How to find your way back to your faith

[pingu777]

I am not overly religious, but I am a Christian, and I do believe in God and his teachings and in particular his plan for us. Whether it's fate, or destiny, or God's will, I think we are in the right place and time to follow our paths.

Just recently, my relationship has broken down, I feel very lost and all of the plan I saw ahead of me has been turned on it's head. And, of course, it's very painful. I've not been able to turn to God as I feel I've lost my faith a little. I think we all have wavers like this when we have a particularly challenging time and it's hard to see what He's trying to teach us.

Can anyone share how they've managed to find their way back to their faith at times like these?

Thanks

[ZenNudist]

Im sorry you are having a hard time. God loves you and wants the best for you.

I dont think you can assume the relationship you were in was His Plan, or what He wanted for you. Is that what you thought before and now its turned out not to be the case you feel let down by God?

You've made me think now, because I have never considered our lives to be mapped out for us by God. I think opportunities happen, choices have to be made, evil or inertia plays a part sometimes as well as chances to do good in the world. If anything I think God is more there to help us along when life is not going to plan, just as much as He travels with us when the going is good.

Still you're right that faith comes and goes. Whats important is to keep reaching out and trusting in God. Prayer will help. I've said one for you. I hope you can overcome your hurt with God's support and that He will give you the strength you need to move on and find joy in the next chapter of your life.

We were singing "one more step" at church today. A school hymn, I know! But it's about life's journey: "As I travel through the bad and good, Keep me travelling the way I should, Where I see no way to go, You'll be telling me the way I know. And its from the old I travel to the new, Keep me travelling along with You" ! Sorry I dont usually 'sing' at people on mumsnet, but its a cheery one and a welcome (I hope) reminder that you are not alone in this life.

[pingu777]

Hi zen, thanks so much for your response.
I don't know if I'd say let down as such, but more that I don't know what He's trying to teach me, and why He wants me to go through such a hard time. I thought that I understood the path for me and that things had fallen that way for a reason, and now I don't know!
I appreciate the hymn, and weirdly I knew how it went as soon as I read it. Funny that! Thank you for your prayers!

[ParkheadParadise]

I found my faith again after my dd died.
I was a lapsed catholic. When the priest came to my house to discuss funeral arrangements I was so angry at him, god, and the world in general.
He was really lovely and didn't preach or tell me anything I didn't want to hear.
Over the next couple of months I gradually found myself returning to mass and talking to my priest really helped me move forward.
I attend Mass weekly with dd2 now. My faith has got me through some very dark times in my life.

[CoconutQueen]

OP, find out where near you is running an Alpha course. This is a very welcoming friendly environment for anyone at any stage of questioning their beliefs etc to meet other friendly people to have a chat about it and share some food. You don't have to commit to going to their church, or any follow on activities, it's a genuinely friendly environment.

[KitchenDancefloor]

No trite answers from me but I hope you find peace in your questioning. I think genuine faith is always a journey and not a destination so you are probably living it out more than you realise.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessings in your questioning OP.

[CoconutQueen]

And I'm very sorry to read about the loss of your relationship and how lost you feel. It will get better. Hang on in.

[FakeFraudSquad]

I came on to say Alpha too. I’m doing one at the moment and I’m finding it’s really helping me. I never stopped going to church but I didn’t feel like my faith was in a good place. Alpha has been an incredible experience for me and I’ve made new friends who are helping me on my faith journey and ways of praying etc that are working better for me. I’ve met some amazing people whose testimonies have inspired me and helped me to work on my relationship with my faith.

[bathsh3ba]

I third the idea of an Alpha course, I found it really helpful.

I also came on to say that I just came back from a healing weekend with prayer ministry and found it really helpful. They taught that one of the things that can block our ability to feel God's love is emotional wounds but that we can ask God to show us where the wounds are and heal them for us.

[pingu777]

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look if there's an Alpha course near me!