"ایمان به این معنی نیست که شما شک نداشته باشید"

Faith, at its core, is about belief and trust, even when everything isn’t crystal clear. It’s like trusting in a friend to catch you during a trust fall—there's that moment of uncertainty, but you go for it anyway, because you believe in them. It’s not about having an unshakable, doubt-free conviction. Instead, it’s about moving forward despite those nagging questions.

Historically, this idea has been a balm during turbulent times. Think about the civil rights movement—leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. had immense faith in their cause. They faced enormous uncertainty and danger, yet they pressed on. Their faith coexisted with doubt and fear. They didn’t have a foolproof plan or absolute certainty of success, but their belief in justice propelled them forward.

Imagine you're starting a new job. It's your dream role, but the first day feels like a storm of self-doubt. You question if you’re good enough, if you’ll fit in, if you’ll meet expectations. Yet, you go in anyway because deep down, you trust your abilities and the journey you’re on. That’s faith intertwined with doubt in action. It doesn't mean you’re 100% confident all the time. It means you have enough belief to take the next step, even with butterflies in your stomach.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in everyday life? Start by acknowledging your doubts. They’re not signs of failure or weakness. They’re just part of being human. Use them as checkpoints—not stop signs. When you feel doubt creeping in, ask yourself, "What’s one small step I can take despite this uncertainty?" Remember, even tiny steps count. Maybe it’s applying for that job, having a difficult conversation, or starting a new hobby. Each step, no matter how small, reinforces your faith and diminishes the power of doubt.

Let’s paint a picture. Picture a young woman named Sarah. She’s passionate about art and wants to start her own gallery. She’s got talent, but she’s also got a hefty dose of doubt. “What if no one comes? What if my work isn’t good enough?” These thoughts whirl in her mind. But Sarah decides to take the plunge. She starts by displaying a few pieces at local cafes. The response is positive, and it fuels her. She doesn’t get rid of all her doubts overnight, but with each small success, her faith in her vision grows stronger. She learns that doubt doesn’t disappear; it just gets quieter as faith gets louder.

Talking to a friend at a coffee shop, I’d probably say something like this: “Look, faith isn’t about never doubting. It’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. It’s like jumping into a pool—you might have a moment of ‘what if it's freezing?’ but you jump in because you trust it’ll be worth it. So, go ahead, take that leap, even if you’ve got doubts whispering in your ear. That’s real faith.”

By embracing this mindset, you’re not striving for perfection. You’re striving for progress. You’re acknowledging that doubt is a companion on your journey, not a roadblock. Faith means trusting that the path, though uncertain and rocky at times, is leading you somewhere worthwhile. So keep going. Take the next step, doubts and all. That’s where the magic happens.