How do I restore my faith?

[.Iona.]

Right now, I don't know what I consider myself to be.

I used to consider myself a Christian., although over the last year or so I have really struggled in accepted Jesus and accepted God, as well as accepting some of the things the Bible says.

I have looked into other religions, still am looking - Islam/ Hinduism/ Buddhism and various others, but I still get this pull back to Christianity. Despite this, I still feel that I could not accept everything that God tells me we should, so am pulling away from Christiainity.

I wish I knew where the truth lies, I wish I had a stronger faith again. I have tried so many different things, but nothing seems to work.

I think that I am just the kind of person who should not/ can not be religious. Because if I don't believe something, or don't agree with it - it will just push me away, despite believing in the God who tells us this. For example - hell. I do no accept that God and Jesus would allow such horror to happen, yet in the Bible is says that it is real. So even when I believed in Jesus - I pushed him away because I can't/won't accept this to be true.

I feel like I should just give up. Because I try a different religion, but then find something that again I don't agree with. I know part of it has to do with me being stubborn, and not wanting to change my views to fit in with Gods, and me feeling like 'if God loves me like He says He does, then He should just accept me, and not try to change me'.

I don't really know the point of this thread. I am just getting frustrated, and angry and upset over not being able to find peace in anything I look into. I am angry over how some people find faith so easily.

I want my faith back. I don't know which religion right now, I believe to be the truth, but I know I need God and want Him. It's hard right now

 

[Emmy]

Dear Rasa. I say this humbly and with love, show God that you love Him. Here is the best way. Jesus told us in Matthew: " The first and great Commandment is: " Love thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states the fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God wants our love, selfless and freely given. God did tell us that: to follow His Commandments, is to show our love to Him. Show your love, Rasa, and also tell God in your prayers that you love Him and are trying to show Him so. God will hear you prayers, and God will know that you truly mean it. Keep praying and loving and you may be sure that God hears, and will answer your sincere wishes. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. P.S. Love covers a multitude of Sins.

 

[wpage]

Draw closer to Him and like a freind He will draw closer to you...'

It is a relationship we need to have with God.

Pray and read your Bible daily to solidify your bond.

 

[joey_downunder]

Your story sounds so much like mine! I wanted a God that agreed with me, did what I wanted, said what I wanted and/or agreed with, made me feel better all the time.... and when a religion or worldview failed to give me what I wanted then I moved on in search of better things....

I wish I knew where the truth lies, I wish I had a stronger faith again.

You keep coming back to Christianity which is interesting - you know in your heart that it is true, "it" (as you currently see it) just doesn't push all of your buttons?

I think that I am just the kind of person who should not/ can not be religious.

But real genuine Christianity is not a set of beliefs or rules, it is a relationship with the God you know made you, loves you and sent His Son Jesus to die for you. If you do not want religion for religion's sake then that is great news!

For example - hell. I do no accept that God and Jesus would allow such horror to happen, yet in the Bible is says that it is real.

I hate that doctrine too. I know my family will go to hell if they continue in their disbelief of God. Refusing to believe in something will not make it suddenly disappear or become untrue though. If it is true, then it is true whether we like it or not. Did Jesus always tell the truth - yes or no?

I am just getting frustrated, and angry and upset over not being able to find peace in anything I look into. I am angry over how some people find faith so easily.

I remember feeling like I was more and more cornered and still trying to find some fine print to get out of having to believe in God. It was a terrible stage but then the rebel at heart in me always had to make it hard....

And no, some people SEEM to find faith easily, that doesn't automatically mean they have a genuine faith or even the the TRUE faith. Take Scientology for example, does Tom Cruise swearing that he has been helped so much mean that you should envy him for falling for that scam?!!!
P.S. for a genuine seeker.

 

[.Iona.]

Your story sounds so much like mine! I wanted a God that agreed with me, did what I wanted, said what I wanted and/or agreed with, made me feel better all the time.... and when a religion or worldview failed to give me what I wanted then I moved on in search of better things....

I am glad there is someone similar out there!

You keep coming back to Christianity which is interesting - you know in your heart that it is true, "it" (as you currently see it) just doesn't push all of your buttons?

Maybe I do. But, it is so hard to try and accept something when there are so many doubts and struggles in my head.

I used to just try and be as Christian as I could be - whilst still having this struggles. Eventually they caught up with me, and tore me down.

But real genuine Christianity is not a set of beliefs or rules, it is a relationship with the God you know made you, loves you and sent His Son Jesus to die for you. If you do not want religion for religion's sake then that is great news!

The relationship with God is at the heart of it - but you don't get that real relationship unless you follow the 'rules' right?

I don't get a true relationship with God or Jesus, unless I follow the Christian doctrine and be what He wants me to be.

I hate that doctrine too. I know my family will go to hell if they continue in their disbelief of God. Refusing to believe in something will not make it suddenly disappear or become untrue though. If it is true, then it is true whether we like it or not. Did Jesus always tell the truth - yes or no?

I guess it depends on how one interprets hell. For me - if hell turns out to be a real place of eternal torture - I would not allow my family to go there without me. I would not want to be selfish and take Heaven, knowing my family will be suffering.

And no, some people SEEM to find faith easily, that doesn't automatically mean they have a genuine faith or even the the TRUE faith. Take Scientology for example, does Tom Cruise swearing that he has been helped so much mean that you should envy him for falling for that scam?!!!

Even within Christianity - there will always be different interpretations of the Bible, all claiming to be the only true way.

That doesn't help anything - because there will always be someone telling you that you have it wrong, and the real Christianity is this denomination, or this etc etc...

If Jesus came to bind people together - why allow so many different churches to continue like this - why not make it known what it right, and what isn't.

P.S. for a genuine seeker.

thank you!!

 

[paul1149]

Hi Rasa,

Your predicament sounds something like mine was in the beginning. I too am stubborn and resist accepting anything I do not know for myself. That can make life difficult, but actually, in the end it can really work for you.

People who just accept what they're told enjoy the benefits of believing the truth – if indeed what they were told is true. But what if they were told error? This is why the Bible tells us to "make sure of all things; hold fast to what is true" -1Th 5), and why the Bereans in the book of Acts (17.10,11) were lauded for checking the scriptures for themselves to see if the things they were told about Jesus were true.

I came to Christ via a very circuitous route, and when I finally gave myself to Him I still had grave doubts about some very basic things, such as His divinity. I struggled with them mightily, and went to my pastor for help. He tried to help, but wisely, he didn’t force anything down my throat, which wouldn't have worked. I kept on trying to figure things out, until finally, in a flash of wisdom, I received the grace to just say, "Lord, I don't understand, but I'm committed to loving and serving You at this level. I trust that in Your time and Your way You will show me what I need to know".

As soon as I did that I had peace. And in exercising faith in God, I gave Him the room He needed to begin to show me things – not in my head, where the doctrinal issues were raging – but in my heart, where truth became real spiritual food to me. Eventually I saw the truth regarding the big issues, and am completely at rest in them today.

So don’t accept the pressure of man to believe one way or the other. But also, don’t walk away from God because you don’t understand everything yet. For instance, on the issue of hell – why not pray, "Lord, I don't understand this; this is a difficult thing. But I place my trust in You and in Your goodness, and I trust that You will show me what I need to know at the right time. I am not going to walk away."

The Lord is always faithful to answer, but we often have to be patient and wait, exercising faith. In time you may say, with Job, "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you" -Job 42:5

Rest in Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith. You don't have to jump through man's doctrinal hoops. When Jesus was asked what is necessary in order to do the works of God, he simply replied: "Believe in the One He sent forth". Don’t let the enemy knock you off your spiritual base. Wait expectantly, and He will answer you.

 

[Palermo]

to be honest,eventhought it doesnt match with bible,i believe that god has some plans about those who are in hell.god loves his children so much that he gave his son,i think he will do something for them too.A father may punish his child,but not kill.i think god will do something

 

[razeontherock]

Rasa, my heart goes out to you! And that is true of many others here. You seek Truth!

Each of us have to find our own answers. My answers won't do for you, because we are unique. Even if you come to accept some of the same things I do, that process of discovery is precious to both you and the Lord. In fact, some things G-d retains as the only One who can show you in any meaningful way. You do know He exists, right? You don't know all there is to know about Him, right? Some things declared are just plain perplexing? This is all part of humanity. Humility is the root that digs down, and what gives us that stability you crave.

I think that I am just the kind of person who should not/ can not be religious.

Many of us differentiate between religion and being religious, vs our relationship w/ the Lord. Perhaps you have this in common?

hell. I do no accept that God and Jesus would allow such horror to happen, yet in the Bible is says that it is real.

Does the Bible explain what this is? I don't find it does. In fact I find the language to not be so clear in English. Jesus was a Jew, right? What did the Jews mean by the phrases Jesus used on this subject? Turns out we can find out, as Jews are pretty eccentric history buffs, at least re: their own past.

If you've ever encountered poster "Skavau," he also needs to research this area. I know little, and it's not my primary area of interest as my own convictions on this issue are settled. (The Lord gave me not only a vision but an actual physical experience there, but the point of it was it does not affect me) Apparently Jews of Jesus' time taught that most that do go to hell, have a 1 year stay. Some might be permanent, and some would avoid it altogether. Not arbitrary of course, but Just. How does any of this compare to what Jesus actually meant? I honestly don't know, but I do think research into Jewish thought of the day would hold answers. I can't imagine Jesus meant anything other than what they would understand.

I want my faith back. I know I need God ... It's hard right now

Like I said, your sincerity is perceptible. Many hearts here go out to you in your struggle! You can call out to G-d, with this cry of your heart, (notice how I edited it?) with no religion at all. You can be determined to find Truth. You can demand that of G-d. Many have found fasting to be helpful at such a time. You may find praying in the Name of Jesus helps, or you may not. I would also suggest your lack of Peace right now is the Spirit, driving you onward. I also encourage you onward, and to keep your integrity to not settle for anything less than genuine Truth!

I look forward to the day when you have your own perspective from which to share Truth you have found, as it will surely Bless all of us here. Even if that process is also painful ...

 

[razeontherock]

The relationship with God is at the heart of it - but you don't get that real relationship unless you follow the 'rules' right?

I don't get a true relationship with God or Jesus, unless I follow the Christian doctrine and be what He wants me to be.

This may be an area where your Orthodox background hurts you? I mean, if you get to enjoy Peace with G-d as proclaimed in the Bible, it seems to me that the other rules need not pertain. Jesus said to 'follow Him,' not some bunch of man-made rules. (Faith vs religion?)

For me - if hell turns out to be a real place of eternal torture - I would not allow my family to go there without me. I would not want to be selfish and take Heaven, knowing my family will be suffering.

We are not granted such Power, neither does our interpretation of it carry much weight.

Even within Christianity - there will always be different interpretations of the Bible, all claiming to be the only true way.

Again, I suggest your Orthodox background hurts you here. Most believers don't think their way is any only true way; just one perspective, seen dimly, as if looking through a glass ...

ETA: seek Him with your whole heart, and He will be found by you. Rather than any of us telling you what that "whole heart" really means, you will have to discover this. Personally, I found I didn't even have a whole heart to seek Him with, but I discovered the Scripture that talks about plucking out of us a heart of stone, and giving us a heart of flesh. I prayed for that and used the new heart to seek Him, before things ever started happening. I expect your path will be somewhat different, but you may find some key in the Bible that "unlocks things" more quickly than just life itself.

 

[Annoula]

i also believe that reading the New Testament will help you a lot.

regarding the "hell" issue, i would like to say something.

Paradise is a state where we would have a direct relationship with God. i don't know how that would be, i have no idea. but we will be around Him. people who sought for Him in their life will be rewarded by His presence. this is Paradise.

on the contrary, people who did not seek for Him in their lives, lived absolute selfish lives and never said "i am sorry" to either their brothers and sisters or Jesus Christ, these souls would be away from Him.

if God is Love, happiness, joy, compassion what kind of life would be away from Him? couldn't we say that it would be hateful, distressful, painful, uncompassionate? isn't this hell enough????

Paradise and hell are primarily states of the soul.
secondly they are areas in the afterlife. (i don't know what kind of areas of course so i cant say more...)

have you seen people in great sufferings that have a true smile on their face? why? because they have accomplished by their efforts to "sense" paradise.

have you seen people getting angry with minor things, yelling, stealing, betraying, do "bad" things and never repenting? they live in their own personal hell, because they don't feel Love, they don't seek God. they choose to be away from Him.

faith is something that builds up with time and comes from our personal efforts and God's Grace.

you don't need to accept absolutely everything that the Bible or the Church says.
it's like we are in 1st grade of school. what if they give us a book from the 5th grade. are we able to read and understand what it says? no. can we disregard this book as "bad" or "non truthful"? no. it's just that we have 3 more grades full of knowledge - γνώσεις that we need to learn so that we understand the 5th grade's book.

take care of yourself dear.
be true to yourself and God and everything will be alright.

 

[solarwave]

I was brought up in a conservative Christian family, but I began to doubt and now many of my beliefs are very different from what they were in my teenage years. The only way I was able to make sense of the world was to take a more liberal understanding of Christianity. Accepting that the Bible has errors and that that is ok was a big help to me not losing faith.

Hell is also an issue for me. I always thought I believed in hell, but I doubt I ever did. I never had fear that my family and friends would go there. I have no idea how anyone could keep themselves from constant terror for themselves and friends if they truly believed in a hell of eternal pain. I believe the love of God will reconcile all things to Himself and that all things that cannot be reconciled wont exist.

 

[All Englands Skies]

I am angry over how some people find faith so easily.

I dont think anyone finds Faith easily, its never easy, there is always some stumbling block, but no matter how hard you try, there is always unanswered questions, when you do finally find an answer to one dilema, then another arises.

Also alot of people might "find faith" easily, but remember often when peoples "backs are to the wall" or they're "between the hammer and the anvil" or they have to save their own skin, alot of people find it easy to lose their faith, choosing self preservation over keeping their faith.

 

[Steve Petersen]

Right now, I don't know what I consider myself to be.

I used to consider myself a Christian., although over the last year or so I have really struggled in accepted Jesus and accepted God, as well as accepting some of the things the Bible says.

I have looked into other religions, still am looking - Islam/ Hinduism/ Buddhism and various others, but I still get this pull back to Christianity. Despite this, I still feel that I could not accept everything that God tells me we should, so am pulling away from Christiainity.

I wish I knew where the truth lies, I wish I had a stronger faith again. I have tried so many different things, but nothing seems to work.

I think that I am just the kind of person who should not/ can not be religious. Because if I don't believe something, or don't agree with it - it will just push me away, despite believing in the God who tells us this. For example - hell. I do no accept that God and Jesus would allow such horror to happen, yet in the Bible is says that it is real. So even when I believed in Jesus - I pushed him away because I can't/won't accept this to be true.

I feel like I should just give up. Because I try a different religion, but then find something that again I don't agree with. I know part of it has to do with me being stubborn, and not wanting to change my views to fit in with Gods, and me feeling like 'if God loves me like He says He does, then He should just accept me, and not try to change me'.

I don't really know the point of this thread. I am just getting frustrated, and angry and upset over not being able to find peace in anything I look into. I am angry over how some people find faith so easily.

I want my faith back. I don't know which religion right now, I believe to be the truth, but I know I need God and want Him. It's hard right now

Maybe the problem is trying to find answers in religious thought. Religion is irrational. You won't be able to make sense out of it.

 

[All Englands Skies]

Maybe the problem is trying to find answers in religious thought. Religion is irrational. You won't be able to make sense out of it.

Well yeah, while doctrine and religious aspects are importent for learning more of God, alot of people shut off and blindely follow Church doctrine.

Its like Trinity, I dont think its wrong, but I think its limited, its an explenation of what we as humans can see and understand of the way God works, however I dont know if its right, But I know God and the message of God is through God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and God shows in other ways too, I dont know them, I think I'll never know in this life, But I keep my faith in Christ, as the bible is clear on that.

Your not a trinitarian, but what I am trying to say is, I accept some things are man made concepts, to the best ability of human knowledge to understand.

As human beings we cant know everything, the Bible actually says this many a time, that as humans we will never know everything about God.

 

[Steve Petersen]

As human beings we cant know everything, the Bible actually says this many a time, that as humans we will never know everything about God.

I agree. But that doesn't seem to stop people from speaking nonsense and claiming it to be divine truth.

I wish there were more people who would just be honest enough to admit that they don't have all the answers.