If we are really honest, we all face doubts about our faith at times. How our churches help us recognize, embrace, think through and learn from our uncertainties can make all the difference. When we journey with one another through the haziness of being unsure, often we all become stronger.
I read Kathy Escobar’s new book, Faith Shift – Finding Your Way Forward When Everything You Believe is Coming Apart – with a great deal of interest. She deals with this topic – when we go through dark times of questions, hesitation and doubts – from both personal experience and from involvement in guiding others. And Kathy provides light for this difficult passage in a tender, nurturing way.
It is often when we stay with our questions, that our roots grow deeper. When we cover up our doubts with platitudes, trying harder or denying that we are experiencing disbelief, we stagnant.
This is not a self-help book to find God again in your life. It is a guidebook for transition times as your faith grows and evolves. Kathy gives us permission to express our uncertainties and discern our need to attend another church or even not attend anyplace if we need to without condemnation.
Kathy helps us name the various stages we experience as our faith shifts into new territory, tips to cope with each new phase and what to expect to gain or even lose as we evolve.
The book is full of great example, practical insights and personal or group reflection questions.
“Hope still exists when all appears lost. A shifter’s overarching desire here is not to leave faith altogether but to rebuild something, This time, we can reengage with greater wisdom, maturity and authenticity, We can color outside the lines and create something more fluid, creative and artful. We can rediscover old spiritual practices and bravely develop new ones. We can being to rebuild an active, passionate, simpler faith with fewer pieces but more depth.”
I recommend this book to anyone searching or those who listen to and help others in times of doubt.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review but received no compensation for my honest review.
What have you learned in times of doubt?
Thoughtful highlights, Jean. Appreciated that quote, too, which inspires me to create, discover, and develop in my faith walk, seeking less complications (as in too many commitments?) and more depth (time for quiet contemplation?).
What have I learned in times of doubt? Cling to Jesus and the promises of the Bible. He never fails, and neither does the Word of God.
wow I think, Nancy we are at the same place, I too have been discerning what to let go off to find more depth in my spiritual walk. Doubts can be a fertile time of growth too – I think I am less fearful of those times now and more knowing these too shall pass.
“Doubt can be fertile time of growth,” you say. Oh, yes! Even doubt has its positive side. Thank you, Jean!
I love reading Kathy’s blog so I’m guessing I would thoroughly enjoy this book too. Your review was very helpful. Glad you’re back home!
Thanks Lisa. Kathy has an interesting approach to a target audience many churches ignore or never really support. She has started a ministry for them so writes from lots of experience. I was surprised by liking the book as much as I did – just different from others I have been reading lately. Glad to be home too
Thanx for the recommendation. I’ll have to add it to my library. Baruch Hashem (Blessed is the Name of God), I’m not quite at this point in my life nor have I been that deep down the road. When things get tough and folks are yelling at me, things aren’t going my way, etc. I try to refocus – life is good, this too will pass and the current situation, whatever it is, certainly beats being 6-ft underground.
I’ll also spend a few minutes meditating and reading Joyce Rupp’s book “May I Have This Dance?”
I was thinking of taking the e-course based on Joyce’s writings at http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/ecourses.php?id=88
I love Joyce Rupp. My favorite book of hers is Dear Heart,Come Home. This book really helped me on a retreat deal with a transition in my life. faith Shift gives some insight into any one dealing with some doubts but especially when they are in a faith community that doesn’t support that type of questioning like some very conservative ones. I like your attitude of refocusing – lots of hope there.
I was on a retreat with Joyce many years ago. It was one of the best spiritual experiences that I’ve ever had – it’s up there when I go to Israel. My sister and I invited Joyce over to our Passover Seder – we got an anonymous mention in her book The Cosmic Dance.
I would love to hear her in a retreat. She was the spiritual director for a Dominican nun I know. Wouldn’t that have been something? I have the Cosmic Dance book too – cool you were mentioned.