I am not sure what I believe anymore. Or, did I ever believe it all to begin with? Did I believe because I was raised in the Southern Baptist church? And it was EXPECTED to conform and believe what I was taught. I was “saved” every year at church camp. When does it move from an emotional experience to TRUE belief? Thank you for your time. Lisa.
I understand the fear of rejection. That is a real thing- and devastating. The practice of opening your heart towards a relationship, even with God, can bring up the fear of rejection. Breathe, soften, be kind to yourself, and know that your longing for God is relationship. You are there… just say hello.
I struggle with the language of belief as a threshold for faith. I experience it more like a relationship with the divine. The relationship is a back and forth between me and God and the community of creation. We don’t all speak the same language, but love is a universally identifiable expression. When I’m in relationship with the divine, then I have faith and each day I travel with God. If I don’t attend to the relationship, it gets stale and neglected. If I attend to it, then the love affair grows. But I never could make sense of a threshold of belief… belief in what? Who? What kind of evidence?
Do I experience God’s love? Do I love God back? If yes, then we continue… if not, then we need to speak the truth and maybe get some counseling.
I am not good at relationships. Which is why I only have a couple of friends. They know it is difficult for me.
With God, I don’t know where to start. I believe I have placed myself in the dessert. In a nice neighborhood, where it is comfortable. Peoples homes come and go. I have a desire to believe. I am afraid to start. Words swirl around in my head. Rejection. Doubt. Truth. What is faith.
I like your word for 2026 - Integration.
Thank you! Do you have an intention or word that is forming up for this year?
I believe it is a toss up between two - Integration and Missionary - probably I should integrate them:)
I am not sure what I believe anymore. Or, did I ever believe it all to begin with? Did I believe because I was raised in the Southern Baptist church? And it was EXPECTED to conform and believe what I was taught. I was “saved” every year at church camp. When does it move from an emotional experience to TRUE belief? Thank you for your time. Lisa.
Maybe the wilderness is where God speaks?
I understand the fear of rejection. That is a real thing- and devastating. The practice of opening your heart towards a relationship, even with God, can bring up the fear of rejection. Breathe, soften, be kind to yourself, and know that your longing for God is relationship. You are there… just say hello.
Lisa,
I struggle with the language of belief as a threshold for faith. I experience it more like a relationship with the divine. The relationship is a back and forth between me and God and the community of creation. We don’t all speak the same language, but love is a universally identifiable expression. When I’m in relationship with the divine, then I have faith and each day I travel with God. If I don’t attend to the relationship, it gets stale and neglected. If I attend to it, then the love affair grows. But I never could make sense of a threshold of belief… belief in what? Who? What kind of evidence?
Do I experience God’s love? Do I love God back? If yes, then we continue… if not, then we need to speak the truth and maybe get some counseling.
Adrien,
I am not good at relationships. Which is why I only have a couple of friends. They know it is difficult for me.
With God, I don’t know where to start. I believe I have placed myself in the dessert. In a nice neighborhood, where it is comfortable. Peoples homes come and go. I have a desire to believe. I am afraid to start. Words swirl around in my head. Rejection. Doubt. Truth. What is faith.
Thank you for listening. Lisa.
I think I use the wilderness to run and try to hide from God.
I hear you.