Many in the Christian community relate struggles to a failure of faith which led us to begin suffering in silence and consequently a generation of Christians who have become isolated from the very community God gives us to help us through hard times. I can relate to that being a queer person of faith who remained silent for a long period of time because my faith community of origin (Evangelical Christianity) chose that as a sin with no allowance for a different interpretation (an egregious sin of sorts). However, eventually I discovered (with healthy Christian therapy) that it was through that "struggle", did I find real purpose and identity at a much deeper level. I was able to discover a fuller picture of myself and hence develope a much more authentic spiritual walk with God.
Richard Rohr writes in his book Falling Upward, the two entry points into deeper spiritual awareness are often either great love or great suffering (struggle). He uses the mantra transcendence-inclusion, transcendence - inclusion as the only way to get to the next stage of spiritual growth. Once we include those struggles in our story, in my case through therapy, does it catapult us to another stage of our spiritual growth or as I like to say another chapter in our story to our fuller truer identity in Christ. The numerous struggles that I have encountered in my 54 years were eventual doorways to compassion, empathy, more inclusive faith and open heart. I'll take that any day thank you.
Many in the Christian community relate struggles to a failure of faith which led us to begin suffering in silence and consequently a generation of Christians who have become isolated from the very community God gives us to help us through hard times. I can relate to that being a queer person of faith who remained silent for a long period of time because my faith community of origin (Evangelical Christianity) chose that as a sin with no allowance for a different interpretation (an egregious sin of sorts). However, eventually I discovered (with healthy Christian therapy) that it was through that "struggle", did I find real purpose and identity at a much deeper level. I was able to discover a fuller picture of myself and hence develope a much more authentic spiritual walk with God.
Richard Rohr writes in his book Falling Upward, the two entry points into deeper spiritual awareness are often either great love or great suffering (struggle). He uses the mantra transcendence-inclusion, transcendence - inclusion as the only way to get to the next stage of spiritual growth. Once we include those struggles in our story, in my case through therapy, does it catapult us to another stage of our spiritual growth or as I like to say another chapter in our story to our fuller truer identity in Christ. The numerous struggles that I have encountered in my 54 years were eventual doorways to compassion, empathy, more inclusive faith and open heart. I'll take that any day thank you.
Shalom
Thanks, David. Honored to have your contribution to this conversation.