A lifetime-Christian facing Doubt...

[Gil-Galad12]

I have been raised a Christian since I was born. I used to read the Bible willingly and with enjoyment. I believed everything that was told to me about Christ. But I'm now at the age (19) where one starts to question what he's been brought up with. I'm not turning my back on Christianity, I love the Lord with all my heart and I want to continue on that Path. But doubt has been seeping into my mind, saying "Where's God?", "How do I know He even exists?" and the like. I need assurances from much stronger Christians, maybe some advice, and definitely some prayer. In my heart I want to follow and serve the Lord, but I just can't seem to get over my doubt.

p.s.- Oh and if anyone responds, could you contact me by email, because I don't come here regularly. Thank You.

wseelig89@hotmail.com

 

[Caelum]

Doubt is normal, especially at our age. I rejected the idea of God completely at around the age of 15, and had done so until about 6 months ago. During that time I was extremely against the "idea of Jesus Christ" and Christianity in general. Now the tables have turned, we are definitely at different moments in our life. Bottom line is, I returned for a number of reasons, but one that is pretty prominent (for me atleast) is when I truly disregarded my doubt, and looked at nature in it's entirety. There is no way, that the detail of our bodies, the construction of our world, the mountains/ocean/forests/etc were created by "chance" or "accident". There is no possible way in my mind that millions of years could have created what we are. These realizations trampeled over any man-made doubt I had subscribed to. Just my two cents

 

[caitlincares]

Praying

 

[Horse Luver]

Everyone has doubts. I know I do all the time!
I think the question should be, "How can there NOT be a God?" How could everything be formed on its own? How could the Bible be a book of made-up stories? How is there peace in the world? How do miracles happen every day? The answer is simple: There IS a God.
That's kind of what I think when I have doubts. Prayer and reading the Bible, of course, are also the best things you can do!!
ing........

 

[KleinerApfel]

Welcome Gil-Galad12

I hope you'll come back, as some of us don't like to use our email address for all kinds of reasons.

I'm surprised you got this far without having doubts before. Horse Luver is right, probably everyone does.

I believe it's often a sign of an imminent spiritual growth spurt. Something in your life is changing, and challenging you to think deeply. You are no longer satisfied with a second-hand faith handed down from your family, or the child's faith you've had all along; you want to explore it as an adult.

Just be sure to bring the questions to God and to Godly people, and be prepared to keep trusting Him, even when you don't immediately understand everything.

God is pleased to help you find answers, and you will find the process strengthens your faith in time.

I'd recommend a book by Lee Strobel:

God's Outrageous Claims - he has a chapter on why a little doubt can sometimes be a good thing on the journey.

His "Case for Christ" is excellent too. Compelling stuff for those searching for answers, or for reassurance that what they've been taught is reliable.

God bless, Susana

 

[Gil-Galad12]

Wow, all of you, fantastic advice. Seriously, it's helped, and I'm going to heed it. Thanks a lot! I'll definitely try and come here more often.

 

[Macca]

Wow, all of you, fantastic advice. Seriously, it's helped, and I'm going to heed it. Thanks a lot! I'll definitely try and come here more often.

The question that springs to my mind, having been brought up as a catholic, have you ever asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life?
It may sound silly to begin with, but each person must make their own decisions (an argument against baby baptism, not the person's choice, but their parents.) If you have never asked Jesus into your life, you need to. It can change your perspective of God and His Word. Macca.

 

[bliz]

I forget who said it: "An unexamined life is not worth living." I think that an unexamined faith is not worth having.

Go ahead! Poke and prod and ask all the questions you want! Kick the tires, slam the doors and look under the hood. Chrisitanity can hold up under your scrutiny.

I went through the same process at about the same age. As a kid you probably had a drawer or a box that was filled with your special treasurers... and if you are like most of us, the time has come when you have rediscovered the box and gone through it with older, more mature eyes. You have probably laughed at some things, and wondered what on earth you had been thinking at others. But I'm sure there were other things that still today are precious to you becasue of what they remind you of or where you go them or who gave them to you.

Well, now is a good time to break open your spiritual box of treasures and go through it all. You may discover that you got some things wrong. You may discover a lot of things that you have left untouched. You are certain to discover many things that you blindly accepted in the past, but now you want to understand more fully. None of that process shows a lack of faith, instead it shows a desire to deepen your faith and bring your 5th grade Sunday School undersanding of Jesus up to date.

Mere Christianity by CS Lewis is a great read that may help you in the process.

I know God will be with you on your journey.

 

[DUV]

Hi sis,

Seek God with your whole heart and he will drawer closer 2u. The closer God is 2u, the more these doubts and anything else that is not of God will leave u. Praise God!

GodisLove!

JESUSisLORD!

DUV