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Shadows of
I seem to have
Completely lost touch
with this alchemy
Doubt's too overbearing
The doubts seem to
have won
I will not give up
I'll not give in
Til I've rid myself
Of this sin again
Doubt that voice
That speaks too loud
Doubt that doubt
Your faith is proud
Faith be with me
Faith be strong
Keep hope held
As you sing your song
The theologicans with whom I
The theologicans with whom I studied, or later read on my own, taught me that doubt is a part of active faith the way that, in our bodies, pain can be a part of an exercise routine. I, myself, undergoing physical therapy for this spinal injury from which I have been recovering, learned, from my physical therapist, that some pain is to be expected and is a way to increase endurance and stamina. I think the same thing happens when doubt seems to attack faith. When the affliction first happened, I was paralysed from the waist down. My legs responded to steroids, and they began to flex on their own, in strange configurations, and sometimes with enormous pain felt. When I complained, the doctors said this was a good sign, as when my legs were completely pain-free, they were also useless. I also was taught, by an ordained man with whom I worked, that only corpses do not feel pain; and pain is a sign of living. I have said all that, perhaps too verbosely, to say this: doubt is the pain of faith, and it operates on the soul in the same way that pain operates on the body. The living soul must confront doubt as the living body must confront pain. When I look in the Bible, I see some people who, full of doubt, are transformed in to great pillars of faith. We are to rejoice in these kinds of trials, as Saint James tells, because they confirm our faith. As he said, "Count it all joy . . .
Forgive me for my verbosity. I have tried not to be a windbag, but, as one often confronted by many (and some of them, quite childish) doubts, I wanted to reach out to you on this.
Starward
I always appreciate your
I always appreciate your verbosity. Thank you. Doubt is strong. Seems like each day wants to test me. Sometimes I feel so detached or apathetic. Maybe I'm just standing stoic about all that goes on. Tears here and there but mostly just small spells. Is it strength or apathy? I'm unsure. Hmmm.... just rambling thoughts here
Copyright © morningglory
First, sorry for the misspell
First, sorry for the misspell of "theologians." As for strength or apathy, it is strength you are showing. Be assured of that.
Starward
Thank you I need that
Thank you I need that assurance
Copyright © morningglory
We all do, and we should all
We all do, and we should all share it with each other when needed. Although I do not like the ideas of Karl Marx generally, he said one, and only one, item that I applaud. He said that the basic human unit is always at least two, because no human being can exist without the presence of at least one other. He suggested that the idea of the "rugged individual" who follows a solitary path is a fiction: Every one (except four Persons in the Bible) was born of two parents; right there fits in with Marx's interpretation. Most of what I need is made for me by others: my food, my meds, the house in which I live, etc. My life is touched by many others, including yours through this site. So we are not alone in our share of the blessings, and not alone in our share of the doubts. No one is just one; not at birth and, even at death, the spirit goes back to God. So you are never alone, and all of us are here to help shoulder the burden of those doubts, and to encourage along your pilgrimage, which is all of ours pilgrimages.
Starward