The holy spirit makes me feel restless and anxious

Ben Collyer

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
508
256
32
Hastings
✟35,657.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Have you ever had that feeling when you drink too much coffee and you feel jittery and restless? Thats how I feel when I read the bible or pray, I feel incredibly uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like conviction of sin, just anxiousness. It makes me not want to read the bible. I value inner contentment and peace, anyone experienced this?

its a horrible restless energy that has no outlet
 
Last edited:

Sketcher

Born Imperishable
Feb 23, 2004
38,978
9,399
✟378,031.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
The Holy Spirit isn't going to bring anxiety and that kind of restlessness. Those feelings are from yourself or the enemy. The most the Holy Spirit would do is bring you a challenge, and your response should not be one of anxiety and restlessness, but a response of faith, turning away from anxiety and restlessness to God. And I don't know that he's even done that for you recently.
 
Upvote 0

Emli

Growing daughter of God
Supporter
Mar 2, 2017
2,277
3,110
37
Sweden
✟208,889.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
Have you ever had that feeling when you drink too much coffee and you feel jittery and restless? Thats how I feel when I read the bible or pray, I feel incredibly uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like conviction of sin, just anxiousness. It makes me not want to read the bible. I value inner contentment and peace, anyone experienced this?

its a horrible restless energy that has no outlet
I think that we all have experienced what you are describing, but it isn't the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23. That is either the flesh or the enemy that is being offended by the Word of God, trying to stop you from seeking God. Keep reading, keep studying, keep praying and push through the anxiety, casting all of your cares upon the Father. The first step is to recognize that it isn't the Holy Spirit who is making you restless, and the next step is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you. God will give you peace if you ask Him, and He will help you overcome this struggle.
 
Upvote 0

Ben Collyer

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
508
256
32
Hastings
✟35,657.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
The Holy Spirit isn't going to bring anxiety and that kind of restlessness. Those feelings are from yourself or the enemy. The most the Holy Spirit would do is bring you a challenge, and your response should not be one of anxiety and restlessness, but a response of faith, turning away from anxiety and restlessness to God. And I don't know that he's even done that for you recently.

wouldn't he? I just found that listening to and singing worship music eased the feeling a bit...so maybe it is the holy spirit?...or maybe it isnt
 
Upvote 0

Ben Collyer

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
508
256
32
Hastings
✟35,657.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
I think that we all have experienced what you are describing, but it isn't the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23. That is either the flesh or the enemy that is being offended by the Word of God, trying to stop you from seeking God. Keep reading, keep studying, keep praying and push through the anxiety, casting all of your cares upon the Father. The first step is to recognize that it isn't the Holy Spirit who is making you restless, and the next step is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you. God will give you peace if you ask Him, and He will help you overcome this struggle.

its not much different from the feeling of being "on fire" with the holy spirit. its just a bit TOO intense for my liking, its not anxiety so much as a very intense feeling
 
Upvote 0

Emli

Growing daughter of God
Supporter
Mar 2, 2017
2,277
3,110
37
Sweden
✟208,889.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
its not much different from the feeling of being "on fire" with the holy spirit. its just a bit TOO intense for my liking, its not anxiety so much as a very intense feeling
You cannot test a spirit only by the feeling it gives you, but by the fruit of it, what effect it has on you and your life. If a spirit draws you closer to God and His Word, it's most probably the Holy Spirit (unless it is twisting Scripture), if it makes you restless and anxious and make you want to put down your Bible, it's not the Holy Spirit. God could never draw you away from Himself. He has in the past told me to put down my Bible to go do something else, like talk to other Christians, do ministry, go out for a walk etc, but never in the way you are describing, and it was led by love, not anxiety. You should trust in what God has told us in His Word, not in what you are feeling. Trust Him and read the Bible while ignoring whatever distractions comes your way. :)
 
Upvote 0

Emli

Growing daughter of God
Supporter
Mar 2, 2017
2,277
3,110
37
Sweden
✟208,889.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
You do know that there have been people who went insane by doing that, right?
That is impossible if they are studying the Bible in the Holy Spirit who gives us a sound mind. But it would be a huge risk if you study and try to understand it with your own mind and your own understanding, which is contrary to what God has told us to do. Still, there is no faith and no knowing God without studying His Word, we just have to find a good balance and let the Holy Spirit be the one who opens our eyes as we read. Because God's truth is spiritually discerned, and we have to stay in Him to understand it. And carefully test every spirit so we don't end up misled which would also lead to insanity.
 
Upvote 0

John Bowen

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Aug 16, 2018
417
233
53
dueba
✟48,940.00
Country
Fiji
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Have you ever had that feeling when you drink too much coffee and you feel jittery and restless? Thats how I feel when I read the bible or pray, I feel incredibly uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like conviction of sin, just anxiousness. It makes me not want to read the bible. I value inner contentment and peace, anyone experienced this?

its a horrible restless energy that has no outlet
If it feels like sort of tiny electrical shock going through you that is spirit changing you it can be weird at first ,but after 1 year or more of praying everyday the contrast isn't so great anymore .
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

eleos1954

God is Love
Supporter
Nov 14, 2017
9,698
5,614
Utah
✟713,703.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Others
Have you ever had that feeling when you drink too much coffee and you feel jittery and restless? Thats how I feel when I read the bible or pray, I feel incredibly uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like conviction of sin, just anxiousness. It makes me not want to read the bible. I value inner contentment and peace, anyone experienced this?

its a horrible restless energy that has no outlet

The Lord wants all to read His word, continuously, it is how He communicates with us. If you are being led away from not reading God's word ... then likely it is not from God.

On the other hand, perhaps you are not actually being "led away" .... but rather being "led to" something .... perhaps the Lord wants to lead you to something in His word.

Regardless .... stay in His word, as it is always a good thing. :o)

God Bless
 
  • Winner
Reactions: 1 person
Upvote 0

zoidar

loves Jesus the Christ! ✝️
Supporter
Sep 18, 2010
7,164
2,606
✟877,432.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Have you ever had that feeling when you drink too much coffee and you feel jittery and restless? Thats how I feel when I read the bible or pray, I feel incredibly uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like conviction of sin, just anxiousness. It makes me not want to read the bible. I value inner contentment and peace, anyone experienced this?

its a horrible restless energy that has no outlet

I have experienced it from prayer meetings and worship, but never from reading the Bible.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

longwait

Well-Known Member
Mar 14, 2016
1,118
769
42
asia
✟85,978.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Have you ever had that feeling when you drink too much coffee and you feel jittery and restless? Thats how I feel when I read the bible or pray, I feel incredibly uncomfortable, it doesn't feel like conviction of sin, just anxiousness. It makes me not want to read the bible. I value inner contentment and peace, anyone experienced this?

The Holy Spirit won't make you anxious. Calm down. Don't think about things that make you anxious.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
 
Upvote 0

Emli

Growing daughter of God
Supporter
Mar 2, 2017
2,277
3,110
37
Sweden
✟208,889.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
Why wouldn't it be?
Because unless the person who has the evil spirit has repented of the sin, and is ready to resist the sin in the future, when the spirits come back, the person will become worse. Deliverance has to go hand in hand with repentance, which has to come first, and it is very important that we take it seriously and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
 
Upvote 0

Lybrah

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2016
418
311
48
Maryland
✟61,511.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Because unless the person who has the evil spirit has repented of the sin, and is ready to resist the sin in the future, when the spirits come back, the person will become worse. Deliverance has to go hand in hand with repentance, which has to come first, and it is very important that we take it seriously and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.[/QUOTE

How do you know what the particular sin is?

How do you know what the particular sin is?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Sketcher

Born Imperishable
Feb 23, 2004
38,978
9,399
✟378,031.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
wouldn't he? I just found that listening to and singing worship music eased the feeling a bit...so maybe it is the holy spirit?...or maybe it isnt
Probably just brain chemistry, to be honest. Since our bodies are made for God as well, the reactions we have to a worship environment can easily glorify him. When the Spirit brings peace in my experience, it is stronger than what you have described.
 
Upvote 0