What Do You Believe?

These are challenging days for so many in so many places around the world. And many, in one form or another, have found themselves asking the question: “What do I believe?”

In seemingly endless ways we have been reminded of our mortality and the transitory nature of our lives and our loved ones. Even the fragility of relationships, nations, and our planet.

Christians on Ash Wednesday, in the ritual of that day, are called to “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

But Christian or not, many people can relate to this ancient saying, especially in light of events unfolding around them.

Every minute someone leaves this world behind – And we are in “the line” too. We cannot know where we are in it, but we cannot avoid the line.

Remembering that one day we will die can help us focus on how we want to live and what we believe. And regardless of someone’s particular religious tradition -- or none at all -- people operate day by day with certain convictions, beliefs and hopes.

In other words, faith, that – in addition to its religious use -- dictionaries define as “an allegiance to duty or a person, fidelity to one’s promises”; "belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc."

So, in these days filled with challenges, here are some affirmations about faith for you. Use them as they are, add your own to these, or rewrite them to fit your particular belief system and situation.

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• When I start to feel overwhelmed, I remember that my faith is bigger than my difficulties. I gain strength from my spiritual beliefs.

• My faith gives me comfort. It lights my way through the darkness. When I read about war and crime, I remember that there is also good in the world. When I experience setbacks, I count my blessings.

• My faith gives me patience. I find the motivation to keep moving forward.

• My faith gives me courage and strength. I know that I have powerful allies on my side. I dare to speak up and take risks.

• I read scriptures and inspirational texts. Divine wisdom realigns my thinking. I stop creating trouble for myself through self-centeredness or negative thinking. I focus on being kind, generous, and productive.

• I reach out to other members of my spiritual community. I feel connected to the universe. I receive love, support, and valuable feedback.

• I meditate and pray. I spend time communicating with the divine and contemplating profound truths.

• I use my faith to guide me through the choices I make each day. My beliefs become clearer when I put them into action. When I trust in my faith, I find ways to handle any situation while remaining calm and content.

• Today, I search for the spiritual purpose behind the events in my life. I rely on my faith to see me through.

Questions for Self-Reflection:

1. What does it mean to walk by faith?
2. How can I remind myself to turn to my faith when I am sad or angry?
3. How do I sustain my faith during challenging times?

Image by Lisa Moore from Pixabay