I keep straying

[VerdantTruth]

Hello, I've been a Christian in name only for many years of my life. After a recent and very dark bout of depression and anxiety, I looked deeper into the subject and discovered many things that I should have known before. I do not consider myself a christian before then, because I was not earnest in trying to walk the correct path through life and I was wired on the "Good works to get into heaven - be a good boy and there will be cookies too" ideaology. I have earnestly begun my journey with the Lord - except I have one problem. As I have been with many atheists and anti-theists, my heart and spirit hurts with doubt and faithlessness. I am currently studying through the bible, and I'm unsure what I can do to strengthen my belief. Anyone with more expirence have a way that I can secure a good footing?

Edit: By the way, I'm brand new to the forum. This is such a wonderful site. =D

 

[justcallmejamie]

Sure, prayer. Do you go to church? You need to find a good, one, meaning one that is bible believing and is friendly. I am always a supporter of Calvary Chapel. Getting plugged in to fellowship is good for maintenance, but really you need to be touched by the Holy Spirit. Try praying to God and telling him about your doubt. When i gave my heart to the Lord, i was on my knees crying and I told him " Every man i have ever known has hurt me, i dont know if i can trust you" and God spoke to me...and just said "We'll take care of that" and he certainly has, that was 6 years ago.

 

[VerdantTruth]

Thanks Jamie. I don't go to church... I kind of have a bad impression of churches since my father had been put through alot of heartache at several. I see him as my mentor, and he's been answering alot of questions for me. However, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look around and try for a little while. As far as prayer... it's a strange subject to me. I don't feel like anyone is hearing me when I do pray. Maybe I'm dull to answers. I'll have to practice my prayer, I suppose.

 

[snickerdoodle]

Hello VerdantTruth! You'll be so glad you have found this place, believe me, I know! I'm still stumbling a bit myself, and these kind folks here have always got just the right words to get me focused again, and back on track. God bless them!

Prayer was kind of hard for me at first too. I thought it always had to be formal, and full of thees and thous for me to be heard. But then, I just started talking to our Heavenly Father like a little child, talking to her Daddy. Just being myself, you know? God already knows our hearts. He knows what we need. One of the greatest things I've done so far, was to ask for a better understanding of His Word...some knowledge. It didn't take long for me to be presented with relevant passages...relevant situations...

Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide you in this quest for knowledge, and help you understand what you need to do.

I'll be praying for you, friend!

 

[VerdantTruth]

Thank you very much for your support, snickerdoodle. This is quite a wonderful place. =)

 

[heymikey80]

My own history sounds like yours especially on the "surrounded by atheists and anti-theists" side. I didn't have a father in the faith until high school, and he came from church.

Church is nowhere near perfect, and it'll always keep you guessing. It's little glimmers of right relationship in a sea of regular relationship. But that's quite a bit. People working in redemption of one another, that's what you look for. Nobody is great at this. Our breath smells bad, we click our teeth and fidget. But these are the people called together. And that relationship is far better than learning from associations with atheists and anti-theists.

What's more, I had profound doubts. So I dug. I dug deep, and dug quickly. I got to the bottom of my doubts. I scraped past them. If you have a seminary nearby, go to their library and start researching. Look long and hard, and look through the history of the church. If you need classes, find people who will help teach you.

I wouldn't start with the handicap of your father. If I had started with my Dad's, I would never have even looked into Christianity. It doesn't work that way. Feel for your Dad, but you're not your Dad. It's not a defection to find in a church what your father didn't. (Not unless your father defines himself by defection from the church, the people God says should assemble together.)

People are mean, stupid, and crass and callous. Don't believe they aren't. But there are some things the people of God should do, and one of them is to encourage one another.

 

[VerdantTruth]

Thanks for the advice, heymikey80. =D

 

[Angelwarrioress]

I would suggest going to your local christian bookstore and getting all of Lee Strobel's books,Josh Mcdowell's, and C.S. Lewis. This is what helped me when I was in that situation. Ray Comfort is also really good !

 

[VerdantTruth]

We don't really have a christian bookstore around these parts, but I'll look them up online. =)

 

[Robskiwarrior]

Get yourslef into a good Church where they arnt afraid to let God move or speak. Learn to be still... You said how you used to be trying to do things to get into heaven, im glad you realised that now

I would say though, soak in the Lord. The best time you can have with God is when you stop panicing about how you cant hear Him or Feel him and fanticly studying the bible for some glimmer of direction and stop, take the time to rest focusing on Jesus and asking the Holy Spirit for His presence and life changing power.

I normally just kneel (or whatever is comfey for you) and just focus my mind on Jesus, just speaking out his name and resting. Those that wait on the Lord with renew their strength. Music is also good to help you into his presence, something you can worship to

 

[AvgJoe]

I am currently studying through the bible, and I'm unsure what I can do to strengthen my belief. Anyone with more expirence have a way that I can secure a good footing?

First, continue to study the Bible. By studying the Bible, your faith will grow.

Second, read Lee Strobel's book "A Case for Christ." That is one awesome book of evidence for Jesus and the Gospels. You can usually get it on ebay for under 10 bucks.

Third, how much research have you done on proving the validity of the Bible? The Bible is the basis of Christianity. If the Bible is true, Christianity is true.

The Bible was written over a period of 1,600 years, by 40, God chosen, men, who lived on 3 separate continents and they all wrote about the same thing, the Gospel of Christ. There were no mail delivery trucks, no drop ship planes, no Federal Express, no UPS and no email, yet when all of the writings were put together they present one unified message. The Bible is truly the Word of God.

Following are some topics and links I hope you will look into, concerning the validity of the Bible. A good study on the proofs of the Bible will help greatly to solidify the foundation of your faith.

An excellent ebook on the subject: http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/e-books_pdf/idobi.pdf

Proof of Textual Evidence
Old Testament: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/266
New Testament: http://www.carm.org/questions/textualevidence.htm
More on the Bible: http://www.carm.org/bible.htm, http://www.carm.org/questions_bible.htm

Proof of People Living at the Time of Christ
http://www.carm.org/questions/extrabiblical_accounts.htm
http://www.carm.org/questions/Josephus.htm
http://www.probe.org/content/view/18/77/

Proof of Archaeology
http://www.christiananswers.net/archaeology/home.html
http://www.biblicalarcheology.net/
http://www.myfortress.org/archaeology.html
http://www.carm.org/questions/evidence_archaeological.htm

Proof of Science
Statements Consistent With Paleontology
Statements Consistent With Astronomy
Statements Consistent With Meteorology
Statements Consistent With Biology
Statements Consistent With Anthropology
Statements Consistent With Hydrology
Statements Consistent With Geology
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml
http://www.carm.org/bible/ms_science.htm

Proof of Prophecy (Messanic & dealing with nations)
http://www.sotl.org/public/proofs.htm (about Israel-incredible)
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/m_prophecies.shtml
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/fulfill.shtml
http://www.carm.org/bible/prophecy.htm
http://www.prophecyrevealed.com/index.html (awesome book)
http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/b_proof.shtml

If the Bible is true, Christianity is true. In Christianity, faith is required but it does not have to be a completely blind faith.

God bless!

 

[angelfood]

Hey there. I have spent most of my adult years as an atheist. I know it can be very difficult to reconcile your need for proof with your desire to know Christ. I think I have finally come to terms that there is no "proof" that exists in the natural world that would satisfy my need for evidence. I simply rely on the fact that when I am on my own, living as if there is no God, my life feels empty. When I am letting my heart lead me, I feel whole and at peace. Good luck on your journey!

 

[Bain_Adaneth]

Hello, I've been a Christian in name only for many years of my life. After a recent and very dark bout of depression and anxiety, I looked deeper into the subject and discovered many things that I should have known before. I do not consider myself a christian before then, because I was not earnest in trying to walk the correct path through life and I was wired on the "Good works to get into heaven - be a good boy and there will be cookies too" ideaology. I have earnestly begun my journey with the Lord - except I have one problem. As I have been with many atheists and anti-theists, my heart and spirit hurts with doubt and faithlessness. I am currently studying through the bible, and I'm unsure what I can do to strengthen my belief. Anyone with more expirence have a way that I can secure a good footing?

Edit: By the way, I'm brand new to the forum. This is such a wonderful site. =D

When my faith was so thin I couldn't hold on any longer, God helped me to understand that if I did not hold on to my faith, I will not be there, or listen long enough for Him to give me answers. So it is like this. You cannot judge that a story is true or not true unless you have tried, and there are definitely no answers. And this cannot happen with the Word of God, because there are answers, you just haven't look yet...not all, but enough to believe. Also you must consider believing...it is not good to waste your time explaining to people the answer to a question when, one way or another, they will not believe anyways......So you must start with believing, having faith....now I know it's hard for you to have blind faith, so let's start with believing by getting your questions answered by the Word of God.

When questions are answered, the cloud lifts, and things seem more understandable, and for many, more believable. So what are your questions, and why do they keep you from having faith?.....what are the doubts?.....

Remember that the key is to not lose faith too quickly....what can you accomplish if you lose faith at every turn of a race? It just slows you down, and soon you quit. And Salvation that knocks on the door is stll knocking, but you have looked the door, and won't let Jesus come in. I say this because the bible says that Jesus stands at the door knocking, all you have to do is let him in. Salvation is there, we just have to accept it.

 

[christandisrael]

Until we are glorified, this will always be a problem.

 

[VerdantTruth]

Thanks, everyone. I must confess that I didn't read the later posts when I was having this problem (sorry x.x) because I left CF to strengthen my faith. I have learned that I was approaching it by the wrong way: looking for signs, miricales, proof and special feelings. I was being too legalistic as well. After reviewing some of the bible (...the early church is really a good source for faith building, that and Paul explains things nicely [check out Romans 14~]) and some opposing ideas, meditating, arguing with myself, and approaching certain ideas like a legal case, I think I've found my firm foundation on which to stand, so to speak.

Still growing in Christ, but I've set my feet firmly, at least I hope so.

 

[jengoesup]

Thanks, everyone. I must confess that I didn't read the later posts when I was having this problem (sorry x.x) because I left CF to strengthen my faith. I have learned that I was approaching it by the wrong way: looking for signs, miricales, proof and special feelings. I was being too legalistic as well. After reviewing some of the bible (...the early church is really a good source for faith building, that and Paul explains things nicely [check out Romans 14~]) and some opposing ideas, meditating, arguing with myself, and approaching certain ideas like a legal case, I think I've found my firm foundation on which to stand, so to speak.

Still growing in Christ, but I've set my feet firmly, at least I hope so.

Congratulations I think there are a lot of people who continue to doubt their faith, and that we're all struggling Christians at one point in our lives. If you ever feel yourself doubting again, just pray that God will give you faith.

God bless,
~Jen

 

[Be11e]

Hello, I've been a Christian in name only for many years of my life. After a recent and very dark bout of depression and anxiety, I looked deeper into the subject and discovered many things that I should have known before. I do not consider myself a christian before then, because I was not earnest in trying to walk the correct path through life and I was wired on the "Good works to get into heaven - be a good boy and there will be cookies too" ideaology. I have earnestly begun my journey with the Lord - except I have one problem. As I have been with many atheists and anti-theists, my heart and spirit hurts with doubt and faithlessness. I am currently studying through the bible, and I'm unsure what I can do to strengthen my belief. Anyone with more expirence have a way that I can secure a good footing?

Edit: By the way, I'm brand new to the forum. This is such a wonderful site. =D

Your testimony sounds a lot like mine. I said i was a Christian, and believed i was, when i was 14. When i was about 16 i went through some depression (read my testimony on my homepage if your interested)...and it's only in the past year that i've found myself close to God. I used to worry a lot, about creation, hypocrisy in the bible, and moral dilemmas. I don't know if it's any help, but my advice is to just relax. I can't put my finger on exactly when the change occurred, but i transformed from a liberal supposed Christian, and found real faith. Just don't worry about the big questions...concentrate of having fun day to day, do what you love most that glorifies the lord, for me that's singing, and stop thinking doubting thoughts.
I guess it's cheating to say ignore a problem and it'll go away, but it's worked for me.