What do you do when questioning your faith?

[Italianguy]

Hello all,

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

Do you pray and wait for an answer?

Do you throw yourself into the word of God looking for answers?

Do you ask another...maybe a preist or preacher?

Do you publicly announce your doubt to the church body and hope for fellowship with strength from numbers?

Or do you trust yourself or God to answer these questions for you in His own due time and or will?

I have my own battles going on in my heart right now, I wil refrain from saying what they are at the moment, only because NO one knows what is going on with me(I keep bottled up because I am always expected to be the strong one) and sometimes I feel as if I am lost.

So what say you to this?

God be with you!

 

[Unashamed Jesus Freak]

I seek God's face in prayer and in His Word. I also seek godly counsel from my pastor and from my husband. And lastly, I wait upon God to answer.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Hello all,

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

Do you pray and wait for an answer?

Do you throw yourself into the word of God looking for answers?

Do you ask another...maybe a preist or preacher?

Do you publicly announce your doubt to the church body and hope for fellowship with strength from numbers?

Or do you trust yourself or God to answer these questions for you in His own due time and or will?

I have my own battles going on in my heart right now, I wil refrain from saying what they are at the moment, only because NO one knows what is going on with me(I keep bottled up because I am always expected to be the strong one) and sometimes I feel as if I am lost.

So what say you to this?

God be with you!

God be with you too!

I am familiar with these times, though it never feels like doubting Him but more like I stand in doubt of myself before Him which I have learned to reccognize. I sorta call them "dry times" where nothing is "open"... it feels very much (in these times) like He's hiding himself from me. I often find the scriptures which He usually quickens to me become as letters on a page only and not spirit and life anymore in me.

Thats "just me", theres nothing more torturous then feeling far off from Him, thats for sure. I have learned these times do pass though I just come out of the longest one ever, but if anyone ever told me one could last that long I could not have enjoyed His presense "in the present" but would have "fretted" over it before that time came.

I feel for anyone going through it though. Im sure theres books out there that can put it "more elegantly" then I ever could but Im just shooting straight with you (it stinks)

What I do? Well, I pray more earnestly "at times" and yet at "other times" not "at all" (truthfully). Sometimes I try to "get Him back" (so to speak) sorta laughing at how I worded that but its how "I feel". I often try that by aiming to immerse myself in His words (all the more). But instead of feeling quickened I feel very tired and find I do not feel like reading the scriptures at all. Its just not the same, He quickens His words, without Him theres no quickening.

I mean, normally I cant wait to "open up" (excitedly so) waiting on what He will teach me and having that readiness present "within" me (for anything). But thats gone (its just awful).

Advice? I havent any really... I havent found anything of my own device that "worked" (not that I havent tried) So I more or less resign myself to it now and wait knowing He comes like the rain always (without fail). But I'll tell ya I cant help asking, "HOW LONGGGG"??? (sometimes yanno?) Just when you feel "about to" give up (right at that point) He's back

It doesnt work if I pretend I am either (tried that)

But maybe someone else can be of better help in this particular area then I can, I just wanted you to know you are not alone (if you or anyone else has ever felt that way). Not even sure we might be talking about the same thing or not, if not just roll on past me because I have no advice here. Nevertheless there must be a purpose in it, whether something needs to sink in, or I need to reflect on something, whether its His chatisement, testing... "I dont know", Plainly put Im just not a happy camper when this kind of time comes

I would stink at having to write a "How to" book I know it, theres not much I know how to do but "wait" Im learning to get better at that

 

[catzrfluffy]

All of them. But don't despair, God always answers them in His time.

 

[Bible2]

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

Do you pray and wait for an answer?

If Christians feel that their faith is weakening into unbelief, they can pray to Jesus: "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief" (Mark 9:24).

Do you throw yourself into the word of God looking for answers?

If Christians want more faith to come into their hearts, they can read the Bible, or listen to someone reading the Bible out loud: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

Do you publicly announce your doubt to the church body and hope for fellowship with strength from numbers?

If Christians want to keep their hearts from being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin, they can fellowship with other Christians each and every day, being exhorted by them and exhorting them in turn: "exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:13).

One way Christians can lose their faith is by having unrepentant sin in their lives which sears their conscience like with a hot iron, to where they begin to reject the faith, and begin to start listening to and embracing the lies of demons instead: "the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

In their desire to continue in their lusts without repentance, Christians can reach the point where they become unable to endure the sound doctrine of the Bible, and they instead seek out and latch onto any man-made teachings which will support them in their lusts: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

 

[wayseer]

Hello all,

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

So what say you to this?

God be with you!

Good question.

I do a number of things no necessarily in any particular order.

I pray the question. God is bigger than anything I might have to deal with so I have no fear that the answer will come.

I have a spiritual advisor. I will talk over issues with her (a nun). This is confidential and there is no imperative that any answer might be forthcoming but it is good just to talk.

If it is an important issue I will commit that issue to writing.

I then leave the matter and walk away from the issue and focus on what I am suppose to be doing.

That's it.

Oh, the important bit - expect the unexpected.

 

[Dorothea]

I pray right then that God help my unbelief and have mercy on me.

 

[tadoflamb]

The only times I struggle with my faith are when I don't go to mass on a regular (daily) basis.

So, I go to mass a lot.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

I've done all of the things you listed. One goes through various stages. Me, I'm not out of the woods yet but I think I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It helps to realize that it happens to lots of people and you aren't the only one.

 

[bugkiller]

Hello all,

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

Do you pray and wait for an answer?

Do you throw yourself into the word of God looking for answers?

Do you ask another...maybe a preist or preacher?

Do you publicly announce your doubt to the church body and hope for fellowship with strength from numbers?

Or do you trust yourself or God to answer these questions for you in His own due time and or will?

I have my own battles going on in my heart right now, I wil refrain from saying what they are at the moment, only because NO one knows what is going on with me(I keep bottled up because I am always expected to be the strong one) and sometimes I feel as if I am lost.

So what say you to this?

God be with you!

I feel for you. Yes I understand the feeling. I put it on God and go about my business most of the time. There are all kinds of reasons I get despondant. One of the most common is my relationship with other through the church. I get down to nothihing matters and think about throwing the towel and just exist cause it seems nothing matters. So what is the difference if I am going to get along. Truth doesn't matter if I want their fellowship, so accept anything just to have friends. No thanks that is worse for me.

But more to your problem in opening up to someone else. Everybody I have opened up to has only caused me more hurt and despondancy.

If you talk to a preacher you must weigh what is said very carefully. Is what the preacher said motivated in some way, such as benificial to them? Yes councelors are motivated by various things. One must understand this. Will talking to them maybe get you into trouble because of the relationships involved?

I like dealing with things more like your last question. Just don't throw in the towel. Patience is a virtue.

Betrayal for a man is a very real fear. Betrayal will destroy like nothing else. It does tend to close men off more than women. I have no idea why.

One more thing. I realize it is my relationship with God that matters. My relationship with God is not dependent on people - they can't get me into heaven or send me to hell.

So have an open heart to hear and listen. Stir up the mind through interaction and reading the Bible and maybe some books on the problem you have. I understand you don't need to be preached to at the moment.

In my prayers

bugkiller

 

[Italianguy]

I feel for you. Yes I understand the feeling. I put it on God and go about my business most of the time. There are all kinds of reasons I get despondant. One of the most common is my relationship with other through the church. I get down to nothihing matters and think about throwing the towel and just exist cause it seems nothing matters. So what is the difference if I am going to get along. Truth doesn't matter if I want their fellowship, so accept anything just to have friends. No thanks that is worse for me.

But more to your problem in opening up to someone else. Everybody I have opened up to has only caused me more hurt and despondancy.

If you talk to a preacher you must weigh what is said very carefully. Is what the preacher said motivated in some way, such as benificial to them? Yes councelors are motivated by various things. One must understand this. Will talking to them maybe get you into trouble because of the relationships involved?

I like dealing with things more like your last question. Just don't throw in the towel. Patience is a virtue.

Betrayal for a man is a very real fear. Betrayal will destroy like nothing else. It does tend to close men off more than women. I have no idea why.

One more thing. I realize it is my relationship with God that matters. My relationship with God is not dependent on people - they can't get me into heaven or send me to hell.

So have an open heart to hear and listen. Stir up the mind through interaction and reading the Bible and maybe some books on the problem you have. I understand you don't need to be preached to at the moment.

In my prayers

bugkiller

Well, I never mind being preached to. In all responses we can learn from each ohers wisdom.

The problem I am having goes deeper than just some doubt. Umm...I will try to explain in a way that doesn't get me reemed.

I have ben doing an indeph study of other world faiths. The study started at college 2 years ago( I attend a large Christian university) I have since kept the study going and have gone deeper and deeper into study. I have been reading , researching and talking to others of other faiths, but one of the faiths has me ....twisted... to say the least. I was told to step away from the study and give it a short break. I stayed away from it , but it keeps pulling me back for more. I hope this makes some sense? Because of some stuff I am involved in religiously it's hard to just state it.

I love my Lord Christ....but sometimes when I need Him most...He is silent..you know? I am pretty well educated and strong in faith in Christianity. Some would say I am overeducating myself...meaning I am searching for a truth that I already know, and is standing right in front of me, but even then ...this ...."other truth" has got my attention, and it is a hard fight fr me to question what I have known all my life as the truth. I pray thisis making some kind of sense?

I witness to many...MANY. I have helped others hear about the word of God, so as they might get the chance at knowing God's grace, His love, His forgiveness, for God is oft-forgiving, merciful and loving. I will never say I have converted anyone to Christ, becaue it's not me who fills them with the Holy Spirit, it is HE. I can only bring a word to them, plant a seed. Even then though I do this...I feel sometimes as...And I will kick myself for saying this aloud....what if I am wrong? What if my guidance is wrong? My doubt in itself, kills me inside, and even worse...what does God think of me if I bring others to Him and I myself doubt? I will make it clear, I do NOT doubt there is a God. Never have I doubted that.

Sorry for rambling but I have ALLOT on my mind. It is hard to deal with knowing you have purpose, but question what it is, or why? Or ....for who?

God be with you, Grazie for all of your replys.

 

[lighthouse_hope]

Hi Italian Guy, I've been there. I think the only answer is to deal with the problem head on, without fear and then make a decission.

 

[Italianguy]

soory wrong place

 

[New_Wineskin]

Hello all,

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

Do you pray and wait for an answer?

Do you throw yourself into the word of God looking for answers?

Do you ask another...maybe a preist or preacher?

Do you publicly announce your doubt to the church body and hope for fellowship with strength from numbers?

Or do you trust yourself or God to answer these questions for you in His own due time and or will?

I have my own battles going on in my heart right now, I wil refrain from saying what they are at the moment, only because NO one knows what is going on with me(I keep bottled up because I am always expected to be the strong one) and sometimes I feel as if I am lost.

So what say you to this?

God be with you!

Ever since I understood that my Christianity is about a personal relationship with the Lord , I have never questioned . I always know that He is near - not on a doctrine - but He lets me know .

 

[wayseer]

Well, I never mind being preached to. In all responses we can learn from each ohers wisdom.

The problem I am having goes deeper than just some doubt. Umm...I will try to explain in a way that doesn't get me reemed.

Do you have a Spiritual Advisor? Probably not by the sounds of your post.

I would advise that you find one. I don't know about your college but the one I attend almost insists that I have a spiritual advisor. I know why - just for such occasions.

I have ben doing an indeph study of other world faiths. The study started at college 2 years ago( I attend a large Christian university) I have since kept the study going and have gone deeper and deeper into study. I have been reading , researching and talking to others of other faiths, but one of the faiths has me ....twisted... to say the least.

You sound like you might be fighting God. What's is wrong with switching faiths? Really? Where is the big deal? If God is one then whatever faith in which we are engaged all worship the one God whatever name you might give that entity.

I was a Buddhist for years - best thing I ever did for my Christian faith. Maybe you need the same sort of experience. Remember, we all have our paths to follow and none of then are the same. The lessons I had to learn will different to yours and to others. As a result, there is no blueprint for the way ahead.

I love my Lord Christ....but sometimes when I need Him most...He is silent..you know?

Maybe you have the answer but you cannot see it, or don't want to see it. Sometimes we get so single minded that we almost refuse to acknowledge the answer staring us in the face.

... it is a hard fight fr me to question what I have known all my life as the truth.

Our faith is always under challenge - that's goes with the territory I'm afraid. The more you expose yourself to study and the quest for what it all might mean, then the greater the chance that you will be tested. The alternative is to stay at home and become a pew-sitter.

...what if I am wrong?

Excellent question. Pity more Christians don't ask the same question before opening their mouths.

The fact that you acknowledge that it is OK to ask if you are wrong augers well for the future. Don't take notice of the naysayers - they are dime a penny.

God honours the honest question. You have lessons to learn and until you learn them you will not move on. As I said in my earlier post, learn to live the question.

Go with courage my friend assured that God looks after those up at the coal face.

 

[Secundulus]

I'll tell you what I did, although I don't recommend the same thing for anybody else.

I abandoned Christianity and went to investigating Paganism and Gnosticism looking for truth. I believed in God but had abandoned faith in Christianity.

After some months, Christ spoke to me and told me he was real and to quit being stupid.

Don't leave the faith. The Christ of Christianity is real and alive. Study the Bible, study the writings of the Christian Saints, and pray continually for God to give you guidance.

I say to study the Saints for a reason. Reading the modern pontificaters righ now probably will harm more than help your search.

 

[Aeyamar]

Hello all,

What do you do as an individual when confronted with the feeling of questioning your own faith, or Christianity in a whole?

Do you pray and wait for an answer?

Do you throw yourself into the word of God looking for answers?

Do you ask another...maybe a preist or preacher?

Do you publicly announce your doubt to the church body and hope for fellowship with strength from numbers?

Or do you trust yourself or God to answer these questions for you in His own due time and or will?

I have my own battles going on in my heart right now, I wil refrain from saying what they are at the moment, only because NO one knows what is going on with me(I keep bottled up because I am always expected to be the strong one) and sometimes I feel as if I am lost.

So what say you to this?

God be with you!

I think back to the reasons I do believe. They often cause whatever was making me question my faith to lose its weight.

 

[Italianguy]

Do you have a Spiritual Advisor? Probably not by the sounds of your post.

I would advise that you find one. I don't know about your college but the one I attend almost insists that I have a spiritual advisor. I know why - just for such occasions.

I would but I participate in the Distance learning program or DLP, Online.

You sound like you might be fighting God. What's is wrong with switching faiths? Really? Where is the big deal? If God is one then whatever faith in which we are engaged all worship the one God whatever name you might give that entity.

As much as i love your sincere intentions, if I were to convert even for a short time to this other faith...It would destroy my family and my Madre and padre. It wouldn't just effect me. Plus we cannot just change Gods when it gets tough. I am also culturaly looked at in my family as the "Head of family" beyond my marriage family. If i did it would have to be secret.

I was a Buddhist for years - best thing I ever did for my Christian faith. Maybe you need the same sort of experience. Remember, we all have our paths to follow and none of then are the same. The lessons I had to learn will different to yours and to others. As a result, there is no blueprint for the way ahead.

I thought that myself, I have studied Buddhism as well, and is very educational. But I will always stick with an Abrahimic faith. I am happy you came back to Christ, it must be an awesome feeling to have experienced what ou have and now know for sure Christ is your lord.

Maybe you have the answer but you cannot see it, or don't want to see it. Sometimes we get so single minded that we almost refuse to acknowledge the answer staring us in the face.

THAT IS THE TRUTH BROTHER! I just wish this so called truth sitting in front of me wasn't the one it is...

Our faith is always under challenge - that's goes with the territory I'm afraid. The more you expose yourself to study and the quest for what it all might mean, then the greater the chance that you will be tested. The alternative is to stay at home and become a pew-sitter.

I have noticed as you say that the more I research the more I am tested. The more I discover, the more I am tested, the more I am in doubt the more I am tested, yet...when I pray about this and beg with tears for guidance from God....to no avail.

Excellent question. Pity more Christians don't ask the same question before opening their mouths.

The fact that you acknowledge that it is OK to ask if you are wrong augers well for the future. Don't take notice of the naysayers - they are dime a penny.

Well i think w learn from all others, everyone has walked some path ,maybe mine is no diferent from another.

God honours the honest question. You have lessons to learn and until you learn them you will not move on. As I said in my earlier post, learn to live the question.

That is what scares the life out of me! If I get this wrong, it's the hellfire for me. yet if I stick with what I know, it could be the hellfire for me...know what i mean?

I don't sleep much anymore because of this and the dreams i have related to all of this. It's running my life and consuming me now, sometimes I wan't to say "Forget it all!!!" but I can't and I won't and I will just deal with tis on my own i guess, or until God steps in and smacks me.

Go with courage my friend assured that God looks after those up at the coal face.

Thanks for your reply! I put my answers in blue because I have no clue how to do the multi qoute thing?

God bless you fratello!

 

[wayseer]

About quoting -

Just put the (quote) in square brackets at the beginning of the part you want to quote then (/quote), again in square brackets to end the quote section. (I have put normal brackets where you need to put square brackets).

I would but I participate in the Distance learning program or DLP, Online.

Still, you seriously need to consider the use of a mentor in some way. I suggest that doing theology by DE almost demands that you need someone alongside you. You don't have the opportunity of talking things over with other students on a one to one basis.

As much as i love your sincere intentions, if I were to convert even for a short time to this other faith...It would destroy my family and my Madre and padre. It wouldn't just effect me. Plus we cannot just change Gods when it gets tough. I am also culturaly looked at in my family as the "Head of family" beyond my marriage family. If i did it would have to be secret.

It is difficult not to hurt others in the process. Sometimes honesty is rather brutal but our lives cannot forever remain ruled by what others might think.

THAT IS THE TRUTH BROTHER! I just wish this so called truth sitting in front of me wasn't the one it is...

Sometimes we don't have much choice where the Holy Spirit leads.

I have noticed as you say that the more I research the more I am tested. The more I discover, the more I am tested, the more I am in doubt the more I am tested, yet...when I pray about this and beg with tears for guidance from God....to no avail.

The quest for certainty will surely disappoint. You sound as if you are taking all this on board very personally. At one level it is. At another level you might just have learn to let it go.

That is what scares the life out of me! If I get this wrong, it's the hellfire for me. yet if I stick with what I know, it could be the hellfire for me...know what i mean?

Yes - and it is scary stuff. For what it is worth, I know God honours our commitment. So forget the 'fire and brimstone' bit - you're soul is in safe hands.

I don't sleep much anymore because of this and the dreams i have related to all of this. It's running my life and consuming me now, sometimes I wan't to say "Forget it all!!!" but I can't and I won't and I will just deal with tis on my own i guess, or until God steps in and smacks me.

Again, I cannot help feeling you desperately need to contact someone with whom you feel comfortable and begin talking things over. You are not alone although you might feel utterly alone. Many have walked the same path. It Australia we call it crossing dry gullies - no water, no respite. But you perhaps need to hear from someone who has crossed the odd dry gully on their path.

Remember, there will be many people who have read your posts and will be interceding for you.