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I am not doing well spiritually. Although I attend the church services, read the Holy Bible, and listen to spiritual songs regularly, yet I do not feel any spiritual consolation, and my faith is growing weaker everyday. Can you please help?

All men by their earthly nature are weak. Therefore, it is only natural that they go through difficult times and tribulations. These difficult times however, are meant to be an alert sign to make us turn to God for help. Whenever our faith weakens or grows cold, we should say with David, "My help comes from the Lord" (Psalm 121:2).

The Prophet David said, "Now in my prosperity I said, 'I shall never be moved.' Lord by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong, You hid Your face, and I was troubled" (Psalm 30:6-7). The Psalmist is saying that in the time of his strength he was not shaken. But, when God hid His face and His help from him, he immediately became worried, anxious, and troubled.

Following this the Psalmist said, "I cried out to You, O Lord; and to the Lord I made supplication. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper! You have turned for me mourning into dancing; you have put off my sackcloth and clothed with me gladness" (Psalm 30:8,10,11).

We should never depend on our will alone because it is fragile and more often than not we get disappointed by it. But it is the grace of God that supports us and warn us to return to the right path of righteousness. If it were not for the active work of the Holy Spirit in us, we would continue to decline into a poorer state.

Strive harder in your spiritual practices. The spiritual fathers taught the principle of "forceful advancing." They obtained this principle from the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. "The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force (has been forcefully advancing and forceful men lay hold of it)" (Matthew 11:12). This is not an easy principle.

Know that just as you do your school, college or office work diligently, even if unwillingly, on certain days, so should you persist and press on in praying, reading the Holy Bible and spiritual books. The body desires the easy and the lazy ways in life. St Isaac El-Souriany said, "Do you work only when you have the desire to work or you labor even if you do not have the desire to work?"

St. Isaac further said, "The more man toils, labors, and forces himself for the sake of God, the more is the Divine help which is sent to him, surrounds him, facilitates his striving and paves a road in front of him. It is better to die while you are striving than to die defeated."

Fasting is also essential. St. Macarius the Great said, "Longsuffering is patience and patience is victory and victory is life and life is the Kingdom and the Kingdom is God. A deep well has sweet water. The gate is narrow and the road is difficult, but the city is full of joy and happiness. The tower is strong and high, but inside it are valuable treasures. Fasting is heavy and hard but it leads to the Kingdom of Heaven. Doing good is difficult and demanding, but it saves us from fire by the mercy of our Lord to Whom be the glory."

St. Isaac El-Souriany said, "Every person who strives against sin and its desires should begin with fasting."

Reading the Holy Bible is the best support for man in his weakness. St. Paul tells us "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

Through Confession we gain forgiveness for our sins. It makes us look at our weaknesses retrospectively contemplating the sorrow, failure and pain they have incurred on us.  These feeling are useful for repentance. "Never be ashamed to admit your mistakes" (Sirach 4:26).

The Lord Jesus Christ said, "I know your works, your labor, your patience...and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary" (Revelation 2:2-3).

May God be with you and your struggles become joy to you.