Having trouble "feeling" my faith- help?

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Hi everyone! My name’s Leanne and I am currently in RCIA to be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion this Easter Vigil. One week! I have found that my beliefs are in line with those of the Church, and I am undoubtedly ready to enter next Saturday. However, something that I’ve realized about myself in this time of preparation is that my mindset toward the faith is very logical, but not so much emotional. The exact same is true for my academic and social life. I am a very scientific, visual, and proof-seeking person.

I hope I can explain this well. For example, I do believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus. It’s logically evident from Scripture that Christ’s intention was for us to receive Him in Holy Communion. However, I do not feel emotionally tied to this belief. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually received it yet, maybe it’s my lack of Baptism, maybe it’s my almost entirely logical mindset. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but in reading about the saints and their never-failing devotion to the faith, I feel a little… inadequate. The same thing happens when I’m at Mass. I go to a Newman Center at my college and the other students there seem to not only BELIEVE in God like I do, but they also FEEL God there. I try so hard to not judge my own faith based on someone else’s, but I wonder why I can’t seem to feel the things my peers do.

It’s entirely possible that I am not giving myself enough credit. Additionally, I started my faith journey at an Evangelical Christian fellowship youth group and Bible Camp, where it was definitely made clear that a lack of charisma equaled a lack of faith in their eyes. That may also have had something to do with this current situation. Regardless of the cause, I would like to know if anyone is feeling or has felt the same way, or if anyone has any advice. I definitely try to remember that this just may be the way I was created and it’s not something that necessarily needs fixing- I’m just so confused. Thank you in advance! 🙂
 
You should be careful with emotions. They can be so easily stirred up and not quite so easily controlled. Satan is very real, and the easiest things he can control are our emotions. If we allow our faith to be driven by emotion, then we will not be able to survive the “hard times” when the emotion often disappears.

Jesus wants us to love Him with our entire mind, which is not necessarily an emotion, but a knowledge of His divinity and His love, and a desire to give everything we have to Him. That doesn’t mean you will not feel emotion, but rather that it is not necessary to have it. I am pretty sure, though, that some day you will feel some sort of strong emotion for God, but the logical foundation is a prerequisite. Just give it time, if it is God’s will, then it will happen.
 
Thank you very much for that post PeaceSerenity. It was absolutely and extremely helpful beyond what I could communicate to you.
 
I’m not “feeling it” right now, either. But I do believe.
 
What you feel and reality may or may not be related.

While it is very nice to have some sort of interior feeling to confirm your faith, it is not absolutely necessary, and a lack of it does not make you less a faithful Christian.

Many of the Saints experienced periods where they felt out of touch with God, spiritually dry, or interiorly empty, some for many years. St. John of the Cross wrote about it in The Long Dark Night of the Soul, which is well worth the reading. Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote about it in her diaries. And while St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had many visions of Christ and His Sacred Heart, she sometimes doubted her own visions and worried she was being deceived. St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) also experienced this at the end of her life. Even the Lord himself shared this experience. We can see it in the Agony of the Garden and when He proclaimed “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” from the cross (a quote from the Psalms of David).

St. Thomas Aquinas shared your love of reason and the intellectual approach to faith, also. So you are in good company in this experience!

Something else it may be helpful to understand is that this process of RCIA and being received into Communion with the Church is only the first step of a life long journey. Conversion is not a one time event or a year long class. It is a life time effort to seek the truth and the will of God! You will continue growing in faith and love for God. You will never find you have learned and experienced all there is to being a Catholic Christian.

May God bless you as you are baptized, receive the Eucharist for the first time, and are confirmed! This is my 5th Easter as a Catholic, and I am still loving every minute of it and learning new things all the time.
 
I’m a very visual person; what helps me feel God’s presence is the evidence he has left for our eyes. Here in Texas, the trees are leafing out and it’s a good time to be alive.

But any time of year (even in Texas summer, when it seems that Satan is in control of the thermostat) you can look to the skies. I page through the photos on the Astronomy Photo of the Day website (apod.nasa.gov/apod/) and simply stare in awe at God’s creation.

How could anyone see this photo and not be astounded?
apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100325.html
 
although the good emotions we get from religion are good feelings, that doesn’t mean they are working in your favor, God doesn’t test us on our emotions and feelings, He tests us on our actions and motives, “do you love Me for Who I Am? or do you only love the consolations you get from Me?”
good feelings such as what you describe can be more burdensome while you are still developing in your faith, you don’t want to get attached to those feelings so much that when God takes them away you get upset and confused, which i see so often,

learning to love God will come as you learn about Him, as we are told “to know Him is to love Him”(not necessarily a religious quote, but it fits 😛 )
love is not a feeling, although feelings may come with it, but you know you love someone by what you are willing to go through for them, what you are willing to suffer for them(like how Jesus suffered for us)

well, i would say that these “feelings” people are so attached to which you seem to have a lack for, can really be compared to infatuation, although i won’t question someones true love for God, but when we are caught up in the emotions like that, we really don’t see things as clearly, i’ve talked to the gushy emotional types, and i find that most of them are rather ignorant in their faith, although they may be very good and nice people, and they sure can fire you up with the love of God, but it doesn’t go much deeper then that,
of course that’s not everybody, but in my experience that’s how it’s been,

i think you are on the right track, it’s good to look at things from a logical point of view, or like St. Don Bosco put it, by reason and religion,
God does not ask us to follow blindly, He has always given us good reason to believe, and that is what faith is, although it’s believing without seeing, but it’s also believing by reason, and i’m sure that as long as you stick to your guns, and always make sure to seek Gods help first in everything, then you will never be left without the answers you’re searching for,

you may want the good feelings(or not), but believe me, it’s easier without them, feelings come and go, but our love for God, when it is a true love, is unshakable, and there is no greater peace and joy then what we have when we give ourselves entirely to God,
i’ve seen the emotional types, and i’ve seen the really peaceful joyous types…there’s a BIG difference, you just feel so much more attracted to the peaceful joyous ones, there’s just an aura about them…a force, i don’t know how to explain it, they just draw you to them and to God, it’s as if their peace emanates from them into you,

anyways, in regards to the saints, don’t be fooled, keep reading about them and you will see that they had their moments(many many moments) of spiritual dryness, which God did on purpose to test them, like i mentioned before, “do you love Me? or these feelings?”
God may give you consolations(which i’m pretty sure are different from these gushy emotions you described), because He does love you very much and does want you to be happy, but He also knows what’s best for you and what will help you best to grow in your spiritual life and your love for Him, so in everything we must always thank God and be assured that whatever happens is for the best and done out of His wisdom and complete and unmeasurable love for us.

well, i think i said more then enough, so i’m just gunna make a few book recommendations, and i’ll be off -
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/147
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/697
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/278
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/254
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/218
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/113
tanbooks.com/index.php/page/shop:flypage/product_id/192
leafletonline.com/catalog/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid={9690cee6-7af7-4937-8efd-8b7b0f9c7b4f}&pname=MEDITATIONS+FOR+LENT&Referer=QUICK_SEARCH&Alias=meditations%20for%20lent&ptct=BS-SR&CTitle=&
directionforourtimes.com/onlinevolumes.html
directionforourtimes.com/onlinelibrary.html

ok, hope this helps you, tc.
 
lemonadish said:
Hi everyone! My name’s Leanne and I am currently in RCIA to be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion this Easter Vigil. One week! I have found that my beliefs are in line with those of the Church, and I am undoubtedly ready to enter next Saturday. However, something that I’ve realized about myself in this time of preparation is that my mindset toward the faith is very logical, but not so much emotional. The exact same is true for my academic and social life. I am a very scientific, visual, and proof-seeking person.

I hope I can explain this well. For example, I do believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus. It’s logically evident from Scripture that Christ’s intention was for us to receive Him in Holy Communion. However, I do not feel emotionally tied to this belief. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually received it yet, maybe it’s my lack of Baptism, maybe it’s my almost entirely logical mindset. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but in reading about the saints and their never-failing devotion to the faith, I feel a little… inadequate. The same thing happens when I’m at Mass. I go to a Newman Center at my college and the other students there seem to not only BELIEVE in God like I do, but they also FEEL God there. I try so hard to not judge my own faith based on someone else’s, but I wonder why I can’t seem to feel the things my peers do.

It’s entirely possible that I am not giving myself enough credit. Additionally, I started my faith journey at an Evangelical Christian fellowship youth group and Bible Camp, where it was definitely made clear that a lack of charisma equaled a lack of faith in their eyes. That may also have had something to do with this current situation. Regardless of the cause, I would like to know if anyone is feeling or has felt the same way, or if anyone has any advice. I definitely try to remember that this just may be the way I was created and it’s not something that necessarily needs fixing- I’m just so confused. Thank you in advance! 🙂
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My dear friend

You have no problem here. It is your conditioning with the Evangelicals you were in touch with. How you feel has nothing to do with your faith. Faith is not a feeling or an emotion. We may feel like we have strong faith or enjoy spiritual things and think we have strong faith and we may falsely think we have to always be enthusiastic and feel the consolation of God to know we have faith. True faith perseveres through all trials, through all ups and downs, and true faith is tested and purified by God with aridties and trials where we feel nothing often to help us grow a stronger faith. Music and singing might have given you a nice feeling before. But this is not faith its just emotions and feelings. As a catholic if you want something similiar to before look at the catholic charismatic movement later perhaps. There is a very big misconception that you have to feel your faith and feel good in order to have good faith from people with your bachground. It is not so.

Can I suggest you read the book of Job to see how God tests our faith? It’s a great example, even if extreme. See how Job perseveres. you read it. You’ll see. Job went through the dark night of the soul and after the most severe trials in this you’ll see what happens. It’s a great lesson from the bible about faith and perseverance in it even if we think God has abandoned us or we have no faith due to feelings, emotions or even worse trials that come our way.

I hope this helps. You have nothing to worry about.

Love is an act of the will. We love God by doing His will not by feeling all lovey or warm. Nothing wrong with that but it will come and go like it does with faith.

Read Job and welcome to the church in advance. Congratulations. Your joining the largest family of all - Gods family:thumbsup:🙂

John
 
If you described yourself any differently in your situation I would say that you were abnormal!

You are just starting out on the Christian journey, and you just need some time to find an approach to God which harmonizes with the “you” that He created you to be. As Benedict J. Groeschel explains in his book on the psychology of spiritual development:
What do we, the spiritually motivated, seek? A study of people interested in the spiritual life, whether they are the saints or still struggling to be holy, reveals that they are very different. Father Elmer O’Brien in his Varieties of Mystical Experience reached the conclusion that mystics are very different from one another. When Christians who are engaged in a serious struggle reveal their experiences to others, it becomes obvious that there are profoundly subjective differences in the way they hear the call of God and in their response. This diversity reflects the divine immensity and is a rich source of meditation. It demonstrates, as William James pointed out, the uniqueness of the individual.
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We are created with a capacity to seek and find God, to be the living stones of his Church, to be the finite creature in a direct relationship with the Infinite. In each instance the uniqueness of the individual is preserved. As Von Hugel emphasizes in his monumental study of the mystical element of religion, "The mystery of the spiritual life is ultimately seen as unity in unimaginable diversity.
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And as C.S. Lewis says in his book, The Problem of Pain:
…But it is also said, ‘To him that overcometh I will give a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it’ [Rev. 2:17]. What can be more a man’s own that this new name which even in eternity remains a secret between God and him? And what shall we take this secrecy to mean? Surely, that each of the redeemed shall forever know and praise some one aspect of the Divine beauty better than any other creature can. Why else were individuals created, but that God, loving all infinitely, should love each differently? And this difference, so far from impairing, floods with meaning the love of all blessed creatures for one another, the communion of saints.
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If all experienced God in the same way and returned Him an identical worship, the song of the Church triumphant would have no symphony, it would be like an orchestra in which all the instruments played the same note. Aristotle has told us that a city is a unity of unlikes, and St. Paul that a body is a unity of different members. Heaven is a city, and a Body, because the blessed remain eternally different: a society, because each has something to tell all the others- fresh and ever fresh news of the ‘My God’ whom each finds in Him whom all praise as ‘Our God.’ For doubtless the continually successful, yet never complete, attempt by each soul to communicate its unique vision to all others is also among the ends for which the individual was created.
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That aside, you should also realize that you have yet to receive any sacrament, which are the primary means by which God’s graces come into our lives. There is an unfathomable new universe you are just now stepping into, and it will take more than this lifetime to even begin to take it all in. The more you learn and live your faith the more natural and fruitful it will feel.

But also be aware that, as others have pointed out, that feeling a spiritual “high” is not the primary way in which God speaks to us. There is a time and place for it, because it is a gift from God, but higher levels of the spiritual life have no room for it. Eventually we must have all selfishness burned away and desire God through an act of will, not because he is giving us a spiritual high. It helps to compare it to human relationships. We all know that young couples have fiery emotions and butterflies in their stomachs whenever they’re around each other. But later in life those feelings go away and are replaced by a more quiet, profound, and transcendental love. Old couples know that they love each other more than when they were “young fools in love” even though the raw emotions aren’t there.

So don’t get discouraged, because you are exactly where you could be expected to be right now. Your lifelong relationship with Christ is just beginning, and you should be very anxious to find out where it will take you! I’ll be praying for you. 👍
 
Also, as an intellectually-minded person, one thing you can offer to the community of believers is a more solid foundation for your faith. A lot of people are drawn to religion because it offers them comfort or because they connect well with that particular community of believers and style of worship. But those types are people can be easily shaken by encounters with evil and pain that inevitably occur in any religion. Right now the Church is undergoing a terrible time with the sex-abuse scandal, and the fact that our spiritual leaders have failed so badly to be good role models is shaking the faith of a lot of believers. Some people are just so drawn to God and religion as a source of goodness and love that when someone who they identify with that religion does something to hurt them and break their trust, they don’t know what to do. They experience a sort of stunned disillusionment.

But as a seeker of the truth, you approach religion in a more logical manner. You may be troubled by hard times in the Church or in your religious community, but your appreciation for the truth whether it hurts or not supports you in times of trial. The greater danger for you is not that you will turn aside in your journey, but that you will tarry along the way. It is easy for the intellectually-minded to get distracted and bogged down in ever increasingly sophisticated speculation on philosophical and theological matters, all the while ignoring the simple truth of God’s love to which He is calling us. It is in this way that the more emotionally focused believers can help ignite our simple desire to love God in his beauty and goodness.

We all have something to offer one another. 🙂
 
lemonadish said:
Hi everyone! My name’s Leanne and I am currently in RCIA to be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion this Easter Vigil. One week! I have found that my beliefs are in line with those of the Church, and I am undoubtedly ready to enter next Saturday. However, something that I’ve realized about myself in this time of preparation is that my mindset toward the faith is very logical, but not so much emotional. The exact same is true for my academic and social life. I am a very scientific, visual, and proof-seeking person.

I hope I can explain this well. For example, I do believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus. It’s logically evident from Scripture that Christ’s intention was for us to receive Him in Holy Communion. However, I do not feel emotionally tied to this belief. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually received it yet, maybe it’s my lack of Baptism, maybe it’s my almost entirely logical mindset. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but in reading about the saints and their never-failing devotion to the faith, I feel a little… inadequate. The same thing happens when I’m at Mass. I go to a Newman Center at my college and the other students there seem to not only BELIEVE in God like I do, but they also FEEL God there. I try so hard to not judge my own faith based on someone else’s, but I wonder why I can’t seem to feel the things my peers do.

It’s entirely possible that I am not giving myself enough credit. Additionally, I started my faith journey at an Evangelical Christian fellowship youth group and Bible Camp, where it was definitely made clear that a lack of charisma equaled a lack of faith in their eyes. That may also have had something to do with this current situation. Regardless of the cause, I would like to know if anyone is feeling or has felt the same way, or if anyone has any advice. I definitely try to remember that this just may be the way I was created and it’s not something that necessarily needs fixing- I’m just so confused. Thank you in advance! 🙂
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2 thoughts come to my mind reading your posts.
  1. Satan is not pleased with the path you are on and will do anything to try and discourage and trouble you.
  2. Because you haven’t been baptized yet, you haven’t fully enjoyed the grace that comes with having the Holy Spirit enter your life. If you are open to all of that and remain faithful to the sacraments, you will experience an infusion of enlightment as you continue in your life journey. Dont misunderstand me. Im not taking about “ta-da” super powerful experiences, but there IS a notable difference. And being that you tend to more of a logical and reasoned approach to life, you will notice it. It’s not about feeling, but an illumination.
Hard to explain. Im sure others know what I am talking about.

The important thing to remember is to always be keep an open mind, even if you find you have doubts, questions or are even skeptical. Even the apostles went thru that.

Just dont close yourself off or shut down. Keep an open mind. 🙂
 
lemonadish said:
Hi everyone! My name’s Leanne and I am currently in RCIA to be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion this Easter Vigil. One week! I have found that my beliefs are in line with those of the Church, and I am undoubtedly ready to enter next Saturday. However, something that I’ve realized about myself in this time of preparation is that my mindset toward the faith is very logical, but not so much emotional. The exact same is true for my academic and social life. I am a very scientific, visual, and proof-seeking person.

I hope I can explain this well. For example, I do believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus. It’s logically evident from Scripture that Christ’s intention was for us to receive Him in Holy Communion. However, I do not feel emotionally tied to this belief. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually received it yet, maybe it’s my lack of Baptism, maybe it’s my almost entirely logical mindset. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but in reading about the saints and their never-failing devotion to the faith, I feel a little… inadequate. The same thing happens when I’m at Mass. I go to a Newman Center at my college and the other students there seem to not only BELIEVE in God like I do, but they also FEEL God there. I try so hard to not judge my own faith based on someone else’s, but I wonder why I can’t seem to feel the things my peers do.

It’s entirely possible that I am not giving myself enough credit. Additionally, I started my faith journey at an Evangelical Christian fellowship youth group and Bible Camp, where it was definitely made clear that a lack of charisma equaled a lack of faith in their eyes. That may also have had something to do with this current situation. Regardless of the cause, I would like to know if anyone is feeling or has felt the same way, or if anyone has any advice. I definitely try to remember that this just may be the way I was created and it’s not something that necessarily needs fixing- I’m just so confused. Thank you in advance! 🙂
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Hi Leanne and Welcome!

Don’t worry at all - just continue your catechesis/formation (lifelong process), and the more you come to know God, the more you will recognize him in every little part of your life.

Here is a link to a great free/online book that can really open the faith up for you: familyland.be/mercy/68-alone-with-god.html

-G
 
Wow! Thank you so very much, to everyone, for your replies. They’ve all been so helpful and I’m overwhelmed by how much all of your words speak to me and my situation 🙂
 
lemonadish said:
Hi everyone! My name’s Leanne and I am currently in RCIA to be baptized, confirmed, and receive Holy Communion this Easter Vigil. One week! I have found that my beliefs are in line with those of the Church, and I am undoubtedly ready to enter next Saturday. However, something that I’ve realized about myself in this time of preparation is that my mindset toward the faith is very logical, but not so much emotional. The exact same is true for my academic and social life. I am a very scientific, visual, and proof-seeking person.

I hope I can explain this well. For example, I do believe that the Blessed Sacrament is the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus. It’s logically evident from Scripture that Christ’s intention was for us to receive Him in Holy Communion. However, I do not feel emotionally tied to this belief. Maybe it’s because I haven’t actually received it yet, maybe it’s my lack of Baptism, maybe it’s my almost entirely logical mindset. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but in reading about the saints and their never-failing devotion to the faith, I feel a little… inadequate. The same thing happens when I’m at Mass. I go to a Newman Center at my college and the other students there seem to not only BELIEVE in God like I do, but they also FEEL God there. I try so hard to not judge my own faith based on someone else’s, but I wonder why I can’t seem to feel the things my peers do.

It’s entirely possible that I am not giving myself enough credit. Additionally, I started my faith journey at an Evangelical Christian fellowship youth group and Bible Camp, where it was definitely made clear that a lack of charisma equaled a lack of faith in their eyes. That may also have had something to do with this current situation. Regardless of the cause, I would like to know if anyone is feeling or has felt the same way, or if anyone has any advice. I definitely try to remember that this just may be the way I was created and it’s not something that necessarily needs fixing- I’m just so confused. Thank you in advance! 🙂
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Do not worry…

Faith does not require feelings. 🙂

In fact do not look for feelings in this or other aspects of life.

This the nature of feelings that if one tends to focus on them…they leave …

Feelings also are rather unpredictable.

Do not grow ingrown eyeballs…but look outward.

Love even is not necessarily something one feels…it can happen…but it need not.
I can say I love you to my wife but not feel it at the moment…or even be in pain with a headache…but this does not mean I do not love her…

This is one area in life where one sees that it is in losing oneself that one finds oneself…

forget yourself…forget if you have or do not have feelings…rather just look to Christ…enter into the events that are now unfolding this week…not looking for feelings or at yourself…but at Christ.

of course if feelings do come…live them …but again looking at Christ or whatever event you are engaged in…

for feelings come …when they come…in response to some value etc…and if you take your eyes off that value etc and look for or too much at your feelings…one is no longer looking at the source…etc

so forget yourself…know that feelings are not needed as part of faith…but at the same time …keep your heart open…give yourself to Christ and engage the events…not as a spectator but enter them.
 
Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians says:
*
we walk by faith, not by sight.*

one could expand this to say too …we walk by faith…not by feelings for feelings are not always present…
 
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