Fear of God sending me to Hell

[jesusdaughter155]

I had developed a very 'fundamentalist' belief system after reading some things on the internet soon after I was born again. One of these beliefs was that the world was ending very soon. I later realized how unstable these beliefs and thoughts were but now I'm struggling with a lot of thoughts. I used to believe God would send everyone who wasn't Christian to Hell because the Bible says this, but now I'm really struggling with this thought. I don't see how God could send anyone to Hell, especially for an eternity. I don't see how God could send anyone to an eternity of suffering just because they weren't Christian.

And I now worry that since I'm no longer as 'zealous,' I'm no longer saved and I've become 'lukewarm.' And God will send me to Hell, and I remember the Bible verse that says lukewarm Christians will suffer more in Hell (Luke 12:47.) I used to view God as very loving and perfect but now I have a very unhealthy image of Him, and an unhealthy fear of Him, and I keep having fears of Him judging me and sending me to Hell for an eternity for becoming 'lukewarm.' I know people say the reason non-believers suffer in Hell is because Hell is 'separation from God,' but I can't imagine someone really deserving to suffer in Hell for eternity. I keep having images in my mind of a person living a normal life, and then being sent to Hell for eternity and burning in Hell for eternity because they weren't a true Christian. All of these thoughts are causing a lot of anxiety. And it's much worse because I have anxiety and OCD, and all these thoughts are very anxiety-inducing.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I was previously very fervent in my faith and after undergoing a lot of panic attacks and severe anxiety (which I made a previous post about) I started having these doubting thoughts. I had been saying prayers to 'cast out demons' of anxiety, depression etc. and the anxiety and depression remained. I realized after a prolonged period of earnest desperation that the anxiety and depression weren't 'demons' because they wouldn't leave after prayers. All of this made me really question everything I believed for the past years.

I had developed a very 'fundamentalist' belief system after reading some things on the internet soon after I was born again. One of these beliefs was that the world was ending very soon. I later realized how unstable these beliefs and thoughts were but now I'm struggling with a lot of thoughts. I used to believe God would send everyone who wasn't Christian to Hell because the Bible says this, but now I'm really struggling with this thought. I don't see how God could send anyone to Hell, especially for an eternity. I don't see how God could send anyone to an eternity of suffering just because they weren't Christian.

And I now worry that since I'm no longer as 'zealous,' I'm no longer saved and I've become 'lukewarm.' And God will send me to Hell, and I remember the Bible verse that says lukewarm Christians will suffer more in Hell (Luke 12:47.) I used to view God as very loving and perfect but now I have a very unhealthy image of Him, and an unhealthy fear of Him, and I keep having fears of Him judging me and sending me to Hell for an eternity for becoming 'lukewarm.' All of these thoughts are causing a lot of anxiety. And it's much worse because I have anxiety and OCD, and all these thoughts are very anxiety-inducing.

It's good to focus on the promises of Scripture to the believer, rather than on one's feelings. If you go to a secular psychologist, you will be encouraged to focus so much on your feelings. (And just see where this leads you...)

 

[Victor E.]

I was previously very fervent in my faith and after undergoing a lot of panic attacks and severe anxiety (which I made a previous post about) I started having these doubting thoughts. I had been saying prayers to 'cast out demons' of anxiety, depression etc. and the anxiety and depression remained. I realized after a prolonged period of earnest desperation that the anxiety and depression weren't 'demons' because they wouldn't leave after prayers. All of this made me really question everything I believed for the past years.

I had developed a very 'fundamentalist' belief system after reading some things on the internet soon after I was born again. One of these beliefs was that the world was ending very soon. I later realized how unstable these beliefs and thoughts were but now I'm struggling with a lot of thoughts. I used to believe God would send everyone who wasn't Christian to Hell because the Bible says this, but now I'm really struggling with this thought. I don't see how God could send anyone to Hell, especially for an eternity. I don't see how God could send anyone to an eternity of suffering just because they weren't Christian.

And I now worry that since I'm no longer as 'zealous,' I'm no longer saved and I've become 'lukewarm.' And God will send me to Hell, and I remember the Bible verse that says lukewarm Christians will suffer more in Hell (Luke 12:47.) I used to view God as very loving and perfect but now I have a very unhealthy image of Him, and an unhealthy fear of Him, and I keep having fears of Him judging me and sending me to Hell for an eternity for becoming 'lukewarm.' All of these thoughts are causing a lot of anxiety. And it's much worse because I have anxiety and OCD, and all these thoughts are very anxiety-inducing.

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19

Understand that we will never be able to do anything that makes us worthy to spend eternity with an all-Holy God. We love because He first loved us! It is by God's grace that anyone is saved!

Christ is our Righteousness. It is out of our abundant thankfulness that we don't have to "earn" God's love, that we are truly free. Out of our thankfulness we can move on and seek more and more of Him!

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

"For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:30.

It is with this knowledge that we can be free to pursue a life of peace, righteoussness, joy, happiness, holiness, and love.

I am not saying that it will always be easy. Life is full of challenges and obstacles. I do know that no matter how "utterly sinful" that little voice (Satan, the accuser) may cause us to feel, we are safe in Christ! We are to reckon our bodies DEAD to sin, and alive in Christ! It is through this thankfulness that we can learn more and more about who God is every day! It is not religion, but relationship. He is your Heavenly father and your best friend!

I almost committed suicide because of that little voice (The accuser). Satan is the theif! Trust me when I quote this verse.

"Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:6-16

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4

 

[faroukfarouk]

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:18-19

Understand that we will never be able to do anything that makes us worthy to spend eternity with an all-Holy God. We love because He first loved us! It is by God's grace that anyone is saved!

Christ is our Righteousness. It is out of our abundant thankfulness that we don't have to "earn" God's love, that we are truly free. Out of our thankfulness we can move on and seek more and more of Him!

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

"For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:30.

It is with this knowledge that we can be free to pursue a life of peace, righteoussness, joy, happiness, holiness, and love.

I am not saying that it will always be easy. Life is full of challenges and obstacles. I do know that no matter how "utterly sinful" that little voice (Satan, the accuser) may cause us to feel, we are safe in Christ! We are to reckon our bodies DEAD to sin, and alive in Christ! It is through this thankfulness that we can learn more and more about who God is every day! It is not religion, but relationship. He is your Heavenly father and your best friend!

I almost committed suicide because of that little voice (The accuser). Satan is the theif! Trust me when I quote this verse.

"Jesus spoke to them using this illustration, but they did not understand what He was telling them. So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd." John 10:6-16

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Romans 8:1-4

Some really great and relevant verses there!

 

[Muslim-UK]

Anyone who worships GOD alone doesn't need to fear the Hell Fire. Don't worry about the end of the World, as no one knows the hour. Just prepare for the next part of your journey, and fear not.

Everyone has their ups and down in levels of faith, it's very normal and a very human characteristic. OCDs can be overcome, as long as you can identify the underlying cause of anxiety, and then being determined to overcome the OCD using small steps.

 

[sheamiao]

I had developed a very 'fundamentalist' belief system after reading some things on the internet soon after I was born again. One of these beliefs was that the world was ending very soon. I later realized how unstable these beliefs and thoughts were but now I'm struggling with a lot of thoughts. I used to believe God would send everyone who wasn't Christian to Hell because the Bible says this, but now I'm really struggling with this thought. I don't see how God could send anyone to Hell, especially for an eternity. I don't see how God could send anyone to an eternity of suffering just because they weren't Christian.

And I now worry that since I'm no longer as 'zealous,' I'm no longer saved and I've become 'lukewarm.' And God will send me to Hell, and I remember the Bible verse that says lukewarm Christians will suffer more in Hell (Luke 12:47.) I used to view God as very loving and perfect but now I have a very unhealthy image of Him, and an unhealthy fear of Him, and I keep having fears of Him judging me and sending me to Hell for an eternity for becoming 'lukewarm.' I know people say the reason non-believers suffer in Hell is because Hell is 'separation from God,' but I can't imagine someone really deserving to suffer in Hell for eternity. I keep having images in my mind of a person living a normal life, and then being sent to Hell for eternity and burning in Hell for eternity because they weren't a true Christian. All of these thoughts are causing a lot of anxiety. And it's much worse because I have anxiety and OCD, and all these thoughts are very anxiety-inducing.

Hi, if you need advice, I suggest you to relax, do something fun or excercize , read scriptures about how God love us. The bibile says we need to renew our mind. Why not replace it God love ? God want us to have a good life, life originally means the life God have.Don't worry it won't take Long before you realize the bad thoughts are all gone.

Love and care

 

[thispoorman]

Jesusdaughter, God bless you! I'd like to share with you a few things that, I believe, God taught me.

First, I'd meditate on two of the Psalms: Psalm 131 & 23. You feel "lukewarmness" - but I'd like to suggest that what you may be feeling is the Lord's peace and comfort. How "zealous" do you think that sheep and little children (just "weaned") are, or need to be? Also, in Psalm 46, we discover that, while God is himself quite busy about the world's affairs (v.8-9), he calls on us to "Be still and know that I am God" (v.10). It took quite a while for me to get it through my thick head that God was God and I was not. I nearly drove myself crazy with worry about how to save the world and solve all its problems. He let me know very forcefully that that was none of my affair and it was best to leave the world at large to him, and concentrate on tending my own garden for a while. Jesus tells us not to worry or be anxious, especially about tomorrow - so enough with the headaches about the world ending!

Which leads me to something you probably know: it's better to get our religious information from the scriptures than from some - pardon me - weirdos on the internet! Think of the Bible as the "best of the Web" for information about God. "The Bible - proclaiming the truth since 2,000 B.C.!"

Seriously - we all worry if we're doing enough to be doing the works of God. Jesus had something pithy to say about that, too - John 6:29: "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

Feel better, and God is blessing you right now.

 

[thispoorman]

Jesusdaughter,

 

[Code Phox]

This is my interpretation. No one can speak for Gods judgment. That includes you, me and any pastor alive. His logic and wisdom far surpasses yours and we have a common enemy that attacks us daily to be separated from God... The first command is to love God with all you have. Next is to love your neighborhood as much or more as yourself. All the other commands follow. If you love God enough, everything else will fall in place. People are lucky to exist to begin with and take their existence for granted, yet worry about going to hell for only selfish reasons like "I don't want to suffer". I wonder if Jesus thought the same thing OR if he kept his mind on God.

Try your hardest to love God. You will enjoy and experience a life far better than what you say 'luke warm'. People will also be separated into Sheep and Goats. God wants specific people in his kingdom, If you love him enough you will allow him to transform you. You can do it, I bet you would be dead right now if you absolutely where no use to God.

 

[thispoorman]

Jesusdaughter, sorry; I had to go do something. I also wanted to tell you this. I am myself troubled with great anxiety (which, for me, required medical intervention - maybe you might want to talk to your doctor?), and a tiny bit of annoying OCD, so I know what you are feeling, at least in my own way. My last suggestion is to, at least for now, get considerably less "cosmic" in your thinking. God, apocalypse, Hell, eternity - these are heavy burdens to bear constantly; again, I'm saying this because I know from the experience of trying. Get to know God the way God wants to be known: in the person of Jesus. Jesus is God's way of giving us just enough of Himself so that we can handle it, without having the hell scared out of us - or us being scared into Hell! Spend some time with Jesus in the Gospels. Get to know His love, His care, His concern, His desire to heal our hurts and meet our needs. Come to understand that it was God's plan all along, before ever the world was made, to give his only Son just so that you - you, Jesusdaughter, you personally - can be safe from hell. You know who is most likely to end up in hell? Those who never worry about it at all.

His peace be on you.