When we strive to grow spiritually, we may worry that our faith is insufficient. Faith is undeniably important in our spiritual journey, but it is not entirely a matter of choice. At times, we can choose to have faith or to succumb to doubts and fears, and such choices certainly matter. However, faith, like a muscle, cannot be developed overnight. If our faith is presently weak, it does not mean that we cannot connect with our Lord.

Even when our faith falters due to life’s upheavals, we need not fixate on its size. Instead, we can focus on the size of our Lord. He is the sustainer of all existence, the source of strength for all beings, and the one who has protected us through innumerable dangers—many of which we may never even realize. He cared for us in our mother’s womb, when we had no capacity to care for ourselves, and he cared for us even before this life, in our prenatal spiritual journey.

We can redirect our attention to the greatness of our Lord by hearing about him through sacred texts such as the Bhagavad Gita. By meditating on his glory, we remind ourselves of his ability to see us through life’s toughest difficulties. The Bhagavad Gita (18.58) assures us that by becoming conscious of him, we can overcome all challenges by his grace. While becoming conscious of the Lord is easier when infused with faith, even weak faith can be supplemented by curiosity and eagerness.

Curiosity is the opposite of certainty, often associated with faith, and it can be activated even when faith feels weak. By asking open-ended questions and observing our life from a third-person perspective, we can begin to see the hand of God in our circumstances. Questions such as, “How can this person turn toward God in this situation?” or “How can he align with the divine plan here?” can help us cultivate a desire to connect with our Lord.

Through such inquiries, we start dwelling on the Lord’s greatness and glory. The more we do so, the more we are reminded of countless historical instances where the Lord has protected his devotees from dangers far greater than what we may face. Such contemplation can ease our anxiety and potentially strengthen our faith.

Summary:

  • Faith is a choice, but it is also a muscle that may currently be weak and underdeveloped.
  • Even if our faith is small, we can focus on the greatness of our Lord by remembering his glory, as revealed in sacred texts, rather than lamenting our weak faith.
  • By activating curiosity through thoughtful questions and contemplating the Lord’s actions, we can connect with him, reduce anxiety, and gradually strengthen our faith.

Think it over:

  • In what ways is faith both within and beyond our control?
  • If faith is weak, how can we still connect with our Lord?
  • Reflect on a situation causing you uncertainty and contemplate how you can direct your thoughts toward the Lord amid that situation.

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18.58 If you become conscious of Me, you will pass over all the obstacles of conditioned life by My grace. If, however, you do not work in such consciousness but act through false ego, not hearing Me, you will be lost.