Am I trying too hard for God?

[Madmoonsam]

Is it possible to try too hard to have a relationship with God?

I feel like everything used to come so easily to me that I didn't have to think about it. God was just such a part of my life. I didn't realize how good I had it.
Then in 2016 I broke away from God and sinned. In 2017 I asked God back into my life and for forgiveness. And ever since things have been a struggle.

Now everything is really premeditated like I make myself read the Bible for a certain amount of time and pray for a certain amount of time. I do all this with the hopes of growing closer to God but I fear maybe I'm being more "religious" and not approaching this the right way.

Don't get me wrong when I pray I do it with all my heart! But when I was closer to God I didn't read the Bible half as much as I do now or pray as hard as I do now. I just feel so forced. But I really do long for God. I just have so much anxiety in general maybe I overthink it??

 

[Winken]

You've heard it before: Let go and let God. Ritualistic Bible reading and prayers result in starvation for His Precious Presence. Yield. Listen.

 

[Kenny'sID]

Sounds like you may be feeling a bit guilty still...not uncommon. Maybe just dwell on your sensible thoughts here, don't push things to hard either way, and between that and time, you might settle back in and be just fine or even better than before.

Knowing as you seem to, there may be a problem is half the battle. And not to minimize it, but there are worse things you could be doing than trying too hard to please God.

 

[CoolDude68]

He yearns for a relationship with His children, just like an earthly father would. Maybe try getting back to that and everything else will fall into place.

 

[Humble me Lord]

God has forgiven the sin, have you forgiven yourself? This can be a hangup for lots of people. Forgiving others is hard, sometimes forgiving ourselves is even harder. The only perfect one was Jesus.

 

[Soyeong]

Is it possible to try too hard to have a relationship with God?

I feel like everything used to come so easily to me that I didn't have to think about it. God was just such a part of my life. I didn't realize how good I had it.
Then in 2016 I broke away from God and sinned. In 2017 I asked God back into my life and for forgiveness. And ever since things have been a struggle.

Now everything is really premeditated like I make myself read the Bible for a certain amount of time and pray for a certain amount of time. I do all this with the hopes of growing closer to God but I fear maybe I'm being more "religious" and not approaching this the right way.

Don't get me wrong when I pray I do it with all my heart! But when I was closer to God I didn't read the Bible half as much as I do now or pray as hard as I do now. I just feel so forced. But I really do long for God. I just have so much anxiety in general maybe I overthink it??

It is certainly a good practice to regularly set aside time in your day to read the Bible and pray. However, it is good to keep in mind that obedience to God has never been about trying to be good enough, but about having faith in Him to guide us in how to rightly live and about expressing our love for Him, and thereby growing in a relationship with Him based on faith and love. According to Jeremiah 6:16-19 and Matthew 11:28-30, the Law is the good way where we will find rest for our souls, but if we make our obedience about trying to be good enough, then we rob our souls of the rest that it was intended to give.

 

[Kenny'sID]

However, it is good to keep in mind that obedience to God has never been about trying to be good enough, but about having faith in Him to guide us in how to rightly live and about expressing our love for Him, and thereby growing in a relationship with Him based on faith and love

Is not living rightly, being good? Of course we should be obedient/good. And of course no on can expect to be saved on their good works but at the same time, there are several warnings in the Bible abut what happens to those who don't do good, or do bad, and they aren't good. But I get that the OP is aware of all that.

I was going to comment on what the OP should expect here but didn't for some reason...guess I didn't want to invite debate and hijack the thread, so I'll try to leave it at that.

 

[Madmoonsam]

Sounds like you may be feeling a bit guilty still...not uncommon. Maybe just dwell on your sensible thoughts here, don't push things to hard either way, and between that and time, you might settle back in and be just fine or even better than before.

Knowing as you seem to, there may be a problem is half the battle. And not to minimize it, but there are worse things you could be doing than trying too hard to please God.

I guess my problem is I don't feel the connection like before..

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Is it possible to try too hard to have a relationship with God?

I feel like everything used to come so easily to me that I didn't have to think about it. God was just such a part of my life. I didn't realize how good I had it.
Then in 2016 I broke away from God and sinned. In 2017 I asked God back into my life and for forgiveness. And ever since things have been a struggle.

Now everything is really premeditated like I make myself read the Bible for a certain amount of time and pray for a certain amount of time. I do all this with the hopes of growing closer to God but I fear maybe I'm being more "religious" and not approaching this the right way.

Don't get me wrong when I pray I do it with all my heart! But when I was closer to God I didn't read the Bible half as much as I do now or pray as hard as I do now. I just feel so forced. But I really do long for God. I just have so much anxiety in general maybe I overthink it??

Maybe you are doing all the religious stuff and have never met Him on a personal level.

 

[Kenny'sID]

I guess my problem is I don't feel the connection like before..

I understand, and all I could figure is you feel he's not completely forgiven you so you won't let yourself connect as you did...yet. But we both know he has forgiven you, making all the same as before, and since it didn't happen all that long ago, I'm thinking its something time may handle.

Do you think it could be something deeper?

 

[brinny]

I guess my problem is I don't feel the connection like before..

Pray about it.

He's the very One Who can help, amen?

 

[Madmoonsam]

It is certainly a good practice to regularly set aside time in your day to read the Bible and pray. However, it is good to keep in mind that obedience to God has never been about trying to be good enough, but about having faith in Him to guide us in how to rightly live and about expressing our love for Him, and thereby growing in a relationship with Him based on faith and love. According to Jeremiah 6:16-19 and Matthew 11:28-30, the Law is the good way where we will find rest for our souls, but if we make our obedience about trying to be good enough, then we rob our souls of the rest that it was intended to give.

Good point. This puts my soul at some ease! Thanks

 

[Brotherly Spirit]

Limit your reading of the Bible to a specific part, an example would be a short chapter or an event/parable in a chapter. After think about it, going to God through Christ; having Jesus' teachings, his character in mind as you learn to know and understand. No need to force it, just read some of the Bible and be thoughtful; that's enough to have God in your heart.

As for prayer, I've decided to try not do in vain. Now it's either when I or others have a need for it; along with a nightly prayer to confess myself for the day or just to be thankful. Then I leave it at that to start going to bed and wake the next day as a new start. So pray when you feel it in your heart you need to say honestly to God and be thankful to him; having faith no matter what.

 

[Madmoonsam]

Maybe you are doing all the religious stuff and have never met Him on a personal level.

I have known Him on a personal level that's why I'm so distraught I no longer have the same connection. I'm just the prodigal child trying to come back home. I guess I just wish for instant healing of everything rather than wait patiently. But I've been waiting for a year so you can see as to why I'm a bit impatient. I have lots of anxiety. He speaks to me but something is stopping me from just resting in His peace.

 

[Willing-heart]

It's okay. Loving Jesus begins with being dissatisfied with where you are at your current level of loving Jesus. I think it's a good thing to get into a habit of praying, reading and praising God. In fact I think we ought to do it more often especially when we don't feel like it. We are to live utterly dependent on God and his Word so that the Holy Spirit can work in us to conform us to the likeness of the perfect, complete Christ Jesus. Just as our mouth is directly connected to the lungs also should our heart be directly connected to God at all times. Nearness is likeness. Draw near to the very love of the Father. God bless.

The Air I Breathe

 

[Kenny'sID]

But when I was closer to God I didn't read the Bible half as much as I do now or pray as hard as I do now. I just feel so forced.

That really does seem like an indication you are pushing yourself out of guilt. Like you have to do more and the forgiveness was not enough. You feel the need to "pay" with these more extreme measures you take now, when the price has already been payed, and that's probably normal. Just realize what may be going on here and it could help.

Remember, he remembers our sin no longer once repented of and forgiven, it's as if it never happened. You are actually back to where you were, but haven't accepted that yet?

Not too many of us are professionals here so bear that in mind too...all we can give is ideas/possibilities.

 

[brinny]

Along with what has been posted here, what we can do is point you to the only One Who can help with all that you are inquiring about. and that is the living God.

Amen?

 

[ViaCrucis]

Is it possible to try too hard to have a relationship with God?

I feel like everything used to come so easily to me that I didn't have to think about it. God was just such a part of my life. I didn't realize how good I had it.
Then in 2016 I broke away from God and sinned. In 2017 I asked God back into my life and for forgiveness. And ever since things have been a struggle.

Now everything is really premeditated like I make myself read the Bible for a certain amount of time and pray for a certain amount of time. I do all this with the hopes of growing closer to God but I fear maybe I'm being more "religious" and not approaching this the right way.

Don't get me wrong when I pray I do it with all my heart! But when I was closer to God I didn't read the Bible half as much as I do now or pray as hard as I do now. I just feel so forced. But I really do long for God. I just have so much anxiety in general maybe I overthink it??

For a time in my life I struggled with a kind of scrupulosity. I wanted to badly to feel God, and connect with God personally--and so I sought out personal religious experiences, and would try and create them for myself, thinking that they were legitimate experiences of the Divine. In reality I was terrified, terrified of my sin, wracked with guilt, and buried deep down in myself the nagging voice that as I was so entirely unworthy of God that God would cut me off because of His disapproval of me. God remained fickle, it seemed to me, at times so close, and at other times immensely distant--because I was trying to gauge my sense of "God" to how I felt.

That's not a way to live. And that's not how a Christian should live. Because if we really hear the Gospel for what it is, we have the true and certain word from God that our sins are forgiven, and we belong to God because we belong to Jesus.

One of the most liberating things for me was the day I realized that it wasn't about me. The Christian life is not about "me and God", it's about Jesus. Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus ascended, Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father, Jesus is coming again. That's the truth that matters, that's what actually matters. My life of faith isn't about me, or my personal experiences of God (or what I falsely called "God"); it's about Jesus and the objective truth of His death and resurrection.

Christ died for you. Trust this good news.
Do not cling to your feelings, because feelings are fleeting.
Do not cling to your works, because your works are as filthy rags.
Do not cling to your idea of faith, because that makes faith just another feeling.

Instead cling to Jesus. Trust in His Gospel. Rely on your Baptism. Trust Him when He gives you Himself in His Supper.

You can't look to yourself, because when you look to yourself you will only find your own wretchedness and sin; or perhaps even worse, you might become puffed up and think yourself righteous when you are not, and that is only pride and hubris which kills faith. You have to look outside of yourself to the solid reality of Jesus Christ who gives Himself to you freely. And you can be confident that He gives Himself to you because that is Who He is, the One who gives Himself away, throws Himself away to sinners in love by abandoning Himself to death on the cross--for you.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[tundrawolf]

Is it possible to try too hard to have a relationship with God?

I feel like everything used to come so easily to me that I didn't have to think about it. God was just such a part of my life. I didn't realize how good I had it.
Then in 2016 I broke away from God and sinned. In 2017 I asked God back into my life and for forgiveness. And ever since things have been a struggle.

Now everything is really premeditated like I make myself read the Bible for a certain amount of time and pray for a certain amount of time. I do all this with the hopes of growing closer to God but I fear maybe I'm being more "religious" and not approaching this the right way.

Don't get me wrong when I pray I do it with all my heart! But when I was closer to God I didn't read the Bible half as much as I do now or pray as hard as I do now. I just feel so forced. But I really do long for God. I just have so much anxiety in general maybe I overthink it??

Yes. You are being too religious. In church a guy told me to read x amount of chapters of this book, and x amount of chapters of that book every day. It lasted one day. I get FAR more when I pace myself, instead of agonizingly picking up the Bible and reading because I "Have to". Of course this lends to easily not reading it as much, but I digress...

I have found, and I have gone through hell to find this, that Jesus is there for me. There isn't anything "extra" I can do to get extra from Him. He is simply my dad. He never says, "Well Dave, you read an extra chapter in Psalms today so I am going to let you eat 3 meals tomorrow instead of one."

In fact, I have found that the more I REST in Him, (Not lazy!) the more He honors that and the better He takes care of me. You are trying to overdo righteousness to make up for yoru lapse- forget it. Even if fell back into that sin ten times today... The best thing you can do is to find that peace that only God provides, and push passed the guilt. It'll feel hard- because you want to condemn yourself. But don't. I guarantee you God will come through for you.

The thing is, Jesus takes accepting Him into your life VERY seriously. EVen if you do not. And He WILL be there for you. Cold religion sucks God's spirit out of you almost as fast as sin can. SO don't be religious. Instead, have an actual relationship with Jesus. All it takes is for you to ask Him what to do. TO break the chains. TO open your eyes. That's it! He will do that for you.

 

[Madmoonsam]

For a time in my life I struggled with a kind of scrupulosity. I wanted to badly to feel God, and connect with God personally--and so I sought out personal religious experiences, and would try and create them for myself, thinking that they were legitimate experiences of the Divine. In reality I was terrified, terrified of my sin, wracked with guilt, and buried deep down in myself the nagging voice that as I was so entirely unworthy of God that God would cut me off because of His disapproval of me. God remained fickle, it seemed to me, at times so close, and at other times immensely distant--because I was trying to gauge my sense of "God" to how I felt.

That's not a way to live. And that's not how a Christian should live. Because if we really hear the Gospel for what it is, we have the true and certain word from God that our sins are forgiven, and we belong to God because we belong to Jesus.

One of the most liberating things for me was the day I realized that it wasn't about me. The Christian life is not about "me and God", it's about Jesus. Jesus died, Jesus rose, Jesus ascended, Jesus reigns at the right hand of the Father, Jesus is coming again. That's the truth that matters, that's what actually matters. My life of faith isn't about me, or my personal experiences of God (or what I falsely called "God"); it's about Jesus and the objective truth of His death and resurrection.

Christ died for you. Trust this good news.
Do not cling to your feelings, because feelings are fleeting.
Do not cling to your works, because your works are as filthy rags.
Do not cling to your idea of faith, because that makes faith just another feeling.

Instead cling to Jesus. Trust in His Gospel. Rely on your Baptism. Trust Him when He gives you Himself in His Supper.

You can't look to yourself, because when you look to yourself you will only find your own wretchedness and sin; or perhaps even worse, you might become puffed up and think yourself righteous when you are not, and that is only pride and hubris which kills faith. You have to look outside of yourself to the solid reality of Jesus Christ who gives Himself to you freely. And you can be confident that He gives Himself to you because that is Who He is, the One who gives Himself away, throws Himself away to sinners in love by abandoning Himself to death on the cross--for you.

-CryptoLutheran

Thank you ive never heard it put that way, that its not about me and God. I will pray to have this not only knowledge for my head but comfort for my heart.