is it normal for new Christians to have doubts?

[Friend_In_God]

Hi Heather! God bless you, you are not alone in your feelings. I too have very very similar feelings about God and my faith. What would the challenge be if we didn't doubt, didn't question. In my opinion, this is the only test! Or at the very least, the most important one of few (morally speaking). What we come to learn in our lives affects our position in the Land of the Lord. I can't give all that much advice because I am struggling through my faith every day, but then I realize, the only reason I struggle occasionally is because I have no hard proof, but I have seen the wonders of God, and believe me, we are much better off believing, because in the end, we will all see that it was the truth all along. My heart tells me this every day, even when I doubt. Cheer up, things will get better, just don't quit. Only the weak quit, and the weakest of the weak give up on God. Here's praying for them too.

 

[Redeemed1]

Hi Heather. Yes, all that you are experiencing is normal. It is the rare person, if existent at all, that enters into a relationship with Christ with a fully developed faith and love for God. These attributes are developed in us as our relationship with Christ develops. I myself, as a new Christian, wondered why everyone else loved God so much, while I basically felt nothing. But, as I continued to walk with Jesus and experience His faithfulness toward me, His grace and mercy toward me, I did indeed begin to experience a love for Him. As you begin to know Him more, your faith will grow. I also learned that I could not continue to look around and compare my spiritual life with everyone else around me, because I would soon begin to feel guilty and defeated. I had to simply keep my eyes on Jesus and allow Him to do what only He can do...change my heart, grow my faith, and develop a love for Him and for others in me. He will do it Heather, for He is true and faithful, always, without exception! I will be praying for you.

 

[darkwoof]

Don't worry, it is normal even for 'seasoned' Christians to have doubts! In fact, I believe the more faithful and loyal believer you are of the one true God, the more the devil will try to tempt you, cast doubts in you, and turn you away from Him. As Christians we must always hold fast to our faith, overcome our doubts and stay on track.

When we are weak, seek guidance and strength from the Spirit. And for human help, there's always the fellowship! That's Us!

 

[Mandy]

AMEN!! Thank you very much for sharing that!

 

[heather]

Thanks again, I have so much to learn, being the baby Christian that I am. I think the best thing is the fellowship on these pages. As Friend in God says it is nice not to struggle alone, and even Darkwolf says that fellowship helps. Messenger, so often I pray that God will help me open my heart to Him. My problem is that I tend to grab back the controls, for me as a child I had to be in perfect control, or I was dead. I mean literally dead, as my parents both tried to kill me before I was 5. Sometimes I think the lack of love I had as a child plays in my inability to trust God in the way He seems to want us to trust Him. I still feel like a cornered animal, and ready to run. Even the feelings of love that He is supposed to exude would probably panic me.

 

[Mandy]

I am so sorry about your childhood. Just keep praying and seeking the Lord and He will help you to trust Him.
I firmly believe that many of the trials we deal with are so that we can minister to others who are going through the same thing. We are told in the Bible to bear one another's burdens and the thing that helps us to do that is because we can relate and because we are filled with God's love.
God bless you Heather.

 

[ZiSunka]

I have been a Christian for nearly 14 years, and I still sometimes have doubts. But the more I learn about God, and the longer I know Him and see His workings, the fewer doubts I have.

I have many testimonies to God's existence that I can fall back on when I start to doubt. Over time, you will have such testimonies, too.

 

[Blynn]

Hi Heather,


I also came from an abusive dysfunctional home. I think what happens is that we tend to bring our human experiences into our new relationship with God.

I know that I did this. I too had to be in control. I had a very hard time giving control of my life to God. I was afraid. I had a hard time trusting Him because I did not know how to trust. The people in my life were not trustworthy. I did not even know how to love or be loved. I was also afraid that if I did something wrong God would be mad at me or leave me.

I have been a Christian for 13 years and little by little with God's help I can trust and I can love. He is very trustworthy.

He is wonderful. He will never hurt you or leave you. Sometimes it takes time Heather, but you will get there. God understands. I know that He does.

I continue to pray for you.

With love and blessings,
Roberta

 

[heather]

Mandy, thanks for your kind words. THe only thing that really helps is the hope that some of this stuff can be turned to good, if not, then I would be desparing more.

Lambslove, I am too new to have experiences to fall back on, and lately have been getting in touch with the fact that right now I am still really angry at God. I keep wanting to lay out a fleece for him and ask him to explain the whys and I know that is not right. But it is tempting.

Blynn, you are so right that our human experience tinges our relationship with God. For me control is a really BIG issue, and the thought of letting an intangible God have control of my life is almost inconceivable. For me, as a child I really had to be in control of emotions, reactions, expressions, words, everything. My life literally depended on it. So that baggage still tags along with me.

I try to believe in God's love, his justice and legalism, no problem. Love is hard for me.

Thanks again for all your help.