How Do You Keep Your Faith Going Strong?

[prose]

I can't believe that I never thought to mention this, but you may want to pray for inspiration. Sometimes when you are experiencing something like this, God is just waiting for you to ask.

Also, try to go on a retreat. Take an active role in the renewal of your faith.

[JoeyP]

Go to a Franciscan University summer conference, watch EWTN Journey Home and Fr. John Corapi. That's what works best for me

[Deb]

[quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1501716' date='Apr 17 2008, 11:25 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]


I agree completely with everything that Nunsense said. I do not base my faith on feelings because the Lord gifted me with faith before the feelings. He healed all my wounds and allowed me to forgive everyone in my life who had hurt me. The "feelings" could go away tomorrow and I would miss them but, I know where I was a year ago and what I have come to know and love about my Lord and my Church and my Faith. Once the reality of God has been revealed, I cannot imagine anyone going back from that.

I have told God in my prayers that I do not need consolations or signs or gifts. In Medjugorje I prayed that all of these things would come to those who needed them as I had been so blessed. I still get them. Do I like them, Yeah, who wouldn't? My entire life is centered on Christ and I pray every day that my faith be strengthened and that the Blessed Mother will teach me how to love her son the way he deserves and that the Holy Spirit will continue to transform me. I figure my conversion will be ongoing until I die. I have been told by every Priest I have talked to about spiritual direction to expect that at some point the Lord will stop propping me up and I will need to continue my diligence in my prayer life and in my actions. I hope I will have the strength to do that without slipping backwards. I do know that the Lord will never ever abandon me, even if I cannot feel him, I know he is with me. I know how much he loves me.

That is the thing to keep in mind always. How much the Lord loves every one of us. When my wellspring of gifties dries up. I hope I will still go to church four times a week and to adoration and pray unceasingly. I want what comes after this life on earth. There is nothing on this earth that has any value to me anymore, at least nothing even close to the value I put in my faith in God.

Okay. I will quit babbling now. I am still in my honeymoon stage of my conversion. I hope it is a long one. I hope that when I do not feel the presence of God anymore, that my faith will have been built strong enough to let me continue worshiping my Lord as I do now.