struggling with doubt

[childofaking]

Please pray for me , at the moment i'm struggling with doubt and my faith is a little weak, this usually has the result of making me feel very stressed and fearful. I am still praying to the lord for strength and still remain active within my church fellowship but i feel distant from god at the moment .
From reading other posts i know that this is a common experience amongst christians but it does not stop me from feeling a certain amount of guilt. I think true faith is absolute trust in jesus and i'm finding that hard at the moment.
PLease help me with encouragement and prayer.

 

[madison1101]

I would encourage you to read the Psalms, especially Psalm 139. David struggled often with this, and he expresses it beautifully in the Psalms. Psalm 139 deals with this very issue, and discusses God's intimate knowledge of us.

I once had a season of doubt and depression and read a Psalm a day for a month, and was ministered to by the Holy Spirit in a very powerful way.

God bless.

Trish

 

[madeclean]

Hi Childofaking!
I really understand about experiencing doubt and weakness. They are something that I have struggled with often. But, you know what? I feel that we are in good company! Moses, David, and Abraham regularly struggled in this area. Sometimes I think when we are aware of our weakness, then God can work more fully than when we are confident in our abilities and more open to pride!
Draw near to the Lord in this time of doubt. Remember, He is not like an earthly father who may withdraw His approval or love if you disappoint Him. His love is eternal. He died for us even before we knew Him. And there is nothing you can do that would make Him love you any more or any less. His love is simply not based on how "good" or "bad" we are! God bless you.

 

[Solidlyhere]

Madclean said: "I think when we are aware of our weakness, then God can work more fully [in our lives], than when we are confident in our abilities and more open to pride!"

For some people, their Faith is enough to feel confident "in our abilities" to live a good-enough Life.
So, for them, they don't need to focus on their weakness.

For the rest of us, we doubt our Faith.
Doubt is OK.
But then, that doubt can migrate into believing that this weakness "has the result of making me feel very stressed and fearful."

This is "stinking" thinking.
There are a few people who are "Super" Christians.
Then there are the rest of us.

The trick is: Feel OK to be a normal Christian.
This is enough.
Once you can feel this, your doubts will begin to fade away.
The result (and a funny one too): You will be closer to becoming that Super Christian.

There is nothing to fear, except fear itself.
If you are going to be afraid, at least be afraid of something REAL.
NOT being Spiritual enough is nothing to be afraid of.

 

[childofaking]

thanks for all you help and prayer. i went to an evening service on sunday and the preacher spoke of how peter witnessed jesus speaking to elijah and moses and still later in his life doubted christ and denied him. later when he became the great apostle he realised how wrong he had been . Faith is hard and i sometimes loose sight of it which i find stressful and throws me into a bit of a turmoil but i am feeling a lot more at ease now and i thank you all for your help.

 

[Ainustorm]

Please pray for me , at the moment i'm struggling with doubt and my faith is a little weak, this usually has the result of making me feel very stressed and fearful. I am still praying to the lord for strength and still remain active within my church fellowship but i feel distant from god at the moment .
From reading other posts i know that this is a common experience amongst christians but it does not stop me from feeling a certain amount of guilt. I think true faith is absolute trust in jesus and i'm finding that hard at the moment.
PLease help me with encouragement and prayer.

My friend, have you truelly been giving God your time. Have you been reading His word aswell... having alone time. Often when we feel distant is when we are not communing with God. We all have a friend who is close. We know alot about them... color, favorite cake, what they like to do, we know them. Why? Because we dont truelly spend time. It is great to pray, are you praying on the run? Go to a place where it is quite, pray, and then just sit there in silence. Clear your mind and think on Him. Psalm is a very good book to read, I always tell poeple to read that. Also Proverbs as well. God hears your prayers, it is time stop and listen to Him now

 

[Johnnz]

I think true faith is absolute trust in jesus and i'm finding that hard at the moment.

Actually that would be knowledge not faith. Faith always carries the possibility of doubt.

It may be more useful to list what is the real basis of your doubts - fluctuating emotions, unanswered questions, unexplained events in your life for example. Various doubts have different solutions.

John
NZ

 

[wpiman2]

That is the challenge. Putting aside your rational side to believe.

A famous man once described faith as "Believing what you know to be not true". Indeed how insightful he was.....

 

[CShephard53]

That is the challenge. Putting aside your rational side to believe.

A famous man once described faith as "Believing what you know to be not true". Indeed how insightful he was.....

Hebrews 11:1, faith is based on fact- not feeling.

 

[wpiman2]

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

How do u figure?

 

[Johnnz]

That is the challenge. Putting aside your rational side to believe.

A famous man once described faith as "Believing what you know to be not true". Indeed how insightful he was.....

And that is the death of Christianity. We are to love God will ''all our minds". In the NT there is am emphasis on truth and sound doctrine. Jesus Himself is Truth - all facts and information ultimately derive and are reconciled in Him.

Faith with truth is mere credulity of psychological conditioning.

John
NZ

 

[CShephard53]

Heb 11:1 Now1161 faith4102 is the assurance5287 of things hoped1679 for, the conviction1650 of things4229 not seen991.

G5287
ὑπόστασις

hupostasis
Thayer Definition:
1) a setting or placing under
1a) thing put under, substructure, foundation
2) that which has foundation, is firm
2a) that which has actual existence
2a1) a substance, real being
2b) the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing
2c) the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution
2c1) confidence, firm trust, assurance
Part of Speech: noun feminine


G1650
ἔλεγχος
elegchos
Thayer Definition:
1) a proof, that by which a thing is proved or tested
2) conviction
Part of Speech: noun masculine

That's how I figure.

 

[Ainustorm]

Faith is when the Heart and Mind come together. Taking what you have learned (knowledge), and trusting the promise God has placed in His word. Proverbs 1- those first few verses- fearing (high respect and reverence) is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is the beginning of knowledge. Prv 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not onto your understanding. All thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.

 

[CShephard53]

Faith is when the Heart and Mind come together. Taking what you have learned (knowledge), and trusting the promise God has placed in His word. Proverbs 1- those first few verses- fearing (high respect and reverence) is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is the beginning of knowledge. Prv 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not onto your understanding. All thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct they paths.

Amen.

 

[MrsSeptemberPenguin]

Please respond to the OP and give advice regarding their situation. This thread is not for debate about what qualifies as faith and what does not. Please remain on topic.
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