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Dan_Defender
Guest
All I will say is if others are getting the sense of peace, and you’re not, there must be something you’re not doing right. And leave it at that.
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stoplooklisten
Guest
Faith must be nurtured. Faith must grow.
We need to add to our faith . Add to your faith virtue. In addition, add knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, affection, love. Like a healthy fruit tree, our faith should grow and bear fruit. (2 Peter 1:5-11)
Later in the epistle of 2 Peter, we have a similar thought: Grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)
Faith can’t stand still. Faith will either grow and strengthen or decline and weaken.
We need to add to our faith . Add to your faith virtue. In addition, add knowledge, self-control, endurance, devotion, affection, love. Like a healthy fruit tree, our faith should grow and bear fruit. (2 Peter 1:5-11)
Later in the epistle of 2 Peter, we have a similar thought: Grow in the faith and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18)
Faith can’t stand still. Faith will either grow and strengthen or decline and weaken.
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catholicray
Guest
I think this is so spot on. While I’m blessed to have had experience it was momentary and is not the norm of my life. I approach Catholicism as the apex teaching for my life and meditate upon it to continually reach for that which is beyond me at times. In the midst of the chaos of ideas available my Catholic faith is the straight line I intend to balance upon or the point (peak) of what I am capable of being. Though I fall far short it’s encouraging to have my potential spelled out in front of me at all times to grow and develop towards. That’s why, though you may not have experienced an oh my God moment with the Church it can still be quite fulfilling and enjoyable to hang on to it. To do so is to hang on to something greater than yourself as opposed to hanging onto something only as great as yourself. That’s my two cents.It’s not about personal experience. It’s about what’s true. The simple, humble faith of the monk is not one of grand impressions or of stirring emotions. It is a simple, confident, consistent “yes” to God.
I don’t believe because of personal experience. I believe because it makes sense. There was a certain point where the faith just made too much sense not to be true. I became convicted by the internal coherency of all of it. If that seems a bit dry or unfeeling, so be it. Better to simply say yes to God than to regret not feeling anything and to say no to him.
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Tolle_Lege
Guest
I have had fleeting feelings like the OP’s at times, sometimes lasting very briefly, others for a week or two. These are always a struggle, and never pleasant. Eventually I come back to the faith.
I do pray during these times, but what truly brings me back is just observing my family, neighbors, and even strangers. Looking at them, knowing that their thoughts and conscience, the innermost desires of their heart are unique to them. Wondering how they felt during their times of trouble, when they were suffering or most lonely. Wanting what is best for them, as one living a Christian life should desire - charity above all. And where does that charity come from, the desire to wish for the best of someone else? For me, it leads back to Christ, always. As we are told by the Lord, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Admittedly, these things, our feelings, are not always easy to understand in our state of imperfection; yet we know that what lasts is love and that “when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.”
So I try to think of those I love most, and what I desire for them when they pass their quite often troublesome and worrying life on this earth, and wish for them the type of love, comfort and peace we have been told awaits them in the arms of the Father. As only then will we understand, as our hope guides us to that everlasting light, why we persevered through our troubles and remained in the faith. “Et mors ultra non erit,” as St. John beautifully teaches us in the ending chapters of Scripture.
It is sometimes necessary to detach from theology and teachings, perhaps even prayer a bit, and focus on love for family and neighbor.
I do pray during these times, but what truly brings me back is just observing my family, neighbors, and even strangers. Looking at them, knowing that their thoughts and conscience, the innermost desires of their heart are unique to them. Wondering how they felt during their times of trouble, when they were suffering or most lonely. Wanting what is best for them, as one living a Christian life should desire - charity above all. And where does that charity come from, the desire to wish for the best of someone else? For me, it leads back to Christ, always. As we are told by the Lord, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Admittedly, these things, our feelings, are not always easy to understand in our state of imperfection; yet we know that what lasts is love and that “when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.”
So I try to think of those I love most, and what I desire for them when they pass their quite often troublesome and worrying life on this earth, and wish for them the type of love, comfort and peace we have been told awaits them in the arms of the Father. As only then will we understand, as our hope guides us to that everlasting light, why we persevered through our troubles and remained in the faith. “Et mors ultra non erit,” as St. John beautifully teaches us in the ending chapters of Scripture.
It is sometimes necessary to detach from theology and teachings, perhaps even prayer a bit, and focus on love for family and neighbor.
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Neithan
Guest
This an assumption that places all the blame on the believer…or struggling believer.
Mostly what you are all saying is that Gods complete silence is an example of God.
I would also dispute that as unfair. Faith is not a technique that, when “done right” elicits peaceful feelings. I also disagree that a lack of feelings is God’s silence. To think that only supernatural wonders is how the divine speaks to us is assuming a very limited kind of god, more like the pagan gods we read about in myths. If that was the kind of divinity our religion was about, we could worship it and adore its awesome powers (even if these were subtle, internal experiences) without the need for faith.All I will say is if others are getting the sense of peace, and you’re not, there must be something you’re not doing right. And leave it at that.
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Vic_Taltrees_UK
Guest
Perhaps you don’t see God in experience because you don’t see you in experience. If your life was doing as expected, and fairly successful.
I (single as yet) recall my young day indulging my gift for intellect (though low “achieving”) and for the aesthetic and for meditation. It gives me a kick that I didn’t think I was inferior when I was helpless, and that I can now go back to developing my gifts.
That isn’t selfish because if I’m really real, I can really be there for others when the system crumbles.
My parents never put me down and the only people who told me God wants to put me down were in some of the churches.
Our family never saw religion as heavy going (that was only groups I joined later). Your sources - though good - have they concentrated on having you “do” faith more than just “be” faith? Which parts of Jesus’ personality don’t you “get” from Scriptures? Perhaps you could raise specific queries about these.
I (single as yet) recall my young day indulging my gift for intellect (though low “achieving”) and for the aesthetic and for meditation. It gives me a kick that I didn’t think I was inferior when I was helpless, and that I can now go back to developing my gifts.
That isn’t selfish because if I’m really real, I can really be there for others when the system crumbles.
My parents never put me down and the only people who told me God wants to put me down were in some of the churches.
Our family never saw religion as heavy going (that was only groups I joined later). Your sources - though good - have they concentrated on having you “do” faith more than just “be” faith? Which parts of Jesus’ personality don’t you “get” from Scriptures? Perhaps you could raise specific queries about these.
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stoplooklisten
Guest
A Checklist For Growing Your FaithI have had fleeting feelings like the OP’s at times, sometimes lasting very briefly, others for a week or two. These are always a struggle, and never pleasant. Eventually I come back to the faith.
- Participate in Mass
- Go to Confession
- Learn about the lives of the saints
- Read the Bible daily
- Read the documents of the Church
- Study the Catechism
- Volunteer in campus ministry
- Invite a friend to Mass
- Incorporate the Beatitudes into daily life
“Back to basics” is well-used and effective strategy for reform and renewal. It’s a good alternative to “giving up”.
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stoplooklisten
Guest
Prayer is another means of growing in faith:
- Pray the Rosary
- Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet
- Pray the Saint Michael Chaplet
- Pray through a good Catholic book or directory of prayers
- Pray through the Scriptures
- Cast your cares upon the Lord because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)
- Seek first the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33)
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stoplooklisten
Guest
At Baptism, we receive seven gifts from the Holy Spirit. These gifts are freely given to us to help us live as followers of Jesus and to build up the Body of Christ, the Church.There are some catholic charismatic groups that are spiritual mature. That operate in the gifts of the spirit. 1 cor.12.
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are sealed and strengthened within us at the Sacrament of Confirmation.
As we grow, the fruits of the Holy Spirit should be expressed through us.
Gifts
- Wisdom
- Understanding
- Counsel
- Fortitude
- Knowledge
- Piety
- Fear of the LORD
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Generosity
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-Control
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Richard_White
Guest
I see what you’re saying. But, I think that Jesus will know that you are trying your best to remain with Him. He will recognize that you haven’t given up and just left the Church altogether but you are continuing to “work out your salvation in fear and trembling. It is God who, for his own generous purpose, gives you the intention and the powers to act” (Philippians 2:12-13).
May God bless you! Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24)
May God bless you! Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24)
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TheLittleLady
Guest
For me the bottom line is my choice. I choose to be a Catholic, not because of emotions or feelings, but, because I have searched and questioned. As far as my reason has pursued the questions, Catholicism has answered each of my intellectual and philosophical doubts.
The additial blessing of emotional and personal connections are there, they may be far away for a little while or for years, that does not change the truth.
The additial blessing of emotional and personal connections are there, they may be far away for a little while or for years, that does not change the truth.
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