Coming Back to Faith
Our spiritual lives can wane and wax just like our physical ones. Circumstances or changes in our life can cause us to retreat from our regular practices or question the very nature of faith altogether.
Maybe we stop going to church while studying in college, maybe we distance ourselves from a practice or faith that wasn’t working for us or maybe we didn’t even realize we were neglecting it until we found ourselves lacking.
Feeling the distance between where we want to be and where we are can be disheartening. We might know that we desire a more fulfilled spiritual life, but how do we build up the momentum to get there?
Be Honest About Where You Are
Are you struggling with theological issues or debating the very existence of God? Do your home and life struggles feel insurmountable? Start by being honest with yourself about where you are, and then you can begin to think about where you would like to be.
Start Small
Every journey begins with just one step. Trying to do too much at once can set you up for disappointment and failure. That’s why so many people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by February. Don’t try to take it on all at once; instead, think of one small thing you can begin doing every day that will make you feel inspired. Write yourself an inspirational note and put it in a place you know you’ll see every day. Pray for just five minutes in the morning or at night. Read or listen to scripture instead of the radio on your daily commute. Whatever you feel you can commit to at this point, do it!
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
We all get stuck at some point. It can be frustrating, but try not to be too hard on yourself. It takes time, and all of the growing pains will lead to a stronger and more vibrant experience in the end. Guilt doesn’t help us accomplish our goals—it only serves to keep us stuck. If feelings of guilt and discouragement seem to be taking over, give yourself a time limit. Set an alarm for five minutes in which you can entertain those thoughts and then promptly cut them off and move on. Better yet, do a guided meditation for those five minutes and cut those negative thoughts off at the roots. You can’t change what has happened in the past, but you can do something about how you move forward.
Get Healthy
A healthy mind and body are essential to a healthy spirit. We are beings who have heart, mind and body; they are all interconnected. If our physical health is deteriorated, it is very likely to have an effect on our mental and physical state.
As explained in New Essentials of Unification Thought, a text based on the teachings of Father Moon, “In the relationship between body and mind, when the body is healthy, the mind becomes healthy, and when the body is weak, the mind also becomes weak,” (410).
Eat healthy, exercise, sleep, drink plenty of water—when your body feels good, your mind will feel clear, and your spirit will open up, ready to receive. Seek out advice from others, if you are stuck on issues from your past that are preventing you from moving forward, consider seeking help from a licensed therapist or a trusted clergy member.
Engage with Others
Be a part of the community. It can feel awkward to sit in a church pew if it’s been a long time, but community is essential to cultivating spiritual growth. It’s in relationships with others that we grow and mature in love. With the support of a nurturing community, those relationships will sustain you through all of the ups and downs. You might even get the chance to be a support to someone else someday when they are going through something similar. It doesn’t have to be the same community you started out with, but find a place where you feel comfortable and inspired.
No matter where you are on your journey, remember that our Heavenly Parent is walking with you. Everyone has a path to walk, and it’s often crooked. Try not to compare your path to anyone else’s. Our Heavenly Parent knows the road, and you are right where you need to be.