I had an email exchange with a friend of mine this week. She has not been to church in a while. As I listened to her story I remembered a story I once heard.
There was a young priest who had been serving his parish for a few years. He began to realize that he did not believe any more and found himself plagued by doubts. He became deeply concerned about his doubts and reported them to his bishop as a confession.
The bishop was silent for a long time. Then he looked at the priest and said, “It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter. Return to the practice of faith and faith will return.”
There is something about the practices of faith, worship, prayer, study of scripture, receiving the sacrament of communion, which strengthen our faith and renew our faith. This too is grace.
Return to the practice of faith and faith will return is an important point to keep in mind, when doubts plague and depression lingers close. Sometimes, Christian practice comes before deep understanding.
When you forgive someone, then you will know why it is essential that Christians forgive. When you pray, then you will understand why prayer is essential. When you love, then you will understand the love God has for you. When you choose to be a follower of Jesus, then you will understand that Jesus chose you.