When Faith Feels Fragile

by R. Scott Hurd

Feed your faith with this motivational book serving up a hearty spiritual feast of inspiring anecdotes, amusing reflections, and helpful advice. At some point in our lives, no matter who we are—laity, clergy, consecrated men/women—we question, doubt, or struggle with our faith commitment. Even individuals who have been canonized or beatified have had this experience. Maybe the faith you acquired during childhood no longer resonates with the challenges you face as an adult. Or, perhaps you have suffered a painful loss or illness that has shaken the foundations of your belief. Or, maybe you simply can’t seem to find the time or drive to make faith a constant in your life. Especially in today’s age where information overload and personal responsibilities divert our attentions, Church scandal prompts distrust, and Catholic social teaching stirs criticism, our faith is more fragile than ever before. As someone who has personally struggled with his faith, best-selling author R. Scott Hurd knows all too well the questions, doubts, and challenges that can emerge within a faith commitment. And while he realizes that there’s no overnight transformation from Homer Simpson to Mother Teresa, there is still hope for the wary, weak, and wandering. If you’re a Catholic who values your faith, but you feel like sometimes you’re hanging on to it by a thread, this book is for you. Combining his pastoral ministry experiences with his conversational writing style and humorous nature, Father Hurd reassures, inspires, encourages, and challenges you to take practical steps to reawaken your faith. Offering ideas for how to integrate the faith into all aspects of your life—spiritually, practically, and leisurely—Father Hurd nourishes you with many ways to help you when faith feels fragile. Through his guidance, you can accept God’s beautiful and priceless gift of faith.

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the publicist for this author. This book is divided into 40 chapters, making it an excellent personal, parish group or parish book club read for Lent. Each chapter gives easy, practical and concrete ways to coax a wary faith, bolster a weak faith or help a wandering faith take root. Fr. Scott Hurd writes in the language of everyday people. You do not have to be part of a religious order or a theologian to undertake the message of this book. Working from where you are, Fr. Scott gently guides you to where you hope to be in your faith. Begin the journey from fragile to fearless!

[ToniMerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book! I read one or two chapters a night during Lent. I think it's one of those kinds of books you can't just speed read through. It's great even for those whose faith does not necessarily feel fragile, and I would recommend it also for those who are not necessarily wary, weak, or wandering. Overall it was a very insightful, down to earth, easily accessible and understandable journey into what it means to have faith. I can't wait to read it again, and I've already marked down pages to turn to for future reference.

[Resa]

Relatable anecdotes paired with saintly stories and advice made this a quick read with plenty of take away. It deals more with those everyday things that cause us to stray, doubt, question, and otherwise be lackluster about our faith than those big life/worldview altering events.

Which was actually a nice change. Sometimes it's the ordinary things that are the biggest challenges to faith.

[Sr Khristina fsp]

Other online reviews:

The Catholic Book Blogger

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave a wide list of ways to experience/grow faith. It worked well as a devotional for Lent. I liked how it ended with a reminder that everyone is different and basically a call: you be you. Each chapter felt like a story told suggestion, it did not feel too preachy.