How do I know I am a Christian?

[pharbach]

I have been diagnosed with clinical depression, OCD, and anxiety. I don't know where I stand in Gods eyes. Am I truly saved? Do I REALLY believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins? Well do I? I don't know. I have asked for forgiveness, repented and asked Jesus into my life so many times I can't really remember how many times......but scripturally, its believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and "whosoever beleiveth.....shall be saved" Well do I ???? Do I??? The answer is a definite "I DON'T KNOW !!!" Its always the doubt that creeps in......every time I get sort of serious about getting back into the Word and praying (THAT in itself is another issue)......I get OCD attacks (or is it SATAN).....I am believing that it is my brain messing me up because no matter how many times I rebuke the OCD experiences, they don't go away....sometimes they get WORSE!!! So it might mean I really suck at prayer, or I am not good enough for God to pray to.......because NOT ONE OF MY PRAYERS have come to fruition........its like praying to a gallon of milk......EITHER a NO answer or WAIT is gained...NEVER a YESSSSS to a prayer request.....how pitiful is that????
I guess one of myh questions is this....where should I start my forum threads....In DEPRESSION, the ANXIETY or the OCD forum???

Sign me CONFUSED and definitely being a Christian IS HARD and SCARY work!!!

Sorry.....no cute emoticons here!!!

 

[pharbach]

Nobody wants to hear your sniveling! Or else no one else cares!!!

 

[pharbach]

This is an excellent forum to get help, Paul.....don't give up...............!!!!!! We are here to help!!!

 

[pharbach]

No Paul, there is NO HOPE for you!!!

 

[pharbach]

Is anyone else reading this??? Please respond!!!

 

[honeyny22]

I also have mental problems, Bipolar disorder, Hallucinations, Panic disorder, agoraphobia, PTSD and BPD. That being said, I am a Christian and I have been saved since maybe 2004 and I truly believe that I am saved, and I know this because I have felt the holy spirit and I have had prayers answered. Now, if you have asked to be saved with your mouth, then yes I believe that you are truly saved. Hope this helps, PM me and we can talk. Also I will pray for you.

 

[bigcat1967]

every time I get sort of serious about getting back into the Word and praying (THAT in itself is another issue)

I used to have the same exact problem that you had. I mean the SAME PROBLEM. It is OCD - but I kept asking God to give me security and peace about Salvation - and when I saw Him move in my life - I knew for sure that I was going to Heaven.

 

[pharbach]

honeyny22, YOUR problems seem vastly more than mine, but you have conviction.....Yet I do not.........what must I do, if my prayers are not answered, to have more faith and conviction that YES I AM saved beyond a doubt.......???

 

[Christownsme]

Do you believe, first, that Jesus' life and ministry, death and resurrection is part of history?

Second, would you desire to know someone on a friend to friend basis who loves you unconditionally, pardons your sins, and supports and loves you like a wonderful father, and would give his life for you?

If those two questions were answered with a yes, time will open your eyes to the truth that you already believe. You already have confidence [faith] in Christ, whether you know it or not. It just takes a while to believe YOU believe, filtering thru all the OCD, battling Satan's attempt to depress you and agitate you.

I am bipolar schizoaffective with some OCD, too. I've found this method is something I'm free to exercise whenever I start doubting what really happened in Jesus' time. Faith grows, and I know you've heard it before, but it starts small and becomes huge. Dear brother, God is being faithful to you now. He found you lost in a faraway land, and is carrying you like a lost sheep to the fold. All the while he is bandaging your wounds with balm of Gilead [look that one up in the concordance].

I will pray for you. God has been good to me, although I remember what it was like to struggle like you. Sometimes I still do.

Take care,
doug

 

[dayhiker]

pharbach,
I'd guess with time you will start to recognize God working in your life. While some people talk as if God is talking with theme very day. Its more like God crosses my path every few weeks or months. I take comfort in what the Bible says. Abraham had God speak to him then the next time the Bible records God speaking to Abraham might be 10 yrs later.

 

[GadFly]

I have been diagnosed with clinical depression, OCD, and anxiety. I don't know where I stand in Gods eyes. Am I truly saved? Do I REALLY believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins? Well do I? I don't know. I have asked for forgiveness, repented and asked Jesus into my life so many times I can't really remember how many times......but scripturally, its believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and "whosoever beleiveth.....shall be saved" Well do I ???? Do I??? The answer is a definite "I DON'T KNOW !!!" Its always the doubt that creeps in......every time I get sort of serious about getting back into the Word and praying (THAT in itself is another issue)......I get OCD attacks (or is it SATAN).....I am believing that it is my brain messing me up because no matter how many times I rebuke the OCD experiences, they don't go away....sometimes they get WORSE!!! So it might mean I really suck at prayer, or I am not good enough for God to pray to.......because NOT ONE OF MY PRAYERS have come to fruition........its like praying to a gallon of milk......EITHER a NO answer or WAIT is gained...NEVER a YESSSSS to a prayer request.....how pitiful is that????
I guess one of myh questions is this....where should I start my forum threads....In DEPRESSION, the ANXIETY or the OCD forum???

Sign me CONFUSED and definitely being a Christian IS HARD and SCARY work!!!

Sorry.....no cute emoticons here!!!

I did not even read your post. The last few words told me all I needed to know. Christ says his burden is light. Beingging in Christ is easy. Forget everything you know and begin anew. Begin by believing only God. Christ said "learn of me" and he promised peace was the result. Depression and anxiety, these things are delusions that plague you. These are simply the way you think. Medicine can help but you are the one that can change what you think. Start with the premise of God and make the correct inferences and things will get better.

 

[GadFly]

So confused at age 21, just graduated from college, good at philosophy, the top student at the university in theory, etc. but knew nothing but depression. I chucked it all and told God that I did not know what to believe so I would do darn well what I wanted to do. But, if God would show himself to me I promised to obey otherwise it was all me. If he was who he said he was, he would show me. Don't sweat it, don't be anxious, it will happen.

I have been a strong believer in Christ for a long time and God has never failed to show me the way. Chuck everything but God. It works.Oh! God will send the right people into your life, with care, watch for them. Some people are angles one way or another.