Do Not Lose Faith

A Reflection on the Second Reading for October 20th, 2019:
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2 Timothy 3.14 – 4.2

Beloved: Continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the one who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.

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When I read through this scripture, the main thing that I think God was trying to tell me was: Do not lose faith.


Lately, I think I’ve been going through a period of doubt in God without really realizing it. Maybe you’ve experienced this feeling too. It’s as if I’ve been passive in my relationship with God. I’ll pray only when I conveniently remember to, which is not as often as it should be. And when I pray, it’s usually been at a time of need; when I need something from God during my more anxious and desperate times. I’ve put God at arm’s length, only letting Him into my life on my own terms.


At times like these, I tend to blame God. I can easily convince myself that it’s God who’s not listening, which could not be farther from the truth. I end up thinking that because things aren’t going the way that I want, it’s because I’m not being listened to. But if I look closely at the past few week’s events, it’s quite clear that I’m the one who’s not listening.


I’ve found myself starting to become frustrated. I was confused about why I didn’t feel God’s presence in my life. But, once I took a good look at how little I’ve been contributing to my faith life, it began to make more sense. I was starting to lose faith. I wasn’t trusting in God, because I had neglected to listen.

"God only asks for us to trust and have faith in Him."

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God only asks for us to trust and have faith in Him. And my lack of faith was beginning to really impact how I was feeling. I felt as though I had absolutely no control over anything, and I was beginning to spiral into a pattern of negativity and hopelessness. I even went so far as to think that maybe God doesn’t care about me. But, reading this scripture solidified the fact that all those thoughts I had been thinking were lies. 


I must go on to “continue what [I] have learned and firmly believed”. I know that God is present in my life. We are his beloved, and nothing on this earth can change that, even if we don’t feel worthy or deserving. Our perceptions of ourselves do not impact the love that the Lord has for us in any way. Like this scripture says, the Bible is the place we can go to be grounded and find the truth, exactly like this reading has done for me. 
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I am now trying my hardest to remember that in all circumstances, I am loved by God—even when I listen to outside sources, which trick me into thinking otherwise. Your experiences of God and with God cannot be taken away from you. They are the truth and that will never change. Do not do yourself an injustice by losing faith in those firm beliefs. Know who you are and Whose you are. I pray that every day we may remember the love that God has for us and that we may live our lives to the fullest, with faith and trust. Amen. ​


​Megan Noye

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