Personal Myths and Human Predicaments: A Narrative Inquiry into Meaning, Faith, and Resilience

Stories help us make sense of who we are, like myths in particular. They shape how humanity understands life, suffering, and identity. This research explores how personal mythical experiences, such as folk stories, religious rituals, and cultural superstitions, help individuals make sense of their struggles, build resilience, and shape their beliefs and values. Specifically, it aims to understand how people relate to and draw meaning from personal myths during times of personal hardship; explore how these myths help individuals deal with fear, pain, uncertainty, and other life challenges; and examine how personal myths influence a person’s values, spiritual outlook, and sense of belonging in the face of adversity. Using a qualitative narrative inquiry approach grounded in thematic analysis, autoethnography, and hermeneutics, the research collected and examined personal narratives that reflect the lived experiences of myth in moments of fear, pain, uncertainty, and adversity. The findings reveal that myths function not only as cultural artifacts but as active psychological and spiritual tools that offer symbolic frameworks for coping, reflection, and transformation. This study identifies key human predicaments linked to specific mythic experiences and the life values derived from them. The results show that myths provide emotional regulation, foster moral guidance, deepen spiritual imagination, and strengthen communal identity. Theologically, myths are interpreted as sacramental signs, embodied expressions through which divine presence is encountered in everyday life. Ultimately, the study affirms that personal myths are not obsolete beliefs but living traditions that empower individuals to navigate suffering with meaning, courage, and faith.