Faith Funk

[Drew518]

I don’t really know what’s going on, but I feel like I’ve been in a faith funk, so to speak, the last two weeks. I read the daily reading on an app on my tablet every morning. I say the Rosary every day and I’m at Adoration every week. So I figure I should have a stronger passion for faith, but it seems to have simmered down. I know faith is more than feelings, but still. I’ll admit, I have been a little bit down recently. Start of another summer pretty much by myself brings back some bad memories. I’ll also admit I’ve been having other things on my mind. Going to movies more, working to lose 50 pounds, wanting to travel and do more things.

I’m sure God wants me to be happy and active like I used to be. But I don’t want to fly off the rails into bad habits and not having God my top priority. I can already see some warning signs, and I’m trying to avoid them. Any advice on how to get out of this funk and keep a healthy balance?

 

[chefmomster2]

I think we all suffer from dry spells from time to time. It may be a temptation to neglect our duties. It may be depression which tends to bring our focus to our own life history and pain. It may be a way God quiets our prayers in order to open our ears and hearts to listen.

I suggest that you continue your faith practices, even if they feel mechanical. But, it wouldn’t hurt to change things up a bit. Find other avenues to increase your faith- things that you may not have done before. Sometimes the newness helps. Read some Church history, read about the Fathers of the Church, research a topic you have a particular interest in understanding better, or find new prayers or devotions to try. I have had newfound devotion after taking classes offered in my parish.

Remember, this too shall pass! Keep the faith and wait patiently for your renewal. God may have something he’s trying to tell you!

 

[mountee]

You are experiencing something temporary that all of us have from time to time. A few years ago I was reading the post of John-Paul who operates the site PrayMoreNovenas.com and he had some phrases which I have incorporated into my life and use regularly. These phrases have help me through faith funks such as yours and I hope you will try saying them to help you through the dry periods.

Jesus, I love you help me love you more.
Jesus, I believe in you help me believe more.
Jesus, I trust you help me trust you more.
Jesus, I need you help me need you more.

 

[Joe_5859]

It’s natural to have an emotional “drop-off” from that spiritual high that often accompanies the ignition of the fire of faith in our hearts.

As Chefmomster said, it is important to keep praying, even through those times where it feels “mechanical” – as though you are just going through the motions.

As for bad habits rearing their ugly head, I think that changing things up here is also helpful. It is easy to fall back into old patterns of sin when we resume old patterns of dailiy living. So don’t go back to those old patterns. Mix things up. Rearrange your furniture. Go to a different place for coffee every morning (that’s just an example, of course). Switch up whatever elements of routine make you feel like it could lead you to backslide.

Keep praying. That’s the most important thing. I cannot guarantee that those good feelings will come back on some set timeline. They may never come back – at least with the same intensity they once had. But perseverance in prayer will lead to joy.

 

[tawny]

I don’t really know what’s going on, but I feel like I’ve been in a faith funk, so to speak, the last two weeks. I read the daily reading on an app on my tablet every morning. I say the Rosary every day and I’m at Adoration every week. So I figure I should have a stronger passion for faith, but it seems to have simmered down. I know faith is more than feelings, but still. I’ll admit, I have been a little bit down recently. Start of another summer pretty much by myself brings back some bad memories. I’ll also admit I’ve been having other things on my mind. Going to movies more, working to lose 50 pounds, wanting to travel and do more things.

I’m sure God wants me to be happy and active like I used to be. But I don’t want to fly off the rails into bad habits and not having God my top priority. I can already see some warning signs, and I’m trying to avoid them. Any advice on how to get out of this funk and keep a healthy balance?

Praying to the Holy Spirit to give you guidance, direction, strength & fortitude in your time of need.