How The Right Questions Can Transform Your Faith
"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)
This Gospel moment occurs after Jesus and his disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee. Though many of the disciples were experienced fishermen familiar with rough waters, a furious storm arose that terrified even these seasoned fishermen. Meanwhile, Jesus was asleep in the stern of the boat.
In panic, they woke Jesus, saying, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Jesus then commanded the wind and waves, "Quiet! Be still!"
After the sudden miraculous calm, Jesus turned to his disciples with these transformative questions:
"Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
This moment illustrates how the right questions at the right time can reveal limiting beliefs or narratives we've accepted (in this case, that Jesus’ presence doesn't guarantee protection from storms) and invite us into potentially transforming our understanding.
I’d like to share a spiritual practice that I call “Soulful Inquiry”. By integrating journaling with the right questions, this practice can help you recognize and break free from negative thought/belief patterns that separate you from God's truth and abundant life.
The Practice of Soulful Inquiry
1. Sacred Space Preparation
Begin by creating a quiet space for reflection. Light a candle to represent Christ as the light that reveals truth, and place a small journal and pen nearby. Open with a simple prayer: "Holy Spirit, guide my questions and open my heart to your truth."
2. Scripture Foundation
Ground the practice in biblical wisdom. Passages like Psalm 139:23-24 ("Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts") or Philippians 4:8 (focusing on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable) provide spiritual context for this questioning work.
3. The Question Process
Identify a current negative thought/belief pattern or narrative in your life. Examples include:
Performance-Based Identity: "I must achieve certain spiritual milestones to be worthy of God's love and approval."
Shame-Based Thinking: "My past mistakes define me, and I can never fully overcome them."
Fear-Based Decision Making: "If I step out in faith, I will fail and disappoint God and others."
Once you've identified your limiting narrative, approach the questioning process this way:
Choose ONE primary question from the list below that most directly addresses your particular negative thought/belief you’re experiencing:
"What would Jesus have me focus on if I weren't focusing on this?"
"Is this thought moving me toward Christ's life or away from it?"
"What truth in Scripture challenges this narrative I've believed?"
"Where might the Holy Spirit be inviting freedom in this area?"
"How would Jesus see this situation differently than I do?"
Journal deeply on this primary question for 5-7 minutes, allowing thoughts to flow honestly from your heart to your pen without editing or censoring.
Select 1-2 follow-up questions from the list above that seem most relevant to take your reflection deeper.
Write shorter responses to these follow-up questions (2-3 minutes each).
Conclude with an integration statement - a single sentence that captures the new perspective you're gaining.
4. Listening Silence
After your journaling, practice 10 minutes of complete silence, allowing God's wisdom to emerge beyond your own thoughts. Use this time to search a concordance for verses that are relevant to what you’ve written. This creates the "spaciousness" where the Holy Spirit often speaks most clearly.
5. Reframing Prayer
Close by writing a short prayer that reframes your perspective based on the insights received, offering the negative thought/belief to God and embracing the new, Spirit-led understanding.
6. Daily Integration
Carry your integration statement or a key question on a small card. When you notice the limiting thought pattern returning throughout your day, pause to remember this new perspective and take a conscious breath, creating a micro-moment of renewing your mind..
This practice combines traditional Christian spiritual disciplines with an innovative questioning approach. Through consistent practice, you'll develop what the Desert Fathers called "watchfulness" - the ability to notice your thoughts and bring them into alignment with God's truth. As you engage with transformative questions, you create space for the Holy Spirit to renew your mind (Romans 12:2) and experience the freedom Christ promises (John 8:32).
I hope you find this spiritual practice useful, I know that I have!
God bless.
Mike