When everything else fails, be kind.
I used to be a kid who hated religious teachers and schools. Then, I grew up to constantly question myself why was it so hard for me to do good. Then, there was a time when I thought I was so good and didn’t understand why some people do evil.
That’s my spiritual journey. I am now at a place where I am scared for myself, about my future, about my ending. Even the noise of thunder and rain makes me anxious.
Some people may think and find that religion is hard. Can’t do this, can’t do that. It almost feels like we’re trapped without exit. But that is not how religion works. There are reminders for both heaven and hell.
Some people, choose to focus on hell. When they speak, they scare some of us. Other focus on heaven. When they speak, they give us hope and assurance.
God is fair. God wouldn’t punish us if we didn’t do anything wrong.
I have been too scared for being consistently reminded of the sufferings and hellfire. I know that I’ve sinned and that only God could save me from hell. It’s a good reminder but, being under constant scare led me to feel uncomfortable and hopeless. In reality, God tells us to NOT lose hope. To constantly ask for forgiveness and Gods’ mercy. To know that God is the Most Forgiving. To know that God loves us more than we could imagine.
This made me realise, people are equipped with our own unique strengths. Some are strong enough to be reminded of punishments every day. Some require a more gentle approach where the story about punishments and rewards are equally important. Some are on the softer spectrum where they need to take things slowly and delicately. None of these is wrong as we walk our own journey.
It may take person A 15 years to find God but it’ll take person B 50 years to find God. None of them is wrong and it’s alright to take longer.
I know some of us are so eager to spread the truth. I’m afraid you’ll have to re-assess your audience. Not everyone is able to take it hard. The best of speakers are the ones who know their audience.
Till then, may peace be upon you.
Bits of Alya 