My Struggles!.

[IncepTion]

Hi Everyone I'm new here and I thought I should try and look for some advice here seeing that I did post my problem in the teen forums but I haven't got an answer yet.

So In the Post I made or thread I think I mention that I feel very far from God and I'm struggling to understand how others from different religions feel when they are certain that their god(s) is the way and the answer to their salvation, Like we christians believe Jesus Christ is our Saviour. I also struggle to feel close to God because in the thread I made I mentioned that so many people have so many experiences with God my friends,family,strangers quite a few that I know who said they have had that special moment with him but I have had none.

I feel lonely in my relationship with God and distant. I tend to be very realistic and I even question that God exists. So many different forms of our religion has evolved and even today I get faced with people that tell me my way of accepting Jesus is the wrong way and I should do it this way and that way. I am Baptised and I belong to the "NG Church" of South Africa.

I have no problem accepting Jesus as my saviour all that gets to me is how real it is and why do I feel so secluded when everyone else around me are having these personal and deep feelings with God.

I get angry sometimes because I feel frustrated regarding the fact that so many people have such different ways. I am not even sure if the normal baptising and accepting Jesus is the right way seeing that there are people that just say accept Jesus and you'll be saved. I do agree with this in some way because I don't think God or Jesus has double standards, but in my church you have to be baptised which indicates god has marked you as his.

So many different elements going through my mind each day that I just wanted someone to shed a Light on what I feel and Think. I hope someone out there has been in the same situation and what they have done to resolve it. I know God works in different ways but for some reason I don't feel he is working with me at all.

I hope this isn't too confusing and please do share your opinion.

Thank you for reading.

 

[anewman1993]

Hi Everyone I'm new here and I thought I should try and look for some advice here seeing that I did post my problem in the teen forums but I haven't got an answer yet.

So In the Post I made or thread I think I mention that I feel very far from God and I'm struggling to understand how others from different religions feel when they are certain that their god(s) is the way and the answer to their salvation, Like we christians believe Jesus Christ is our Saviour. I also struggle to feel close to God because in the thread I made I mentioned that so many people have so many experiences with God my friends,family,strangers quite a few that I know who said they have had that special moment with him but I have had none.

I feel lonely in my relationship with God and distant. I tend to be very realistic and I even question that God exists. So many different forms of our religion has evolved and even today I get faced with people that tell me my way of accepting Jesus is the wrong way and I should do it this way and that way. I am Baptised and I belong to the "NG Church" of South Africa.

I have no problem accepting Jesus as my saviour all that gets to me is how real it is and why do I feel so secluded when everyone else around me are having these personal and deep feelings with God.

I get angry sometimes because I feel frustrated regarding the fact that so many people have such different ways. I am not even sure if the normal baptising and accepting Jesus is the right way seeing that there are people that just say accept Jesus and you'll be saved. I do agree with this in some way because I don't think God or Jesus has double standards, but in my church you have to be baptised which indicates god has marked you as his.

So many different elements going through my mind each day that I just wanted someone to shed a Light on what I feel and Think. I hope someone out there has been in the same situation and what they have done to resolve it. I know God works in different ways but for some reason I don't feel he is working with me at all.

I hope this isn't too confusing and please do share your opinion.

Thank you for reading.

I use to feel very similar to you man, still do sometimes, though not as much anymore. This is my experience. I almost lost faith, almost gave it all away, but couldn't because I knew god was real and could not forsake him. At that point, I kinda realized that when I gave my life to god, I GAVE MY LIFE TO GOD. I'm HIS, in a very good way. He made me his son, not in a figurative way but very literally. The bible says god has adopted us and made us co-heirs with Christ(Romans 8:17). Instead of running away and living in sin I had to try to start actually getting to know god, not about god.

First thing I did, was start going to church again, its taken me a while (6ish months) but Ive finally found a place with solid people who help keep me accountable. Do NOT underestimate the importance of this, though I still don't have a church home, I have fellow believers in my life and soon believe I will find a church.

The second. I started reading my bible, AND PRAYING every day. One thing I did is I actually started to call god by his name , you can pick whatever biblical name you want I went with Yahweh. It seems dumb but it helped me to stop talking just to air and actually start talking TO god, not at him. When I pray, I'm very very real, if I feel like I don't feel him in my life, I tell him that, If I'm struggling with sin, I tell him that, if I'm frustrated with him and my walk with him, I tell him that. God knows whats in your heart, so say it. I read my bible and pray EVERY night before bed, I like to do it then because I can always push my bedtime back a few minutes, but getting up earlier is a lot harder.

The third thing I did, is I started trying to cut sin out of my life. Ive struggled with porn since I was in 9th grade (I'm 21 now). Ive had periods where I tried to stop and periods where I don't care. I started to actually care, its hard, and I fail a lot , even sitting here writing this its taking everything I have to not pull up a porno. But I'm trying, god will forgive us when we fail, but when we don't even try the bible says he sometimes gives people over to their sinful desires. I know this is a huge struggle for me, so I pray about it, frequently.

All in all, in the last 3-6 months, Ive felt like this stuff has drawn me closer to god, I don't have a relationship with him like I want to, but I'm getting there. I feel like he is just out of reach at times, but that alone tells me I can feel him, otherwise why would I be reaching for anything? I'm not saying this stuff will help you, everyone is different, but try to put your eyes on god, not yourself, and its hard to go wrong.

 

[IncepTion]

Thank you man I understand what you are saying and It looks like we both have the same struggles building a relationship with God. I'll take your advice and start doing what you are doing and I'll start to work on my relationship with God. The things you said to me today is an eye Opener. I thank you man! I will be sure to keep in touch with you!.