Mother Teresa

In Strait Times' August 27th 2007 edition, page 12, I spotted an article titled "Mother Teresa's letters reveal crises of faith." In her periods of doubt, she felt lonely, empty, tortured, pain and overcome by darkness. Considering the kind of poverty, misery and depravity she encountered every day, it's no wonder her battle lasted for so long. I hope in the end she regained her faith in God.

The life of those who lost faith is pitiful indeed. I can't imagine going through it over 50 years of your life even though, I believe, it may be a chronic ordeal thing for her. I had my period of doubt spanning for about 6 months which was precipitated by the death of a beloved aunt. I went crazy. Life lost its meaning. Depression was not too far off. If not for a visiting college professor, Dr Alvin Plantingga, I would not know how to find my faith in God again. This is what he said if my memory serves me well: that no amount of theological or philosophical defense of theism can bring anybody to faith for it is only by the work of the Holy Spirit that one come to Christ. Therefore, he advised, do not put out the spirit's fire which should be burning no matter how dimly in has become.