Is my reasoning behind being a Christian wrong?

[grandvizier1006]

I've had lots of thoughts, typically of an intrusive, OCD-like nature, to leave the faith. I don't really want to do that. But thoughts like "Maybe God's not real", "Maybe Jesus didn't resurrect", "Maybe I'm hurting myself psychologically by following this" sometimes pop up in my head, especially at vulnerable times (stressed, tired, etc.) I know this is mainly a psychological problem.

But lately it's gotten me to do some self-examination on what I say to counter those thoughts--the big reason for why I'm a Christian.

I came to the faith at the age of 19 on October 6th, 2014. I felt lost, alone and confused in the world, and I pleaded for comfort. God gave me love and acceptance and took me in.

I've come to see God as my Father. I gravitate towards the fatherly symbolism because I'm not particularly close with my dad. My mindset is that I remain a Christian because I need Him as a father figure, and because I long to be united with Him in Heaven, where I'll be loved and will never feel unloved again. I know that without Him, under a mindset that He didn't exist, I'd just indulge in time-wasting activities and have no motivation to do anything worthwhile.

The thing is, though, I know that there are other reasons to believe in God and be a Christian. I know I should feel guilt over my sins (I do) and want a relationship with Jesus (I do). I admit that there are sometimes things I have trouble giving up, and sometimes I don't quite know what all of those things are, but I'm wondering if maybe I should understand my relationship with God in a different way because He wants something else for me besides just Him being my "real father".

 

[Albion]

If you haven't done so, you should join a good church and be tutored in the faith.

We here can offer a few words of encouragement, but it really sounds like you got your introduction to Christianity and then fended for yourself.

That's the kind of thing that invariably leaves people to second-guess and wonder over what may in reality be very understandable aspects of the faith. And being separated, they wind up being tortured by their thoughts.

 

[grandvizier1006]

If you haven't done so, you should join a good church and be tutored in the faith.

We here can offer a few words of encouragement, but it really sounds like you got your introduction to Christianity and then fended for yourself.

That's the kind of thing that invariably leaves people to second-guess and wonder over what may in reality be very understandable aspects of the faith. And being separated, they are tortured by their thoughts.

I am going to a church right now and I'm finding that there's a lot to learn about the Bible and theology. I was raised in the faith but I think it never really connected together for me until I became an adult and hit a low point in life.

 

[Albion]

I am going to a church right now and I'm finding that there's a lot to learn about the Bible and theology. I was raised in the faith but I think it never really connected together for me until I became an adult and hit a low point in life.

Very understandable. But if you have a church home now, you can address your questions by speaking with the pastor or by joining in with one of the church's study groups or even one that is meant primarily for inquirers even though you are already attending this one.

 

[grandvizier1006]

Very understandable. But if you have a church home now, you can address your questions by speaking with the pastor or by joining in with one of the church's study groups or even one that is meant primarily for inquirers even though you are already attending this one.

I intend to ask him this question, but I also wanted to see what the community of believers had to say.

 

[Albion]

I intend to ask him this question, but I also wanted to see what the community of believers had to say.

Sure. I was just the first one to come upon your question. I'm sure you will hear from many others.

 

[PloverWing]

I think that loving God and wanting to be loved by God is a very good reason for being a Christian. And the Father metaphor is one that Jesus himself gave us.

If it helps, I'd say that the Christian life is more than just a focus on guilt and sin and giving things up. There's a positive, flourishing, love-filled life that we are called to grow into. Think of that Fatherly love from God that you treasure so much, and then think of directing that love toward the people around you, as best as you can, with the Spirit's help.

I agree with Albion that it's useful to be in conversation with other Christians -- long conversations with trusted people, in which you can ask all those "how do I know" questions.

 

[d taylor]

The big question is about God/Jesus, The Bible and as many call this christianity. Is the truth area, that is, is christianity true, if so no sane person would want to reject it. Because why would one want lies over truth. Of course now in our sinful state and by satan ability to deceive, many simply can not see the truth that is God/Jesus, The Bible and Christianity, again this is not the christianity man has adulterated with many false ideas / lies, but The Christianity found in The Bible.

The big part of all this is that God is offering people a free gift of Eternal Life. That is eventually to live life in the presence of God on the new earth. God will eventually create free of sin, death, pain, all the characteristics of the present sin darkened earth/creation.

So really for a person who may at the start, may not know much more about God/Jesus, The Bible and Christianity. This simple fact stands, one you are going to die one day. Two God is offering Eternal Life to anyone who wants His free gift of Eternal Life by simply trusting in The Messiah for Eternal Life.

After that a person can then began the journey of understanding more about God, The Bible

 

[BobRyan]

I've had lots of thoughts, typically of an intrusive, OCD-like nature, to leave the faith. I don't really want to do that. But thoughts like "Maybe God's not real", "Maybe Jesus didn't resurrect", "Maybe I'm hurting myself psychologically by following this" sometimes pop up in my head, especially at vulnerable times (stressed, tired, etc.) I know this is mainly a psychological problem.

But lately it's gotten me to do some self-examination on what I say to counter those thoughts--the big reason for why I'm a Christian.

I came to the faith at the age of 19 on October 6th, 2014. I felt lost, alone and confused in the world, and I pleaded for comfort. God gave me love and acceptance and took me in.

I've come to see God as my Father. I gravitate towards the fatherly symbolism because I'm not particularly close with my dad. My mindset is that I remain a Christian because I need Him as a father figure, and because I long to be united with Him in Heaven, where I'll be loved and will never feel unloved again. I know that without Him, under a mindset that He didn't exist, I'd just indulge in time-wasting activities and have no motivation to do anything worthwhile.

The thing is, though, I know that there are other reasons to believe in God and be a Christian. I know I should feel guilt over my sins (I do) and want a relationship with Jesus (I do). I admit that there are sometimes things I have trouble giving up, and sometimes I don't quite know what all of those things are, but I'm wondering if maybe I should understand my relationship with God in a different way because He wants something else for me besides just Him being my "real father".

1 Cor 9 -
23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

 

[Tolworth John]

But lately it's gotten me to do some self-examination on what I say to counter those thoughts--the big reason for why I'm a Christian

May I suggest that you have a look at the Web site:-
25tips for suc treating your old.
Particularly tip no 4.
This tells you not to argue, discuss or try to suppress intrusive thoughts, but rather to just acknowledge these thoughts and move on.

 

[timf]

I came to the faith at the age of 19 on October 6th, 2014. I felt lost, alone and confused in the world, and I pleaded for comfort. God gave me love and acceptance and took me in.

Many people come to faith because of an emotional encounter. However, emotions are tricky because they can change.

The key feature of Christianity is that God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the bible are all truth (not just true).

Truth is what is real. This becomes a rock hard foundation upon which to build a life. While emotions can ebb and flow, what is real lasts. What is real is the foundation upon which a growing and lasting faith can sustain one even under the most adverse circumstances.

 

[tdidymas]

I've had lots of thoughts, typically of an intrusive, OCD-like nature, to leave the faith. I don't really want to do that. But thoughts like "Maybe God's not real", "Maybe Jesus didn't resurrect", "Maybe I'm hurting myself psychologically by following this" sometimes pop up in my head, especially at vulnerable times (stressed, tired, etc.) I know this is mainly a psychological problem.

But lately it's gotten me to do some self-examination on what I say to counter those thoughts--the big reason for why I'm a Christian.

I came to the faith at the age of 19 on October 6th, 2014. I felt lost, alone and confused in the world, and I pleaded for comfort. God gave me love and acceptance and took me in.

I've come to see God as my Father. I gravitate towards the fatherly symbolism because I'm not particularly close with my dad. My mindset is that I remain a Christian because I need Him as a father figure, and because I long to be united with Him in Heaven, where I'll be loved and will never feel unloved again. I know that without Him, under a mindset that He didn't exist, I'd just indulge in time-wasting activities and have no motivation to do anything worthwhile.

The thing is, though, I know that there are other reasons to believe in God and be a Christian. I know I should feel guilt over my sins (I do) and want a relationship with Jesus (I do). I admit that there are sometimes things I have trouble giving up, and sometimes I don't quite know what all of those things are, but I'm wondering if maybe I should understand my relationship with God in a different way because He wants something else for me besides just Him being my "real father".

I had an experience much like yours many years ago, where I was questioning the existence of God. I also had no affection for my earthly father. I came to understand that it was an unclean spirit talking to me, because it knew my weakness. God used it to actually strengthen my faith, because I talked to other Christians about it and kept reading the Bible. My weakness was putting stock in feelings and thoughts, as opposed to God's word. Realizing my ignorance, I started studying the Bible and memorizing verses, and eventually broke through the fog.