Comments on: THANK GOD THAT’S OVER http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/ when faith like a child isn't enough Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:38:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.1 by: Jenny http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/#comment-78 Thu, 16 Mar 2006 22:37:42 +0000 http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/#comment-78 Lindsey: <i>And whichever side it is, I promise at some point you’ll feel good about it too.</i> See, I wonder if this is true. I appreciate your comments and encouragement, but I think this might be the problem -- that I expect that I'll come to a point where I feel good about it, when maybe it's that some people never come to that point, on either "side." Something to think about, anyway. Steve: I think I feel you on the embracing lostness idea. That's probably the solution -- to just accept the fact that I don't know, and probably won't ever know, anything. OK, that's a bit melo, but this could be one of those acceptance is the first step to recovery things. Lindsey:
And whichever side it is, I promise at some point you’ll feel good about it too.

See, I wonder if this is true. I appreciate your comments and encouragement, but I think this might be the problem — that I expect that I’ll come to a point where I feel good about it, when maybe it’s that some people never come to that point, on either “side.”

Something to think about, anyway.

Steve:
I think I feel you on the embracing lostness idea. That’s probably the solution — to just accept the fact that I don’t know, and probably won’t ever know, anything. OK, that’s a bit melo, but this could be one of those acceptance is the first step to recovery things.

]]> by: Steve C http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/#comment-77 Thu, 16 Mar 2006 08:11:00 +0000 http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/#comment-77 I have so much to say on that relates to your post here, but it's gonna have to be a post on mine. I jotted down my thoughts to write the post after Josh and I podcasted the other night... and when I read your post here I couldn't believe it... we are tracking sista. So here's the quick two liner I wrote to remind me of what I want to write (that's how my posts come together, bits and pieces at a time). I hope this makes sense: "I feel like I am lost for the first time in my life. I am coming to love me lostness... it has made me feel alive. Finally there is hope that I might be found." I have so much to say on that relates to your post here, but it’s gonna have to be a post on mine. I jotted down my thoughts to write the post after Josh and I podcasted the other night… and when I read your post here I couldn’t believe it… we are tracking sista.

So here’s the quick two liner I wrote to remind me of what I want to write (that’s how my posts come together, bits and pieces at a time). I hope this makes sense:

“I feel like I am lost for the first time in my life.

I am coming to love me lostness… it has made me feel alive. Finally there is hope that I might be found.”

]]> by: Lindsey http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/#comment-76 Thu, 16 Mar 2006 04:52:12 +0000 http://www.steeplesandpeople.com/blog/2006/03/14/thank-god-thats-over/#comment-76 I wish I could offer you some words of encouragement - well, I guess I could, but I'm not sure I'm qualified. I struggled too, and yes, it feels unoriginal to be having faith angst, but it's your life, and it is a big deal, so you really don't have to apologize for it. The fact that you are still struggling is in no way a personal failing - I think most people from quite religious backgrounds do. I think prolonged turmoil/struggle (while pretty crappy to experience) are measures of your dedication and integrity, and really, you should be lauded for that. It can be very hard to get perspective from within a Christian community. After my struggles, I came out on the probably-atheist side, and I feel pretty good about it. A very bright friend of mine struggled for a long time, ended up staying on the Christian side, and she's totally happy. I don't know if this is helpful, but you will end up at the place that's right for you. And whichever side it is, I promise at some point you'll feel good about it too. Ok, end of motivational pep talk. Sorry for the shmaltz. I wish I could offer you some words of encouragement - well, I guess I could, but I’m not sure I’m qualified. I struggled too, and yes, it feels unoriginal to be having faith angst, but it’s your life, and it is a big deal, so you really don’t have to apologize for it. The fact that you are still struggling is in no way a personal failing - I think most people from quite religious backgrounds do. I think prolonged turmoil/struggle (while pretty crappy to experience) are measures of your dedication and integrity, and really, you should be lauded for that.

It can be very hard to get perspective from within a Christian community. After my struggles, I came out on the probably-atheist side, and I feel pretty good about it. A very bright friend of mine struggled for a long time, ended up staying on the Christian side, and she’s totally happy. I don’t know if this is helpful, but you will end up at the place that’s right for you. And whichever side it is, I promise at some point you’ll feel good about it too.

Ok, end of motivational pep talk. Sorry for the shmaltz.

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