Sometimes, it feels like a blanket of darkness has fallen, and my faith wavers under its heavy weight. I’ve been there and know many of you have, too.
This is where questions outnumber answers, and doubt seems to drown out the whispers of hope.
If you’re in that place right now, doubting, questioning, and feeling disconnected from the God you once felt so close to. You’re not alone.
From my experience, losing faith is part of the spiritual journey. I think it is important and reassess what it is you believe in. If you go through a crisis of faith and return, your faith can become much stronger.
In this article, I will explore the causes of spiritual disconnect and, more importantly, help us discover ways to reconnect and restore our faith.
What Causes Losing Faith?
The reasons for losing faith can be as unique as we are. However, some common triggers seem to resonate with many of us.
Life’s hardships can shake our faith to its core—experiences such as losing a loved one, a severe illness or a painful breakup can make us question everything we once believed in.
Sometimes, it can stem from a profound dissatisfaction with religious institutions or a deep-seated feeling of betrayal when we witness hypocrisy or crime within our religious communities. (This is what damaged my faith.)
For others, it might be an intellectual journey where the rational mind grapples with existential questions and finds the answers provided by faith inadequate.
Finally, sometimes, the process of losing faith is a slow one, a gradual drift where we wake up one day and realise we’ve drifted far from the shores of our faith.
What to Do When You Lose Your Faith?
When you lose faith, it can feel like you’ve lost a part of yourself. It’s a deeply personal journey, yet it’s also one that countless others have navigated, and there are steps you can take to find your spiritual grounding again.
1. Allow Yourself to Doubt
Doubt is not the enemy of faith; it’s a natural part of the spiritual journey. Contrary to what some may believe, doubt can strengthen your faith. When doubt arises, instead of suppressing it, allow yourself to lean into the uncertainty.
Questions are okay—they sign that you engage deeply with your beliefs, not mindlessly accept them. Allowing yourself to doubt opens the potential to find new understanding and reaffirm your faith on more personal and profound grounds.
2. Seek the Company of Others
There’s a saying that goes, “Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow.” It’s in our nature to seek the company of others, especially during times of distress. Don’t isolate yourself when you’re going through a crisis of faith. Reach out to people around you – your friends, family, or even faith-based support groups.
These people can provide you with comfort, perspective, and non-judgmental understanding. They can share their stories, experiences, and insights that might resonate with you. Sometimes, knowing that others have felt the same way and have navigated through similar circumstances can rekindle the spark of faith. Remember, it’s perfectly fine to ask for help. You’re not alone in your journey.
3. Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is being fully present at the moment, open, and accepting. It involves focusing on your current surroundings and feelings without judgment. In times of faith crisis, practising mindfulness can be a powerful tool.
By engaging in mindfulness, you can bring your attention back to your experiences, emotions, and body. It allows you to reconnect with your spiritual self and provide space for reflection and openness. Even when faced with moments of doubt, mindfulness brings you back to the core of your being, to the essence that transcends earthly troubles.
Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or mindful journaling, can help you quiet the noise and create space for your thoughts and feelings. In this silence, you may find the answers you seek or a path towards them. Remember, the key to mindfulness is patience and acceptance. Don’t rush the process, and don’t judge your feelings. Let the journey unfold as it is meant to, one moment at a time.
4. Reconnect With Nature
Sometimes, we need to step away from the hustle and bustle of life and return to a state of harmony. Spend some time in nature and reconnect with the beauty of the Earth. Go for a walk in the woods or hike up your favourite mountain—you’ll find it does wonders to reignite your connection to the divine.
5. Read and Reflect on Inspirational Material
We live in an era of information overload, and finding material that truly speaks to your heart and soul can be tricky. If you’re looking for guidance, do some research into spiritual literature that resonates with you; it could be a religious text or a book by a spiritual leader.
Take your time to read and reflect on the material slowly, and if possible, write down any thoughts or feelings that come up in a journal. As with mindfulness, the journey towards faith may unfold gradually over time.
6. Revisit Your Beliefs
Often, when we lose faith, our beliefs no longer align with our experiences or the world we perceive. It’s okay to question, and it’s okay to change. Revisiting and reassessing your beliefs doesn’t mean you’re failing—it means you’re growing.
Take some time to reflect on your beliefs. What do you hold true? Where does your sense of right and wrong come from? What gives your life meaning? Understand that it’s okay if your answers have changed over time. It’s a part of life.
As part of your journey, you may realise that some beliefs you held dear in the past no longer resonate with you, and that’s okay. Change is a part of growth. Embrace it.
In revisiting your beliefs, you might find that your faith was never lost; it simply transformed. And in that transformation, you may find a renewed sense of purpose, peace, and connection to the divine.
7. Express Yourself Creatively
Creativity is a beautiful way to explore your inner world, and it can provide a path to reconnecting with your faith. Creativity allows you to explore your feelings and thoughts in a non-verbal and symbolic way, whether through painting, writing, music, or any other form of artistic expression.
Creating art is an act of bringing something into existence—it’s a practice that mirrors the divine act of creation that many faiths attribute to a higher power. As such, it can help remind you of the divine presence in the world and within yourself.
Try to create something without any judgement or expectation. Let the colours, sounds, or words flow freely, expressing whatever is in your heart. You might be surprised by what reveals itself on the canvas, sheet of music, or page.
Remember, this isn’t about creating a masterpiece—it’s about the process, the act of creation itself. Through engaging in this process, you allow yourself the space to explore, understand, and perhaps even heal aspects of your faith journey. It’s one more step toward finding your spiritual grounding again.
8. Seek Professional Help
If your loss of faith is causing you significant distress, it may be helpful to seek the support of a professional counsellor or therapist. Many professionals are trained to help people navigate spiritual crises and can provide you with additional tools and strategies to manage your feelings. They can offer a safe space to express your doubts, fears, and concerns without judgement.
Additionally, many spiritual directors or religious leaders specialise in faith crises. They can offer spiritual guidance and help you explore your beliefs deeper. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. You don’t have to face this journey alone.
9. Give Yourself Time
Remember that faith is not a race but a journey. It’s okay if you’re confused, uncertain, or fearful. These feelings are entirely normal and part of the process. Patience with yourself is vital during this time. Allow yourself to experience these emotions without needing to rush through them.
It’s alright if you don’t have all the answers immediately. Like all aspects of life, faith ebbs and flows, and it’s bound to evolve as you move through different stages of your life. What matters is that you’re open to exploring and understanding your feelings, beliefs, and experiences at your own pace.
Your faith is deeply personal, and your path to reconnecting with it will be unique. So, give yourself the grace and time to navigate this journey in the best way for you. In time, you may find that your faith, whether it takes its previous form or transforms into something new, re-emerges more robust and resilient.
Final Mindful Thoughts
Losing faith can be daunting and lonely, but it’s important to remember that it’s not the end. It’s a call for introspection, transformation, and growth. It’s a chance to reassess your beliefs, explore your feelings, and reconnect with your inner self and the divine.
Whether through mindfulness, nature, introspection, creativity, professional help, or simply giving yourself time, the path to reignite your faith is there. Remember, no two faith journeys are alike, and there’s no right or wrong way to reconnect with your faith.
Be patient with yourself, embrace the journey, and trust in the process. It’s through the darkest nights that we often see the brightest stars. In whatever form it emerges, your faith is one of those stars shining brightly to guide you.