How do we live with doubt?
Doubts often mean that your faith is growing.
They can mean that your faith is moving beyond rules and certainty into a more grown-up phase - where the messiness and 'tough stuff' of life challenges our understandings of God. The doubts we have are an opportunity to deepen and strengthen the faith we already have.
Doubts often mean that your faith is growing.
They can mean that your faith is moving beyond rules and certainty into a more grown-up phase - where the messiness and 'tough stuff' of life challenges our understandings of God. The doubts we have are an opportunity to deepen and strengthen the faith we already have.
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in this unit By Modvector@shutterstock.com
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Earlier in this unit we mentioned some well known people
in our faith who have lived with doubts
and have still been able to live holy lives.
Believing in God doesn't mean that our life will be easy.
Just loving someone when it is easy or convenient
is not a sign of real love.
It is choosing to make the effort even
when it is hard and feels pointless.
Are you willing to literally
"waste time with God"!!
in our faith who have lived with doubts
and have still been able to live holy lives.
Believing in God doesn't mean that our life will be easy.
Just loving someone when it is easy or convenient
is not a sign of real love.
It is choosing to make the effort even
when it is hard and feels pointless.
Are you willing to literally
"waste time with God"!!
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By Antonio Guillem@shutterstock.com
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As Catholics we can call on the communion of saints for help just as St. Thérèse of Liseux did when she prayed
“I beg the Blessed Virgin. . . and the saints to conduct a magnificent concert. . . because I myself can find no words for God.” She learned what the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal had said that .. “The desire to pray is prayer.”
“I beg the Blessed Virgin. . . and the saints to conduct a magnificent concert. . . because I myself can find no words for God.” She learned what the French philosopher, Blaise Pascal had said that .. “The desire to pray is prayer.”
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Mother Theresa teaches us that at times you just have to get on with it. She writes to her spiritual director in 1979:
“. . . the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, – listen and do not hear – the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak. . . I want you to pray for me –
that I let God have [a] free hand.”
“. . . the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see, – listen and do not hear – the tongue moves [in prayer] but does not speak. . . I want you to pray for me –
that I let God have [a] free hand.”
By Mia Stendal
Twenty years earlier, Mother Theresa also shared how hopeless she felt when she wrote these words,
“I utter words of Community prayers – and try my utmost to get out of every word the sweetness it has to give – But my prayer of union is not there any longer – I no longer pray.”
Despite her doubts Mother Theresa just got on with it and lived her faith even though she didn't always feel it!
What an amazing role model for us!
“I utter words of Community prayers – and try my utmost to get out of every word the sweetness it has to give – But my prayer of union is not there any longer – I no longer pray.”
Despite her doubts Mother Theresa just got on with it and lived her faith even though she didn't always feel it!
What an amazing role model for us!
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Pope Francis talks about this in the following video clip.
The final word belongs to Jesus in the story of Thomas who was struggling with doubt. Jesus says, "Peace be with you!"
Jesus knows that it's tough.
He does not judge us, he does not want us to feel bad ...
he just wants us to be at peace with how it is.
Jesus wants us to know that he walks with us
and he wants us to reach out in faith and search for the truth.
"Reach out your hand and put it in my side."
Jesus knows that it's tough.
He does not judge us, he does not want us to feel bad ...
he just wants us to be at peace with how it is.
Jesus wants us to know that he walks with us
and he wants us to reach out in faith and search for the truth.
"Reach out your hand and put it in my side."
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This video below is a wonderful example of someone who has committed their life to sharing the Good News, but who acknowledges that at times it is hard work, and feels like it doesn't make a difference!
Below are some extra resources on what faith is and a worship song about what we do believe in.
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