Re-igniting belief, is it possible?

Vyvyan said:

I am currently in the midst of a crisis and I don't know what to do.

My belief is slipping away from me and I don't have any idea how to stop it. I am so scared and tired all the time and I'm living in a state of constant fear.

I pray almost constantly, but sadly I seem to be doing it wrong, as I get no comfort, relief or answers - and I no longer know what to do.

I have no one I can talk to about this as my family are not Christian and I don't have a church or group I can attend.

I used to be so very sure of my faith, it was rock solid, and I cannot think of anything that has occured to change that, but changing it is.

Any advice is welcome - and thank you in advance

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"Dark night of the soul is a metaphor used to describe a phase in a person's spiritual life, marked by a sense of loneliness and desolation. It is referenced by spiritual traditions throughout the world, but in particular by Christianity."

Hang in there. It passes in time. Study it to know more. You are in good company.

Do not see your troubles in such a negative light, for we are at our strongest when we feel our faith is the weakest. It could be God testing you. Keep holding on and keep up the prayer. God will bless you if you do so.

Try listening to Collide by Skillet. It's a very passionate record, and the title song specifically has a message that might relate to your problem.

Actually, the best advice I have for you is fellowship. We as Christians have a need to be in contact with other Christians, for various reasons including a spiritual recharge.

Take one day at a time. Get some inspirational friends that love God by their actions, read the bible and pray daily. Get involved in a serious church. Its a life long lifestyle and you will know God more and more. Feel free to email me.

Vyvyan said:

I am currently in the midst of a crisis and I don't know what to do.

My belief is slipping away from me and I don't have any idea how to stop it. I am so scared and tired all the time and I'm living in a state of constant fear.

I pray almost constantly, but sadly I seem to be doing it wrong, as I get no comfort, relief or answers - and I no longer know what to do.

I have no one I can talk to about this as my family are not Christian and I don't have a church or group I can attend.

I used to be so very sure of my faith, it was rock solid, and I cannot think of anything that has occured to change that, but changing it is.

Any advice is welcome - and thank you in advance

Click to expand...

Wait on the Lord.

I feel exactly the same way.

Vyvyan said:

I am currently in the midst of a crisis and I don't know what to do.

My belief is slipping away from me and I don't have any idea how to stop it. I am so scared and tired all the time and I'm living in a state of constant fear.

I pray almost constantly, but sadly I seem to be doing it wrong, as I get no comfort, relief or answers - and I no longer know what to do.

I have no one I can talk to about this as my family are not Christian and I don't have a church or group I can attend.

I used to be so very sure of my faith, it was rock solid, and I cannot think of anything that has occured to change that, but changing it is.

Any advice is welcome - and thank you in advance

Click to expand...

Is this the first time you've gone through this?

I've been through it a few times and what helps me is to remember that on the other side I am amazed at my lack of faith. To be honest I actually manage to offend myself due to my disbelief during the turbulent times.

I look at it as a measure of my faith. Do I truly have the faith to stand and believe what God has said or do I just have enough faith to fool myself into thinking I belong to the Lord? It's like a test. At least for me, your results may vary.

Through any faith journey there are valleys and peaks. There are times when God seems very close and times when he is silent and hard to find. There are time when we are in the desert and dry. It will pass, you may even get glimpses where it seems it may be passing only to find it hasn't quite yet, it's not an easy time, especially when we know what it is like to feel God close.

Just go to his word and read the bible.....and TRUST ME his WORD is not just words, phrases, and sentences on a paper they are active and they will speak to you and your situation.... I can relate to you because my parents are also not Christians and I remember I went to a Christian event and my parents told me not to go; I was disobedient (which was wrong) and went anyways and when I came back home my mother would not let me in my house and basically told me to go live else where. I felt so rejected and my friend that I went with opened her house to me and I just wanted to crawl into a corner and die because I just felt like I had no one and I was worried my parents would never let me come back home and I was worrying about school and work and how I was going to take care of myself and my friend had given me the bible before I went to sleep and I just woke up in middle of the night and I just randomly opened up the bible and it went to 1 Kings 17 and when I read that passage I KNEW God was in control and he wanted me to read exactly that, Elijah like myself had to leave his home and he was basically in the wilderness but God said he was going to command the ravens to feed him there and the raven is a bird that does not share it's food but because GOD instructed it to it brought meat for him and Elijah was taken care of.

Vyvyan said:

I am currently in the midst of a crisis and I don't know what to do.

My belief is slipping away from me and I don't have any idea how to stop it. I am so scared and tired all the time and I'm living in a state of constant fear.

I pray almost constantly, but sadly I seem to be doing it wrong, as I get no comfort, relief or answers - and I no longer know what to do.

I have no one I can talk to about this as my family are not Christian and I don't have a church or group I can attend.

I used to be so very sure of my faith, it was rock solid, and I cannot think of anything that has occured to change that, but changing it is.

Any advice is welcome - and thank you in advance

Click to expand...

First, I feel for you. But it's never too late, until you stop seeking. I wonder what you are praying about....? I know that each person should devote their life to seeking God. (not seeking religion, not becoming a part of the church or some organization or things like that, but seeking the heart of God Himself. The God who is alive, who is listening, who is there, who wants you.)

Since you are asking for advice, my advice would be: start seeking God. What I mean by this is: imagine that He is in the same room with you (which He is, because He is in you and everywhere). And talk to Him. (I don't mean pray, but just talk, like you would with any other person.)

Just tell Him what's on your heart. Just sit with Him. Sit and talk to Him. I don't mean like praying with a certain format or praying about salvation and stuff like that. No. I mean talk to Him like you would talk to your best friend. Talk to Jesus. Tell Him absolutely everything: about your heart, your life, your desires and hopes and dreams. Just talk about personal things, everyday things. Don't think of Jesus like a counselor or a judge with whom you would only talk about your problems. Think of Him as your best friend with whom you would share EVERYTHING.

Also, think about what He wishes. Think about what He dreams about. Think about how He has ever pleased you and/or blessed you and tell Him. Just like you would tell any friend. Is there anything that is amazing about Him to you? Tell Him so. He loves to hear it just like we do.

I read about Jesus' life and tried to peek into the heart of God, tried to see God's character from Jesus' actions and words. Focus on finding out what God is like, really like, inside.

Just like you would find out more about a new friend, try to find out about Jesus. And that's how a relationship becomes deeper and develops a new level.

Through doing this, you will enter into a relationship with God. And then things will get better....

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Being with other Christians is a necessity. That should be what you need.

1 Thessalonians 3:9-11
How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Hope that helps.