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Shaken Faith.
https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=2166		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 9th, 2011, 4:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Shaken Faith.
I've never really dealt with this sort of thing in my stories before. At least, nothing that progress throughout the story.

The story I have in mind isn't written yet. But the main character, Tesmir, has seven older brothers. At the beginning of the story, Tesmir's brothers will go off to fight, leaving Tesmir at home alone. Later, however, Tesmir is told that the army his brothers were in has been destroyed, and no survivors can be found. Tesmir is taken to a safe 'haven', where he will be protected.

However, with the fresh news of his brothers' (supposed) deaths, his faith in God is all but shattered. He's not sure what to believe anymore, or even if he should believe. His parents and now his brothers are gone, and he's not sure why God let this happen, and he struggles with trying to sort out what he feels. He doesn't tell anyone, at least not for a long time.

My question is, how do I progress this to the point where he basically has faith in God again, that whatever happens, God is still there, and everything that happens is all for Tesmir's own good, and God's glory. How can I bring him up to that point? To me, near-death experiences seem common. That would probably help, but I'm looking for different ways to get him to the above said point. How do you deal with this?
Author:  Reiyen [ February 9th, 2011, 11:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
Quote:
My question is, how do I progress this to the point where he basically has faith in God again, that whatever happens, God is still there, and everything that happens is all for Tesmir's own good, and God's glory. How can I bring him up to that point? To me, near-death experiences seem common. That would probably help, but I'm looking for different ways to get him to the above said point. How do you deal with this?


I can kind of relate to Tesmir in a way, having experienced something similar in the last year. So I will cover how the progression worked for me:
Immediately after a tragedy like that it was very easy to say, "God's in control," "God's got it covered," "Precious is the death of His saints..." etc. It wasn't until later that it really hit. The way I put it then was that I was in a blink. I had seen one reality, blinked, but I was still expecting reality to be the same once I opened my eyes again, like anyone does when they blink.
When it will really hit Tesmir is when he wants to tell one of his brothers something funny that happened, or when he keeps expecting one to come home for Christmas or a birthday. When Tesmir graduates he will see the chairs that should have been saved for his cheering brothers are filled with strangers. {Here, as below, I use examples pertinent to people around my age, I don't know enough about Tesmir to come up with others}.
In my opinion, then, the answer to your question is that he comes by little steps in totally unrelated areas. Before he can swallow that God allowed his brothers to be destroyed he will have to be able to swallow that God allows one of his own friendships to fall apart. He will have to be able to accept when he gets cut from a sports team. Then one day he will have enough faith to accept his brothers' deaths. And that could be a very interesting plot element: throughout the whole book he struggles with accepting that, while the whole book is the story of the little things God uses to help him accept the idea.
Author:  Calenmiriel [ February 9th, 2011, 11:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
One thing I've noticed with those who have had their faith challenged or "shaken" with doubts, is that they want the truth. The person usually seeks facts or evidence to back up their beliefs.

Lee Strobel has written two great books called "The Case for Christ" and the one I read, "The Case for Faith."

I can relate with you when it comes to writing about experiences you've never had before. I hope this was helpful. ^^

@Reiyen: Whoops, I was alerted! At least one new post has been made to this topic. You may wish to review your post in light of this.
So I will also make a comment.

I agree with you on the "hitting point". Some things don't hit us or sink in until later.
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 10th, 2011, 3:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
I'm not sure if I understand the last part, Reiyen. How would getting cut from a sports team (I can't really think of an equivalent to that in a fantasy world) help him to accept that his brothers are gone? Tesmir's thinking is more towards "Why would God do this? Does He really love me like everyone says?" That sort of thing.

I forgot to also add that eventually Tesmir goes off (with another MC) to hunt down the ones responsible for his brothers' deaths, more or less with anger and grief clouding his common sense. Of course, everyone in the story doesn't quite think through the fact that even though no survivors were found, the bodies of his brothers weren't found, either (or something along those lines).

Calenmiriel- What do you mean by when people try to look up facts to back up their beliefs? Beliefs about what? :)
Author:  Reiyen [ February 10th, 2011, 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
I am just saying Tesmir will have to get used to the "littler" bad things before he will be able to swallow the death of his brothers. So you will have to provide him with little steps along the way.
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 10th, 2011, 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
So, he needs to experience minor bad events before he can fully accept the deaths of his brothers?
Author:  Calenmiriel [ February 10th, 2011, 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
Lady Aris Lillylight wrote:
Calenmiriel- What do you mean by when people try to look up facts to back up their beliefs? Beliefs about what? :)

Hmmm, well, let me see...(I probably dug my own grave since I don't have much experience with the subject.) :blush: I thoroughly apologize, I am at a loss of words at this time. ><;; *hides*
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 10th, 2011, 7:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
It's OK. :)

How would other people be able to move Tesmir along towards re-strengthening his faith? As he journeys throughout the land searching for the ones who 'killed' his brothers, a young lady friend joins him. How could she help him, if at all?
Author:  Riniel Jasmina [ February 10th, 2011, 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
In my experience it usually goes in phases. There could be times things seem to look up for a moment but then come down again. He's questioning God so he'll see the good as very good and the bad as very bad because he's looking for some ultimate proof to grasp onto. This isn't the best way to go about it because it leaves the soul feeling a little burned out but that burned out is where the person says okay God, it's up to You.

I'm not sure if this works for everyone but that's how I've seen it go down.
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 11th, 2011, 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
What sort of proof? Why would he see good things as very good, and bad things as very bad?

If I'm asking too many questions, let me know. I'm just trying to understand. :D
Author:  Varon [ February 13th, 2011, 7:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
As much as the bad things hurt, the good things might help. Say for instance, Tesmir sees a man who was about to have his pockets picked by an orphan forgive the orphan and give him food. It might the little things that are good might help strengthen his faith as he realizes that not everything is as bleak as it seems.

I'm not sure that will help, but I've found in other things that it's the little encouragements that do the most help in fixing a person or encouraging them to keep going.
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 13th, 2011, 8:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
That's a good idea. It'd be a good turning point, he begins to see the small good things, so he's better able to accept that his brothers are gone.
Author:  BushMaid [ April 18th, 2011, 1:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Shaken Faith.
On another note, you could bring him to the end of his rope, so that he has nothing left. Often when people hit rock bottom they return to God, because He is the only thing left for them. If after a character has had a major tragedy, leaves God, and wrestles with truths he used to believe in, comes to the end where he is on the street in the pouring rain, not a cent to his name, no job, no home, no family or friends, they tend to give God another chance.

Or, if they see someone who has been through the same grief, yet are not bitter but are full of love and forgiveness, this can also change their minds, because the character would be mystified as to why this person could still love after all they had been through.

Those are a few of my thoughts anyway. :)
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