For many of us, it’s hard to believe in better days when everything seems to be falling apart. Some people may feel overwhelmed by personal, family, health, or financial struggles. Others might see the state of politics and global conflicts as if the whole world is losing its balance. Surviving the loss of a loved one can feel impossible. In such times, trusting anything besides despair can be difficult. Still, there are ways to find faith even in the darkest moments.
Chaos and unexpected tragedy are difficult to understand. When we allow ourselves to feel our pain, grief transforms into acceptance and meaning. However, suppressing the pain prevents it from being released and keeps us stuck. Mourning tragedy clears our minds of emotional toxins and helps us face the future.
One way to cope with misfortune is to reflect on the past. It helps us to think of the times that we suffered or felt overwhelmed and then remember that things did get better. For example, after devastating natural disasters, we see that new and better growth replaces the old. A heartbreak from long ago has healed, and a much healthier relationship has developed. An abrupt end to a career led to a much better opportunity. A personal tragedy led to significant personal growth. Even wars can result in freedom when nothing else worked. All disasters have a silver lining at some point when we move through them without resistance.
Deep down, most of us are survivors. Like a thriving ant colony, when its world is crushed, it’s quickly rebuilt. Our planet isn’t much different. After we move past our pain, our minds begin to focus on rebuilding.
Faith is like a spiritual muscle. Just like any muscle, it grows over time through practice and discipline. Faith doesn’t only develop when everything goes our way. It emerges when, despite hardship and pain, we maintain a positive outlook and believe that no matter how bad things seem, good can come out of it. We trust in what we cannot see, learning that true strength comes from the unseen. This kind of personal empowerment isn’t automatic; it’s something that must be earned. When we search for the tiniest speck of light while in a dark tunnel, it will find its way to us and light the path. Over time, the tunnels get smaller, the light gets brighter, and we are certain to find our way from bitterness and tears to hope and acceptance.
JOIN OUR MOVEMENT TO SAVE MILLIONS OF LIVES FROM ADDICTION.
Donna Marks is an educator, licensed psychotherapist, and addictions counselor in Palm Beach, Florida. She has worked with over 6,000 clients. Donna’s struggle with addiction brought her to a worldwide search for healing. She became licensed as a Mental Health Counselor in 1987. In 1989, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Adult Education, then became Certified in Addictions, Gestalt Therapy, Psychoanalysis, Hypnosis, and Sex Therapy. Donna developed an award-winning addiction training program at Palm Beach Community College. She co-owns an outpatient treatment program and serves as a consultant to treatment centers. For 36 years, she has taught A Course in Miracles.
Donna is the author of three books: the multi-award-winning title Exit the Maze: One Addiction, One Cause, One Cure, and Learn, Grow, Forgive: A Path to Spiritual Success, The Healing Moment: Seven Paths to Turn Messes into Miracles of Love, and her latest fiction, Fortis & Sapiente – A Tale of Two Lovers Who Successfully Navigate the Murky Waters of Love. Donna is a public speaker and has shared her methods with millions of listeners on podcasts and radio shows.
Sign up for the mailing list
You will receive the latest articles, meditation tracks, inspirational content and much more
