Finding Joy in a Life of Faith
The Catholic faith has a reputation for being solemn and serious. The amount of time dedicated to Mass, prayer and Holy Days of Obligation can look overwhelming from an outside perspective. However, there’s a lot of joy to be found in these practices. Faith can give children and adults guidance that helps in difficult times. Through religion, people can find joy, love and peace. Here’s how.
Trusting God
The most important part of any close relationship is trust. Your relationship with God shouldn’t be any different. When things aren’t going your way, remember that everything that happens requires God’s approval. Sometimes it’s difficult to trust your own judgment, but you can always trust His plan. When you or your child are suffering, remember that God is by your side. He’s there to help you find the strength you struggle to find within yourself.
Practicing Gratitude
It’s easy to focus on the negative events in your life. They’re the ones that stand out the most and linger on our minds as long as we let them. Gratitude takes practice, and the first step is taking time out of your day to think of the positive things in life. Be grateful for the gifts that God has given you. Encourage your child to keep a gratitude journal so they can always look back at what they’re thankful for. When your child is down, see if you can frame their stories in a positive light. In more serious situations, remind them that it will pass.
Sharing Your Gifts
Generosity can be its own source of joy. One example that even children can relate to is buying the perfect gift for someone and seeing the joy in their eyes when they receive it. Gifts don’t have to be physical or monetary. Your time and your voice can also help those in need. For some, your time may be even more meaningful. When you take the gifts God has given you and share them with others, you’re also sharing His love.
Rejoicing on Holidays
The holiday season can be stressful. There’s a lot of running around and planning involved. Sometimes, the holidays can pass by, and you feel like you did nothing to celebrate or like you simply didn’t have time for joy. Take time to truly celebrate and rejoice in all the good things holidays mean, like the religious context, the togetherness, and the hopeful atmosphere. Those things may seem unrelated, but they can all be reasons to celebrate and find joy.
Finding joy in faith is one of our priorities for students and their families. At our Osceola private schools, we instill leadership and compassion in our students through rigorous academics and a foundation of faith. We foster an atmosphere of care and an environment of high expectations and effective discipline. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us here.