren't a firm basis for a spiritual, matrimonial or any other kind of adult life. But like other choices in life, you don't stop [marriage, prayers, raising children etc] because it not longer gives you an emotional lift. So if the rosary is a chore, its a chore, God understands. As I explained to my kids a long time ago, God never consulted us if we wanted to go to Mass/pray etc, its a commandment and we obey it. Going thru the motions when we really don't feel like it, is still obedience and therefore pleasing to God, perhaps even more so, because its an effort -not just a response to an emotion. So I am not recommending looking for ways to recount that feeling, simply concentrate on obedience, trusting the feelings will come when God wills. Have you read C S Lewis's "Surprised by Joy"? He went thru something similar.
Feel free to ignor this if it seems to farfetched to you, but remember Mother Theresa went 20 years without any spiritual consolation, and look what she accomplished by being faithful and trusting in God's own time.

[Lena]

I agree with cmom, losing someone close can affect you in many ways. Be patient with yourself. If the rosary and prayer are boring for you right now--try simple silence. You don't necessary "need" words. I suppose a big spiritual boost for me is to go where I'm most happy (as trite as this might sound!), where I can feel God. For that, that's being in nature, away from the traffic and crowds of noisy people. You said 6 years ago you began a spiritual renewal--try going back to what inspired you the most back then, and what started it all.

[AccountDeleted]

You might simply being going through a period of darkness and/or aridity that is necessary from time to time to purify your soul. Read some St John of the Cross (or someone else's explanation of him) to get a perspective on the "Dark Night of the Soul". During these periods, what you need is even more prayer, even though it may seem dry or pointless.

Your loss will affect you without you realizing it, but don't discount the spiritual trials that the soul goes through to draw closer to God. Read Padr Pio's letters to his spiritual directors and you will see that even he went through things like this.

And don't forget that Mother Teresa of Calcutta spent 40 years in doubt but continued her work anyway. Just don't let these feelings stop you from receiving the sacraments or from praying. I will keep you in my prayers.

Edited April 17, 2008 by nunsense

[Cure of Ars]

Faith 1st is spot on. Just being around and being close to other Catholics helps a lot. It also good to remember that spiritual funks come and go. But Christ is always there.

[LouisvilleFan]

I've been in a funk (with its own ups and downs) pretty much since graduating college five years ago. Generally, life is pretty boring and today I've feeling even more apathetic than usual. Maybe it's plain ol' selfishness... but I keep thinking that Christ doesn't intend for us to be bored to tears with our lives. Aren't we supposed to be doing something?

Back in college, I was involved in a Christian ministry, leading Bible studies, going on mission trips, and pitching in on community projects with my church. I haven't had much of this since, especially since becoming Catholic. I think a big problem is parishoners seem disconnected from parishes: groups of parishoners get together and do their thing while a parish is just this building to attend Mass in. Seems to be the result of weak and ineffective leadership.

Of course, a really boring office job that saps the very life from your soul doesn't help much either. I'd find a new job, but I want to stay here at least til July so I'll be fully vested in my 401k. Kinda sad that this is something I care so much about.

P.S. And you know, I come up with ideas all the time that would help me be a solution to this problem, but it's like this lethargy has some inertia behind it and I'm powerless to break free from it.

Edited April 17, 2008 by LouisvilleFan

[Deb]

I am still pretty new into my conversion and I have only had a couple of weeks where I did not feel the presence of God. That frightened me so I just spent more time in prayer and reading the bible. Faith comes from scripture. I believe that very much. If the rosary is boring to you, try just sitting and reading scripture every day and then enjoying some silent time afterwards.

Spending time in adoration always helps me whenever I feel a disconnect with anything.
I have been told to expect that time to come when all will be dry but, to just keep my faith and keep praying and God will return my zeal to me in due time.

I am lucky because I belong to a parish where everyone is very loving and generous with themselves. I go on retreats whenever I can, I go to healing masses, lectures, anything that gives me more spiritual growth. I am also blessed with having time to spend on these things.

Also, pray specifically for a renewal of your heart. Ask the Lord to send his spirit upon you and lift you up. He always gives us what we want.

[AccountDeleted]

[quote name='Deb' post='1501699' date='Apr 17 2008, 09:08 AM']....
Also, pray specifically for a renewal of your heart. Ask the Lord to send his spirit upon you and lift you up. He always gives us what we want.[/quote]


Well, He always gives us what we [u]need[/u] - maybe not always what we want. But that is only because He loves our souls and knows what is best for them. But the point is right - we should always take everything to Him in prayers.

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Deb' post='1501699' date='Apr 17 2008, 12:08 PM']I am still pretty new into my conversion and I have only had a couple of weeks where I did not feel the presence of God. That frightened me so I just spent more time in prayer and reading the bible. Faith comes from scripture. I believe that very much. If the rosary is boring to you, try just sitting and reading scripture every day and then enjoying some silent time afterwards.

Spending time in adoration always helps me whenever I feel a disconnect with anything.
I have been told to expect that time to come when all will be dry but, to just keep my faith and keep praying and God will return my zeal to me in due time.

I am lucky because I belong to a parish where everyone is very loving and generous with themselves. I go on retreats whenever I can, I go to healing masses, lectures, anything that gives me more spiritual growth. I am also blessed with having time to spend on these things.

Also, pray specifically for a renewal of your heart. Ask the Lord to send his spirit upon you and lift you up. He always gives us what we want.[/quote]
Just remember that we don't base our faith on "feelings" even the feeling of God's presence. Obedience means we are faithful when we feel nothing, and nothing can last a very long time. Thats when the actual work of purification and sanctification begins.

[prose]

I went through something very similar recently. It took me almost a year to shake it. I read Mother Teresa's book "Come be my light" and it seriously made me look at my life to shake out what I needed to shake out. Feel free to pm me if you want more details, as I don't want to steal this thread.

Remember, faith is and should never be based on feeling.

[AccountDeleted]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1501716' date='Apr 17 2008, 09:25 AM']Just remember that we don't base our faith on "feelings" even the feeling of God's presence. Obedience means we are faithful when we feel nothing, and nothing can last a very long time. Thats when the actual work of purification and sanctification begins.[/quote]

cmotherofpearl - I don't know if you are a convert or not but speaking as someone who was raised without any faith at all, and within the context of a secular society that says "Prove it.", I have to say something here. One of my pet peeves is the whole concept of "feelings" not being important. I had it drilled into me in the convent that "feelings don't matter" - just as you said - that God wants faith from us, and even a "dark faith" (as Mother Prioress called it) without any proof.

This might work fine for a cradle Catholic, whose faith is almost "hardwired" into them, but for those of us who don't have that inner core (God bless Catholic parents), then "feelings" do matter, most especially the feeling of God's presence. It is often through some kind of feeling from the Holy Spirit that we converts actually come to the Church. And then we are taught how to grow in faith a little at a time. The ideal is that we be obedient through faith alone, but I think it is perfectly acceptable to Him if we also pray for His "felt" presence. We need not ask for consolations, but for the God of consolations. Even St Thomas needed a little help to believe. And although Jesus did say that faith alone was the better way, He didn't refuse Thomas his request to be shown, and He still blessed him for seeing and then believing.

If you are a convert yourself, then perhaps your faith has already reached such a stage that God's presence is no longer required to believe, but God is still working on me in this area. When I can't feel His presence, then sometimes I am in such agony of soul that I doubt everything I have ever been taught. It is during these times, I think, that my faith actually grows because although I question everything, especially God's love for me, I usually end up in a puddle of tears crying to Jesus for His mercy and the grace to love Him no matter what. This implies to me that I do have some kind of faith, even if it isn't the stoical, "don't worry about feelings" kind of faith that cradle Catholics seem to have. And then, out of kindness and mercy, Jesus responds to my prayers and fills my heart again.

It isn't the more perfect way, I know, but some of us really do need to rely on "feelings" while we are still in the baby stages of faith. And I just keep remembering that Jesus said "What father would give his child a stone if he asked for bread?" God won't always give us what we want, especially in the way that we want it, but He does gives us what we need, even if that need is to feel His presence.

Just a different perspective. I envy those who have the kind of faith you are describing but trust that God will teach me in His own time.

[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1501716' date='Apr 17 2008, 12:25 PM']Just remember that we don't base our faith on "feelings" even the feeling of God's presence. Obedience means we are faithful when we feel nothing, and nothing can last a very long time. Thats when the actual work of purification and sanctification begins.[/quote]

I completely agree with this. However, I can objectively look at my life and say that there ain't no purification or sanctification going on here. I'm in the same place I was two years ago, though I've been in higher and lower points along the way... through it all, it's basically break even.

I've wondered if I just have a case of mild depression, but I don't know how you find a good psychologist and I don't feel like fighting with a PhD over why I'm not going to take medication. I'd tell them in not so many words where they can stick those pills.

And then I'd probably feel a lot better

[missionseeker]

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1501859' date='Apr 17 2008, 01:08 PM']And then I'd probably feel a lot better [/quote]