Spiritual beliefs are deeply personal and vary widely even among people within the same faith tradition. That is one reason I don’t often talk or write about my spiritual life and how important it is to me.
I don’t want to alienate anyone who doesn’t share my beliefs. I also have no desire to argue with people who think I cannot be “saved” unless I accept their beliefs as the only valid ones.
However, I think our spiritual beliefs have a huge impact on our ability to make the changes we desire and cope with unwanted changes. For that reason, I have decided to share my faith and how it helps me. I encourage you to do the same in the comments.
What I Believe
I believe God created all of us and loves us unconditionally. I believe God weeps with us when we are hurting and works through us to help others who are suffering. I believe God makes it possible for us to go on when we don’t think we can.
I also believe that God gave us free will, which sometimes leads us to make bad choices and act in ways that harm others or ourselves. We struggle to fully become the people God calls us to be, and often fail to live as God intended.
God forgives our shortcomings and lovingly shows us a better way to live. God walks in front of us to guide us, beside us to be our companion, and behind us to push us when necessary. God also dwells within us and makes new life possible not only after we die but here and now.
How My Beliefs Affect My Ability to Change
I believe that God speaks to each of us in a wonderful variety of ways. For me, those ways include the beauty of nature, music that calms my soul or otherwise inspires me, and books that give me new insights or help me see how God is at work in my life.
Recognizing God’s presence in my life and the wider world reassures me and gives me the courage and inspiration I need to make positive changes and cope with unwelcome ones.
The most significant way in which God speaks to me and helps me change is through prayer. My prayers consist of letters to God I write in my journal. I ask for guidance and the willingness to go wherever God leads me.
When I am able to surrender, trust God instead of relying on my own limited understanding of what I should do, and move forward in faith, remarkable changes happen!
How God Encourages Me And Helps Me Change
God answers my prayer letters by giving me the words to write in response to my questions. Of course, some would say that I am just writing what I think God would say, or what I want to hear, but I believe that God is speaking to me.
Here is an excerpt from my journal that shows how God answered my question “What do I need to remember today?”
That learning and growing is a lifelong process in which mistakes are inevitable and you sometimes take one step forward and two steps back, or need to take the longer, winding path instead of the shortcut you desire.
That you need to rest along the way and not be so busy trying to figure out or implement your next steps that you miss the beauty surrounding you and within you in the present moment.
That you are my beloved child and always will be.
That the call to follow me will often lead you out of your comfort zone and frighten you. It will seem impossible at times, but remember that with Me all things are possible. It is risky and downright dangerous at times to follow Me, but also a deeply satisfying adventure.
Listening to My voice above all others ultimately takes you where the deepest, most authentic part of you longs to go, even when you’re not conscious of that desire or don’t think you can get there. I will give you the strength and courage you need for the journey…
You don’t have to know the way or even where we’re going; just follow me.
Final Thoughts
I know that I could not change without God’s help. My faith is an essential part of my life that sustains me and challenges me to let go of the past and allow God to guide me to a new and better future.
I hope that your spiritual beliefs do the same for you. Whether your faith is in God, the Universe, your Inner Wisdom, or some other Higher Power, I hope it gives you the courage and strength you need to make changes in your life and handle the unwanted ones.
I’d love to hear more about what you believe and how your spiritual beliefs affect your life. If you’re willing to share that information please comment below.