The key of faith

Monday, May 13, 2013

Linda Rose Ingrisano - St. Gregory Church

English Spanish

Last time I shared with you that, while going through some difficult times in my life, the Lord gave me keys to help me along my journey. I understood that these keys were the tools that would help me to follow God’s ways, not mine; another way to say this is to act from my faith, not react from myself, from my dysfunction.

This first key is the key of faith. Faith is the foundation for the building of our spiritual life. It is my hope, my dream, my purpose, my healing, my comfort, my stability, my end and my beginning. Without my faith, what is there? What is my purpose? Why am I alive? I believe that I have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14) That God began a good work in me and He will perfect it until Jesus comes (Phil 1:6). That I am gifted for the purpose of glorifying God, and that God is with me always and knows me better than I know myself. So I can put all my faith in Him.

Where do you first remember learning about your faith? Was there a person or persons in your past who inspired you? Maybe you are like me and didn’t grow up in the Church and had parents who didn’t talk about God. Perhaps you grew up in an abusive situation, or were the victim of trauma, loss or any number of other tragedies, and can’t wrap your head around the concept of faith: If God is real, where was He for me? More to the point: I can’t be very much loved by God after all that has happened to me.

I had a real problem with that very thing. If God is real, where was He for me? Where was He when my child was suffering, my marriage fell apart, my Dad died in a tragic boating accident, I lost all material possessions? How do I have faith in someone I can’t see or hear who is supposed to love and care for me? It took lots of decision-making over and over again to try believing, to try standing on faith. I had to look at the barriers I put up within myself, the false visions I had of God because of my life experience and various other challenges.

Remember, we are not of this world. We are in it. We are to act on what we believe — our faith, not our vision, not our reasoning, not our imagination, not our brokenness.

If you find that you just can’t understand many things in your life, if you worry and have anxiety, anger, disappointment, fear, and are unable to act on your faith: Ask for faith! God will give you more than you can imagine. God will give you the grace to look up and not around.

Pray: Thank you Lord for giving me faith so that I will act from faith rather than from myself.

Comments from readers

Lorena - 05/19/2013 10:34 PM

It's hard to keep believing in the midst of the storm. It was explained to me that faith is much like a relationship, at first it's new and exciting; you feel God's presence all around, you receive his messages and tools. However, as time passes that honeymoon stage fades, the routine sets in sometimes you fell the absence of God's presence and begin to wonder if He has left. So we resort to what we can see and control but we forget that it's during that time when we must cultivate our faith. Feed and nurture it because He hasn't let our side. When living in the middle of the storm it's easier said than done but through obedience and faithfulness to Him we will be molded and nurtured according to His will. Thank you for your article, it is another way He has spoken to me to let me know I'm not alone.

Robert Cabello - 05/15/2013 03:48 PM

Very insightful comments on Faith,that we often forget as we go about trying to live our life. Thanks so much for shareing

Linda Rose Ingrisano - 05/15/2013 12:45 PM

Thank you, ladies for your gracious comments! Anicie, I am excited that you are on this wonderful journey! Bless you!

Anicie Acuna - 05/13/2013 12:40 PM

May 13,2013! What a special day to embarque in this journey with you! I believe that the Holy church has an extremely sensitive role "leading its flock" and, that the Most Blessed Light of Humanity, our Lord Jesus Christ must be our Call. My faith taught to me at birth, thorough my very beginning as I learned to walk by my mother's hand; although not easy to attend the Catholic school I have a twin sister and only one available space. But blessed in time by Divine Providence, it became a reality. It is undeniable that our Catholic school formation has playsed a key in a Cuban American family's life, beginning in our new parish at St. Paul the Apostle's school, church, New York City, USA. How wonderful to be a part of this most beautiful and extremely important passage in our present lives, a daily difference directed by The Holy Spirit, in our Mother the Church. Thank you for this opportunity, sicerely in Christ. Anicie

Mary Rose Farrell - 05/13/2013 10:46 AM

This is a great article. I know Linda Rose and she is very wise and knowledgable. Thank you for posting her blog.

Lorena - 05/19/2013 10:34 PM: It's hard to keep believing in the midst of the storm. It was explained to me that faith is much like a relationship, at first it's new and exciting; you feel God's presence all around, you receive his messages and tools. However, as time passes that honeymoon stage fades, the routine sets in sometimes you fell the absence of God's presence and begin to wonder if He has left. So we resort to what we can see and control but we forget that it's during that time when we must cultivate our faith. Feed and nurture it because He hasn't let our side. When living in the middle of the storm it's easier said than done but through obedience and faithfulness to Him we will be molded and nurtured according to His will. Thank you for your article, it is another way He has spoken to me to let me know I'm not alone.

Robert Cabello - 05/15/2013 03:48 PM: Very insightful comments on Faith,that we often forget as we go about trying to live our life. Thanks so much for shareing

Linda Rose Ingrisano - 05/15/2013 12:45 PM: Thank you, ladies for your gracious comments! Anicie, I am excited that you are on this wonderful journey! Bless you!

Anicie Acuna - 05/13/2013 12:40 PM: May 13,2013! What a special day to embarque in this journey with you! I believe that the Holy church has an extremely sensitive role "leading its flock" and, that the Most Blessed Light of Humanity, our Lord Jesus Christ must be our Call. My faith taught to me at birth, thorough my very beginning as I learned to walk by my mother's hand; although not easy to attend the Catholic school I have a twin sister and only one available space. But blessed in time by Divine Providence, it became a reality. It is undeniable that our Catholic school formation has playsed a key in a Cuban American family's life, beginning in our new parish at St. Paul the Apostle's school, church, New York City, USA. How wonderful to be a part of this most beautiful and extremely important passage in our present lives, a daily difference directed by The Holy Spirit, in our Mother the Church. Thank you for this opportunity, sicerely in Christ. Anicie

Mary Rose Farrell - 05/13/2013 10:46 AM: This is a great article. I know Linda Rose and she is very wise and knowledgable. Thank you for posting her blog.