Faith

“Faith” is an interesting concept. It’s defined as “Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.” However, in today’s society, when we hear the word “Faith” we automatically assume that the subject is about God or religion. And I often wonder why is that? What if I told you that you can have “Faith” without having to believe in God?

In most of the things we do in life, we exercise faith in some form or fashion. If you’re going for a job interview, wondering if you’ll be accepted for that mortgage, hope that a loved one is going to be ok after a diagnosis; these are all examples of having faith. But, with these examples, they don’t mean that you necessarily believe in God. You’re believing in something or someone to help you out and let you know that it’s going to be ok.

I’m sure we’ve all used a phrase along the lines of “Just have some faith”. Or if you haven’t, you’ve probably said “I hope it’s going to be fine”. Hoping for something is still exercising faith. And if you’re not comfortable calling it “Faith” or “Hope”, then you’ve definitely told someone to “Believe”. All three of these words are connected in some way and have pushed us past situations where we felt like we couldn’t have gotten through. We needed to believe in something, whether a higher power, friendly advice, or our own convictions to let us know that the bump that we’re facing is temporary and we’ll eventually get through.

For me personally, “Faith” has been the word to guide me throughout my life. I do have a firm belief in God, and believe in our connection. But at certain times, it can be tested.

I woke up not feeling the greatest today. A lot has been on my mind lately. A lot has been testing my “Faith”. I’d love to curl up in a ball and cry, but that’s not going to do anything. So I’m writing to just get these thoughts out. But I also wanted to share something with you.

I found a poem that I had written in 2015, a few months after I had graduated from Lehigh. I couldn’t land a job and was so depressed that I didn’t know what to do. So I wrote. And sure enough, the title of this poem is called “Faith”.

He said all I needed was my faith and nothing else

I couldn’t understand what that meant because all I knew was my depressed self

The self that has been struggling to get through these past two years

The only thing that I’ve been doing is crying a boat load of tears

And then he looked at me and asked ‘Why are you crying, son?’

You have your dad, your sister, brother, and your mom

You have health, strength, a house, and food

So there’s no reason for you to be in a bad mood

You have a car, a job, and your degree

So there’s no reason for you to shout ‘My God, My God why have you forsaken me? ‘

You’re alive and well and can walk on your own

But, for some reason, the only things I hear you do are moan and groan

I looked back up at him and said Yea, God this is all swell

But, why does it feel like I’m walking through a living hell?

Test after test and I feel like I’m about to crumble

Yea I can walk on my own, but with each step, I feel like I’m about to stumble

Why did you have to choose me to be your scapegoat?

Everyone else around me is living a good life and can gloat

I WANT TO GLOAT TOO!

Then he laughed at me.

After his chuckle, he said ‘Son, you have nothing to worry about

They can gloat about their lives now, but at the end they’ll scream and shout

Everyone in this life needs me whether they want to believe it or not

Their lives may be fulfilling now, but those people are robots and their dreams are shot.

I control all and there’s nothing I don’t oversee.

Right now all I want you to do is take a step back and acknowledge your faith in me.

I got your back like no other friend or family member will.

So, all I want you to do is take your time and be still.

Patience is a virtue and I know that it can be hard to wait.

But in the end, your blessings will be tenfold just because you had a bit of faith’.

Have a great day everyone.

Peace and blessings.

CB