How Christian leaders have helped me with unfamiliar or complex teaches in Scripture
Through her letters, Mother Teresa has deeply shaped my understanding of some of Scripture’s more challenging teachings, particularly regarding spiritual darkness, faith, the dignity of every person, the power of small acts of love, and the centrality of prayer. During a very difficult period in my life, I turned to her writings which offered unexpected insights and helped illuminate Scripture in a way that made it come alive. She revealed how these themes are not just theological concepts, but rather lived experiences. Her lessons continue to speak powerfully into my journey of faith today.
One of the most profound insights from her letters is a reality many of us have faced, one of spiritual darkness and doubt. She often expressed feelings of abandonment, despite her outward holiness, writing to her spiritual advisor, “I am not sure of my prayers… I feel like a dry well, with nothing to give.” This helped me see that even saints experience doubt and spiritual dryness, helping me to decipher Psalm 88:18: “Darkness is my closest friend.” Her words taught me that doubt does not invalidate faith; rather, it is part of the process of trusting God. Even with the smallest faith, as Matthew 17:20 teaches, "nothing will be impossible for you."
Mother Teresa also emphasized the importance of trusting in God’s plan, even in suffering. Despite experiencing darkness herself, she continually believed in God’s purpose, holding fast to Romans 8:28: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” This encouraged me to trust that, even when I cannot see God’s plan, He is working for my good. Her letters helped me see that faith involves surrendering to God’s will, as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart... and He will make your paths straight.”
Her life and writings also taught me the dignity and value of every person. Mother Teresa always saw Christ in the “least of these,” aligning with Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” This changed how I view this gospel verse and how I see others, reminding me that every person, regardless of status, is made in the image of God and worthy of love and respect. Serving others, she taught, is serving Christ Himself.
Furthermore, she showed me that small acts of love can have profound impact. She often spoke of “doing small things with great love,” which clarified the teaching in 1 Corinthians 13:3: “If I give all I possess to the poor but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Through her example, I learned that the motivation behind even the smallest act—whether a smile or a kind word—carries eternal significance when done with love.
Finally, her writings highlighted the centrality of prayer in a life of faith. Mother Teresa viewed prayer as the “foundation of our life with God,” the source of strength, especially in times of darkness. She once wrote, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love. But the most important thing is prayer.” This is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which calls us to “pray without ceasing.” Her words showed me that 1 Thessalonians 5:17 teaches us that prayer is not limited to specific moments but should be a constant, ongoing conversation with God, grounding our hearts in His love.
In sum, Mother Teresa’s letters have illuminated complex Scripture teachings by showing how they can be lived out in real life. Through her reflections on spiritual darkness, faith, the dignity of others, small acts of love, and prayer, she brought the Word of God to life in a way that resonated deeply in my own walk with Christ.