Dealing with a new level of doubt.

[-GodsGirl-]

i must sound like a cd on repeat. But recently I've been dealing with a lot of doubt. It seems the more time I spend in the word, the more doubt I experience. I'm thinking it's doubt that I've always had deep down and it's finally coming to the surface. Which if that's the case is a good thing! Because I had been praying God would reveal anything blocking me from him and that he would bring to the surface what he wants me to be aware of.

I have been praying a lot and have noticed a change in my attitude. So I'm happy about that

I just get annoyed with myself when I get these ~waves~ of doubt. It's a weird feeling. I start thinking about where God is, like is he in the sky, is he in space, is he outside of space. Like I know he's everywhere (omnipresent), but I'm talking about him in heaven and stuff. I don't know if that makes sense. And then I start thinking of what he looks like. And then I get a rush of anxiety and fear, and I think 'is God even real'

It happens quite often. I guess I should just stop thinking about those things! But even when I'm not, I still get doubt. I know I can't rely on my feeling, but the doubt is so strong that sometimes I have to distract myself and watch videos or something to get my mind off of it.

I talk to God a lot regardless of how I'm feeling. i just keeping thinking. If I was to die today, I know I would go to hell. Because I don't really trust Jesus. But I'm trying! I want to. But I don't know how. It's something I've been working on, but it stresses me out so bad, and the doubt just makes it worse!

Sorry this was long. I just needed to talk to someone else. I've already talked God's ear off lol

Prayers would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

 

[discipler7]

But recently I've been dealing with a lot of doubt.

The spiritual source of our involuntary, evil/immoral/satanic or baseless thoughts of doubts, fears/worries, lust, greed, selfishness, hate, anger, jealousy, etc, is the devil - the result of Adam's Original Sin - GENESIS.3:14-19, ROMANS.5:12, JOHN.8:44, MATTHEW.16:23 & 23:27, MARK.7:21, 1JOHN.3:8.

Learn to counter such involuntary evil thoughts from the devil with the Law/Word of God(MATTHEW.4:1-11) and/or just ignore them like ignoring Internet trolls or casanovas(= let the satanic/evil thoughts come and go). We should not entertain such thoughts and allow them to bear fruit into voluntary sins/evil-deeds/law-breaking against God, our neighbor/friend/family or ourselves, eg blasphemy, murder/suicide, self-harm, adultery/AIDS, stealing, lying/cheating/ /being cheated, dishonor parents, social withdrawal, etc.

 

[mukk_in]

i must sound like a cd on repeat. But recently I've been dealing with a lot of doubt. It seems the more time I spend in the word, the more doubt I experience. I'm thinking it's doubt that I've always had deep down and it's finally coming to the surface. Which if that's the case is a good thing! Because I had been praying God would reveal anything blocking me from him and that he would bring to the surface what he wants me to be aware of.

I have been praying a lot and have noticed a change in my attitude. So I'm happy about that

I just get annoyed with myself when I get these ~waves~ of doubt. It's a weird feeling. I start thinking about where God is, like is he in the sky, is he in space, is he outside of space. Like I know he's everywhere (omnipresent), but I'm talking about him in heaven and stuff. I don't know if that makes sense. And then I start thinking of what he looks like. And then I get a rush of anxiety and fear, and I think 'is God even real'

It happens quite often. I guess I should just stop thinking about those things! But even when I'm not, I still get doubt. I know I can't rely on my feeling, but the doubt is so strong that sometimes I have to distract myself and watch videos or something to get my mind off of it.

I talk to God a lot regardless of how I'm feeling. i just keeping thinking. If I was to die today, I know I would go to hell. Because I don't really trust Jesus. But I'm trying! I want to. But I don't know how. It's something I've been working on, but it stresses me out so bad, and the doubt just makes it worse!

Sorry this was long. I just needed to talk to someone else. I've already talked God's ear off lol

Prayers would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

Praying for you GodsGirl. God Almighty rewards faith but never shuns doubt. On the contrary, He reveals Himself very explicitly to such as Thomas ("..put your hands on My side....a ghost doesn't have flesh and blood.."). May the Lord strengthen your faith kid. God bless .

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

i must sound like a cd on repeat. But recently I've been dealing with a lot of doubt. It seems the more time I spend in the word, the more doubt I experience. I'm thinking it's doubt that I've always had deep down and it's finally coming to the surface. Which if that's the case is a good thing! Because I had been praying God would reveal anything blocking me from him and that he would bring to the surface what he wants me to be aware of.

I have been praying a lot and have noticed a change in my attitude. So I'm happy about that

I just get annoyed with myself when I get these ~waves~ of doubt. It's a weird feeling. I start thinking about where God is, like is he in the sky, is he in space, is he outside of space. Like I know he's everywhere (omnipresent), but I'm talking about him in heaven and stuff. I don't know if that makes sense. And then I start thinking of what he looks like. And then I get a rush of anxiety and fear, and I think 'is God even real'

It happens quite often. I guess I should just stop thinking about those things! But even when I'm not, I still get doubt. I know I can't rely on my feeling, but the doubt is so strong that sometimes I have to distract myself and watch videos or something to get my mind off of it.

I talk to God a lot regardless of how I'm feeling. i just keeping thinking. If I was to die today, I know I would go to hell. Because I don't really trust Jesus. But I'm trying! I want to. But I don't know how. It's something I've been working on, but it stresses me out so bad, and the doubt just makes it worse!

Sorry this was long. I just needed to talk to someone else. I've already talked God's ear off lol

Prayers would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

All you need is assurance of your salvation..Paul said to believe his Gospel ...1Cor:15 andyou will be saved....if you believe Jesus died for your sins and if you believe in his death burial and resurrection you will be saved....don’tcount On emotions and run from those who say Jesus saves—-BUT you gotta do this or you gotta do that. You believe and he will lead you into anything that is required for your salvation....if it is required to take a selfie on top of Mt Everest....God will see that it is done! I will pray for you....God bless

 

[Tolworth John]

I've been dealing with a lot of doubt. It seems the more time I spend in the word, the more doubt I experience.

There is nothing wrong with having doubt or questions about ones faith, what one believes, about the bible etc etc etc.

What is important is how one investigates those questions and finding answeres for them.

Christianity has nothing to do with having a 'good' or nice 'feeling'.
Oh we get them, but they are not central to our faith.
Christianity is built on the historical facts of Jesus, his life, death and resurrection.

Dig into the history, find out that the bible is historicaly accurate, that you can trust it.

 

[ToBeLoved]

The one thing I have learned and it also says this in the Bible is that there are things God has not told us. Focusing on those things, there is no answer that is Truth, because God hasn’t shared that with us.

God does tell us that one day in heaven we will know all truth and faith is not about having answers, but about having belief.

Turn back to God’s Word and the Truth He has told us.

Wondering, although we all do it sometimes, concentrating on this instead of the Truth He has shared will always leave you with questions.

Expand your faith.

 

[joshcorn]

I do not see this as doubt.I see it as God giving you a desire to get to know him and about who He is.I can see this very clearly.

 

[aiki]

I just get annoyed with myself when I get these ~waves~ of doubt. It's a weird feeling. I start thinking about where God is, like is he in the sky, is he in space, is he outside of space. Like I know he's everywhere (omnipresent), but I'm talking about him in heaven and stuff. I don't know if that makes sense. And then I start thinking of what he looks like. And then I get a rush of anxiety and fear, and I think 'is God even real'

Yes, He's real. I interact with Him every day. He convicts me, illuminates my understanding, comforts me, strengthens me, and provides for my needs. He does many other things for me, too. But God isn't human. He isn't under anybody's control. He's mysterious, and strange, and dangerous. But, He's also my loving Heavenly Father. It's not unusual for me, then, to feel...odd when I think on who God is.

It happens quite often. I guess I should just stop thinking about those things! But even when I'm not, I still get doubt. I know I can't rely on my feeling, but the doubt is so strong that sometimes I have to distract myself and watch videos or something to get my mind off of it.

Is your doubt that God is real? Or is it doubt about God's trustworthiness? If it's doubt about God being real, ask yourself where everything came from. Why is there something rather than nothing? Why does the universe exist? Science can't tell us. But the Bible does.

If you doubt that you can fully trust God, you might ask yourself why. What has God done to warrant your mistrust? Why isn't giving up His only Son to redeem you from the death sentence of your sin not enough to prove to you He loves you and can be trusted?

I talk to God a lot regardless of how I'm feeling. i just keeping thinking. If I was to die today, I know I would go to hell. Because I don't really trust Jesus. But I'm trying! I want to. But I don't know how. It's something I've been working on, but it stresses me out so bad, and the doubt just makes it worse!

My dear, you don't save you. There is only one Saviour: Jesus Christ. It isn't the strength of your trust that saves you, but the strength of the One who promises to save you that brings you out of darkness and into the light. There was a man in Scripture who struggled with doubt. He cried out to Jesus, "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!" Did Jesus reject him? Not at all!

 

[Francis Drake]

i must sound like a cd on repeat. But recently I've been dealing with a lot of doubt. It seems the more time I spend in the word, the more doubt I experience. I'm thinking it's doubt that I've always had deep down and it's finally coming to the surface. Which if that's the case is a good thing! Because I had been praying God would reveal anything blocking me from him and that he would bring to the surface what he wants me to be aware of.

I have been praying a lot and have noticed a change in my attitude. So I'm happy about that

I just get annoyed with myself when I get these ~waves~ of doubt. It's a weird feeling. I start thinking about where God is, like is he in the sky, is he in space, is he outside of space. Like I know he's everywhere (omnipresent), but I'm talking about him in heaven and stuff. I don't know if that makes sense. And then I start thinking of what he looks like. And then I get a rush of anxiety and fear, and I think 'is God even real'

It happens quite often. I guess I should just stop thinking about those things! But even when I'm not, I still get doubt. I know I can't rely on my feeling, but the doubt is so strong that sometimes I have to distract myself and watch videos or something to get my mind off of it.

This sounds like plain demonic warfare.
Just like when he cast doubt on what God said to Adam, "Did God really say?" Satan and his demonic horde do exactly the same to believers every day.

Most Christians are completely unaware of the demonic realm. But if, as scripture makes abundantly clear, demons exist, what form do they take and how do they attack us?
They certainly don't run around with pitchforks smelling of sulphur!

And just as we fail to discern when God speaks to us, we fail to discern the little whispers of Satan's emissaries.
Fact.1 Demons are real.
Fact2. Their purpose is to control us.
Fact3. They speak to all and anyone who is foolish enough to take note.
Fact4. Not all OUR thoughts are OUR thoughts, they are the whispers of demonic entities.
Fact5. We have power in the name of Jesus to drive these enemies of righteousness far away from us.
We ignore these facts at out peril, and that's why Paul states the following.-
2Cor10v3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. 4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Where are those strongholds? -
5We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Satan has strongholds in our minds. That's why we struggle to keep our thought on the things of God.
The inside of our heads end up like a debating chamber!

Obviously if you enjoy entertaining ungodly thoughts, then you carry responsibility for that, and need to repent. But if that doesn't halt them, then my advice is to consider these thoughts as demonic intrusions and treat them as such by commanding them to go in Jesus name.
Additionally, one of the best weapons we have is to strike back at these lying whispers, is quoting the truths of scripture.
This isn't just clever theology at work, it comes from years of practicing it. I used to be plagued by all sorts of doubting thoughts, until I responded by speaking scriptural truths out of my mouth, and that drove the demonic spirits of doubt far from me.
​

I talk to God a lot regardless of how I'm feeling. i just keeping thinking. If I was to die today, I know I would go to hell. Because I don't really trust Jesus. But I'm trying! I want to. But I don't know how. It's something I've been working on, but it stresses me out so bad, and the doubt just makes it worse!

Lets get this said right now.
You will never go to hell! You have been paid for by the precious blood of Jesus, and your eternity does not depend on your goodness and cleverness at keeping hold of Jesus.
It is he who has hold of you!
John10v28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Did you get that, you're God's daughter, and nobody can snatch you out of your Father's hand!
So when you get these thoughts of being thrown into hell, start confessing out loud the truths you know from scripture.
Its a basic principle that the truth sets you free. So start using it against the false whispers you have been hearing, but remember, don't just think it, speak it out of your mouth.
You are God's girl, your inheritance is peace with daddy God. Grab hold of it.

 

[Almost there]

i must sound like a cd on repeat. But recently I've been dealing with a lot of doubt. It seems the more time I spend in the word, the more doubt I experience. I'm thinking it's doubt that I've always had deep down and it's finally coming to the surface. Which if that's the case is a good thing! Because I had been praying God would reveal anything blocking me from him and that he would bring to the surface what he wants me to be aware of.

I have been praying a lot and have noticed a change in my attitude. So I'm happy about that

I just get annoyed with myself when I get these ~waves~ of doubt. It's a weird feeling. I start thinking about where God is, like is he in the sky, is he in space, is he outside of space. Like I know he's everywhere (omnipresent), but I'm talking about him in heaven and stuff. I don't know if that makes sense. And then I start thinking of what he looks like. And then I get a rush of anxiety and fear, and I think 'is God even real'

It happens quite often. I guess I should just stop thinking about those things! But even when I'm not, I still get doubt. I know I can't rely on my feeling, but the doubt is so strong that sometimes I have to distract myself and watch videos or something to get my mind off of it.

I talk to God a lot regardless of how I'm feeling. i just keeping thinking. If I was to die today, I know I would go to hell. Because I don't really trust Jesus. But I'm trying! I want to. But I don't know how. It's something I've been working on, but it stresses me out so bad, and the doubt just makes it worse!

Sorry this was long. I just needed to talk to someone else. I've already talked God's ear off lol

Prayers would be appreciated! Thank you so much!

Don't stop thinking! I completely relate to what you are saying. The good news is that (probably) a lot of your doubt is not about Jesus, but about what others have told you, and much of it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense any more, as you understand His word more and more. Think of it as body building. As you strengthen your muscles, what you are really doing is creating little tears that heal stronger than the original.

But to get sanity back into it, I would recommend reading some books on Christianity by others. It helps you sort of re-center, because it is easy to get lost in the weeds from time to time.

If you haven't read "Mere Christianity" yet, GET IT! READ IT!

It offers an amazingly refreshing clarity. And the reason I recommend that book is because, when one gets really deep into the bible, it often results in massively complicating the word (hence my comment about the weeds). Mere Christianity (bu C. S. Lewis) gets you back to the simple roots behind the teaching of Christ.

 

[-GodsGirl-]

I do not see this as doubt.I see it as God giving you a desire to get to know him and about who He is.I can see this very clearly.

Woah. Thank you! I never thought about it that way.

 

[-GodsGirl-]

This sounds like plain demonic warfare.
Just like when he cast doubt on what God said to Adam, "Did God really say?" Satan and his demonic horde do exactly the same to believers every day.

Most Christians are completely unaware of the demonic realm. But if, as scripture makes abundantly clear, demons exist, what form do they take and how do they attack us?
They certainly don't run around with pitchforks smelling of sulphur!

And just as we fail to discern when God speaks to us, we fail to discern the little whispers of Satan's emissaries.
Fact.1 Demons are real.
Fact2. Their purpose is to control us.
Fact3. They speak to all and anyone who is foolish enough to take note.
Fact4. Not all OUR thoughts are OUR thoughts, they are the whispers of demonic entities.
Fact5. We have power in the name of Jesus to drive these enemies of righteousness far away from us.
We ignore these facts at out peril, and that's why Paul states the following.-
2Cor10v3For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. 4The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Where are those strongholds? -
5We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Satan has strongholds in our minds. That's why we struggle to keep our thought on the things of God.
The inside of our heads end up like a debating chamber!

Obviously if you enjoy entertaining ungodly thoughts, then you carry responsibility for that, and need to repent. But if that doesn't halt them, then my advice is to consider these thoughts as demonic intrusions and treat them as such by commanding them to go in Jesus name.
Additionally, one of the best weapons we have is to strike back at these lying whispers, is quoting the truths of scripture.
This isn't just clever theology at work, it comes from years of practicing it. I used to be plagued by all sorts of doubting thoughts, until I responded by speaking scriptural truths out of my mouth, and that drove the demonic spirits of doubt far from me.
​

Lets get this said right now.
You will never go to hell! You have been paid for by the precious blood of Jesus, and your eternity does not depend on your goodness and cleverness at keeping hold of Jesus.
It is he who has hold of you!
John10v28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Did you get that, you're God's daughter, and nobody can snatch you out of your Father's hand!
So when you get these thoughts of being thrown into hell, start confessing out loud the truths you know from scripture.
Its a basic principle that the truth sets you free. So start using it against the false whispers you have been hearing, but remember, don't just think it, speak it out of your mouth.
You are God's girl, your inheritance is peace with daddy God. Grab hold of it.

Thank you for commenting! I didn't really think it was demonic until you mentioned it. I have been spending more time with God the past week or so. And ever since then I've been having demonic dreams. Very scary dreams of demons in my room, and my dad rebukes them out. I do feel I'm being tormented.

I will definitely fight back! I will start quoting the scriptures like you mentioned! I guess sometimes I doubt that they will really leave if I do that so I don't bother. But I'm not going to let the devil control my thoughts any longer!

Thank you for the encouraging word!

 

[-GodsGirl-]

Don't stop thinking! I completely relate to what you are saying. The good news is that (probably) a lot of your doubt is not about Jesus, but about what others have told you, and much of it doesn't seem to make a lot of sense any more, as you understand His word more and more. Think of it as body building. As you strengthen your muscles, what you are really doing is creating little tears that heal stronger than the original.

But to get sanity back into it, I would recommend reading some books on Christianity by others. It helps you sort of re-center, because it is easy to get lost in the weeds from time to time.

If you haven't read "Mere Christianity" yet, GET IT! READ IT!

It offers an amazingly refreshing clarity. And the reason I recommend that book is because, when one gets really deep into the bible, it often results in massively complicating the word (hence my comment about the weeds). Mere Christianity (bu C. S. Lewis) gets you back to the simple roots behind the teaching of Christ.

Thank you! I will check it out ! Your post really encouraged me. Thank you!

 

[discipler7]

I will start quoting the scriptures like you mentioned!

.
HEBREWS.11: = 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Faith = trust = believe ... in God and His Word or promises, like a child trusting his/her good father/mother.

Believe in God, keep His Law/Word and you will be blessed/rewarded with a good and long life on earth(DEUT.28, ROMANS.2:10, cf; 1COR.5:5 & 11:30, 1JOHN.5:16-19, HEBREWS.10:26); and have faith in His Son Jesus and you will be blessed with everlasting life(JOHN.3:16).
... For Gentile Christians, wrt the Law, be guided by ACTS.15:24-29.

 

[Francis Drake]

Thank you for commenting! I didn't really think it was demonic until you mentioned it. I have been spending more time with God the past week or so. And ever since then I've been having demonic dreams. Very scary dreams of demons in my room, and my dad rebukes them out. I do feel I'm being tormented.

As a daughter of the King, your status is seated with in the heavenly kingdom.
Ephesians2v4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

From that position, you have authority to drive out demons, in the name of Jesus.
These demons are under your feet!

I will definitely fight back! I will start quoting the scriptures like you mentioned! I guess sometimes I doubt that they will really leave if I do that so I don't bother. But I'm not going to let the devil control my thoughts any longer!

It is always a pleasure to encourage. Go for it.

 

[Blood Bought 1953]

“ greater is He that is within you than he who is in the world”. We are no match for Satan But he is no match for The HolySpirit that resides within B believers. You will win this war.Keep the faith!

 

[SeraTaru]

The mind is the battlefield.

Scripture says "as a man thinks in his heart so he is".

What you dwell on in your mind is what you will become, therefore the evil one's servants try to plant seeds in your mind in the hope that they will grow.

Philippians 4 v 8 says :

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

...if you FILL your mind with these things then you will not succumb to those programming thoughts from the evil one.

The devil is limited, and does not waste his time on anyone that is not a threat. This attack is proof that you're on the right path and right where God wants you to be.

Be Blessed !

 

[friend of]

Yes, the Lord does withdrawal his presence so that we may crave it more and more. This is a painful thing, but necessary to grow in him.

 

[FireDragon76]

What you are describing is called scrupulosity, and in your case it doesn't seem severe but it does seem like it is nonetheless a problem for you. It may be due to mental illness such as an anxiety disorder, or it could be due to unhelpful spirituality or ideas about God, or all of the above.

Years ago I suffered from the same sort of things as I am an anxiety prone person. Due to a pastoral issue I was excommunicated in the Orthodox Church so I found my way to the local Episcopalians. But I was still deeply hurt.

The local Episcopal churches focus was on religious feelings and good works. People were somewhat aloof and I never got all that close to them except a priest or two, and one mysterious stranger who gave me a Brennan Manning book which was helpful.
Though I believed intellectually God was good, something was not right in my heart, and it was sometimes a struggle, and I often experienced "spiritual dryness" and anxiety.

I did not know who God was for me anymore, at times. Sometimes I even imagined he just didn't elect me after all, that he was angry at me and that was my fate. I even doubted it was God saying that, but it bothered me nonetheless. I went to confession several times, and it helped to relieve my anxiety, for a period, but I felt like I always had to do more and more things to be holier, to be better, to prove to myself maybe I was a real Christian.

After reading about how the same church refused to baptize a baby of a gay couple from up north (only to relent later), it was enough for me to realize I was not receiving a clear message about grace in the preaching and teaching there, and that was the root of much of my religious anxiety, so i prayed to God to show me a church I could go and find good preaching about grace, and I felt him directing me to go to a Lutheran church.

When I found my way to a Lutheran church and I started receiving better pastoral care and catechism, my anxiety started going down and those negative thoughts decreased, but it took some time. I also worked with a good Episcopalian counsellor to work through negativity I was experiencing.

I have begun to understand that there is religion and then there's the rest of my life, and God is in both, and both are sacred and holy, whether or not I do anything particularly religious, spiritual, or even think about God or feel God. He is not going anywhere. And I'm forgiven, accepted and it is safe to just be me, even if I don't really feel like I measure up. But it was a process and it did not happen overnight, and it took alot of hearing over and over again, that I'm ok and I'm forgiven.

So I think the issue is what kind of teaching and pastoral care you are getting, and also if you don't in fact have underlying mental health problems. Over the internet I can't really do much more than talk about what has worked for me and point you in some good directions. There are books on scrupulosity and there are religious counselors that can help you, but you may need to seek pastoral counseling as well.

I will pray for you that you receive good teaching and guidance in your life so that your faith will grow.

The Doubting Disease: Help for Scrupulosity and Religious Compulsions

https://www.amazon.com/Can-Christianity-Cure-Obsessive-Compulsive-Disorder/dp/1587432064

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

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This forum is not the place to discuss or debate church practices, specific church leaders, interpretations of Scripture or theological topics. If you would like to discuss or debate any of these topics please do so in the appropriate forum."
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