Don't know where to put this. Existential issues

[keaton85]

I'm not sure if there's any purpose to existence. Are we just mechanical automatons, just mindlessly controlled by external forces, destined to be without purpose? I feel like finding meaning in my life is hopeless. If it's true that there is no purpose, I don't think I can go on. This kind of ties into my fear of being controlled by AI and fear for the future of the world. Terrible things seem imminent. Is there any other outcome? I can't see it. I feel like I'm becoming a nihilist. Can anyone help me? How can I get through this? I know I'll probably just be told to have faith in God, but I don't know if I believe anymore. I would love to have better faith. I really would. What can I do?

 

[xtitech]

.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Have you beared enough responsibility to justify your existence? When i've found myself hopeless and felt like life had no meaning it was because i didn't have enough obligations. Theres two views you can hold that can lead you to two different outcomes. Either life has meaning and everything matters or life does not have meaning and nothing you do matters. Most people prefer to believe life does not matter because they don't want to bear the responsibility for their actions, the problem with that is they have no meaning in their life.

 

[keaton85]

Feelings of purposelessness can be a cover for deeper feelings of sadness or unease. I don’t know how deep inside yourself you want to go, or even if this digging around in your feelings is an approach that appeals to you.

I have a counselor I'm seeing. It seems to help somewhat, but I'm not sure it's really resolving my issues.

 

[timothyu]

Think back to the Garden when God created His 'automatons'. We had and still have free will, not mindless or programmed except by each other. Did He not have a plan in mind to have us come out ok even though we are now making automatons in our own image? (the Fallen one and man mimic God, He mimics no one.) There is plenty in your, our, existence to be accomplished yet. You, we, are a work in progress and it is interesting every day to see what is next. When He is finished perfecting us as a species, we won't have to worry about the automatons we are making. They will be dust along with allthe other self serving junk we have made. Enjoy the ride.

 

[klutedavid]

I'm not sure if there's any purpose to existence. Are we just mechanical automatons, just mindlessly controlled by external forces, destined to be without purpose? I feel like finding meaning in my life is hopeless. If it's true that there is no purpose, I don't think I can go on. This kind of ties into my fear of being controlled by AI and fear for the future of the world. Terrible things seem imminent. Is there any other outcome? I can't see it. I feel like I'm becoming a nihilist. Can anyone help me? How can I get through this? I know I'll probably just be told to have faith in God, but I don't know if I believe anymore. I would love to have better faith. I really would. What can I do?

There are two realities that you need to be aware of and will occur regardless of how and when they occur.

One is the end of the world which will occur whether it be sooner or later, the world is not a permanent entity. Accept that the end will come to us all eventually and you can sit back and relax.

The other outcome is your life; you are not an immortal rather you are just a temporary resident on this planet. You may not be around tomorrow because you might have a heart attack tonight.

Regardless of any external threats such as A.I or nuclear war for example, you are getting older everyday and your end is destined anyway.

There are a thousand ways to die and we all die, you will die and that is a fact. So there is no need to be controlled by the fear of death as that event will happen anyway.

We don't live forever in the here and now and life is utterly pointless without Jesus Christ.

 

[devin553344]

I'm not sure if there's any purpose to existence. Are we just mechanical automatons, just mindlessly controlled by external forces, destined to be without purpose? I feel like finding meaning in my life is hopeless. If it's true that there is no purpose, I don't think I can go on. This kind of ties into my fear of being controlled by AI and fear for the future of the world. Terrible things seem imminent. Is there any other outcome? I can't see it. I feel like I'm becoming a nihilist. Can anyone help me? How can I get through this? I know I'll probably just be told to have faith in God, but I don't know if I believe anymore. I would love to have better faith. I really would. What can I do?

Well I think prayer to God would be appropriate. But @ImAllLikeOkWaitWat hits on an important principle. Service of God and people gives meaning to life. You should get into service somehow.

 

[Danielwright2311]

I'm not sure if there's any purpose to existence. Are we just mechanical automatons, just mindlessly controlled by external forces, destined to be without purpose? I feel like finding meaning in my life is hopeless. If it's true that there is no purpose, I don't think I can go on. This kind of ties into my fear of being controlled by AI and fear for the future of the world. Terrible things seem imminent. Is there any other outcome? I can't see it. I feel like I'm becoming a nihilist. Can anyone help me? How can I get through this? I know I'll probably just be told to have faith in God, but I don't know if I believe anymore. I would love to have better faith. I really would. What can I do?

Your purpose is of God, to love him and he loves you. there is no other purpose.

And if you love like this, God will give your life full purpose.

 

[Carl Emerson]

I would love to have better faith. I really would. What can I do?

Faith is a gift.
Seek the giver more than anything else.
He promises to be found by those who seek Him.
Cry out to Him - surrender your whole life to Jesus and He will pick you up and make you stand on your feet.
He knows you through and through.
He is faithful.
Invite Him to work His order in your life.
Invite Him to take over and put things right.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

What can I do?

There are lots of stuff you can do, but to start with consider this.

1) Find an altruistic activity or group and join it (This includes churches and ministries within where you help other people). The Bible says "perfect love casts out fear" and we also gain purpose in life from serving others.


2) There are lots of good videos on Youtube that teach the basics of Stoic philosophy and Rational Emotive therapy both of which are good homework assignments and help you have a more healthy life.