Struggling with my faith

[Breeyore]

I'm not sure if this is the best location for this post or not, so moderators, please feel free to move it if need be.

I have been struggling with my faith for many of the last 12 months and am becoming more confused than ever and I was hoping some one could give me advice on the next step I should take.

I do not come from an overly religous family, yet I ended up choosing Wicca as my belief system over 7 years ago. While I don't even feel drawn to that path anymore and AM being drawn to God (in the Christian sense) I am so confused.

Is there anyone here that has experienced putting their Pagan path behind them and accepting Jesus into their heart? I am hoping to find someone in a similar situation to talk to.

Thanks!
Brenda

 

[Daina02]

Hey Brenda,

I believe that you are struggling with what you have known and been familiar with for a long time, in terms of changing what your beliefs are. I think that you maybe fearing change and letting go and opening your heart. I have never had any experience in Pagan beliefs, but I believe this is what you are struggling with. Do not fear opening your heart to God. He wants to have a relationship with you, and be apart of your life. I think sometimes we get comfortable doing or believing something and its hard to change. Do what you feel is right inside, God will not lead you down the wrong path. All you need is to listen to the feeling you are experiencing. My best wishes to you in all that you do.


Daina

 

[Chief117]

I encourage you, Brenda, to not be afraid. I encourage you to take that next step--try talking to God and associating with the Christian church. The one thing I want you to remember is this: you are not alone, and while the road is not easy, the Church will always be there to pick you up, sustain you, enlighten you, and love you.

The Holy Spirit speaks to your heart. Open your heart to Him. Every one of us who reads this post will pray for you.

Brenda, you are not alone...

 

[sandman]

Breeyore



I guess my question to you would be, what are you actively doing to build your relationship with God?…….I don’t mean to be prying, but my guess is that within that question lies the confusion.

Our past situations are somewhat different as I was involved in Satanism but similar in the sense that you, just as myself want to know God and to build a loving relationship with Him.

If you don’t mind sharing a bit more information about where your feel you are at, what exactly do you feel confused about, and where do you want to go with God; then myself or others here can offer you some more specific advise………….in the mean time you can count on our prayers.
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God Bless
sandman

 

[gaweatherford]

I'm not sure if this is the best location for this post or not, so moderators, please feel free to move it if need be.

I have been struggling with my faith for many of the last 12 months and am becoming more confused than ever and I was hoping some one could give me advice on the next step I should take.

I do not come from an overly religous family, yet I ended up choosing Wicca as my belief system over 7 years ago. While I don't even feel drawn to that path anymore and AM being drawn to God (in the Christian sense) I am so confused.

Is there anyone here that has experienced putting their Pagan path behind them and accepting Jesus into their heart? I am hoping to find someone in a similar situation to talk to.

Thanks!
Brenda

Brenda,

WICCA and other pagan type experiences have been practiced and revered since the beginning of time. Witch craft or "the craft of the wise" has always received a bad rap, because the very essense of the belief system exploits God's creation and maintains it in a land lock of reverance, meant only to glorify nature's laws. Everything absorbed in WICCA circles around nature and is bound to the center of existance itself. Religions like WICCA, worship existance itself; whereas, a Christian's center is Christ, which leads a direct path forward and away from a bound center, direct to God, (whom built the existance itself). To truely understand God is to truely understand nature, and to truely understand nature is to truely understand God. You may have an advantage over other people who hav'nt experienced what you have for 7 years once you realize that nature is a communication to you from God that reveals your tenancy of this Earth and your heritage with him. Don't be confused with any refutes to God or Christianity you may encounter from any latter understandings. Once you arrive to God's mediator for you, you begin a direct path for true understanding of God , nature and purpose. The path goes straight forward, does no circles, and will organize itself within your heart among all that you've already learned. You can not confuse it and you can not confound it; (once Christ has come into your life). The path was designed to correlate nature and abolish confusion through it's teachings..........all you do is let go.

2 Peter 1:4

 

[Breeyore]

Thanks everyone. I don't have alot of time right now as I'm on my lunch break but wanted to post to let you know i'm still here and have read your responses.

As for why i'm feeling so confused.. I believe it's because I've followed a specific path for so long that I'm not sure where to go from here. I know I believe now that Jesus is my saviour and that in order to gain a better understanding of Christianity I need to fellowship with others and join a good church. However I have tried many churches in the area and many different denominations and I haven't yet felt comfortable with any of the churches i've attended thus far. I know it takes time and God will lead me to the right one (there are a TON of churches in the area). I want to find a good church home where I can learn and grow in the Christian faith. I WAS baptized as an infant in the Lutheran church, but did not continue going to church after I was about 5 years old so I have no recolection of the teachings that I had even learned in Sunday and Bible school.

I have a hard time reading the Bible as I get confused with it easily. I've got three different versions so I'm trying my best to read on a daily basis.

The hardest part i'm having with everything is putting my past beliefs behind me. I am very in tune with nature and am beginning to see that it's amazing what God has done and continues to do. I guess it's just difficult to let everything i've learned in the past go. I don't know why it's so hard, considering I made the choice to become a Christian on my own terms and no one elses.

Anyway, I'll write more later tonight. I work and then have college this evening but i'll be online when I return home.

Blessings,
Brenda

 

[The-Doctor]

My advice is to read Isiah Chapter 40 verses 12 to 14, I felt a low faith moment once and read that and brought me right back to God. Try it.

 

[Mustaphile]

The hardest part i'm having with everything is putting my past beliefs behind me. I am very in tune with nature and am beginning to see that it's amazing what God has done and continues to do. I guess it's just difficult to let everything i've learned in the past go. I don't know why it's so hard, considering I made the choice to become a Christian on my own terms and no one elses.

Hi Breeyore,

Welcome to CF.

I like what you have written in bold.

People can help you to find God as you interact with them, but God will reveal himself to you at a personal level. Come to terms with God within yourself and don't let others tell you what those terms are. God is perfection in all things good. As you explore God this standard of perfection becomes a part of you. You don't make it a part of you. It comes to you when you allow your love to flow towards God. A key point about christianity is it is about a relationship with God in trust. You can struggle within yourself at time to try and change yourself, but the promise of Christ is that he will do the changing, if you put your trust in Him. If you can really meditate on this thought and grasp it, you will free yourself from a lot of the stress involved in striving in your own power to make things happen. A simple prayer like this expresses this thought well, "God, I really don't know which way to turn at this moment. It's all very confusing to me. I'm simply going to trust in you and allow you to guide and change me." This trust in God is an expression of faith in God's love for you, and his power and sovereignty. Take each day, moment by moment, and let the transformation happen on it's own, as you explore the trust relationship with God. The two main commandments of christianity are love God with all your heart, mind and soul and love one another. It's an exploration of love between yourself and God and loving others. You don't need a Bible or church to explore these things. You have a heart, mind and soul that is ready and available, everyday you wake up, to be used as an instrument of God's love and bringing glory to God in every moment of your day.

God loves you always, Breeyore.

 

[sandman]

Brenda



Letting go the things from the past is something we all have had to do. It’s not a matter of merely letting go, but replacing it with something else; in this case Christianity or to be more specific the Word of God. The more you continue to put on the Word the more your past will begin to fade your life will be come anew as you walk in His calling; in that newness of life.



With a few moderations I am going copy something that I posted previously on another forum. This will offer you a quick overview of the Bible and hopefully help you in some way to avoid some of the confusion when reading. Although it doesn’t go into specifics it will at least give direction as to what is written to you as a member of the body of Christ and what is written for our learning

Please note when I speak of the Church I am not referencing a structure. The word Church {ekklēsia} simply means “called of God” or “called out” We …you me all those who are born again of God make up the church…we are the called of God, the Church of the body of Christ.

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**The basic topic from Genesis 3:15 to revelation 22:21 is Jesus Christ

The seven Church epistles Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and I & II Thessalonians are addressed directly to those of us in this age of Grace, the Church administration; those of us born again in the body of Christ…in other words …you.

{There are some portions as seen between Romans 9 and 12 that Paul (by revelation) is addressing Israel, and then the Gentiles in chapter 11; although it may seem confusing, it’s not, as long as you read what is written and to whom it is written.}

To break it down a bit Romans Ephesians and Thessalonians are doctrinal epistles for the walk of the believers in the Body of Christ the remaining church epistles are either reproof or correction epistles to get the believers back to the right believing of the doctrine. Thessalonians although doctrinal epistles somewhat stands alone as they deal primarily with the return of our Lord Jesus Christ and the gathering of the Church of the Body
I & II Timothy & Titus {I will include Philemon although there is some disagreement with this} are called the Pastoral Epistles, these are written to the Church but are directed towards leadership within of the Body of Christ.

Hebrews is not addressed to the church in the sense that we know the Church established on Pentecost. It is addressed to born again believers but those who have never walked in the freedom of the new birth, those who are still zealous for the law.

James Much like Hebrews was written to the Christian Jews of the dispersion, “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”. Those born again who seemed to want to put themselves under the law. I & II Peter, I II & III John and Jude closely align themselves to this category also.
The reason so much of this seems applicable to many of us is that we find ourselves not believing the doctrinal Epistles of Romans, Ephesians, and Thessalonians and desire to put ourselves under the law.

The four Gospels give the account of the life and walk of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from four different perspectives Matthew as the King Mark as the Servant Luke as the Man and John as the Son
Although the Gospels are vitally important in our understanding of what Jesus Christ accomplished by his walk, death, and resurrection it must be noted that Jesus Christ came to minister to Israel the Bride. Israel rejected him and killed their King, Jesus {the Bridegroom}. The church of the bride is at this time held in abeyance and picks up again in Revelation The Gospels are not addressed directly to us; they are for our learning as is all of the Old Testament. All of the Old Testament including the four Gospels is addressed to either the Jews or the Gentiles but the Epistles as noted above are specifically addressed to the Church of the Body.

Now this is an area that can get somewhat involved so at this time I won’t go into any depth. But please note that there is a big difference between the two {both bride and body} that if not distinguished will cause you much confusion.
Acts is the fulcrum point between the Old and New Testament it shows the rise and expansion of the first century Church of the body

The Old Testament books are divided up into various categories or administrations {dispensations} depending on who you talk to, but I will not delve in to that at this time. Just keep in mind that The Epistles as I stated above are addressed directly to you as a member of the Body of Christ.

One of the most important things in studying is not how much you read, but what you retain and understand from reading. As you continue to put on the Word in your life God will give the increase, both in knowledge and understanding. Your length of time as Christian is relatively insignificant as compared to your attitude. Your desire to learn, to grow, and to develop your relationship with God is an attitude of heart that will carry you further and faster then time ever can.

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God Bless
sandman

 

[TheMainException]

I have never been involved in anything but following Jesus...., but I'm glad to hear that you are asking questions!

 

[Rocky582]

I was an Athiest. Does that count? I believe that there is a time for everything. If you seek god, then god will eventually seek you. It's just that for some people it might be easy and some it might be hard. When the isralies was in-slave in Eypt, they cried out to god for many generations before god finnally seek them.

 

[kwanseemun]

Well, I've never really been in your situation, but I was raised in a Christian home, but I think in a way it might have turned me off more than it pointed me towards God, because it just made going to church and all that just a habit, just what I did, I didn't do it of my own accord because I loved Jesus. I love music and dance and all that so I went on a couple Christian performing arts teams and some Christian retreat type things and those were really what got me going back to Jesus. So I think my advice would be to find Christians with similar interests to you and to get together and just do what you like together, fellowship with each other and talk to them about God and your struggles...etc. Well, that prolly wasn't the best answer ever lol but I hope it hels at least a bit!
God bless
Priscilla

 

[Novaknight1]

I'm not sure if this is the best location for this post or not, so moderators, please feel free to move it if need be.

I have been struggling with my faith for many of the last 12 months and am becoming more confused than ever and I was hoping some one could give me advice on the next step I should take.

I do not come from an overly religous family, yet I ended up choosing Wicca as my belief system over 7 years ago. While I don't even feel drawn to that path anymore and AM being drawn to God (in the Christian sense) I am so confused.

Is there anyone here that has experienced putting their Pagan path behind them and accepting Jesus into their heart? I am hoping to find someone in a similar situation to talk to.

Thanks!
Brenda

I used to love Yu-gi-Oh, full of satanic stuff. I like Harry Potter because it is about as realistic as I believe Evolution to be (3-headed dogs, half-horses-half men, etc.) (Hey if mutations are completely random, why not?).

 

[by pure grace]

Will be praying for you!
My best advice to you is to talk to Jesus as often as you can, even if it's in your 'head'.
Try to imagine Jeus haning out with you everywhere you go, being intrested in everything you do. Ask Him questions, tell Him how you feel. Be real with Him just like you would with a great friend (because He knows us intimately anyway). Ask Him to show you a great church where you can connect with people and grow. Look for a church that accepts you for who you are -a loving place and a church that believes in the full Bible, not bits and pieces.
Regarding the Bible, yes it can be confusing with 66 different books. Try to stick to the New Testament first.
Mark, Matthew Luke and John all describe the life of Jesus as He was walking this earth, that will give you a good understanding of how awesome, kind and loving and powerful Jesus is!
Talk to you soon

 

[sebastian]

I don't know if this is any help, I wasn't actually wicca myself, though I did believe in Pagan beliefs, I think the closest religion you could have compared me to was like a mixture between shintoism and celtic paganism.
when I became a christian I didn't know where I was, it was soooo confusing, one minute I thought I had all the power I needed and was in tune with all things around me etc, the next minute it was God showing me that he is the power behind everything, it was Him who breathed life into all things. Kinda strange. But I guess you know what I mean! probably more than I do.
I didn't go to church for a long time though, I didn't like the idea, and so I really did get into some trouble as I had no spiritual support, though you are doing better than I did being on a Christian forum and trying out new churches.
as for letting your past beliefs go, I didn't either, I carried on any superstitious beliefs I had for ages, I carried charms and stuff for about 2 years after, and still now sometimes I habitually start drawring on natural forces rather than God's power, though not often thank God. The point is, is that these things were part of you for so long, that it will take time for God to deal with tham and show you what is real and what isn't, and though I would suggest trying to keep away from actually doing it, if you find yourself doing it without thinking, just stop yourself and don't let yourself dwell on it, and just ask God to help you move away from it, God knows it's hard, He took the Israelites out of Egypt, but it took God 40 years to take Egypt out of the Israelites!!!
erm, basically, if I could offer you some advice, I think smaller churches are more helpful than larger personaly, but thats up to you, and when you go to them, go for at least a month, but don't commit to any church too quickly. Just remeber though that no church is perfect, try and find out what the church's main ministry is, and try and find one that you would like to get involved in.
I hope this is of some help to you.

 

[InspiredHome]

I recommend some self study Bible courses. I've found a wonderful place online called the Blue Letter Bible Institute. It's free and the studies are awesome. I'm taking the Christology course right now. There is also a course in God's Sufficiency for Godly Living and Growing in the Grace of God.

http://www.blbi.org/course/catalog.cfm



Hugs and ferrets

 

[Bain_Adaneth]

Brenda,

Hi....I was raised in a Christian family. but I still want to talk to you..I hope that's okay. Don't think too much, or your confusion will drive you into insanity...I've been that close before....you know even Christians whom were born into Christian families like myself go through something similar to what you're going through. You see, a person is not saved simply because he/she is called a Christian, but only because he/she has accepted Christ as their savior. You can read more about God and who he is from the "Holy Bible." A lot of people are confused today about everything.... it's hard because the world is throwing so much at us....don't give up...you must find more information about Christianity, and the best way to do that is to read the Word of God itself (the Bible). I hope this helps Brenda. I'm glad that you are open to know more....Thanks for sharing....