  Spiritual
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Spiritual: relating to the spirit or soul and not to physical matter; intangible. Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus
This newsletter explores ideas of the spiritual nature that exists in each and every one of us in an open and non-judgemental manner.
Each editor brings to the newsletter their own backgrounds, experiences, beliefs and opinions. Whether you disagree, agree, doubt or applaud the views expressed, let us all show respect to each other. Together we can learn something about the many varied aspects of the spiritual self and enjoy our differences in true meaning of the Spirit of Community.
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Recovering from Faith-quakes
An Interview with PastVoices
Q. PastVoices, we have built up a friendship during which I have learned much about you. There have been times in your life that have shaken you. Would you briefly share some of your background with our readers, maybe an example or two of situations where your faith was threatened?
My faith is from my childhood, I accepted it from a very young age. My father was the largest contributor. He took me to Sunday school and church. I often spied on him during his morning devotions with the Upper Room. When I was 11, I enrolled in a masonic order of the Job’s Daughters. This is where my faith rooted and was cultivated. Every time the story of Job was told, was like the first time for me. If Job could survive all of that, then that was the faith I wanted to have. At the age of 13, I attended church camp for the first time and I was like a sponge for the Word of God.
That was also the first shaking of my faith. Three weeks prior to camp, my niece was born – dead. My sister was overdue with her second child and it had been a long nine months waiting on another niece or nephew. On June 7, 1969, Malissa Beth was born and died. I think by the end of my week at camp, my camp mother was ready to send all my questions and me home. It wouldn’t have done me any good to ask at home. The following year, on June 1, 1970, the same sister gave birth (again full-term) to a nephew. Carey Michael was also born dead.
I have never shaken the image of those little caskets over a hole next to a preacher while he was trying to make sense of the nonsensical. If they thought I was full of hard questions my first year at camp, I was really digging for answers that year. In my folder, "Invalid Item" is an essay remembering those camp experiences.
Losing a best friend our senior year and five years later, my 21-year-old younger brother followed the losses of the little ones. The deal-breaker though was the breakdowns I suffered before and after my diagnosis of Severe Major Depression, recurrent. Sitting in a mental ward, going through shock treatments, I was sure my faith was faulty because I didn’t have enough.
Q. What did you do, in the natural, to help you through these times?
When my sister’s babies died, I turned to prayer and church camp leaders. We read of scriptural losses of good people. Funny, that was before Kushner wrote the book, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. That book is a reference I reach for when someone comes to me for Biblical counsel.
After my breakdown (and for two years before), I found psychological therapy with a Christian counselor to be an important tool to my recovery. I go back at times when I need the support in my continuing recovery.
Q. What support did you have in the community/family? Did you add anyone new to this group of support, and why?
I have an extremely dysfunctional family of origin, which explains a great deal. There was little, if any, support for me as I was a teenager and “couldn’t possibly grieve.” So, the adults took care of themselves and I always had church camp. In high school, I turned to friends.
My lack of community – other than my college classes – after my brother’s death was more helpful than you might imagine. I dropped all my classes with the exception of The Psychology of Death and Dying (now what possessed me to take that? Hee hee). I was a security/police officer on campus and returned to work asking for straight midnights. Unless I was called out to back up the local police on a call, all I had to deal with were empty buildings.
Several weeks later, while the camp I had attended was in session, I returned to Aldersgate, to the cross at Inspiration Point, mine Ebenezer. It was a comfortable place to argue with God.
Q. Who was the most helpful to you and why?
That answer is my professor for the Death and Dying class. Not because he was personable, but because he was the only person (besides Elisabeth Kübler-Ross who wrote two of our text books) who wasn’t afraid to discuss death. It may be why I do Grief and Bereavement Counseling today. The only way to survive grief is to go through it. You can’t go around, you can’t go over or under. You have to find your way to the other side. Even with my questions, I felt God’s presence through his son.
Later, I added 15 years in a 12-step progam for relatives. I believe my faith is stronger because of the 12-step program. Honestly they are faith-based, but most come in with little faiyh basis and must build from the ground up if you will. I was ahead of the game going in.
Q. What methods did you use spiritually to help you?
Every period of being shaken leads me deeper into Bible Study, both individually and in groups. Moreover, I commune with God. Though I have a set-aside devotional time each day, in my mind and heart I commune with God continually. Screaming counts and sometimes I don’t think He minds it too much.
Q. How long, on average, do you think it took to become more stable after such critical faith events?
For me, even in a faith-crisis, I didn’t lose faith completely. There is a one-liner, “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved.” I believe God is always available and it is I who decides if I want am in His presence or not. AND, He is usually right where I left him.
Others I work with tend to need to talk and question with another person in the room. I think that is beneficial to most people. I am not some great spiritual leader; I just have a comfortable relationship with God. Did I answer your question? Probably not, cause stability is not so much the problem for me as my wretched want to fix it myself first.
Q. Do you still struggle sometimes with these issues, and how do you handle them now?
Of course dear, I still struggle. I am human. Oddly enough, yesterday, I began reading Women of Faith Speaker, Marilyn Meberg’s book, God At Your Wits’ End: Hope for wherever you are, and I attended her conference by the same name in June. In her introduction, she quotes Psalm 107:27-28: ”They reel to and fro, and…are at their wits’ end. Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses.”
This year’s Women of Faith conference is entitled “Extraordinary Faith.” They rely heavily on the scripture from Hebrews 11:1 about what faith is and its reliance on “things not seen.” Marilyn admits it is the “not seen” part that gives her all the trouble. I think, like myself, Marilyn identifies well with Thomas. Marilyn points out David and others at faith crises, being at their own wits’ end.
There is a song I love by the contemporary Christian group, 4HIM. The title of the song is “Why?” In the chorus are the words, “…and though down here I may not understand, I won’t let go of the unseen hand that holds the reasons why.” The song also assures that God “doesn’t mind the questions now and then.” I agree with most of what I have read in Meberg’s book, so far, in her assessment of getting rid of faulty thinking to trust in the sovereignty of God even when it doesn’t make sense.
I have to remember that Eve made a choice, the consequences of which are still in the world. God can't stop what was set in motion, but He will be there, with us, in it all.
Q. What have you learned through the process of faith restoration?
Each time I falter, like the prodigal son, the reunion is one of Thanks Giving when I return and everything He has is mine again.
Q. What's your single piece of biggest advice for when someone finds their faith severely shaken?
I would advise to continue to pray, to continue to believe and to seek Biblical counsel. Going back to read the stories of David, Joseph and Job are a good place to start. So many faith-based books are on the market that have led me through dark times. This world is filled with faith-quakes. Even in doubt I cry, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!” Just as the distraught father in the New Testament who uttered these words, I find myself in states where my faith needs a Supreme boost.
Q. Is there a particular scripture reference or other tool that provides ongoing comfort?
That would be the scripture at the top of my business (speaking) card, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add for our reader's benefit?
I feel like I have been windier than you wanted, I could discuss faith all day! A major key to living one’s faith is humility enough to remember that even the thief on the cross was worthy of paradise simply by his sincerity in believing and I am no better than him.
Thank you, PastVoices for being so free and open with your answers. I would not wish your experiences on anyone, yet it is purely the way of life, and no one is immune. I hope that your honesty and sincerity touches others' hearts as it has my own.
Till next time;
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Such Quality Writing! I am so impressed with Miss Puditat, but not surprised. She is an outstanding example of how a Child of the Most High is touched by His hand and favor!
While reading this you make me wanna' shout! Praise the Holy God of Israel!
TexansBeatTheMiamiDolphinsBy3
 What can I say to that? Thank you!
I am not surprised that you've given us another outstanding edition, and find that I eagerly await more of your own story that will surely bolster my own faith. I pray that the non-Christian readership will be patient and not feel "preached" to as you share with them that which gives you strength and courage each day. Sharing our own struggles and victories is sometimes difficult, but so important in reaching out to others - regardless of differing beliefs or religions.
Write on Puditat, write on!
~wind~
windac
You've been reading the feedback, haven't you.  Thank you for your support. Indeed, I don't wish to 'preach' at anyone, but I can not fail to share who I am and what I believe so strongly in. It's not for everyone, and any person must accept those differences to remain healthy.  Hugs!
I just received the so-called "Spiritual" newsletter. It's only my 2nd issue and, regrettably, I'll have to take my name off the mailing list. I wrongfully assumed it was spiritual and not religious. There are many thousands of people on this site and many of us follow other paths than Christianity. With all due respect to you, do you think a public newsletter is the appropriate forum to proselytize? I would think you would wish to be all-inclusive.
Perhaps you'd be willing to print this in your next newsletter and allow others to express their opinions? Either way, I suppose you're free to use the newsletter as you wish; I'm free to unsubscribe. Peace be yours.
write4fun13
On the off-chance that the person is still getting the newsletter, I respond as follows:
It is unfortunate that you feel as you do, but it is most certainly your right. As to being religious, with that I disagree: my issues are anything but. I am speaking from my passion, my beliefs and my heart, there is no religiosity in sight. There is no prosletysing intended, the issue you are referring to was specifically to answer a query - rebuilding faith after a terrible event. I can only answer from a Christian viewpoint, because that is what I know and believe to be the truth.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It is a shame to remove yourself from the list, though. Within the 4 editors there is a range of viewpoints, subjects and angles. Delete without reading those that do not interest you, by all means.
I will not be apologetic for sharing my faith. Whether a person chooses to listen/read is their own interest. It is a supposedly free world.
I loved that and I think that God doesn't do the things to us and we need to remember that He didn't. He sent His son to see how hard it was to live on this earth. When Jesus went to the garden to pray He was in despair because He knew what was going to happen to Him. Jesus was quick to rush to His friend, Lazeris side when He had died. He hurt the way we hurt.
Sometimes when bad things happen it is because of man's creation. We have terrible additives to our food, bad cars, boats that sink, etc. When these things happen our life slows down so that we can see God's creation. I hate it when people say "God will not put more on you than you can handle." It isn't God's will. He sees us hurting. He feels our tears, our pain.
I do miss the way I felt as a child. Jesus was so right about the children. Your faith is so strong as a child. If you have that when you are young it makes a difference as to your faith as an adult.
In His name,
Diane
Being Diane
Thank you for your feedback, Diane. I offer a different viewpoint to that statement "God will not put more on you than you can handle." as it is quite true and biblical. Consider Matthew 11:30 (..burden is light.") The problem is satan - 1 Peter 5:8 (...prowls around...for someone to devour.) I hope that helps.
Puditat, I thank you very much! Your words are so encouraging and your scripture quotes are right on! I believe that all "trials" are for our benefit. God punishes those He loves but blesses thousands who stand by Him,
Thank you so much. I needed to hear these words today. Going for my Bible to mark some scripture.
God bless you and keep on writing in the Faith. This is the first letter I have read on the Spiritual side and I will read all that come into my mailbox.
Keep up the encouraging Word
Love
Carol Godperson
loraciel19522
I am thrilled that the editorial spoke to you. Such feedback is a realy encouragement to me, so I thank you for taking the time to let me know. 
This is such a wonderful and very enjoyable newsletter
I look forward to more of them 
jeanimoo
Glad you found it so, Jeanimoo.
I very much enjoyed this newsletter. I was blessed by the examples you chose to include. Keep up the good work.
Jacque Graham
Thank you! 
Thanks for those encouraging words.
robi4711
Thanks!
Thank you for covering the effect of tragedy on faith. The poem I am sending to you is based on an Earth-shattering event that really happened to me. It didn't weaken my faith, but showed me where it belonged and strengthened it tremendously.
Beth Barnett
Poem featured in August 3rd issue by Erika 
You're welcome. I hope you find some further helpful information in this week's issue. |
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Spiritual: August 24, 2005 Issue [#566]
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