Torn Apart

[D.J.W.]

Hello to you all,

I am a 19 year old that has recently been having great internal struggles about the quality of my faith in God, and walking the Christian walk. I, as many people were, was raised in a Christian home. My dad became a Christian in his 20's or 30's, and I believe that my mom knows the Lord well. Recently, however, I have been thinking about my own faith.

I feel like I've gone through my life so far "confident" that I am a Christian, having gone through the walks of being raised in a Christian household, but then I look hard into myself. I have had many sleepless nights recently that have ended with me being in tears (and I consider myself a "tough guy") and distraught, thinking "what if it (the Bible) isn't true? What if we are born of dust and wither away?".

In a fallen world among fallen people, there are those that deny the Lord, deny the existence of God, and praise instead their own ideas of both the origin of humanity and its destiny/meaning. When I was little, I found it much easier to accept the Bible and all accounts in it, but now that I am older, I find myself thinking of miracles and extraordinary happenings in the Bible, thinking "oh come on, could that really have happened?".

I have heard that many Christians have periods of doubt in their lives. I believe that this is that time. I think of my family and my dog, people and an animal that I have loved tremendously throughout the years, and have horrifying thoughts of all of that disappearing into time. As Christians, we are commanded to love the Lord with all thy heart. What prompted me to write this message was a verse that I read on another discussion page that someone posted (I forget the context of their post), Matthew 10:37:

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;"

Reading this verse disturbed me greatly. My father and mother, my sister, even my dog - these people (and animal) I love so much. They are people I've loved as well as shown me love and nurtured me. Part of my struggle is finding that same love for the Lord. I (want to) believe that God sent Jesus to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity, and to be offered up as a sacrifice for our sins, but I find it difficult to love Him more than my own earthly family.

In essence, I'm at a hazy void in my life where I feel like I don't even really know myself. I wish I could go back to the time when Jesus walked the earth, more than anything. I'm trying to solidify my faith - not as what I'm brought up to believe, but what I CHOOSE to believe. Please pray for me - this has been a huge burden.

 

[LilLamb219]

I believe you're right in that we all go through periods of great doubt! I know I did. What brought me back to the truth was reading my Bible. There is where you find more about God; who He is and what He has done for us. The Holy Spirit works through His word to strengthen faith.

Doubt does NOT mean you're not a Christian!! If anyone ever tells you that, do not listen! Doubt shows that you have faith...otherwise you would not care about it at all!

I will pray for you as you requested. God bless

 

[Johnnz]

You are an age where your faith is developing into your own, adult one. Where you go from here will depend on what information you obtain and what level of support you get in developing a more mature faith.

John
NZ

 

[Dixiecup]

Hello to you all,

I am a 19 year old that has recently been having great internal struggles about the quality of my faith in God, and walking the Christian walk. I, as many people were, was raised in a Christian home. My dad became a Christian in his 20's or 30's, and I believe that my mom knows the Lord well. Recently, however, I have been thinking about my own faith.

I feel like I've gone through my life so far "confident" that I am a Christian, having gone through the walks of being raised in a Christian household, but then I look hard into myself. I have had many sleepless nights recently that have ended with me being in tears (and I consider myself a "tough guy") and distraught, thinking "what if it (the Bible) isn't true? What if we are born of dust and wither away?".

In a fallen world among fallen people, there are those that deny the Lord, deny the existence of God, and praise instead their own ideas of both the origin of humanity and its destiny/meaning. When I was little, I found it much easier to accept the Bible and all accounts in it, but now that I am older, I find myself thinking of miracles and extraordinary happenings in the Bible, thinking "oh come on, could that really have happened?".

I have heard that many Christians have periods of doubt in their lives. I believe that this is that time. I think of my family and my dog, people and an animal that I have loved tremendously throughout the years, and have horrifying thoughts of all of that disappearing into time. As Christians, we are commanded to love the Lord with all thy heart. What prompted me to write this message was a verse that I read on another discussion page that someone posted (I forget the context of their post), Matthew 10:37:

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;"

Reading this verse disturbed me greatly. My father and mother, my sister, even my dog - these people (and animal) I love so much. They are people I've loved as well as shown me love and nurtured me. Part of my struggle is finding that same love for the Lord. I (want to) believe that God sent Jesus to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity, and to be offered up as a sacrifice for our sins, but I find it difficult to love Him more than my own earthly family.

In essence, I'm at a hazy void in my life where I feel like I don't even really know myself. I wish I could go back to the time when Jesus walked the earth, more than anything. I'm trying to solidify my faith - not as what I'm brought up to believe, but what I CHOOSE to believe. Please pray for me - this has been a huge burden.

Hi D.J.W.,

There are different kinds/types of love. Love does not have carry the same feeling or emotion toward the one you love. God put this in us. We love our children so strongly because we must protect them. Children are a gift from God. We love a member of the opposite sex with a certain passion that grows and many times children come from this love. These feelings are very strong. I love my kitties like they were my children, and I provide and protect them.

Love God because without Him you would not be here, nor would your family or dog. Love God for the beauty he gave us in an otherwise ugly world. Our life is a gift from God, so is his love for us. It is a thankful love, gratitude.

I hope this helped some. Get alone with God over this matter.

If we turn to dust and nothing is out there when we die, that's fine. We will never know the difference. And, if I choose to not believe in God will my life be better or worse? Can I look at nature, others and myself in all it encompasses to the very biological cell and deny God?

Remember religion = oppression. Spiritual = freedom. God wants us to be free and happy.

 

[2dpoint]

The Devil is a liar and the father of all lies. Please do not think for a second that it is not he that presents these suggestions to you. Pick up the shield of faith and choose for yourself this day whom you will serve. For today is the day of salvation my son. The more you seek Him, the more you will find Him, the more you find Him, the more you will love Him and He will become the love of your life. It's a relationship. Your parents would not want anything more for you.

Don't give up, He will never give up on you!

 

[heron]

I believe that this is that time.

I believe it too!

THE STRUGGLE
Many churches keep a constant positive atmosphere, but that doesn't apply well to life. You will have ups and downs, and horrible situations (sorry!) that you know you never deserved. Being able to face these with hope and reliance on God, will take this sort of preparation now.

Phlp 2:12
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
​

It is a healthy thing to sort out your beliefs. But it can also feel like you're going backward. It's okay.

LOVED ONES
The whole body of scriptures is very affirming of the family, so it is mostly that one verse where Jesus challenges the status quo. There is a contrasting verse in 1Tim 5:8 -- that if we don't care for our families, we are worse than an unbeliever. (Infidel.)


MIRACLES
One thing that helped me in relation to the miracles, was some reading and coursework in archaeology. A lot of the miracles have been shown more possible than we are taught. The focus is usually on the impossibility of the event, but the focus is supposed to be on how God intervened and got people through.

Take, for instance, the story of Jonah being swallowed by a big fish. This week I ran across these illustrations.

I can't find the large version of this, but it shows teeth -- not a whale's baleen. Drawn in 1621.

Engraving Pieter Bruegel 1500's
http://www.pieter-bruegel.co.uk/gallery/pictures/fish.jpg

Not trying to convince you of everything... just showing there's a lot to explore!

 

[freeport]

<snip>
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;"

Reading this verse disturbed me greatly. My father and mother, my sister, even my dog - these people (and animal) I love so much. They are people I've loved as well as shown me love and nurtured me. Part of my struggle is finding that same love for the Lord. I (want to) believe that God sent Jesus to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity, and to be offered up as a sacrifice for our sins, but I find it difficult to love Him more than my own earthly family.

<snip>

You are not seeing God.

God is Love. God alone is good. Therefore, any good shining through your family is God's love - the Light - shining through them. People are imperfect vessels for God, except in Jesus Christ. This is not the way it will always be, for someday - hopefully soon - all Christians will be made perfect.

 

[SilverFire]

DJW, I know what you're going through. I've faced similar times in my life where I've felt like I was being swallowed up in darkness, like some kind of abyss opened beneath my feet, and my faith seemed like that one candle held far above as I was careening down into the void. Without God, nothing makes sense. There is no reason for us to do anything as our lives have the span of a commercial when compared to infinity. So without God, everything is futile, and even pleasure can't drive away this crushing knowledge.

Fortunately for us, there is a God, and even better still, He loves us. That's the thing that made the difference to me -- not intellectual arguments, not societal arguments, but knowing and experiencing the love of God. To know that out of all time, He chose me, me -- broken and messed-up -- to redeem and to set His favor upon.

It is my prayer right here and now that you will seek the love of God and that God will make His love known to you.

 

[Elijah2]

I am a 19 year old that has recently been having great internal struggles about the quality of my faith in God, and walking the Christian walk.
I am a 72 year old believer and still have internal struggles mate, so in about another 50 years, you may probably hear a 19 year old say the same thing to you.

I, as many people were, was raised in a Christian home. My dad became a Christian in his 20's or 30's, and I believe that my mom knows the Lord well. Recently, however, I have been thinking about my own faith.
Faith, what is faith? Faith comes from hearing and doing HIS WORD!

SO, do you love our Lord Jesus Christ?

Are you prepared to die for HIM?

I feel like I've gone through my life so far "confident" that I am a Christian, having gone through the walks of being raised in a Christian household, but then I look hard into myself. I have had many sleepless nights recently that have ended with me being in tears (and I consider myself a "tough guy") and distraught, thinking "what if it (the Bible) isn't true? What if we are born of dust and wither away?"
Mate, this doubt comes, because you haven&#8217;t crucified yourself, and haven&#8217;t really suffered.

Because you were raised in a Christian family mate, doesn&#8217;t make you a &#8220;believer&#8221;. Have you ever given your life to our Lord Jesus Christ?

Now, I not being rude, but some say if you are born in a stable it doesn&#8217;t make you a horse.

In a fallen world among fallen people, there are those that deny the Lord, deny the existence of God, and praise instead their own ideas of both the origin of humanity and its destiny/meaning. When I was little, I found it much easier to accept the Bible and all accounts in it, but now that I am older, I find myself thinking of miracles and extraordinary happenings in the Bible, thinking "oh come on, could that really have happened?"
Mate, all my life I say signs and wonders of HIS Creation, and that was enough to blossom me many years later.

Mate, what we need to try and understand that our Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ are the same. When I began to become CHRIST-centred, then my faith began to blossom and I began to see who our Almighty God really is, and HE is our Lord Jesus Christ.

When you love our Lord Jesus Christ as much as you love yourself and other people, then there is nothing that will cause you any doubt about HIS Kingdom.

I have heard that many Christians have periods of doubt in their lives.
Everyone has doubt, and by making wrong decisions and choices can also cause much doubt.

Doubt is the work of the enemy!
I believe that this is that time. I think of my family and my dog, people and an animal that I have loved tremendously throughout the years, and have horrifying thoughts of all of that disappearing into time.
Something tells me you have far too much time on you hand. Do you play any form of sport or involved in any high-risk excitement in life?

As Christians, we are commanded to love the Lord with all thy heart.
And love others the same way that we love ourself. Do you love yourself?

What prompted me to write this message was a verse that I read on another discussion page that someone posted (I forget the context of their post), Matthew 10:37:

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;"

Reading this verse disturbed me greatly. My father and mother, my sister, even my dog - these people (and animal) I love so much. They are people I've loved as well as shown me love and nurtured me. Part of my struggle is finding that same love for the Lord. I (want to) believe that God sent Jesus to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity, and to be offered up as a sacrifice for our sins, but I find it difficult to love Him more than my own earthly family.
You need to also read the preceding verses, because many Christians have found that the closest to them have been the ones that reject them, and even to a point of betrayal.

You struggle trying to love HIM, because you don&#8217;t know HIM. You only know a God, and not our Lord Jesus Christ.

Even our Lord Jesus Christ experienced these feelings when Judas betrayed HIM and Peter denied HIM.

See you need to realise that we need to suffer with our Lord Jesus Christ, the same rejection, betrayal, denial, and persecution that HE suffered while HE was on earth.

A believer&#8217;s walk isn&#8217;t some Sunday afternoon stroll down in the park. It&#8217;s fraught with many dangers and trials, and we also suffer with HIM (See Rom. 8:17 & 2 Tim. 2:12).

It&#8217;s all about Active Lordship mate, and those who refuse this kind of discipleship will experience a great loss (see 1 Cor. 3:15; 2 Cor. 5:10 & Rev. 3:11-12).

Don&#8217;t allow yourself to think you are &#8220;NOT worthy of HIM&#8221;. Take up your &#8220;cross&#8221; (verse 38) and stand in commitment of HIM and being willing to die for something that is worth dying for, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In essence, I'm at a hazy void in my life where I feel like I don't even really know myself. I wish I could go back to the time when Jesus walked the earth, more than anything. I'm trying to solidify my faith - not as what I'm brought up to believe, but what I CHOOSE to believe. Please pray for me - this has been a huge burden.
Mate, why not changes churches and start a new life in another church. What church do you go to? Have you even been in a Bible Study Group?

I didn&#8217;t find God until I was 20 years of age, and I found our Lord Jesus Christ at 54 years of age.

Blessings.

 

[gabrielListens]

1) You can forget about that passage in Matthew because NO ONE IS WORTHY. We ALL fall short of being worthy (Psalm 14:2-3). That is why your salvation is a GIFT - because no human can ever be good enough to earn it (except Jesus).

2) The world is fallen and this, believe it or not, is part of God's will. That is why it is written that there shall be a new heaven and a new earth and that only 1/3 of mankind will be saved. This is inevitable because God gave man FREE WILL, and being a fair and righteous God, he must respect the free will that He gave them. BUT YOU NEED NOT FEAR. The Lord your GOD saves all who call upon His name (Romans 10:13).

3) Loving Jesus above everyone else is about PRINCIPLES. If someone close to you says "come and be another religion with me...do it because we are FAMILY"....then you must choose Jesus above them. Or if one of your family members says "go and avenge your brother!!" You must choose Jesus above them and refuse to seek revenge. You see, Jesus also commanded us to LOVE ALL of our brothers and sisters and our parents BUT when it comes time to make a stand...He wants you to choose HIM over THEM.

May the Lord's peace be with you wherever you go. Amen.

 

[wonderwaleye]

Hello to you all,

I am a 19 year old that has recently been having great internal struggles about the quality of my faith in God, and walking the Christian walk. I, as many people were, was raised in a Christian home. My dad became a Christian in his 20's or 30's, and I believe that my mom knows the Lord well. Recently, however, I have been thinking about my own faith.

I feel like I've gone through my life so far "confident" that I am a Christian, having gone through the walks of being raised in a Christian household, but then I look hard into myself. I have had many sleepless nights recently that have ended with me being in tears (and I consider myself a "tough guy") and distraught, thinking "what if it (the Bible) isn't true? What if we are born of dust and wither away?".

In a fallen world among fallen people, there are those that deny the Lord, deny the existence of God, and praise instead their own ideas of both the origin of humanity and its destiny/meaning. When I was little, I found it much easier to accept the Bible and all accounts in it, but now that I am older, I find myself thinking of miracles and extraordinary happenings in the Bible, thinking "oh come on, could that really have happened?".

I have heard that many Christians have periods of doubt in their lives. I believe that this is that time. I think of my family and my dog, people and an animal that I have loved tremendously throughout the years, and have horrifying thoughts of all of that disappearing into time. As Christians, we are commanded to love the Lord with all thy heart. What prompted me to write this message was a verse that I read on another discussion page that someone posted (I forget the context of their post), Matthew 10:37:

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;"

Reading this verse disturbed me greatly. My father and mother, my sister, even my dog - these people (and animal) I love so much. They are people I've loved as well as shown me love and nurtured me. Part of my struggle is finding that same love for the Lord. I (want to) believe that God sent Jesus to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity, and to be offered up as a sacrifice for our sins, but I find it difficult to love Him more than my own earthly family.

In essence, I'm at a hazy void in my life where I feel like I don't even really know myself. I wish I could go back to the time when Jesus walked the earth, more than anything. I'm trying to solidify my faith - not as what I'm brought up to believe, but what I CHOOSE to believe. Please pray for me - this has been a huge burden.

There are a lot of folks that grew up in a Christian home and therefore thought of themselves as Christians. But that is not really the TRUTH. GOD'S WORD says we each seek our own SALVATION. The LORD said if we just BELIEVE in HIM we will be SAVED.


So to BELIEVE in JESUS, just what do you think that really means? That you accept HE'S real? satan believes that to and knows for sure HE is real. To BELIEVE in JESUS we have to know who HE is and what HIS ways are and then accept them and put them into action in our lives.


THAT'S WHEN YOU CAN SAY YOU BELIEVE. THAT IS WHEN SALVATION COMES INTO OUR LIFE.


Then all these unanswered questions find the answer.


If you are going to be part of the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD you MUST GIVE IT ALL TO GOD.




GOD demands that you give HIM your WHOLE heart, mind, strength, and soul. That means you go in prayer and tell GOD that you will do this and from that moment on seek GOD in all your decisions. After this is complete GOD will know. For HE searches the heart. HE will then send HIS HOLY SPIRIT ( ANOINTED-BORN AGAIN- SAVED ). For it is then that you shall receive the MISSION GOD has for just you and supply all your needs, even what you have not the ability to have.




Pick up GOD'S ROAD MAP to the KINGDOM of ALMIGHTY GOD ( BIBLE ) and start reading the NEW TESTIMENT till the next time you read it you will already know what IT'S going to say. For then it's locked in your heart to draw from for the rest of your life. You will NEVER be sorry you did.




Do yourself a BIG FAVOR and Start right now!!!


LOVE


steven