A Struggling Christian's...well, struggle

Gordon Wright said:

Instead of trying to respect other opinions, focus on merely tolerating them. That's more realistic.

Respect must be earned. An opinion must be found to have some empirical validity before I'll respect it. Tolerance doesn't work that way. Tolerance is nothing more than choosing your battles.

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grandvizier1006 said:

Sometimes that's hard for people like myself, but great advice.

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axydavid said:

I never knew you were trans. Are you hiding secrets from me?

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DovetheRaven said:

I've tried posting here quite a few times but given up because what's the point? Following the Lord is so hard, and I'm such a sinful person.

I have quite a few problems I'd like to share with you all. I hope making this choice will help me become closer to the Lord.

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DovetheRaven said:

1) It's so difficult to believe in something one isn't even sure exists or not. To put it simply, nobody alive actually knows with 100% certainty that God exists. Of course, that also means that nobody alive knows with 100% certainty that God doesn't exist. Only the dead know, and the living don't know with 100% certainty what happens after death. One can only believe, and this I find difficult. A belief is fragile and can be easily put out by unbelievers. Which brings me to my second problem…

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DovetheRaven said:

2) I struggle with people who don't think exactly like me. People who disagree with me scare me. This comes from me being bullied by many children and even adults because I am different, and I've come to the conclusion that it is completely impossible to respect somebody's opinion and anybody who says or thinks otherwise is a liar and/or a hypocrite; even if I don't lash out at the person who disagreed with me, inside I feel hurt and angry, and I think everybody is the same.

That being said, my own sister is an Atheist and has bashed religion and all believers many times, and I am uncomfortable around her. I struggle to keep the Christian faith, and I'm hurt by her not thinking like me. If everybody thought the same there would be no arguments, and the world would be a much better place.

The world just wasn't made for people who are different. My deepest sympathies to all people who face stigma because they can't conform to the world, whether they be the mentally ill, homosexuals, pedophiles, etc.

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DovetheRaven said:

3) My own sinful nature. I just am not a good person, and my sinful thoughts and deeds in the past continue to haunt me. I've prayed to the Lord for forgiveness but I still feel bad. It's like God has left me to face the world all by myself. Deep down I know that's complete bull; God never forsakes anybody. So why? Why do I feel so horrible about myself, and so alone?

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DovetheRaven said:

Well, that's all I want to talk about for now. I'm really messed up, but I want to feel the love of the Lord and share it. I don't blame anybody for feeling offended by some of the things I've said in this post. I feel so weak and mean inside.

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grandvizier1006 said:

No, I'm not.

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axydavid said:

better edit your post bro

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Tempura said:

What is the point in what? In faith? Truth and Love is the point, and growing in spirit while getting to know God. Trying to be like the Lord is hard - and also not achievable - but following Him is a relief. Jesus himself said in Matthew 11:

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls, because my yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light.”

Who isn't a sinful person? Only God knows everyone's hearts. I'm a sinful person myself. Jesus didn't come for perfect people, He came for sinners.

I'm glad you shared. I'll give you my thoughts in order.


What you are saying is, to a point, true. I can not prove God to you. I can show you something physical, and you can touch it, and you can study it, and it's easy to KNOW it's real. Some people have such a strong faith that they indeed claim to KNOW what they cannot prove - and to them, that is knowledge, knowledge in spirit. And yes, some people are frauds and liars too.

God works in spirit. Our souls, our spirits - this I believe yet can not prove - have their own "knowledge". God works in us - with love, encouragement, compassion, virtues, gifts, guidance. At times we can feel it, but we don't get physical "achievement unlocked" trophies from God, as you know. He wants us to believe and search for Him, and here's the beauty of it: not one of us can claim that he/she knows all about God. Not one of us can boast, and we cannot fully comprehend God, we can only search for Him in honesty, truth and love. And the more we search, the more we grow, and we are never done. This might feel like a discouragement, but it's the opposite - it's a relief. He gave us Jesus Christ who spoke with words we can understand, and the word of God is enough for us to base our faith and our search.



That could be a positive problem. You have every opportunity to try and tolerate people who are different than you - especially because you weren't tolerated for being different, and you know what it feels like. Yes, I know it's easier said than done.

Do you understand that since you admit this is something you struggle with, you have come a long way? There is honesty to that, and where there is truth and honesty, there is always a chance and much room to grow something wonderful with love.



That is one of the hardest things. We treat love as something that has to be either deserved, or exchanged like currency. Accepting love that we do not deserve, especially from God who gave his only begotten Son for us, seems like something so great that we can have no part in it. Accepting God's love is free, but still we want to rebel against it - while at the same time trying to convince God to love us, even though He already loves us more than we can understand. Jesus carried our sins, after all! We are shutting our eyes, while wondering why we can't see.

Your sinful nature is the nature of us all. You are no different than me. If you break the law in one part, you break all of it. Same with me, same with everyone here. God knows this. Jesus came for us because of this.

Or will you say that your sins are greater than mine? Will you say that your sins matter more? Will you say that your sins - your doings - are so powerful, than even God's grace is rendered powerless? Of course you won't. Your sins are nothing compared to Jesus Christ, and He came to take it all upon Himself.

I like this part, where Paul wrote to the Galatians:

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."

We cannot abide if we put so much effort to the law, to the rules. We will sin, and we will suffer. Paul here is reprimanding the Galatians for focusing on the law, not on the grace of Christ. And that grace is free. Do not worry if you don't feel it, but pray with an honest heart and tell God that you accept, that you want to accept it, and be patient and trusting - He will set you free from your confusion in time. It's all about God's grace, not about what we can do. This, my friend, is a relief and a wonderful gift of God. I will say a little prayer for you.




Nobody should be offended, you came with an honest heart to tell us about your struggles. Let me tell you, friend: God works in mysterious ways. Just few nights ago, I was in anguish with my faith. I explained it all to some people on there forums, and I got truthful, loving comfort and my soul rejoiced.

Last thing, about you feeling weak...you are humble and honest. This is one of my favorite parts of the Bible, the words of our lord Jesus Christ himself. Read, see and hear what He has to say in Luke 18:

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’

13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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