Activating Faith

[FuzzyBunny116]

I’ve got…another…problem. My life I was raised Catholic, and have tried to do my best to follow God. I’ve prayed everynight since I don’t know when, and though I cannot admit I find it particularly exciting (I altar serve, though, and find it more enjoyable and less dry then) I go because my earthly father makes me and because I know God wants me to. I’ve read the Bible everynight since the 6th grade (I’m in 9th), though instead have started reading Lives of the Saints in order to look at saints to confirm to. Lately, I’ve been trying to get into my faith even more-I read Karl Keating’s Catholism and Fundamentalism and since I’ve found these boards (a few days ago) I’ve been spending quite a bit of time on here, as well as looking up doctrine, etc. Something doesn’t feel right, though. I don’t feel the “spiritualness” that I feel I should. I perhaps wonder if I’m getting too much into the doctrines etc and perhaps less thinking about God himself. I guess I’m just wondering how I should try to get myself back into that “spirituality” and true love for God. I know what it’s like to be on a “spiritual high” and it’s something that I’d like to be on. It feels like I’m trying to find Him, but can’t, so I must be doing something wrong.

If anyone understands what I mean by this (I look back on it and realize it’s rather hard to understand, I think.) I would really appreciate any help or even prayers to aid me in this.

 

[LBNA]

Try reading some of C.S.Lewisbooks ive found them great for putting things like that into different perspectives great stuff!

 

[snowman10]

Hi FuzzyBunny,

I am a Methodist-soon-to-be-Catholic…within a year I hope…and I know exaclty what you mean. I grew up this Bible-thumping Evangelical and I thought I had more spirituality than most. But then after alot of family problems, I stopped believing in God. When I started believing again I went back to the Methodist church and found that my spirituality was gone because I realized there was something missing, the Truth. Its doctirines were so liberal. Fast forward a few years and here I am embracing Catholicism.

When I first began to look into Catholicism I read, and read, and read, and watched EWTN, and read some more. I did this while I went to Mass, and I found as that the more I read the more the Mass made sense, but I was so consumed by beliefs and doctirines that I forgot God. Thats when you have to slow down and start praying and focus on the Mass, not just beliefs and doctirines.

Don’t think that you have to learn everything right now. Take your time. The Catholic church is the true church and you have a lifetime to learn. Make sure you know the basics and add onto that.

 

[MistyF]

FuzzyBunny116:

I don’t feel the “spiritualness” that I feel I should. I perhaps wonder if I’m getting too much into the doctrines etc and perhaps less thinking about God himself. I guess I’m just wondering how I should try to get myself back into that “spirituality” and true love for God. I know what it’s like to be on a “spiritual high” and it’s something that I’d like to be on. It feels like I’m trying to find Him, but can’t, so I must be doing something wrong.

To the contrary! I think you are doing something quite right! You recognize that there is something more you need to do, you just don’t know what that something is, yet. I think that your desire to love God is very commendable. Don’t get down over this, instead, continue to pray - from your heart, for guidance. And talk to people that will understand your faith, and help you stay strong. Your father may be a good person to talk to, or someone from your parish, and maybe you’ll meet people on here that you can talk to one-on-one.

The other thing you should do is give yourself a pat on the back, because you are on the right path. :clapping:

 

[Callie]

Hi Fuzzy Bunny,

Have you ever read the Father Walter J. Ciszek, S.J books.? They are about his life as a Catholic priest in Soviet Russia. As a young man he followed the vocation God gave him, but on his own terms. When he was in the worst of Communist Russians prisons, he discovered what is perhaps the truth to real spirituality. To live in the present. To accept where you are right now is God’s Will for you. And God’s Will is what we need to embrace. When we recite the Our Father we say “Thy kingdom come, Thy Will be Done.”

You might want to ponder these words. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church on prayer, especially the Our Father.

Father Ciszek wrote 2 books. One: “With God in Russia” which I consider his outward story. “He Leadth Me” is his spiritual journey, his real eye opener. I will pray for you. God bless you. And may Mary keep you. Callie

 

[FuzzyBunny116]

Thank you all for your responses! I will think about them and take them to heart; in the meantime I am still anxious to hear what others have to say.

 

[Mike_Olson]

Welcome to the forums Fuzzy. About the “high”, you won’t feel it all the time. Rest assured that God is still with you; more so in your time of need. Know that the love God has for you is pure and he will never let you down. You can get caught up in the Churches doctrines “politics” I call them, I find that when you get to caught up in them, stop and pick up your bible. Read the gospels, our Lord’s words always comfort me. He brings things into perspective. At least it does for me. Pray for guidance and the peace of the Lord. This works for me almost always. Christ will never let you down. You are in my prayers.

Peace of the Lord be with you.