Dealing with doubt

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So how do all of you deal with doubts you have about God? I try my best not to have doubts. I truly believe in the Roman Catholic faith. But I tend to have so many anxieties. Often at night, or whenever it’s quiet and I have time to think, I can’t keep doubts from forming in my mind. About God, existence, salvation, all kinds of things. I get awfully panicked and fearful over nothing, really. I just don’t know how to address the issue. What do you all think?
 
Start reading the writings of the saints. Also consider reading the writings of Pope Benedict.
 
I know what you mean OP. Some people say they never doubt their faith, and while I admire that, I don’t understand it. When I look at a child with cancer, when I think about the holocaust-yeah, I sometimes doubt the existence of God/the Church/etc. I think it’s a normal process of growing in faith for people like us.

There really is no answer, I guess. Whenever I have my periods of doubt, I try to remember why I believe in the Church/God, etc. It’s not foolproof, but it often works.

Your in my prayers.
 
It’s important to remember, as people here have said, that this is natural. I always find St. John of the Cross to be encouraging during times of doubt. Also, if you have not read The Cloud of Unknowing, I strongly recommend that as well. A daily meditation regimen will help these feelings pass. I would suggest embracing these feelings, let them run their course in your mind, and you will find them easier to let go of.

Namaste.
 
Doubts are part of the normal journey of faith, otherwise we have certainty, which is the stuff of saints!

And faith can be at odds with certainty - for instance, I have no doubts over the Eucharistic Presence that I am aware of - none! But when I look at the star-laden sky, I wonder how can God be even bigger than that! Oh, and as for the concept of Eternity…
 
It could be an attack by the evil ones.

Get enrolled in the scapular and wear a blessed miraculous medal/St. Benedict medal
 
Have you read the Five Ways from Thomas Aquinas? They have helped me greatly and although it almost leaves one with more questions than answers you can come to the understanding that there must be a Being outside of us et hoc dicimus Deum, and this we call God.

God bless
 
philial said:
Doubts are part of the normal journey of faith, otherwise we have certainty, which is the stuff of saints!

And faith can be at odds with certainty - for instance, I have no doubts over the Eucharistic Presence that I am aware of - none! But when I look at the star-laden sky, I wonder how can God be even bigger than that! Oh, and as for the concept of Eternity…
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Eternity is not time without end. It is the absence of time. Time is the measure of change. If there is no change, there is no time. God lives in the eternal NOW, where we will be one day.
 
OxygenMan said:
So how do all of you deal with doubts you have about God? I try my best not to have doubts. I truly believe in the Roman Catholic faith. But I tend to have so many anxieties. Often at night, or whenever it’s quiet and I have time to think, I can’t keep doubts from forming in my mind. About God, existence, salvation, all kinds of things. I get awfully panicked and fearful over nothing, really. I just don’t know how to address the issue. What do you all think?
Click to expand...
I had a period of doubt aggravated by my anxiety last month.

I returned to Catholic faith last year after being an agnostic.

Here’s how I got over this period of doubt:
  1. Despite what the secular world claims, the Catholic Church has a great intellectual tradition which rationally demonstrates how it’s doctrines are true - just think about St. Irenaeus, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, Blessed John Henry Newman, Blessed John Paul II. I decided to familiarize myself with these people, their writings and their arguments. One person whom I highly recommend you take a look at is Fr. Robert Barron. He’s a theology professor out of Chicago who does alot of youtube videos on belief. His channel is here.
  2. Even if you’re wrong about Catholicism (which you’re not), you can’t live your life run by anxiety. It’s better to be wrong than to live your life in fear and worrying about your every move because of anxiety.
  3. Finally, I decided I had to just live my life as though the anxiety wasn’t there. Eventually, as I went through my daily routine, the anxiety just died away.
It sometimes comes back, but I just remember these three things and it doesn’t last long anymore.

Anyway, I hope I’ve been a source of help for you. Have a blessed Advent and a merry Christmas season! 👍
 
Jim_Dandy said:
Eternity is not time without end. It is the absence of time. Time is the measure of change. If there is no change, there is no time. God lives in the eternal NOW, where we will be one day.
Click to expand...
Exactly!
 
Thank you all for the suggestions, encouragement, and literature recommendations. I must admit, it is good to see that I am not the only one who experiences these feelings. Some of you mentioned that doubt can be a healthy step in spiritual growth. That does make sense. The literature of the Church is always comforting, I’ll have to give the ones you have mentioned a read.
 
Doubt is normal and natural. In fact, good things can come from doubt. You can try to find answers to your doubts and reasons to believe, which will further grow your faith.
 
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