Christian Faith – There have been seasons in my life where, from the outside, everything looked fine—but internally, I was barely holding it together. One such time was during a particularly difficult year when I faced a major personal loss, financial uncertainty, and a deep sense of purposelessness all at once. It felt like I was walking through a fog, emotionally and spiritually drained.
And yet, it was during that dark chapter that my Catholic/Christian faith became more than just something I believed—it became the foundation I stood on.
Catholics Are Christian: Understanding the Shared Foundation of Faith
One common misconception I’ve encountered—even among believers—is the idea that Catholicism is somehow separate from Christianity. The truth is, Catholics are Christians. In fact, Catholicism is the original Christian faith, tracing its roots directly back to Jesus Christ and the Apostles, with an unbroken line of succession for over 2,000 years. While theological differences exist between Catholicism and Protestant denominations (such as views on authority, sacraments, and tradition), all orthodox Christians—Catholic, Protestant, Born Again and Orthodox—share the same core belief: that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
As a practicing Catholic, my faith is centered on the person of Jesus—His life, death, and resurrection. The Nicene Creed, recited in Catholic Mass and many Protestant churches alike, affirms our shared belief in the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the hope of eternal life. The Catholic Church also upholds the authority of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16), though it equally values Sacred Tradition and the teaching authority of the Church, as guided by Christ’s promise that the Holy Spirit would lead believers into all truth (John 16:13).
Some may wonder why Catholic devotion includes practices like the veneration of saints or the sacraments, but these are not replacements for a relationship with Christ—they are expressions of it. Just as Paul describes the Church as the “Body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27), Catholics believe that the communion of saints, the Eucharist, and the sacraments are tangible ways God’s grace sustains us on our journey toward Him. At its heart, Catholicism is about encountering Jesus—not just as a historical figure, but as a living Savior who meets us in our struggles, just as He did in my darkest season.
Whether Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox, what unites us as Christians is far greater than what divides us. We all cling to the same cross, the same empty tomb, and the same promise of redemption. And in a world that often feels fractured, that shared hope is worth celebrating.
Faith in the Fire: How God Met Me in My Struggles
I remember one night, alone in prayer, opening my Bible and landing on Isaiah 43:2: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”
It was as if God Himself whispered to me, “You are not alone. I am here, even in this.” That scripture gave me permission to feel the pain, but also the assurance that I was not forsaken. I started journaling, pouring out my heart, and slowly my quiet time with God became a place of refuge and rebuilding.
Another passage that shaped me during that time was Romans 5:3-5: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…”
This was more than encouragement—it was a roadmap. It helped me see that the struggle wasn’t the end. There was something being forged in me. I began to value resilience, not as something I had to muster on my own, but as a fruit of walking in faith.
Personal Growth Rooted in Faith
As a practicing Catholic Christian, I recognize that many of the shifts I experienced during those hard seasons were key milestones in my personal growth. I learned to:
- Let go of control: Trusting God’s timing and provision became more than a cliché. I truly learned to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
- Redefine success: The world says success is achievement. God taught me success is faithfulness.
- Find identity in Belief: No longer did I need to prove my worth through work or relationships—I began to deeply internalize that I was already loved, already chosen (Ephesians 1:4-5).
That transformation impacted how I lead, how I coach, and how I love others. My empathy deepened. My capacity to sit with people in their pain expanded. And most importantly, my hope was no longer circumstantial—it was eternal.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Even today, my faith continues to inspire me. Every coaching session, every challenge I face, every goal I set, is filtered through the lens of God’s call on my life. When uncertainty comes, I lean into Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
I don’t have to have it all figured out—just faithful, daily steps forward.
My journey is still unfolding, but I walk with confidence knowing that the One who started a good work in me is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6). My prayer is that through every challenge, my life reflects a hope that’s unshakable and a faith that draws others to the heart of God.
If you’re walking through something hard right now, know this: God is not distant. He is not silent. He is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18), and He is writing a story through your life that is far greater than the chapter you’re in.
You’re not alone. You’re not forgotten. And you’re not finished.
