Faith

We all believe in something.

Well, I believe that’s true anyway.

People, principle, pleasure. There’s always something we put our trust in, that we base our decisions on, that we rely on. 

As a little disclaimer, this blog is about personal blogger experiences, so that’s where I’m coming from here. I’ve become a little bit bolder in the topics I’m willing to address, because I think I’ve gotten a little bit better at talking about them the right way, but I still want to make it clear that these are just my personal thoughts and beliefs. 

Never bring up religion or politics. That’s a sound piece of social advice. Discussions about either of those things can end in a really bitter and toxic place. Even so, I’ve found that some of the most meaningful moments of connection I’ve had with others have been around these topics. 

Religion has come up before in What Messes With Your Head. I think it is such an important thing to talk about because of its importance for so many.

I went walking with someone and chatting about their struggles with their faith. How they used go to Church every Sunday, but they faced a real personal dilemma during the vote on same sex marriage where they felt like they had two incompatible beliefs.  

I talked to someone else who suffered intense mental health issues and had everything in their life collapse. They shared with me that they had been rescued by God. 

I’ve never felt like I’ve learnt as much about people as I have in these conversations.

I’m a Christian, which has led to a number of funny experiences at University. I’m not ashamed of my faith, but something I do get really self-conscious about is myself. 

In social contexts you get labelled as a thing, especially if you’re different to everyone else in some way. I worry that all of my opinions and actions will be met with,  “Oh you’re a Christian” and attributed to Christianity more generally. So, if I’m not living out what I believe in, then people will think that’s just what Christians are like. That really scares me, because to me this is the most important thing, and I don’t want to hurt other people with my mistakes and flaws. 

Even feeling this, I’ve never done anything to hide my beliefs. I’ve always shared it with people when it comes up naturally. Sometimes though, I think people want me to tell them even when it doesn’t come up naturally. People feel like they’re entitled to know what makes me different. Maybe they are, I don’t know. Maybe I should put it on a t-shirt or something.

Lately, I’ve been in a dark place. My faith has been a real source of strength and hope for me. It has helped to pray, to have something to believe in, to have faith.