Keeping the Faith

​I’m a woman of faith. I believe in God and am a Christian.  I believe your relationship with God is a personal thing and is something to be explored between the two of you.

As with all people on the planet, I’ve experienced many difficulties and trials.  I’ve doubted that God really cared about me. I’ve done a fair share of yelling at Him and telling Him off. I’ve given Him the silent treatment. Through it all, my faith has grown despite the hardships. I’ve learned and continue to learn to trust Him. I find myself asking, “are you sure about this? Can you really make this work out?”  I have to laugh at myself when I question God, the All Mighty, Omnipotent, Omniscient, Creator of the Universe, if He really knows what He’s doing.  My humanity infuses doubt, despite my knowing that I have a loving and kind Providence who knows what’s best for me.  

There are so many things that are unfair, brutal and incomprehensible -  the war in Ukraine, the senseless suffering, blatant deception in politics, hate, and greed.  It can be overwhelming.  How to keep the faith? Here are a few ways I keep my faith alive:

• I avoid listening to the news, except for Steve Hartman’s On the Road that shares pure goodness.

 

• I focus on what is good in the world by actively seeking out uplifting stories. CNN has a weekly newsletter that highlights stories that uplift and inspire.  

 

• I have conversations with God throughout the day. I pour my heart out to Him and seek guidance and direction.

 

• I do good - donate to good causes, volunteer in the community.

 

• I read great books that soak my soul in knowledge and wonder.

 

• I give myself grace. This is actually the hardest one for me!

 

• I do things that bring me joy - take Hawaiian Language class, ukulele lessons.

 

• I give thanks for what I have.

 

• I surround myself with good people.

 

• I see God’s love in the beauty that surrounds me, in the food that I eat, in the eyes of strangers.

 

• I remind myself that everything will work out in the end.  If it hasn’t worked out yet, it’s not the end.

Keep the faith my friend, keep the faith.