Is it normal to fear the church

[mjolnir81]

Today I ventured in to my first church in maybe 10 years and I was filled with fear like I didn't belong there I was hope it would because positive experience but instead I came out feeling worse than I went in, I have no doubt that this fear is the work of the devil and I hate myself for not being strong enougth to concer this fear alone, please help me.

 

[ChildofGod777]

When I first stepped into my current church it had been 11 years or so since I had gone to church. It felt weird at first but as soon as the music started I was in tears. Conviction I guess. That's when I redicated my life to the Lord that day. Maybe you just need to lay your fears down at the cross next time you go. Ask God for help.

I'm facing problems myself brother, we all do. I'm not the Christian that I should be by far but I wanted to share what went through my heart when I stepped back into a church.

God bless

 

[gideon123]

OK i'll take you up on that comment ...

"but instead I came out feeling worse than I went in"

I can understand hesitation about going.
but why on earth would you feel worse after you came out???

care to elaborate on that?

cheers,
gideon123

 

[Armistead14]

Yea, I would wonder what caused you to fear, although I 've seen a lot of fear in church. I grew up very fundie near the mountians in NC and we had what was called "hollering pastors" they would preach God's punishments and hell so loudly you would think glass would bust. I recall my first visit to one of these, I was so afraid at the end I could hardly move...

 

[alive2Christ]

The good thing is,it doesn't sound as if it'll be the last time you'll be in the church so that's good.Fear in a church is not necessarily a bad thing,in fact the bad thing would be going in with a frivolous attitude.The Lord can use fear to draw you closer to him so that he can take that fear away the right way i.e. by his blood.One of the lines in the hymn "Amazing Grace" is " 'twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved". Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom
I have experienced fear in church many times and it always made me examine my position and drove me towards Christ.Pray and ask the Lord to give you a new nature or if you are already saved,to fill you with his spirit.
I will pray for you.
God Bless.

 

[Albion]

Today I ventured in to my first church in maybe 10 years and I was filled with fear like I didn't belong there I was hope it would because positive experience but instead I came out feeling worse than I went in, I have no doubt that this fear is the work of the devil and I hate myself for not being strong enougth to concer this fear alone, please help me.

A first-time visit to a strange church is almost always going to be uncomfortable. Either try another church that is known for being different on whatever issue made you feel bad in this one, or give else this one several more tries before deciding. Often it is the case that an initial apprehensiveness melts away pretty fast.

 

[ezeric]

There is no Fear in LOVE.

You will know they are my disciples if they LOVE one another.

Remember that the Church is 'people called out', and its leaving institutions and christian religion to a fellowship of love and the unity of believers.

But if there is fear, then no love - I would run and ask the LORD JESUS, show me, rather make me the Church. HE will show you, if you really want to know.

What you are fearing and feeling is a good thing! Use it to run only to HIM, who is LOVE!

-eric

The Exchanged Life

 

[alive2Christ]

A first-time visit to a strange church is almost always going to be uncomfortable. Either try another church that is known for being different on whatever issue made you feel bad in this one, or give else this one several more tries before deciding. Often it is the case that an initial apprehensiveness melts away pretty fast.

Going from church to church to find one which is more comfortable is a potentially dangerous practice because it can result in the doctrine being watered down to suit peoples prefrences rather that delivering the true gospel which can be uncomfortable.

 

[Albion]

Going from church to church to find one which is more comfortable is a potentially dangerous practice because it can result in the doctrine being watered down to suit peoples prefrences rather that delivering the true gospel which can be uncomfortable.

In the short run, I doubt that there's a serious concern with that, especiallly since it can't be better to recommend going with whatever it is that the first church one walks into has to say.

 

[LilLamb219]

What kind of church did you go to? Which denom?

Some churches don't relieve you of your guilt because they don't properly give you the sweetness of the Gospel in its entirety! They leave you burdened with the LAW! Try a new church!

 

[Armistead14]

Many churches use fear and guilt to get you to respond.

I think the best way to judge it is as a child can sometimes fear a loving parent. Sadly, many churches make you feel like God is up there looking down ready to throw lightning bolts at you for every failure. My son fears me, yet is not afraid of me, but he doesn't fear that I seek to harm him.

Perfect love cast away all fear...

 

[parsley]

A first-time visit to a strange church is almost always going to be uncomfortable.

I agree. You don't walk into a stranger's house without an invitation, you don't walk into an office without a good reason, or a sports club without a membership. I think half of it is simple caution about being somewhere new without knowing whether you're "allowed" in their territory.

Most churches want new people to visit, but they don't often put it on their sign. And once you get there, people are sometimes more focused on whether people are talking to them -- than noticing new people need welcoming.

But there are all sorts of other issues that can come up -- whether you look right, wore clothes that don't stand out, sat in the right place, used the right hand signals and kneeling postures, wondering if you agree with doctrine, feeling like you're stared at... and some pastors shame congregants if they don't bring a Bible-- forgetting there may be new people there.

Oh my I think I made it worse.

 

[aloou]

I was gripped with fear my first time also. I grew up in church but strayed for 12 years. I was afraid of God and afraid of changing and becoming completely different. I was afraid of becoming a Jesus freak. I was afraid of my sins, afraid of every aspect of it. I am glad i looked passed the fears because my life is dramatically changed for the better. Why do you feel worse? Can you explain your experience?

 

[Itagaki]

Church has used guilt, fear and shame to manipulate people since its inception. Don't expect things to be any different now.

At least gone are the days when the religious fundies could kill you for disagreeing with their creeds. Thank God!

 

[alive2Christ]

. My son fears me, yet is not afraid of me, but he doesn't fear that I seek to harm him.

Perfect love cast away all fear...

My dad was a sergeant major and I feared him but I also felt so wonderfully safe in his presence.He smoked a pipe and I used to love watching him light it because the hustle and bustle of the world seemed to fade away while he lit it.He had such a strong presence that I'd have felt safe anywhere as long as he was by my side.I have thanked God for him so many times and will continue to do so.

 

[StoneWater]

Today I ventured in to my first church in maybe 10 years and I was filled with fear like I didn't belong there I was hope it would because positive experience but instead I came out feeling worse than I went in, I have no doubt that this fear is the work of the devil and I hate myself for not being strong enougth to concer this fear alone, please help me.

Does Jesus love you or not...

 

[StoneWater]

Today I ventured in to my first church in maybe 10 years and I was filled with fear like I didn't belong there I was hope it would because positive experience but instead I came out feeling worse than I went in, I have no doubt that this fear is the work of the devil and I hate myself for not being strong enougth to concer this fear alone, please help me.

Yeah, uhhh... some group is not Jesus.

Jesus is a person...

Singular....

 

[captaincarr]

God has not given you the spirit of fear and do not be condemned. Let God lead youand feel his love in his presence while you are in church.

 

[gideon123]

No answers from the OP ???

gideon123