Why Faith is Contagious 

March 16, 2025

Think about the last time you were really challenged by something.

For me, one of the most profound challenges was my divorce. I know I reference this experience often in my writing and speaking, but that’s because it was a pivotal time of learning and personal growth.

I was a single mom with three kids under five, navigating bankruptcy, foreclosure, and little to no job opportunities on the horizon. My ex was going through his own struggles and wasn’t truly available to me or the kids. I felt very, very alone—and, honestly, terrified.

I was incredibly lucky to have a supportive family and a community of friends who loved me and helped as much as they could. But at the end of the day, figuring my way out of this “mess” was up to me.

One day, in a therapy session where I was drowning in fear—fear that my kids would suffer, fear that I wasn’t enough—my wise therapist looked at me and said, “All they need is ONE sound, stable parent.”

For some reason, those words were exactly what I needed to hear. It was a wake-up call.

If we were going to make it through this incredibly difficult time, I had to have faith in myself. I couldn’t waste energy worrying about what my ex was doing or not doing. I needed to trust that I was strong enough, capable enough, and determined enough to get us to the other side.

That seed of faith is what carried me through.

I believed that I could support myself and my kids. That I could create the conditions for us to thrive—regardless of the obstacles. That I could build a safe, stable home where my kids would not just be okay, but truly thrive.

I didn’t know how I was going to do all of that, but I knew that without believing in myself, it wouldn’t be possible.

And let me be clear—it was not easy.

It was incredibly hard for a very long time.

But the lessons I learned during that season of my life became invaluable to my personal and spiritual growth. They shaped me as a wife, ex-wife, mother, stepmother, sister, aunt, friend, and coach. They made me who I am today.

You’ll often hear me say, “I can’t teach my kids to tie their shoes if I don’t know how to tie my own.” (Granted, this metaphor may be losing power now that no one ties their shoes anymore, but you get my drift. 😉)

Cultivating faith in myself—faith in my ability to navigate hard things—has helped me cultivate faith in others.

I now unequivocally know that when my kids face struggles—whether it’s failing a class, losing a job, or navigating heartbreak—they have what it takes to get through it. I trust that whatever challenge they’re facing is, in some way, the exact curriculum they need for their growth.

And here’s the key: my faith in their ability to overcome challenges is the medicine they need—not just to survive hard moments, but to thrive in their lives.

If I don’t have faith in them, how can they have faith in themselves?

As a mother, I’ve realized my role isn’t to fix everything—it’s to see my kids beyond their current struggles, beyond their fears and limitations. To hold a vision of who they truly are, even when they can’t see it for themselves.

The truth is, faith is contagious.

When I demonstrate unwavering belief in my kids’ capabilities, they begin to see those qualities in themselves. It’s like holding up a mirror—not just reflecting who they are, but showing them who they can become because of their challenges, not in spite of them.

I see this ripple effect in action when my daughter calls me after a tough day at work, questioning her career choices. Instead of jumping in to solve her problems (which is so tempting!), I remind her of past challenges she’s overcome. I reflect back to her the strength, adaptability, and creative problem-solving skills I see in her.

Or when my kids faced academic struggles in college, instead of quickly rushing in with tutors and “help” (which, let’s be honest, is really hard not to do), I reminded them of all the times they’d already pushed through difficulty. Because these are the moments where confidence is built—if I get out of the way and let them find their own way through.

When I believe in the people I love, they start to believe in themselves, too.

That therapist’s words about needing “one sound, stable parent” weren’t just about survival. They were about creating a legacy of resilience.

By finding faith in myself during my darkest hours, I learned what it looks like to believe in yourself—even when everything around you suggests you shouldn’t.

This is how faith multiplies.

It starts with one person believing—truly believing—in themselves and in the abilities of others. Then it spreads, creating a web of confidence and capability that lifts everyone it touches.

So when life presents its inevitable challenges, remember:

Your faith in yourself isn’t just about you.

It’s a gift. A light that doesn’t just illuminate your path but also the path for those around you.

Your belief in yourself—and in others—has the power to create ripples of possibility that extend far beyond what you can see.

And that may be the most important lesson of all:

When you find the courage to believe, you give others permission to do the same.

in trust and gratitude,

Annmarie Chereso
Author, Speaker, Coach, & Meditation Teacher