shaky

[Etienne]

I have been a Christian for almost 2 years now. Doing just fine. But since August or so, I have just been slowly getting away from God. And I don't know how to stop. I still read my Bible every night and pray. But when I pray, it feels like noboby is listening, nor will God respond. It just seems futile. I know that this is Satan telling me so, but I just can't shake it. I don't know how to get out of this rut that I am in.

 

[NateTheGate]

Lots of new Christians or people who dedicate their life to Christ are like shooting stars. Right after they make their decision, they fly off as great Christians, but eventually fall out of the sky. We need to be like a twinkling star, just as bright and amazing as a shooting star, but stay with God. Sometimes we can't help but feel separated from God. Sometimes its sin, maybe it could be Satan trying to attack you, I don't know. But all I can say that a relationship is nothing without love. God loves you, but do you love him? Sometimes people say they love him, but they don't realize that the just think they love a non-existant entity. And if you say that they'll probably deny it, I would've before this summer. But over the summer I really felt God's love touch my heart, it literally felt like he just gave my heart a hug. It was amazing, and he's done so much for me and I know that I really love him now. If you've never really felt God's love deep inside, pray and ask him to touch your heart and then tell me so I can pray for you too.

 

[ephraimanesti]

I have been a Christian for almost 2 years now. Doing just fine. But since August or so, I have just been slowly getting away from God. And I don't know how to stop. I still read my Bible every night and pray. But when I pray, it feels like noboby is listening, nor will God respond. It just seems futile. I know that this is Satan telling me so, but I just can't shake it. I don't know how to get out of this rut that I am in.

MY DEAR SISTER IN CHRIST,

i believe that you are absolutely correct that you are suffering from an attack from the Evil One trying to turn you away from your Lord.
The situation you are dealing with demands that your Faith be brought into STRONG play--When you Pray and FEEL like nobody is listening or that God is not responding, you must maintain your focus in Faith that God IS listening even though you don't perceive it, and that He WILL answer in His own time and in His own way. "FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN."(Heb 11:1)
No matter what you THINK or what you FEEL, GOD IS FAITHFUL, and the reason for you going through what you are suffering at the moment will become clear in due time. All Christians go through this period of "spiritual drought" at one time or another. It seems to me that it is a time in which God allows Satan to test our Faith. You might want to read the Book of Job for an illustration of this principle. This time of testing has been called "The Dark Night of the Soul." There is, however, a LIGHT at the end of the tunnel--so hang on!
Three things i would recommend you do: #1. Read through the Psalms (outloud to yourself, if possible) to see how David dealt with similiar situations in his walk with God; #2. Try Fasting for a few days--fasting is a marvelous tool in helping us regain Spiritual focus and contact with God; #3. Talk with your Pastor/Youth Pastor/Elder/Priest, or whoever's Spiritual authority you are under regarding your present Spiritual situation and follow their recommendations for dealing with it.
Again, what you are experiencing is a normal part of the Christian walk. Keep your Faith up and your anxiety down and you will come out of this time of drought stronger in the Lord than ever before.

MAY YOU BE BLESSED, AND MAY GOD'S LIGHT AND LOVE SURROUND YOU AND GRANT YOU PEACE AND A KNOWLEDGE OF HIS LOVE AND CARE FOR YOU,
ephraimanesti

 

[ghs1994]

I remember times when I felt like I wasn't growing, I prayed. Not for a feeling to go away, but to gain wisdom and understanding in my relationship with Him by His Word. When you read, do you read or study? Do you dwell on His Word? Does it grab your attention from time to time? How much time do you spend in prayer asking for things that will help you grow? Do you make it the first priority in your life to know Him more closely than you did yesterday? That's called seeking first His kingdom. James says we don't receive because we do not ask or we don't receive because we ask amiss. Trust in the Lord can be very difficult at times because we have to wait on Him sometimes. We think He's far away, but God doesn't change, even when we do. Draw close to Him in a way only YOU can. You know where your at and what you need to do. You know if there is something between you and Him. If you don't know what it is, ask Him. He will draw close to you.

 

[Treasurer]

Do you remember this scripture?

"I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. Yes, I am the bread of life! Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."

Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?" they asked.

So Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever."

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many of his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didnt believe, and he knew who would betray him) Then he said, "That is why I said that people cant come to me unless the Father gives them to me."

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?"

Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."

~John 6:47-69~

I know I quoted a lot, but this is what you are looking for.

Knowing God is all of it. The disciples didnt have a bible to carry around with them and read from. Even after Jesus left them in the physical form. And I know churches now a days make it seem like we have to have this feeling to make us feel saved, but that isnt it either. Being saved is what you believe in your heart and mind.

Believing and not doubting is really simple when it comes down to it. You dont doubt love do you? If you really love-say your child for example that is a faith you can understand, a belief. One you would stake your life on.


Lets take another step with Jesus now. This thing he talks about with eating him. I like that. I didnt ever really get that one- not at first did you? Well after reading the scriptures now, I have them inside of me. Jesus said he would write them in our hearts and minds. That is eating them, but we must accept them into us-comsume them so they become a part of us and can strengthen us.

So much of Jesus teachings are wonderful! I love them. But they didnt make much sense to me til I accepted them after I consumed them. Then the Lord taught me from them. They were a part of me. And once they are a part of us, he can use them in our lives. A key element here is our willingness for him to use them though. Like scriptures say, to direct our paths, and not lean on our understanding either but acknowledge him in all things.

As we do these things amazing things begin to happen to us! We start to recognize him in our lives, we hear his voice, we want more and more of him. We see hidden treasures of his kingdom and want less of the things of this world. We begin to want all the things he talks about like love and giving of forgiveness, and doing for others, and well all of it! More and more!

Our lives become scriptures! And the more this happens the more the Lord fulfills himself through us! And that is eating or partaking of him.



(*Take Jesus into your life, believe his words for you. You can ask anything of him, he is your God and you are his child. He loves you. )

 

[pastorkevin73]

It is okay to feel the way you do right now. I too have, at times, felt times distant from God, even when seeking hard after Him. Thing is, God is there with you all along. It is in these times that God is carring you. The Psalmist writes:

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart

And Jesus says in Matt 6:33:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Rest assured that as you continue to seek Him, He will be right there with you carring you thourgh. Remember that God is far more powerful than Satan.

1John 4:4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

 

[Tavita]

This also happened to me about two years after becoming a believer, no matter how much I prayed and read the Word, I felt so alone and as though my prayers were hitting the ceiling and bouncing back to me. As the other's have said, just keep hanging in there and trust that He's with you no matter what you 'feel', and it will pass, in time. It is a test of your faith, to see if you are true to what you think you believe, and God allows this to happen not so much to see if you are faithful from His perspective, because He knows your future, but so that 'you' will know how true and faithful you are to Him, feelings or no feelings. And if you find yourself wanting in this area, talk to Him about it and ask for the strength to stand and believe, no matter what.

 

[whitedove7]

There could be many reasons why this is happening. I would ask the Lord what is the reason and he will be faithful to show you. I will pray and stand that you will be touched by him and your faith strengthened in him to go back to serving him with yoru own heart. The enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy and so he lies to us so don't receive the Lies. The word says to cast down imaginations which means anything that is contradictory to the Lord. According to 2 corinthians 10:5. So, cast down those thoughts from the enemy. He wants to rob you of your relationship.

I will be praying for you. Lord, touch this person and show him where there might be blocks in his life or enrodes that have come to give this person feelings that the Lord is not close by. it could be a test of faith but Lord you only know and so I pray for a covering over this person to protect them during this time. Lord, I pray for your holy spirit to bring comfort. if there is any unforgiveness in this person's life that can bring this feeling, then show it to this person so this person can repent and be back in relationship with you. If there are other reasons, then show this person why in the name of Jesus of Narareth. Your word says you never leave us but there are times when it feels that way and the enemy lies to get us to believe it is true. the Lord is a god of love that cares for everything about you and walks with you even when you don't feel that he is. Bless this person and shower this person with your love to give this person a confidence that you are there with them.

 

[If Not For Grace]

don't know how to get out of this rut that I am in.

Remember: The teacher does not talk, when the student is taking the test.

 

[BOJAX]

Lots of new Christians or people who dedicate their life to Christ are like shooting stars. Right after they make their decision, they fly off as great Christians, but eventually fall out of the sky. We need to be like a twinkling star, just as bright and amazing as a shooting star, but stay with God. Sometimes we can't help but feel separated from God. Sometimes its sin, maybe it could be Satan trying to attack you, I don't know. But all I can say that a relationship is nothing without love. God loves you, but do you love him? Sometimes people say they love him, but they don't realize that the just think they love a non-existant entity. And if you say that they'll probably deny it, I would've before this summer. But over the summer I really felt God's love touch my heart, it literally felt like he just gave my heart a hug. It was amazing, and he's done so much for me and I know that I really love him now. If you've never really felt God's love deep inside, pray and ask him to touch your heart and then tell me so I can pray for you too.

I agree with all this. And the first part reminds me of a verse that is displayed in the Men's Forums right now:

(Daniel 12:3) And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Too often we have to 'feel' God to know His presence. What we have to understand and remind ourselves is that the minute we accepted Jesus as our personal Lord and saviour, His spirit was poured upon us. His love became manifested in us. God's love is already within us. It is up to us to exercise that love he has for us. That means crucifying (I don't think I'll ever be able to spell that right) the flesh which means all earthly feelings and emotions. It is hard yes. But exercising takes commitment and practice. Discipline and self-control. Remember, people are imperfect and our will is fickle. Our thoughts govern our emotions. Our emotions govern our will. Our will is unstable and goes along with any kind of emotion. And that will leads to actions. Actions will eventually lead you to your destination. It takes a word to change our thoughts. Which word will you dwell on? We can take wordly words, think worldy thoughts, have worldy emotions which will govern our worldly will. Lead us to worldly actions and then eventually lead us to our worldly destination, which is death. Our we can take God's Word. And let it lead us to our godly destination.

What I am trying to say is to 'lean not unto thine own understanding.'

(Proverbs 3:5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

God always hears us even though we don't FEEL he does. That is only based on our worldly understanding and logic. That we have to see and feel something to be assured it is there.

(Philippians 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

[goldenviolet]

Etienne ** !! also, everyday is a fresh commitment to Christ.
Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:13

The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12
while we are learning disapline in our walk, we are covered by grace.

it's all part of our walk. God uses our valleys and our mountains. you might feel far from God, but He's right next to you. Faithful and paciently waiting to teach you growth though what you are going through.

 

[madison1101]

Sometimes when I pray and read scripture, I will get my journal and write a Psalm out as if God wrote it to me. I will write it as a prayer and ask God about it in terms of myself. In other words, I personalize so that it is about God talking to me through the Psalm. I love that type of devotional time. Plus, when I do this devotional time, I put on Michael W. Smith's "Worship" CD. It is my own time of worship with the Lord. Doing this a few times a week has really changed my spiritual life.

God bless.

 

[Godslilgurlalways]

I understand what you are saying I have seeb where peopel become christians believe me it was easy when I started off this road years and years ago but as time goes on it gets harder things that might help

1) Talk to a friend about it

2) Play a worship cd

3) think about all the things God has brought you out of that you thought you were going to lose your mind

4) think about all the tings he has donefor you

5) Remember someones when it feels he is not there that is the point where you are about to come out of a situation

6) He pormised never to leave nor forsake you

7) He is there just pray and beleive don't pray and worry and start to thank God each pray for what you pray don't ask again or it just starts it over again God Bless you indeed and be encouraged keep Jesuis in Your heart and Welcome to the family of God Glad you are here to stayx

 

[harvester]

just like everybody... i would suggest that just cling to the word. believe in the promises of GOD.
it is in this moment that you need to become sensitive to his calling.
in this kind of situation i believe GOD wants to tell you something. maybe we are expecting things that will be very visible in our eyes. remember the still voice of GOD.
that still voice is very Powerful... and when that still voice come something great will happen.