Has God left me

[Abeck0486!]

I have lived the American Dream! Beautiful family, nice things, music director at my church, and I had an amazing relationship with God. My life fell apart in 2014. I got addicted to opiates and alcohol, I lost my wife to divorce, and quit my relationship with God. Last year my wife and I reunited! We got our marriage license and we're working through things, and I had sobered up. She died in June, and ever since then no matter how much I pray, go to church, or read the word, I feel empty. I don't try anymore. I haven't had a job in 3 years, and I feel God has abandoned me. I don't even know where to pick up. Someone! Please have some words of encouragement for me.

 

[Neophyte365]

I'm really sorry about the loss of your wife. In my hardest times I've had to rely heavily on others for support. Do you have friends or family you can lean on right now? Would trying to get involved in a church, small group, or support group help? Again, I'm very sorry for your loss.

 

[datboi]

I'm so sorry to hear that! However, the fact that you've struggled in the past means that you're stronger now. It may hurt for a while, for a long time even, but that doesn't mean you won't get through this. It may not feel like God is listening right now, but He is.

I've struggled with anxiety for most of my teenage years. The worst part was I would always conceal whatever I was feeling, so I built up a lot of pressure and was depressed very often. It can seem like there's no light or like your life has no direction, but it will. Continue to branch out into the community. Humans are social creatures. The more time you spend within the community, the easier it will be to get God's light from other people. That being said, there should still be time for grief and for time alone with yourself. Everything in life is a balance. God has a plan for you.

 

[ClarinetScore]

Dude, you'll make it. You're stronger in Christ than you think. There's an online church called XP Church run by Patricia King. If you signup you'll get assigned a web pastor based on your region. I really think you need to talk to someone there who's spiritually mature. Galatians talks about bearing one another's burdens. In the Greek, iirc, it's actually boulder, a load we cannot bear ourselves. This is why the church is in place, to help and build one another up.

I only recommended XP Church because of my experience with it. I don't know what churches in your area are like. I was definitely built up and encouraged as I spoke with my pastor.

 

[Rasnosauj]

I have lived the American Dream! Beautiful family, nice things, music director at my church, and I had an amazing relationship with God. My life fell apart in 2014. I got addicted to opiates and alcohol, I lost my wife to divorce, and quit my relationship with God. Last year my wife and I reunited! We got our marriage license and we're working through things, and I had sobered up. She died in June, and ever since then no matter how much I pray, go to church, or read the word, I feel empty. I don't try anymore. I haven't had a job in 3 years, and I feel God has abandoned me. I don't even know where to pick up. Someone! Please have some words of encouragement for me.

It was till my pastor treated me poorly and God didn't really come thru... I guess ill pm you..i just ...idk well see.

I once read a book where a guy died and went to heaven and came back. Anyways, someone in the book was very close to God, then he suddenly felt no more of God. He saw it as God was testing him and eventually the feeling of being close to God came back. You should ask God what it is you have to do, to gain back the full feeling. I feel there's something you have to do.

 

[MichaelChandler]

God has not left you. He won't do it. No matter how we feel about it He's there with us. Know that and keep on praying even when it feels useless.

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

I once read a book where a guy died and went to heaven and came back. Anyways, someone in the book was very close to God, then he suddenly felt no more of God. He saw it as God was testing him and eventually the feeling of being close to God came back. You should ask God what it is you have to do, to gain back the full feeling. I feel there's something you have to do.

Youre right.. But with the guy.. Did he lose feelings of closeness after he came back to life?

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

Dude, you'll make it. You're stronger in Christ than you think. There's an online church called XP Church run by Patricia King. If you signup you'll get assigned a web pastor based on your region. I really think you need to talk to someone there who's spiritually mature. Galatians talks about bearing one another's burdens. In the Greek, iirc, it's actually boulder, a load we cannot bear ourselves. This is why the church is in place, to help and build one another up.

I only recommended XP Church because of my experience with it. I don't know what churches in your area are like. I was definitely built up and encouraged as I spoke with my pastor.

I'd like to try that

 

[Rasnosauj]

Youre right.. But with the guy.. Did he lose feelings of closeness after he came back to life?

It was actually a colleague of his. Yes, the feeling eventually returned to him.

 

[Boogeyman07]

I have lived the American Dream! Beautiful family, nice things, music director at my church, and I had an amazing relationship with God. My life fell apart in 2014. I got addicted to opiates and alcohol, I lost my wife to divorce, and quit my relationship with God. Last year my wife and I reunited! We got our marriage license and we're working through things, and I had sobered up. She died in June, and ever since then no matter how much I pray, go to church, or read the word, I feel empty. I don't try anymore. I haven't had a job in 3 years, and I feel God has abandoned me. I don't even know where to pick up. Someone! Please have some words of encouragement for me.

I have good news, you won't be able to see it but He is there and has already won the war that you are in, you just have to step into that victory. Make Him number 1 in your life and don't stop fighting. You have to keep trying and running to Him no matter how empty you may feel or if you slip and fall, just keep fighting and running. You have to. No matter how much you get knocked around, each day is new, keep going! 1 Peter (5:10) . Trust Him, His ways are far above ours.

 

[Paradoxum]

That's horrible, and I'm so sorry... I'm sorry. I wish you goodness, and love... I'm so sorry.

In my ignorant opinion, I'd say talk to a doctor... tell them your drug problems, if they are still an issues. People can help you.

If you're religious, tell your pastor/ priest, that you're having a serious bad time, and you want help.

Otherwise, tell someone you trust... and try to make clear you want realistic help. It's humbling, but necessary. Humans aren't a-social.

 

[EveryTongueConfess]

Hi Abeck!

Ezekiel lost his wife -- God took away the delight of his life.

Paul's conversion was prefaced with God saying, "I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name". Paul later writes about a thorn in his side, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord . . . but he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'".

You know the story of Job.

How can Romans 8:28 be true? "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Are you looking to satisfy your conscience and feel okay again, or do you truly desire God? Who is God to you? If you find that God been incredibly gracious and faithful all the days of your life, turn to God broken, humble, desperate, and cry out once again in prayer. Turn to God and express how sorry you feel for yourself, and hear how God promises His people that He will never leave them nor forsake them.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."