The way I see it, faith in any cosmic power is always a matter of choice. It is not about whether or not god exists, but- in the face of all the 'evidence' and 'logic' we are inundated with, that defends either position while debunking the other with nauseating regularity- about whether or not we actively choose to believe in a god-like entity, for whatever reason. And that choice gives us the spiritual strength that ultimately helps us attain all that we wish for.
It is not a subconscious decision either, despite what some may claim. When someone says that they have always believed in god and will continue to do so no matter what, and that they have reaped the rewards of their faith, they are making a strong stand to defend their worldview, an active choice to believe in a protective power that will watch over them and ensure their well-being in the long run, in spite of all the trouble and misfortune one encounters and experiences in life .
It is not a question of superstition/religiosity Vs scientific fact/rationality either, a dichotomy created and played upon for centuries, but a question of how one perceives the world, of how one chooses to read, analyse, understand and accept the multiple disconnected events of our lives and the world at large to come to a conclusion that is both comprehensible to and compatible with our material and mental orientation.
They say that faith and doubt go hand in hand; that faith does not guarantee peace and happiness, but gives you the strength to tide over troubled times. If you believe in a higher power, it will be tested through hardships, and you will have to find the strength to battle with your doubts and re-appropriate your faith, making it more resilient than ever before.
I would say that all of this again boils down to choice- the choice to keep believing, to keep praying, to keep following the rituals that you always have in the hopes that god will listen to you. The choice to not let misfortune waver your conviction, no matter how difficult it is to hold on to your faith in those times. Because faith and prayers have never been about a bargain with god: it is about persisting in your faith despite everything, using all your mental power to realign the positive energy vibes towards yourself and those you hold dear, and actively ensuring your well-being thus. Much as we want to believe it, there is actually nobody up there looking after us; it is our conviction in a super power that gives us the power to protect and bless those we love. And it is up to those of us who had this precious faith to not let go of that protective power that shielded us for so long, especially in the wake of misfortunes, when one needs that shield and its positive vibes all the more.
Doubt strengthens faith. Faith strengthens those who have it, as well as those they love. And when one has almost lost it is when one needs it the most. So stand up and reclaim it. Choose to not let it go. Let the healing process begin.
