Feeling Lost

[kylef]

Not really. There's an area of Christianity devoted to apologetics, which deals largely with logic. I am involved in apologetics myself. Perhaps I can be of some assistance if you're struggling with the logical side of Christianity.

That'd be great. One of the fundamental questions that I have has been asked for centuries. I know that God exists outside of time (I understand that logic) but the whole creator of the creator argument still leaves me in doubt as to how God, well, existed (and still exists) in the first place.

I hadn't even heard of apologetics prior to this, it sounds exactly like what I need to inform myself about. The more you know, the more you don't know!

Thanks

 

[rahmiyn]

I'm eighteen, and for the past year or two I had never really thought about God .. just followed the usual routine of Church and prayer of thanks etc. But it's hit me that I just don't have the faith that I want to have.

I look at my brother, mother, grandfather and grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousins - I can really 'see' their faith. And I just feel so lost. For instance today, my cousins showed me some photos and videos of their missionary trips to Burkina Faso. It was great to see them (especially considering I thought it was going to be a drag!) and I really feel as if God is with them.

I can't say the same for me. I make a point of attending church and listening to what the minister has to say; reading the Bible and [trying to] understand what I can of it. I'm hoping that this step, creating this post, will help along what is a long path, with great glory at the end.

When it comes to prayer, I struggle. When I do pray, I seek guidance and I just don't feel as if it's getting anywhere. When I don't pray at night, I feel so lost yet wonder "will it make a difference?"

Any advice is much welcomed, however repetitive or dry-sounding. I'm in a, in words of my minister, a spiritual no-mans' land. I can't go back knowing that salvation lies ahead; but I can't seem to make any forward progress.

I appreciate any advice you have, from both Christian and non-Christian views.

I went through exactly what you are going through when I was the same age. Now, in retrospect, I believe it was God calling me into a deeper walk with Him. I was just like you, active in church, even playing the guitar for our youth group, belonged to young discipleship groups, read the Bible, even prayed for others, but deep down inside, I struggled with the truth that I just didn't believe in it all, not like others appeared to.

The best advice I can give is to pray. All alone one day, I fell to my knees and I prayed for the faith that the apostles had remembering that they went from the worst of non-believers, timid, afraid and hiding when Jesus was arrested and crucified to men willing to be martyred for their faith.

I wanted that, and I began praying for it. The first thing the Lord led me to do afterwards was to read the Bible all the way through, but this time to pray for His eyes, for His guidance so that I would read the Word, the message He intended for us to hear.

I found that life-changing in and of itself.

Don't give up. The faith He gave me has sustained me all these years (I'm in my fifties now). It has never wavered and only grows more powerful with each passing year. It was even able to sustain me when Christian ministries I was a part of fell apart. My eyes and ears, I realized, had moved from those around me directly onto Him.

My guess is He has something very special in mind for you, a ministry perhaps, or simply a voice for Him where you are, but He needs you to open your heart to Him in a way you never have before.

God bless you in this journey. I will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Zebra1552]

That'd be great. One of the fundamental questions that I have has been asked for centuries. I know that God exists outside of time (I understand that logic) but the whole creator of the creator argument still leaves me in doubt as to how God, well, existed (and still exists) in the first place.

I hadn't even heard of apologetics prior to this, it sounds exactly like what I need to inform myself about. The more you know, the more you don't know!

Thanks

That's certainly true in apologetics. True, the design argument points to a designer, but not necessarily to the God of the Bible. That's why I don't use it. What do you mean when you ask 'how God exists'?

Rather, it is the Bible that points to God. That seems a bit simplistic when you read it, but what is required to make that statement makes it what is likely the most monumental argument in terms of evidence it needs to support the idea. It's a more historical and archeological approach, and that's why I like it. I'm a bit of a history nut. It begins with the idea that the Bible is reliable and authoritative: a good eyewitness account, in other words. Lee Strobel, while I hate to use his arguments, has a good compilation of information in his book Case for Christ. Going far deeper than Strobel is Craig Blomberg in The Reliability of John and The Reliability of the Gospels. An even better compilation for general information is The Apologetics Study Bible.


Surprised by Faith speaks more to the philosophical side of Christianity, and from what I've read thus far is a great book.

 

[spr]

All this talk of logic is tiresome. What is logical about the resurrection of the dead? God defies logic, and the more you try to understand the less you will. And how is it that your minister has declared that you are in a spiritual no man's land? Is that his idea of edification?

 

[Zebra1552]

All this talk of logic is tiresome. What is logical about the resurrection of the dead?

Everything, when you take the metaphysical as a real thing. It's just not a scientific possibility...

 

[kylef]

It's been quite a while.

A lot has changed in these past months, but my faith is still weak if not non-existant. I'm reading The Bible (not nearly enough) and am trying to understand it. But at the minute, and where I am (Numbers) - I'm more fearing God than I am knowing him (and as I understand, both are essential).

The Apologetics scene has given me hopes. I don't know why I wasted so much time, but I'm finally starting to look into a side of Christianity that my logical brain may be able to comprehend. My fundamental problem still stands - I just can't "believe". I feel as if I'm one door away but I just don't have the key or, perhaps more relevantly, don't have the ability to knock.

I appreciate any suggestions you have. Time is, in its most literal sense, running against me. I'm left wondering whether the recent events in my life were for the better or as a test (not that the two can't correlate), and when I think about it this way - it just makes me feel more out of touch.

Edit: I read an interesting latin phrase earlier here, "crudo et intelligum" (forgive any mistakes, translates to: believe so that you will understand) - it's got me wondering, I'm doing the opposite. Understanding so that I believe.

 

[Revived]

Kylef,

Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book...

Amazon.com: Have a Little Faith: A True Story (9780786868728): Mitch Albom: Books

As one of the reviews has stated, This Book Should be One of the Requirements of Life.

 

[ArteestX]

A lot has changed in these past months, but my faith is still weak if not non-existant. I'm reading The Bible (not nearly enough) and am trying to understand it. But at the minute, and where I am (Numbers) - I'm more fearing God than I am knowing him (and as I understand, both are essential)......My fundamental problem still stands - I just can't "believe". I feel as if I'm one door away but I just don't have the key or, perhaps more relevantly, don't have the ability to knock.

In your initial post, you had asked for non-Christian feedback, so I thought I'd throw some thoughts in. First of all, let me say up front that I'm atheist (in that I don't *know* whether there's a God or not, but I seriously doubt it) and that I'm religious (in that I belong to a Unitarian Universalist church and attend regularly).

For me, I find that when I keep doing the same things over and over again but still coming up short, then perhaps it's time to try something different. I get the impression that you're doing a lot of reading and studying and thinking about Christianity, the nature of God, and so forth. And that's all good, don't stop. But it is possible to get "stuck in your own head," so to speak. As much as I think logic can and must be used in your spiritual journey, faith isn't a question that can be ultimately answered by logic.

My suggestion to you, since you said you see others' faith through their missionary work, is to go out and do something. You don't have to be Christian to donate time. Go work at a local food pantry. Spend Saturday morning doing work for Habitat for Humanity. Find some local group that's doing something worthwhile and that you can lend a hand at, and then lend that hand. Faith isn't merely something to be studied, it's something to be lived. It's something to experience. Get out of your head, and look outward. Spend time doing something to help others. Maybe you will find the Christian faith that others here talk about. Maybe you will find something else, I don't know. But that'd be my suggestion to you.

 

[woundedsoldier]

Kylef,

I am sorry to hear you are going through what sounds like a crisis of faith. Let me ask you a question. Do you understand you are a sinner? Have you asked Christ into your heart? If so, that is settled! The bible says you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, in the Father's hand, and "no man can take you out of the Father's hand."

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. I John 3:20,21

Have you ever thought that perhaps this crisis of faith is an invitation from God for a more intimate relationship with Him? I'll tell you what I learned to do when I was in a similar situation. Like a lot of people have been sharing with you, pray. When I was going through a simiar crisis of faith I shared with God the doubts and fears I was having. I told him what mattered to me. I started praying more specifiaclly for my needs. Eventually it became habit to go to God with my requests because I started to see that many times he was only waiting for me to ask before he would answer. I want to challeng you to try this for a while, believing God hears, and just wait to see how he shows up in your life. God may not always aswer the way you want, but he can give you the heart to accept what is best.

On another note, it sounds like you are being oppressed by a spirit of doubt. THAT IS NOT FROM GOD. Have you asked yourself why? Because if you ever get ahold of the truth of the intimacy you can share with God, your Father, you could be unstoppable! The last thing the devil needs is a Christian who walks with God and shares with him.

"Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." I Peter 5:8

The kind of faith the devil does not want you to have--"He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved." Psalm 62:6

By the way, don't try reading the bible through from the beginning. I get scarred doing that too! Try picking up at one of the gospels, maybe Mark or John. And read Psalms. A preacher once told me that a Psalm sets the attitude of prayer.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." Rom 15:13

 

[kylef]

Thanks for the book suggestion

In your initial post, you had asked for non-Christian feedback, so I thought I'd throw some thoughts in. First of all, let me say up front that I'm atheist (in that I don't *know* whether there's a God or not, but I seriously doubt it) and that I'm religious (in that I belong to a Unitarian Universalist church and attend regularly).

For me, I find that when I keep doing the same things over and over again but still coming up short, then perhaps it's time to try something different. I get the impression that you're doing a lot of reading and studying and thinking about Christianity, the nature of God, and so forth. And that's all good, don't stop. But it is possible to get "stuck in your own head," so to speak. As much as I think logic can and must be used in your spiritual journey, faith isn't a question that can be ultimately answered by logic.

My suggestion to you, since you said you see others' faith through their missionary work, is to go out and do something. You don't have to be Christian to donate time. Go work at a local food pantry. Spend Saturday morning doing work for Habitat for Humanity. Find some local group that's doing something worthwhile and that you can lend a hand at, and then lend that hand. Faith isn't merely something to be studied, it's something to be lived. It's something to experience. Get out of your head, and look outward. Spend time doing something to help others. Maybe you will find the Christian faith that others here talk about. Maybe you will find something else, I don't know. But that'd be my suggestion to you.

I've been thinking about a project for a while actually, putting my analytical skills to good use in different prayers. Again, I'm not sure what has been holding me back but you make a good point - something like this, or even some charitable / helpful work, will at least start me doing some good. Perhaps I should really take that first step now. Thank you for your post.

Kylef,

I am sorry to hear you are going through what sounds like a crisis of faith. Let me ask you a question. Do you understand you are a sinner? Have you asked Christ into your heart? If so, that is settled! The bible says you are sealed by the Holy Spirit, in the Father's hand, and "no man can take you out of the Father's hand."

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. I John 3:20,21

Have you ever thought that perhaps this crisis of faith is an invitation from God for a more intimate relationship with Him? I'll tell you what I learned to do when I was in a similar situation. Like a lot of people have been sharing with you, pray. When I was going through a simiar crisis of faith I shared with God the doubts and fears I was having. I told him what mattered to me. I started praying more specifiaclly for my needs. Eventually it became habit to go to God with my requests because I started to see that many times he was only waiting for me to ask before he would answer. I want to challeng you to try this for a while, believing God hears, and just wait to see how he shows up in your life. God may not always aswer the way you want, but he can give you the heart to accept what is best.

On another note, it sounds like you are being oppressed by a spirit of doubt. THAT IS NOT FROM GOD. Have you asked yourself why? Because if you ever get ahold of the truth of the intimacy you can share with God, your Father, you could be unstoppable! The last thing the devil needs is a Christian who walks with God and shares with him.

The painful thing is - I'm aware very much of my sinful nature. I'm glad to hear you've gone through the same situation with regards to Biblical reading, and that I'm not the only one!

A 'spirit of doubt' is an excellent way of describing my situation. I don't feel a connection when I pray, rather an emptiness be it from talking to God out loud if he is right beside me, or trying to imagine his awe-inspiring power.

Thanks for your post. God bless.

 

[woundedsoldier]

A 'spirit of doubt' is an excellent way of describing my situation. I don't feel a connection when I pray, rather an emptiness be it from talking to God out loud if he is right beside me, or trying to imagine his awe-inspiring power.

Thanks for your post. God bless.

God can give you the strength to stop listening to the doubt. I'm not saying it will necessarily disapear, but maybe if you ask, God will give you the dicernment to notice the difference of God's voice and other voices. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God." I John 4:1 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7

I want to share just a couple other suggestions. I don't know if these apply to your situation, but when I was plagued with doubt I learned with the help of other Christians the following.

First, be in the right place where God would have the opportunity to share something with you, such as reading a good Christian book, listening to good Christian music or even listen to a podcast of a sermon/mesage. Try to surround yourself with the things of God.

Another thing could be simply to start looking for God in the things around you. I think others might have said this, but get out and take a walk, watch how God is in conversations of the people around you. If you look for God you may be surprised how much you notice Him in little things.

Finally, this is kind of personal information, but I found when I did not feel close to God that I was not being completely obedient. When I started trying to be more obedient I began to notice His blessings more in my life.

Again, I'm not trying to preachy or anything I just want to help you find the amunition you need to get stronger through this time. Sounds like God is allowing difficult things in your life, but remember this meant to make you stronger. Love in Christ, W-

 

[kylef]

W,

The points that you've made represent the change that is beginning in my life. I have asked God for guidance, and since then a lot has happened in my life. I won't dive into specifics, but I do feel that the events that have lately surrounded me where both a test of my faith and a sign of my love for Christ. Having read Matthew 13 today, I have felt a relation to verse 20 ("The one who receives the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time").

Do you have any particular recommendations when it comes to podcasts? My earphones are with me wherever I go, so this would make a lot of sense. I'll explore iTunes later and see what I find.

Your other points are spiritually boosting. I've felt like I'm at a crossroads lately, and am closer to God than I ever have been. The journey is only starting.

Thanks, and God bless
Kyle

 

[churchgoing]

You are not alone in your quest for understanding. I fell off the belief wagon some time ago. I felt bad about it for a while. I have discovered that you don't need to feel guilty for it. I still go to church, but more as a social study than out of belief. The advice everyone is giving you is well-intentioned and positive, but if you don't feel something in your heart, you don't. That's when the head takes over...

 

[woundedsoldier]

W,

Do you have any particular recommendations when it comes to podcasts? My earphones are with me wherever I go, so this would make a lot of sense. I'll explore iTunes later and see what I find.

Sure! I like nvbc.org (North Valley Baptist Church, Pastor Jack Trieber) and faithfulwordbaptistchurch.org (Pastor Steven L. Anderson). I don't know what denomination you are, but you may have noticed both of the preachers I mentioned are Baptist. I myself listen to Baptist preaching podcasts because I've noticed I can usually trust the preacher to be sound because he is preaching straight from the Bible. I will warn you that Pastor Anderson has been called too fundamentalist by many fundamentalists! But in my mind there is never a question that he is filled with God's Spirit when he is preaching. Hope this helps. It is encouraging to hear how God is working and turning things around in your life. Amen, Brother!

 

[seashale76]

To the OP: Here are some prayer resources you may useful. I certainly did.

P r a y e r
Let us
The Message of the Lord's Prayer
Abbreviated Prayerbook
Prayer for the Living

 

[kylef]

Thanks very much for the suggestions, both of you. I'll be sure to check them out. I've started listening to Bethel Church "Sermon of the Week" (can be found on iTunes) - it's very informing and presented in an interesting manner. Also thanks to Revived - "Have a Little Faith" is on its way, I look forward to reading it.

 

[firefighter1234]

Any advice is much welcomed, however repetitive or dry-sounding. I'm in a, in words of my minister, a spiritual no-mans' land. I can't go back knowing that salvation lies ahead; but I can't seem to make any forward progress.

I appreciate any advice you have, from both Christian and non-Christian views.[/QUOTE]



Begin tomorrow morning. Starting tomorrow look for God in every person you meet during the day. The spark of divinity is in us all. We all are the children of God. Try to find it. You will have to learn to look around the little imperfections and through the facades but it is there. Sometimes it is hidden by anger or clouded by deceptive speech. In the end you will find it in each of us.

So what? you ask....

So through using this skill you will be reassured that it is real. God truly does exist. He is evident in the whole of Creation. By looking at God in others you will come to see Him in yourself. It works. I have done it.

What's next?

The beginnings of spiritual maturity. And, there is no substitute for this. Perhaps you will share your exercise with your minister later. We are always blessed when we seek.

May Allah guide your footsteps always...

JamesYaqub

 

[kylef]

147 days ago. 21 weeks ago. 5 months ago. The day that I admitted that I was "feeling lost" to someone for the first time. 147 days later. 21 weeks later. 5 months later. The day that I admit with humbling joy that I am "feeling found".

I never understood what people meant whenever they said "God comes when you least expect him" - I thought the opposite!

Yesterday started like any other. But by mid-afternoon, I had come to an arrangement that would solve most of my, albeit small, financial problems. By midnight, I had enjoyed time with some of my closest friends. I felt great (although that might have been the drinks involved!) I prayed to God that night, giving thanks for what had happened that day.

Fast forward to tomorrow evening. The NASCAR was on (my friends call me an Irish-born American!) and I paused it in order to fulfil my Sunday promise: to try and understand what God is doing in my life. To try and get closer to him. Admittedly, my mind was still focused on the racing a little. But an hour later - when I least expected him - here I am typing the joyous moment that has fallen on my life. Only it hasn't fallen, it has been set there by God. For me.

These past few weeks I had felt closer to God, but not close enough. There was still a journey to be travelled. Tonight I finished Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith, a life changing book, whilst listening to a Bethel Church podcast where men of God were inviting people up on stage to enjoy Communion and to be prayed for if they needed it. Physical problems. Spiritual issues. They were solved right then and there. As were mine. Everything has come together tonight. And the journey is just beginning. I once read that you should look for God in every aspect of your life. If you look hard enough, he really is everywhere.

An extract from Have a Little Faith: a divine spark lies inside each of us, and that spark may one day save the world.

Psalm 71:20-21
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up. You will increase my honour and comfort me once again.