i need help...

[cje2007]

im struggling with faith, i believe and i know what is right, but satan places all this doubt in my mind and i cant seem to put my trust in God. i want to know what is a good thing to do, i pray about it, lately ive been told to be still and to just trust...but how do i just trust in the unseen? i have moments where faith is so clear and evident and i seem to lose it to a thought that God isnt there....what can i do? im tired of this....every time i think of having to confess to someone outside of my beliefs what it is i truly do believe i cant seem to put it together and believe it myself....what is wrong with me? where can i go and what can i do to fix this???? im really hurting guys and i know there are probably some other people out there with a similar problem, how do i shed off the world and run into Christ's arms when it doesent feel possible?
Love in Christ,
Clint

 

[emmzee]

Clint, talking about how you feel with other Christians can often help a lot, although sometimes it's tough to find others who are willing to share these kinds of things. If you are currently at college/university, a campus group like Campus Crusade or Intervarsity might be helpful & encouraging to you. If you're shy about that kind of thing, Campus Crusade offers online confidential mentoring, ex:
http://mentodayonline.com/chat/askus.html

It sounds as though your faith is based mostly on feelings. While this can be a terrific blessing at times, during low moments it can be a burden.

The word "faith" is defined in many different ways, but to me, faith is a trust built upon a firm foundation. Jesus never said "Believe me ... because I said so!" He gave reasons why the people should put their faith in him. So too I encourage you to feed your intellectual and emotional needs via some good books. Here are some of my recommendations:

Regarding doubt, Gary Habermas has two full free books online here dealing with that subject:
http://garyhabermas.com/books/books.htm

General apologetics
Beginner: Case for Christ, Lee Strobel; or Mere Christianity, C S Lewis
Intermediate: Handbook of Christian Apologetics, Peter Kreeft & Ronald Tacelli
Advanced: Reasonable Faith, William Lane Craig

The truth of the resurrection
Beginner level: The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, Gary Habermas & Mike Licona
Intermediate: The Risen Jesus and Future Hope, Gary Habermas
Advanced: The Son Rises, William Lane Craig

Historical reliability of the New Testament
Beginner: Is the New Testament Reliable?, Paul Barnett
Intermediate: The Historical Jesus, Gary Habermas

A good book for emotional edification is Max Lucado's Next Door Savior. (Well pretty much all of his are, but that one along with He Chose the Nails is a good start.)

Hope some of this helps ...