Many religious traditions teach the same or similar beliefs. There’s an overlap in the truths they impart. Some of these teachings are that there is an all-knowing and all-powerful divine presence and that having compassion, being humble, avoiding being judgmental, and helping others are qualities we should embrace.
Some people find it hard to believe in a divine presence. In my work as a crisis line counselor, people sometimes call about their struggles with addiction and trying to maintain sobriety. Although thankfully many people have been helped by attending Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, some tell me they don’t consider attending those programs because they don’t believe in a higher power. I understand having doubts. Although I was raised in a religious tradition and attended worship services and religious instruction classes regularly throughout my childhood and teen years, I went through a period of questioning when I was in my 20s. Questioning when a person is a young adult is natural to that time of life. And it can happen at any age. Most religious traditions have compassion for people as they struggle with their beliefs.
In modern western society, the rational/materialistic approach to life is emphasized. Using our rational thinking abilities is essential for many tasks. But the thinking, analytic function definitely does not provide all the answers. There are many subjective, intangible aspects of life for which there are not clear, concise, objective explanations. Some people ridicule a person who says there are not obvious explanations and that at times we do well to accept that there are mysteries.
Having faith is a gift from the Creator, the divine presence. Although we are not directly in control of when we will be given that gift, it is important that we “prepare the soil,” so to speak, to receive it. Trying to follow the almost universal teachings of having compassion, not judging others, having humility, and not thinking only of our needs and wants but remembering we are part of the human community are ways to do that.
Be open to the divine. Then prepare the soil to receive the gift of faith, to care for it, and to help it grow.