273: Navigating a Faith Crisis: 3 Things I Want You to Know

Today I am sharing from my heart, starting with a personal story from my life--a story that might end up being one of the most impactful moments of my entire life.
It’s a story centered around the faith journey I’ve been on these past several years. I will admit that as my faith has shifted, I have often felt very overwhelmed, isolated, even scared. It’s hard to know who is safe to talk to to process this vulnerable topic. I’m here to tell you that it is all going to be ok, no matter where your faith journey takes you. And here are 3 additional things I think you need to know:
3 Takeaways from for when you are Navigating a Faith Crisis:
- There is nothing wrong with you. What you are going through is a normal part of human development. Fairly on in my faith crisis, I heard about the concept of Fowler's stages of faith, and it gave me a lot of peace to hear what I was going through described within a developmental framework.
- You have your whole life to figure this out. You don't need to feel rushed or panicked. Take it one day at a time.
- You are a good person. I know from personal experience that this is something you are grappling with due to your personal integrity and values. You wouldn't have chosen to go through this difficult deconstruction for no reason--you had the courage to recognize that something didn't feel right, didn't match your values.
>>>Are these tips on Navigating a Faith Crisis from Rachel helpful? What would you add to the takeaways? Tell us in the comments below.
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-Mentioned in the Episode-
-Related Episodes like this one on navigating a Faith Crisis:
- 159: Connecting Spiritually When You Don’t Have Extra Time // Darla Trendler Of Spiritually Minded Women
- 097: How To Let Go Of Hard Stuff From Your Past // From ‘About Progress’
← 272: How to Fall Back in Love with Motherhood When It All Feels Hard // Tessa Brown274: How to Support Someone you Love through a Faith Crisis // Kattie Mount →
I’ve never left a comment on a podcast before, but thank you so much for this beautiful episode. Your bravery and curiosity regarding your religion is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your journey and your heart with us. As someone who has gone through a similar faith crisis, I felt extremely alone. It’s not shameful, and we need to talk about it more. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing this honest and helpful episode.
Rachel dear it’s 4 am- a time I am often awake and thinking about my questions! So when I saw your topic I decided to invite you to my private ponder party… I’m so touched by your courage and loving approach to this topic. Thank you.
These kinds of doubts have been with me as long as I can remember, yet I was blessed to be raised by a Mom who never stopped asking questions yet never stopped believing. She gave me confidence to trust that wherever my mind took me was OK and never to fear the truth. (I love the quote “the truth shall make you free, but first it shall make you miserable!”) I‘ve never had certainty, but I have a sweet assurance that, as Waugh so beautifully expresses it in Brideshead Revisited, God has me safely on a string. I feel the tug of it just often enough to hang on in my ‘hopeful skepticism,’ and go forward in faith. It’s been a great journey so far!
Just today I listened to Richard Bushman on the Faith Matters podcast talk about why he believes – I recommend it to anyone in this situation. I’d love to talk more with you about this and am so happy you are adding your loving insights to this spiritual pandemic we are going through now. Your Mom isn’t here to tell you so let me tell you – I’m with your Grampy- proud of you girl! MGF
I am new to this podcast but listened to this episode and was floored by the weight it lifted off my shoulders by your message. I sorely needed to hear this. All 3 of the take-aways are equally just as needed and powerful.
Thanks you for sharing and validation and message of hope in such a confusing time for religion.
This message was exactly what my heart needed to hear. Thank you for sharing freely and with caring vulnerability. I really connected with the story about your Grandfather, and hope I can -be- that person for my kids or grandkids when they need it.