Introduction

Dear Faithful Self,

I want to take a moment to honor the journey we’ve been on together—the moments of joy, the struggles, and the questions that have surfaced along the way. Faith has been a guiding light for you, shaping your identity and providing a sense of community, but it’s also brought challenges that have led you to question and seek deeper truths.

In this moment of reflection, I want to reach out to you with love and understanding. This letter is an invitation to explore those questions together, to embrace the discomfort of uncertainty, and to find clarity in the midst of confusion. As we journey through these pages, I hope to remind you of the strength within you and the importance of honoring your feelings as we navigate this complex landscape. It’s okay to question, seek, and wonder about the truths you hold dear. I hope you know that it’s possible to honor your past while also embracing the possibility of growth and change.

I know you feel terrified. Your worldview is crumbling around you, but you’re trying to fight your doubts. You feel ashamed to ask questions. You’re not alone. Take your time, and know that you are in control here.

As I explored my beliefs, I realized that my faith was shaped by many factors, each seemingly small on its own. Yet, when considered collectively, they led me to the conclusion that I could no longer uphold my cherished belief system as my ultimate truth. In this resource, I liken each of these factors to individual elements, which together form a larger, more complex whole. This concept inspired the name of this resource: epistles composed of many smaller elements, each contributing to the narrative of my journey.