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Why Is Faith Important? Knowing what you believe in (or whom) is important because you make decisions based upon your beliefs. Your beliefs impact every choice you make every day of your life. The conversation of faith can take many directions and have various implications. For instance, we could talk about how you have faith in gravity. Even though you've never seen gravity, you don't jump out of buildings. Why? Because you know, by having faith in gravity, what will happen. The same can be said of having faith in the strength of the chair you are sitting in right now. I doubt you tested its ability to hold you before you sat down. What do you think about faith? Have you taken the time, as an adult, to evaluate the beliefs you've brought from childhood? Do they fit your current experiences? Most importantly, are you aware of how these beliefs impact the choices you make today? You need to thoughtfully assess your beliefs for their accuracy, authenticity, and congruence with whom you perceive yourself to be. Unless you take the time to reflect upon what you believe in and why, you will unconsciously live life being pulled by an invisible leash. If you are not aware of what you deeply believe, then you will be unaware of the forces that drive you. That is a dangerous and draining thing. Having a strong faith foundation is the number one requirement for coping with stress. For many, the crisis of faith is the point at which individuals finally evaluate what they really believe. The crisis of faith for most people comes during difficult days. Just when you need your faith foundation to mean the most, it may not be strong enough to provide direction and comfort. As with smart financial planning, you don't pay into a retirement fund once or twice or sporadically--you make small, consistent contributions that net a sizable return at your time of need. The same is true of your beliefs and your faith walk. I believe God acts directly in our lives. The attempt to share faith values or perspectives is often interpreted to mean the judging of differing values. My goal is not to judge, condemn, or evangelize. My goal is to encourage you to reflect upon what you believe and how it impacts your life on a daily basis. I'm not referring to religion. I'm talking about faith and beliefs, an important distinction. Consider how your faith or belief in a power greater than yourself causes you to think, choose, and live differently. Beliefs impact your character. Developing your character and becoming a better human being is a benefit of living by faith. Ultimately, what you believe about God, your purpose on earth, and the meaning of your life will determine how confident, proactive, and directed you will be. Faith impacts your health and the degree to which stress and uncertainty will plague you. Antidotal evidence shows that faith is effective in the prevention of disease, the enhancement of recovery from illness, the extension of lifespan, and the sense of well-being. My hope for you is that you will reflect and evaluate what you believe or don't believe about God, your purpose on earth, and the use of your gifts and talents in and for the world. You need to own your faith. It should act as a springboard for your courage, hope, and joy in the days to come. Your faith can also be a powerful sustainer even for making lifestyle changes. I have not seen the face of God the way I have looked into the face of my children. I have not touched His hand the way I have held my husband's, yet I believe in God as deeply as I believe in my husband or children. Actually, I believe in Him even more. What I believe about God directly impacts the kinds of choices I make each day. What you believe, understand, and interpret to be about and of God influences your choices each day--whether consciously or not. Faith in someone or something assumes that some things will be left unknown or not understood. And that is acceptable. excerpt from Progress Not Perfection: Your Journey Matters by Kate Larsen (Expert Publishing Inc.: 2007 ) ----- Reading Suggestions: I've got a great summer read for you. A few weeks ago, a friend said, "Kate, have you read The Wednesday Letters?" When I said no, she enthusiastically said, "Oh my gosh, you have to. Here's my copy!" I waited a few days to start, even though it was a short book because I wasn't sure it would be my type of read. I tend to like adventure, action and intrigue. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. It was wonderful. Let me give you a taste of the story and the take-aways I got. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright The story begins when Jack and Laurel Cooper die one evening, unexpectedly in each others arms. Their three adult children are called home to make their funeral arrangements. In the midst of making final arrangements and preparing for the challenging days ahead, they find a box of secret letters, written to their mother Laurel, by Jack their dad on every Wednesday of their marriage. It's a heart-warming, often funny story that grabbed me and pulled me in. The author developed the characters in a real and rich way that prompted me to care about what happened to them. There were unexpected twists and turns with people (characters) who I could picture being the friends, family or neighbors in my own life. Their flaws and challenges were real. As was the forgiveness that was required in the end. The secret final letter tucked into the end of the book in a special sleeve is a keeper-but, don't read it until the end. The reminders I got and are worthy to remind you of are:
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