What to Do when Faith Ruptures
“Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark.” - Rabindranath Tagore
A Bereavement Coordinator offers the perspective of her own faith as a resource in the healing process. By Gail Husted Bereavement Coordinator – Branson/Monett, Missouri
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his past week the topic of our grief support group was “A Rupture in Faith.” As we began our discussion, one member sat quietly sobbing in the corner. I watched as the tears flowed down her cheeks before she opened up. “I feel abandoned, as if God has left me.” “I can’t get past this feeling even though I have always been a person of faith.” “I don’t know what is wrong with me. I feel so alone.” As the group shared around the table, each person expressed having similar feelings. We began to discuss just what faith is – a confidence or trust in a person or thing that is not based on proof. We all experience moments when we question our faith and God’s plan. Then another member spoke. “I feel like I’m stuck under a rock.” I sat still for a moment, digesting what she said. ‘What you need to remember is that God is under that rock with you,” I told her. His word promises that He is with us always, not sometimes. We may all experience a “rupture in faith,” especially when we are thrown into grief. To question our beliefs during grief is not unusual. Jesus on the Mount of Olives questioned his Father and begged, “Take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours
Lord, I want to be Your masterpiece, Unique from all the rest. You see in me what I can be, Your vision is the best. Create in me a pure clean heart To serve as a blank canvas. For You to paint Your love upon, Brushed on with joy and gladness. Vol. 5 Issue 1
be done.” He cried out to his Father, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Why do we beat up ourselves when we have those same human feelings, questions, and frustrations? God understands our innermost thoughts and loves us unconditionally, even during our “ruptures in faith.” We feel abandoned, yet God never moved away. We may not be able to see Him through our tears, or hear Him over the external noises of grief; we may not be able to feel His love because we have isolated our hearts out of fear that we will be hurt again. But God has never left us; He is waiting patiently for our “dawn” to break and return our faith. How can dawn break and faith be restored? Here are a few practical ways: • We have the guidebook – the Bible. Learn from the great characters about their “ruptures of faith.” Read the passages about Abraham, David, Job, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Mary, Jesus, and so many other excellent examples of faith. • Surround yourself with people of faith so that they can help you along your journey to restoration. Be willing to ask for help and encourage others to pray for you.
Masterpiece
• Keep positive messages in your “selftalk” vocabulary – post them on your bathroom mirror, rearview car mirror, use them as a screensaver on your computer and telephone. Remind yourself daily that there is someone who understands your every need – God. • Spend time in nature and listening to your inner voice. God has surrounded us with an abundance of beauty and so many opportunities to restore our souls. • Pray without ceasing – tell God your feelings, cry out to Him in your anguish, and He will heal your soul. Ask God to restore the faith of your youth, and be willing to believe that it will happen. Finally, be gentle with yourself. God never changes. He never fails. He never goes back on his promises. He has promised: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Hold fast to His promises. When you feel that God has surely forgotten you, and you experience a rupture in your faith – remember, God never moved. You did.
Volunteer – Branson, Missouri
Then You add, with tender touch, A splash of unmerited grace. Which does away with dullness; Flaws are gone, without a trace.
Your skillful hands draw out the beauty That’s been hidden for so long. As You add the vibrant color That makes a joyful song.
You’re the Master Artist. I am yielded in Your hands. I want to be Your masterpiece And fulfill Your master plan.
By Missy Wolf
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