Fear of Committing to God

[moonkissedtiger]

Well, here is the deal...

I'm a new Christian. Four months as of the 13th of this month. Now, I've had experience with Christianity before, years ago. Got saved, threw myself into everything, BUT in the end, I never was fully a Christian, I didn't have the mentality about it. There was always that doubt, you could say. So... this is a new issue for me.

As I've read things, in the Bible, in books, in forums, and heard things in church and from friends. I realize that God wants ALL of you. Ya know, body, soul, heart, mind... He doesn't just want bits & pieces of you but ALL of you.

THIS scares me to no end. The thought of giving myself over to someone fully like that scares me.

I can commit myself to people, but no one on earth is ever gonna get all of me. Not even my husband. I can't possibly give anyone on earth my body, soul, and mind. Just not possible... but with God... since He's GIVEN me my body and everything I am, then He wants that back for the glory of Him.

I'm scared of that. I'm scared of committing ALL of myself to Him. I have no problems with giving Him my money, but it's things like my soul and my mind and all my feelings and hopes and dreams. Ya know? It's like, what will I have left to control? I'm not a control freak per se, but I do like having control over myself and knowing that I can control who I am and what I do.

But knowing that I have to give my all to God scares me. I WANT to do it, but it really and truly rises fear in me.

I know that you are supposed to pray to Him, put your trust in Him, and put your faith in Him, but I'm wondering, if I am AFRAID to give my all to Him how do I proceed to pray to him? I'm slowly doing better with praying to Him and talking to Him on a more constant level, but I can't go that extra mile.

He HAS used me. He's used me to give messages to my friends, He's shown me many things, and I think that's when my fear started, seeing how He can use me in such a way. It was powerful and wonderful but then again it involved that loss of control and Him using me and I couldn't help it. He was using the mouth that He had given me.

I'm rambling I know, but the point of it is, how do I get over my fear of this and progress in this relationship? How do I pray if I'm scared to pray about this?

I hope someone has some insight for me.

 

[TheListener]

Sounds like you've already given a lot to him. Do you set aside time and say "this is no-God time, I'm going to sin at will"? If you don't then you've given him all you have

 

[HumbleBee]

God is LOVE and He is totally, absolutely, unequivocally trustworthy! The better you get to know Him, the more you will trust Him and realize that He is the safest place for all of you, including your soul, your heart, many hopes and dreams that He has given you and will bring to fruition! You have seen Him work through you to do good! So what is there to fear? The more you surrender yourself into God's loving hands, the more able He is to make you a wondrous blessing to others! Tiz wiser to trust in the Most High, all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal God than it is to trust in extremely limited finite self and other selves.

Isaiah 55:7-8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD...

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

 

[holo]

Now, I've had experience with Christianity before, years ago. Got saved, threw myself into everything, BUT in the end, I never was fully a Christian, I didn't have the mentality about it.

It kinda breaks my heart to read this. I'd like to tell you something I've learned, and it's not wordplay or semantics, it's a truth that it's very important you realize; your relationship with God is about identity, not mentality. You are God's CHILD. Please, think about that. Consider the best and most loving and devoted and caring parent you know of, and then think about God being a million times better. You are His child, and He will treat you as such.

As I've read things, in the Bible, in books, in forums, and heard things in church and from friends. I realize that God wants ALL of you. Ya know, body, soul, heart, mind... He doesn't just want bits & pieces of you but ALL of you.

I guess that would be correct. He wants all of you. Including your sins, including your shortcomings, including everything. Now, this does NOT mean that you must improve or get rid of this or that BEFORE coming to your Father. No, it's HIS job to do with those things as He pleases. And you can rest assured that He works from the inside out - if you for example is struggling with some unhealthy thing that you know you shouldn't, but enjoy doing, it's kinda scary to "give it to God", isn't it?
But what we so often do, is assume that He will take from us something we enjoy. But He never will. What He will do, however, is change your heart.

When I was a drug addict and began seeking God again, He never asked me to quit the drugs. He didn't mention them at all, and it in fact took several years before I'd lost interest in them completely. I would say to God, "I can't come to you. I'm an addict, and I don't want to give up my drugs." He answered, "come anyway. We'll take care of all that, don't stress it."
And when I did, He started changing me, slowly, from the inside. He changed my desires. He didn't demand anything, He was just waiting for me to approach Him. In His prescence, you will change. You can't stay the same. So feel free, walk straight in. The veil has been torn.

I know that you are supposed to pray to Him, put your trust in Him, and put your faith in Him, but I'm wondering, if I am AFRAID to give my all to Him how do I proceed to pray to him? I'm slowly doing better with praying to Him and talking to Him on a more constant level, but I can't go that extra mile.

It's not for you to go that extra mile here. Jesus has already gone the extra miles. There's nothing left for you to do, other than sit down, relax. Don't try to bear the burdens Jesus took for you. It's not for you to pay or to give, but to RECIEVE. Be honest, plead your case to the Lord. Tell Him how you feel, ask Him to take these burdens even if you're holding on to them hard.

He died for you while you were still a sinner. That's how good He is. Look at Him, not yourself.

He HAS used me.

See, there you go. God doesn't wait for anybody to be perfect in any way.

But also, remember that God is your father, not your employer. You weren't created to be used, but to be loved. What God wants most of all is for you to be happy, to receive all His GIFTS.

Just go to Him. Bring your sins, your bad habits, your cigarettes, your drugs, your hate, your fear, everything. Don't try to get rid of it, just bring it. It's you. It's YOU He wants, not your own ability to somehow be good enough.

 

[PorcelainHeart]

I actually know where you are comming from. I used to be a christian but then I got scared out of it. Hearing all the talk about sinning, the rapture and GOD's revenge scared me to no end. Now, I'm sorta of a christian I'm trying to understand GOD more.


I'm scared of that. I'm scared of committing ALL of myself to Him. I have no problems with giving Him my money, but it's things like my soul and my mind and all my feelings and hopes and dreams. Ya know? It's like, what will I have left to control? I'm not a control freak per se, but I do like having control over myself and knowing that I can control who I am and what I do.


You still have control over yourself, you have free will, it's your choice to make the right choices. I seen some christians who been with GOD a long time make horrible choices. They are rude and nasty and scare people from GOD. You have alot to control, you just have to make a choice if you are going to sin or not. GOD loves you!


As I've read things, in the Bible, in books, in forums, and heard things in church and from friends. I realize that God wants ALL of you. Ya know, body, soul, heart, mind... He doesn't just want bits & pieces of you but ALL of you.


That is because he loves you, and when you love someone you accept and love everything from their shortcommings to their sin. I might not have a place to help you since I only read a little of the bible. I just know from what I learned. He wants all of you because he loves you and your wonderful to him.



God is good all the time.

 

[Adstar]

Is it the fear of failing God that stops you?

If it is the fear of failing God then don't worry every human being fails God, That’s why we have the forgiveness of Jesus. Gods wants your agreement and your intent.







Is it the fear that God will betray you that stops you?



If this is the fear than it truly is illogical. If God is God (and you believe He is) then fearing Him will make no difference to what He would do. Gods will is done. Hating God, disbelieving in God, fearing God, makes no difference. So why not trust in God? what other choice do you have if God if God. The Eternal Creator of all existence and holder of Absolute Power and Wisdom. God has revealed through Jesus that He is a God of loving kindness and compassion for us, Quick to forgive and wanting only for us to be saved and prosper. If you believe in God then placing trust in Him should bring a sense of absolute and eternal security.







Is it fear that God will want you to do something you think is evil or wrong?



If you embrace the Love of The Truth Jesus. You will love to love others, it is not giving up and being forced to do things against your will. Embracing Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit will give you the power and perseverance to be a blessing to others. If your desire toward others is the same desire that God has demonstrated through Jesus for you, then you are not giving up control you are being empowered to do what you want to do.







All praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[moonkissedtiger]

Sounds like you've already given a lot to him. Do you set aside time and say "this is no-God time, I'm going to sin at will"? If you don't then you've given him all you have

I guess I'm pretty much giving him all that I CAN give Him at the moment. I feel like it's not enough though. I guess I never thought about it in that way... I just thought that I wasn't doing good ENOUGH.

God is LOVE and He is totally, absolutely, unequivocally trustworthy! The better you get to know Him, the more you will trust Him and realize that He is the safest place for all of you, including your soul, your heart, many hopes and dreams that He has given you and will bring to fruition! You have seen Him work through you to do good! So what is there to fear? The more you surrender yourself into God's loving hands, the more able He is to make you a wondrous blessing to others! Tiz wiser to trust in the Most High, all-knowing, all-powerful, eternal God than it is to trust in extremely limited finite self and other selves.

Hmm... I know I'm dealing with a lot of past feelings about trusting Him. I know that I made a mistake back in the day when I blamed Him for failing me, for bringing troubles my way. (Yea, I was REALLY bitter.) I thought I was pretty much done with those feelings, but I notice that they pop up sometimes. *scratches head* Thanks for the scriptures, I'll definitely check them out later on today!

It kinda breaks my heart to read this. I'd like to tell you something I've learned, and it's not wordplay or semantics, it's a truth that it's very important you realize; your relationship with God is about identity, not mentality. You are God's CHILD. Please, think about that. Consider the best and most loving and devoted and caring parent you know of, and then think about God being a million times better. You are His child, and He will treat you as such.

Well, what I meant by mentality was that, while I "served" God (choir, mime team... etc.) I didn't have the BELIEF in Him. Meaning, I always had that doubt in me that this wasn't gonna work. How can He help me, etc etc. Now, I know He'll pull me through. I've seen that evidence several times. So, I have that belief to back up the actions now. Whereas before I had the actions but not the belief. If that makes sense...

When I was a drug addict and began seeking God again, He never asked me to quit the drugs. He didn't mention them at all, and it in fact took several years before I'd lost interest in them completely. I would say to God, "I can't come to you. I'm an addict, and I don't want to give up my drugs." He answered, "come anyway. We'll take care of all that, don't stress it."
And when I did, He started changing me, slowly, from the inside. He changed my desires. He didn't demand anything, He was just waiting for me to approach Him. In His prescence, you will change. You can't stay the same. So feel free, walk straight in. The veil has been torn.

Wow, that's awesome. So, what you are saying is, don't worry about changing myself, don't worry that I'm not perfect. Don't fear Him, just go to Him, and everything will fall in place afterwards. Errr... or else I'm putting words in your mouth, forgive me if I am, that's kinda the impression I was getting, haha.

But also, remember that God is your father, not your employer. You weren't created to be used, but to be loved. What God wants most of all is for you to be happy, to receive all His GIFTS.

I had to reread that a couple of times to get what you were saying. But as I reread that, I got hit with something. I think that may be why I'm so scared of giving my all to Him, simply because I think of it as Him "using" me. In a negative sense of the word, not a good sense. I don't think of it as receiving His gifts. I think of it in a more "wow, God is using my mouth to speak words." or "If I give everything over to Him, He is gonna end up using me."

Dang, I never thought of it that way. Haha, thanks for writing that. It's got me thinking big time. But, do you happen to know any scripture about God wanting to give us His gifts or anything like that? It's ok if you don't. Just asking. *smiles*

I actually know where you are comming from. I used to be a christian but then I got scared out of it. Hearing all the talk about sinning, the rapture and GOD's revenge scared me to no end. Now, I'm sorta of a christian I'm trying to understand GOD more.

You still have control over yourself, you have free will, it's your choice to make the right choices. I seen some christians who been with GOD a long time make horrible choices. They are rude and nasty and scare people from GOD. You have alot to control, you just have to make a choice if you are going to sin or not. GOD loves you!

Sometimes even now I get really scared. Scared that I'm going to Hell if I do this or that. It's hard for me to focus on my love for God if I'm scared He's gonna send me to Hell for every little wrong that I'm doing. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but ya know what I'm saying (hopefully *smiles*)

I never also thought that I'd still have free will. I guess I always thought of it like... "Hmm... once I give everything to God, I'm gonna become a robot. I won't be able to make my own decisions about anything without going to Him first. Without worrying what He'll think. I won't be able to do anything really." Hmmm.. which in a sense is true, I mean, I will have to go to Him about things. But in the end I'll still be the one moving and making the decision. It just has to be a right decision. You also got me thinking about things, haha. Thanks so much for posting that.


Adstar- in the end I guess it's fear of Him "using" me (in a negative sense.) A fear that I'm gonna lose my "free will". A fear that I'm not gonna be perfect enough for Him. A fear that every mistake I make will lead God being so displeased that I'll go to Hell. (Hell scares me, can you tell? haha.)

Thanks everyone for your thoughts on this! It's really got me thinking on things! *smiles again* ( I HATE the image limit!!)

 

[HumbleBee]

Here are Bible verses on God giving gifts...

Romans 12

1 Corinthians 12-14

Ephesians 4

 

[bethdinsmore]

"He who knows you best, loves you most."

QUOTE FROM MOONKISSEDTIGER: Sometimes even now I get really scared. Scared that I'm going to Hell if I do this or that. It's hard for me to focus on my love for God if I'm scared He's gonna send me to Hell for every little wrong that I'm doing. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but ya know what I'm saying (hopefully *smiles*) END QUOTE

I believe the Bible teaches that it is impossible for a Christian to go to hell.

First, here's how a person becomes a Christian:


What is saving faith? in salvation verses, the Greek for believe is "to trust in or rely upon". As in John 3:16, Acts 16:31: to trust in Christ's death on the cross to pay for all sins (I Peter 3:18) and to get us to Heaven one day without any good works or promises of our own (Ephesians 2:8-9). In other words, "faith alone in Christ alone plus nothing". It is simply a decision on our part.



Secondly, we cannot lose our salvation . Once we are saved, God lovingly disciplines or punishes us when we do wrong, just as a good father would, but He would never cast us out of His family, no matter what we might do.

Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life."
Romans 11:29 "The GIFTS and calling of God are irrevocable."
John 10:28-29 "no one can snatch you out of His hand" (this "no one" even includes ourselves, we can't snatch ourselves out of the Father's hand).


Once we have trusted in Christ as our sinbearer, we become God's precious and beloved children. He doesn't see us as the world does - acceptance based on performance. To Him, we are human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. Here's a mnemonic of mine, based on Scripture: I CLAP FOR Christ. I am Chosen, Loved, Accepted, Pleasing, and FORgiven in Christ.

A couple more hints on trusting God: a great workbook on the attributes of God - Behold Your God, by Myrna Alexander. And ask mature Christians why they trust Him - especially examples. If you are still not able to trust Him, you might want to work over past issues with a Christian counselor and/or a Christian recovery group such as Overcomers Outreach.


I used to hate God. Then I realized I had Him all mixed up with Dad in my mind. Now I trust Him with all my heart. If you want to see how God taught me to trust Him, see "Personal Testimony" in my website listed on my profile page. It is QUITE a story!

I'll pray for you friend - Aloha in Jesus

 

[Sketcher]

It happens to Christians of all levels. Obedience is hard for us. You can pray to trust God more so that you'll willingly give every corner of your life to Him.

 

[Adstar]

Sometimes even now I get really scared. Scared that I'm going to Hell if I do this or that. It's hard for me to focus on my love for God if I'm scared He's gonna send me to Hell for every little wrong that I'm doing. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but ya know what I'm saying (hopefully *smiles*)

We are not saved by our performance level. We are saved because we accept the gift of salvation from Jesus. The acceptance of Jesus is an acknowledgment that we are unable to perform well enough to win our own salvation.


Romans 10
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Romans 4
1 What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”


Abraham believed God that is what was important to God not his ability to achieve perfection.






4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.

This is saying that if salvation is by our works then we can earn our place in heaven God would have to re-pay us for our works but then Jesus would not have had to die for us and we would have no need to be saved, to receive the gift of Gods grace.







5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
.
Who justifies us? and how do we obtain that justification. Well Jesus justifies us and we obtain that by believing Jesus.





6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:
7 “ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
8 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin


We are saved not because we are succesfull at avoiding sin, or because of the many good things we do, but because our sins are not imputed against us. They are covered by the atoning blood of Jesus.





All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[moonkissedtiger]

HumbleBee- hanks so much! I'm about to make you my official Scripture person. Nah nah. I think I found a few good sites where I can search for scripture. I'm still trying to pile through the ones I got! I really want to take time out to actually read, digest, and BELIEVE what the word says.

bethdinsmore- You know that is another question I've always had. If you sin, but don't repent for whatever reason (not saying I don't repent or anything.) do you go to Hell? Even if you are saved and whatnot? I thought I've been told that you would... I'm definitely checking out the scripture that you gave me!

twistedsketch- Thanks so much for the words, it's nice to know that I'm not the only one who has troubles with this. I'll be praying that God helps me with my trust issue, most definitely.

Adstar- Thanks so much. Again, I'll be definitely looking at your scripture and soaking in what it has to say. *smiles*

 

[teffie]

i get where your coming from. your scared to give up everything, what if it goes wrong?? what happens if one day god screws up and your leaning heavily on him, and he has all of you in his hands, then one day dissapears?? thats what i was like anyway...and if this is the same as you...well i just want to say this

dude, dont hold back. i know how you feel...i used to be like that. maybe you could get some mates to pray for you. i know it freaks you out, but dont let it. god created you, exactly the way u r...and you are his daughter.he knows how and why your feeling like this. turn to him about it, ask him which way you should go. even if ur not ready to ask him how to give urself up to him, maybe ask him for the trust and stuff to WANT to be able to give him all. if you want, tell me and i will pray for you, im okay with that. just...you need to want to do this. if your not ready for that its not going to happen. just...work on it slowly okay?? just know, and remind yourself, god has been there forever and ever, he isnt going anywhere!!! and he will not let you fall or not be there suddenly. i know that fear so much. if you start to feel yourself getting into it and stuff, do not tense and stop. and make yourself turn away. if your scared, just pray to god for your fears to be cast away, and that he gives you strength and courage, and the will to do it, and lets you know from he himself he isnt going anywhere and only wants good for you. so even when youve given up everything to him, you wont get hurt, ever. cause you have god within you. we can only do amazing things, more so even than what jesus did, if we do let ourselves go and beleive in ourselves. do that, and you can do ANYTHING! do that, and you will have the power, of the love that rose jesus christ from the dead. so accept what god says about you, and let him in!! open your window, cause hes waiting outside. hes not going 2 force you or do it until your ready. and then he will, but you gotta open ur window for it to happen. god is not going to fail you darl!!! trust in that, cause if you cant trust god....who can you trust??? and

perhaps what youve been giving is all you can give right now. relax, take a step back, chill out. BREATHE!!! all you need to give is all you can give. and that will never be the same in two people. all we can give is going 2 be different n all others. dont compare yourself to your friends, or whatever, cause whatever they are giving is not comparable to what your giving. its like an apple and an orange. they are both fruits, but you cant compare them. your both giving, but you can compare them, cause everyone has gone through different things,handled and felt and thought things differently, and deep down have different oppinoins and thoughts. and we are different. so give all you can give right now. and later, if you can, give more. dont push yourself, it will all come in time. trust in the lord
i hope this helps abit

cya around
xoxo, steph

 

[GQ Chris]

You know, I have been curious about committing my all to God as well, and then when I think back on the Bible and how every time people have put their trust in God, he has never failed them. Why would he fail now?

 

[chilehed]

I'm rambling I know, but the point of it is, how do I get over my fear of this and progress in this relationship? How do I pray if I'm scared to pray about this?

I hope someone has some insight for me.

It sounds like you don't think that He'll screw your life up worse than you have...

Perhaps one way to start is to tell Him that you're scared to talk to Him and you want help.

 

[hlaltimus]

Giving all to God and finding Him to actually, physically take all are two entirely different things. The first is quite possible while the second is providentally impossible, for if He didn't want us to have the things of this world He wouldn't have placed them at our disposal in the first place. As soon as God made Adam and Eve He turned an entire paradise over to their possession. Here is how it boils down: When God holds the material or immaterial possessions of a Christian, He holds those possessions indirectly through the instrumentality of that Christian. He has what is yours in that He knows that if He would require the use of that "something", you would then be willing to surrender it, as it is His to demand but yours only to hold until such a time. If you do give all to God, (and you should,) do not be concerned over the prospect of hiding way up in some cave with nothing to call your own. He will allow you to keep all which is to His glory, and you will like it better that way.

 

[Tricia4Jesus]

I think its the fear of giving up things in your life that you want to hold onto. All I can say is that I have been there done that. You are a WORK IN PROGRESS and it will be one step at a time that you take with the Lord. But as His love fills you and makes you the person he wants, then it is easier to let the work be done. You start taking on his attributes, and yours willingly get pushed aside by yourself, because you see the sin that so easily ensnares us.

 

[Gentle]

I think its the fear of giving up things in your life that you want to hold onto. All I can say is that I have been there done that. You are a WORK IN PROGRESS and it will be one step at a time that you take with the Lord. But as His love fills you and makes you the person he wants, then it is easier to let the work be done. You start taking on his attributes, and yours willingly get pushed aside by yourself, because you see the sin that so easily ensnares us.

yep, exactly very good answer.
I was like Woody Allen about it forever, my behavior
relax and it will come man

love
Andrew

 

[Hitch2astar]

You'll be able to give yourself completely over to God when you realise that He's given Himself completely to you.

"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son..."

I need to realise this too.

 

[Honibee]

Moonkissedtiger, so glad to hear of your new walk with God. Reading through the thread, you've received good counsel.

A book I found very helpful is, 'Our Covenant God', by Kay Arthur. Along with it, you might want to study the book of Romans, in the bible. Both are excellent for grounding faith in the Word, and showing who we are in Christ.

Many blessings, as you continue to seek Him.

~H