What to do about a bad heart?

[Macchiato]

I feel like i dont love God anymore. Im very apathetic As well as angry towards him. I know its wrong but not sure how to fix it.

I repent but the anger still lingers and comes back.

I feel very apathetic. I question even my conversion bc I feel people that truly are saved you can tell and they bear fruit. I dont. I feel real Christians trust God. Meavhwhile im angry and I can't fathom trusting him or even loving him through hard times.

What are something I should do to combat this? How do I pray, read and have a relationship with God despite the immense anger?

 

[NBB]

Don't get discouraged, God loves you, just keep going searching for Him.
You may need to fix that with God, tell Him you have anger, that you need Him, etc.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

I feel like i dont love God anymore. Im very apathetic As well as angry towards him. I know its wrong but not sure how to fix it.

I repent but the anger still lingers and comes back.

I feel very apathetic. I question even my conversion bc I feel people that truly are saved you can tell and they bear fruit. I dont. I feel real Christians trust God. Meavhwhile im angry and I can't fathom trusting him or even loving him through hard times.

What are something I should do to combat this? How do I pray, read and have a relationship with God despite the immense anger?

The Psalms and the book of Job contain quite a bit of anger and frustration - just anger towards God is never justified. But He does know where your emotions come from - He knows you inside out. Take all your emotions to Him. And don't journey alone - seek guidance/counselling by Pastor/Counsellor/Psychologist etc. Be blessed ..

 

[Macchiato]

The Psalms and the book of Job contain quite a bit of anger and frustration - just anger towards God is never justified. But He does know where your emotions come from - He knows you inside out. Take all your emotions to Him. And don't journey alone - seek guidance/counselling by Pastor/Counsellor/Psychologist etc. Be blessed ..

Yeah. I feel scared to trust God bc i fear if I give him all my hearts desires or hand them over I'll get nothing and just lose everything. Who all counts as counsel?

 

[Muhan]

I feel like i dont love God anymore. Im very apathetic As well as angry towards him. I know its wrong but not sure how to fix it.

I repent but the anger still lingers and comes back.

I feel very apathetic. I question even my conversion bc I feel people that truly are saved you can tell and they bear fruit. I dont. I feel real Christians trust God. Meavhwhile im angry and I can't fathom trusting him or even loving him through hard times.

What are something I should do to combat this? How do I pray, read and have a relationship with God despite the immense anger?

Maybe YOU make God feel like He don't love you anymore and YOU have made Him angry towards you?
Maybe He thinks you think about yourself way more than you think about Him?
If I felt the way you do about it, I would just ask Him. If He don't reply, then you know
I am right in what I said to you concerning what you posted about yourself
towards God. And If God wants you to know, He will certainly make sure you know.
God don't live for YOU. YOU are to live for Him!

 

[Macchiato]

Maybe YOU make God feel like He don't love you anymore and YOU have made Him angry towards you?
Maybe He thinks you think about yourself way more than you think about Him?
If I felt the way you do about it, I would just ask Him. If He don't reply, then you know
I am right in what I said to you concerning what you posted about yourself
towards God. And If God wants you to know, He will certainly make sure you know.
God don't live for YOU. YOU are to live for Him!

Im confused by your wording.

 

[Muhan]

Im confused by your wording.

What part confuses you? Point it out to me?

 

[St_Worm2]

Hello @Macchiato, there was a time when you didn't feel such anger towards God, a time when you were also able to trust Him and love Him too, yes? So, if it's not too personal and/or uncomfortable for you to talk about here, please tell us what happened to get you to this point with Him, and why you continue to harbor such negative feelings about Him.

One positive that I see above is the fact that you are still engaging with Him in spite of your apathy and the anger that your feel (by repenting of it). This is one of the things that you need to continue to do and perhaps learn to do post haste going forward (to REFUSE those negative thoughts and take them "captive", that is, and that from the very moment that you sense them entering your mind) so that they are not allowed to fester and become sin .. e.g. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

As far as "trusting" Him goes, or wondering if He really loves you, whenever I have trouble with things like that I try to remember all that He has done (and is continuing to do) for me by, first and foremost, going back to the foot of the Cross.

It also helps me to consider & meditate upon all of the great promises that He has made to us in the Bible, things like John 3:16, 5:24, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:25......

Finally, begin to take time each day to look for things (even the smallest/simplest of things) throughout your day to rejoice in and thank Him for .. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, because when you begin to do so you will also begin to see Him in a very different and far more positive light Start by rejoicing in and thanking Him for things that make you feel happy or comforted in the moment, someone's smile or kind comment, the beauty of the day, a warm summer breeze on your face, those kind of things, as often as you can remember to do so.

Eventually, when you come to understand that He ALWAYS wants the very best for you and is also seeing to it that you get it .. e.g. Romans 8:32 (even when it feels like the very opposite of that to you in the moment), you will be able to thank Him for the tough times too .. e.g. Romans 8:28 and Hebrews 12:7-11.

As Charles Spurgeon once said, "I've learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages"

Doing this (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) is something that some have referred to as practicing the presence of God in your life (or perhaps better, practicing the increasing presence of God in your life) and it is certainly a wondrous thing to experience

Praying for you!

God bless you!!

--David

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

Yeah. I feel scared to trust God bc i fear if I give him all my hearts desires or hand them over I'll get nothing and just lose everything. Who all counts as counsel?

In the Bible especially with Jesus' sayings you will find to be willing to lose everything, or let everything go is key to being a disciple Jesus is looking for. God knows your actual needs and your heart desires. But the purpose of our existence is not to let God as some kind of Santa Claus arrange for us to have what we want, but to seek what He wants for you. Can you give an example?

Seek guidance/advice from people who walk with God, you trust and are able to establish order in the chaos of emotions - in general Pastors/Counsellors/Psychologists are trained to do that. But you may have wiser older men/women in your social network or church who also may be able to play that role or you.

Just don't keep struggling by yourself. Be blessed sister ..

 

[Macchiato]

Hello @Macchiato, there was a time when you didn't feel such anger towards God, a time when you were also able to trust Him and love Him too, yes? So, if it's not too personal and/or uncomfortable for you to talk about here, please tell us what happened to get you to this point with Him, and why you continue to harbor such negative feelings about Him.

One positive that I see above is the fact that you are still engaging with Him in spite of your apathy and the anger that your feel (by repenting of it). This is one of the things that you need to continue to do and perhaps learn to do post haste going forward (to REFUSE those negative thoughts and take them "captive", that is, and that from the very moment that you sense them entering your mind) so that they are not allowed to fester and become sin .. e.g. 2 Corinthians 10:5.

As far as "trusting" Him goes, or wondering if He really loves you, whenever I have trouble with things like that I try to remember all that He has done (and is continuing to do) for me by, first and foremost, going back to the foot of the Cross.

It also helps me to consider & meditate upon all of the great promises that He has made to us in the Bible, things like John 3:16, 5:24, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 1:6, Hebrews 7:25......

Finally, begin to take time each day to look for things (even the smallest/simplest of things) throughout your day to rejoice in and thank Him for .. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, because when you begin to do so you will also begin to see Him in a very different and far more positive light Start by rejoicing in and thanking Him for things that make you feel happy or comforted in the moment, someone's smile or kind comment, the beauty of the day, a warm summer breeze on your face, those kind of things, as often as you can remember to do so.

Eventually, when you come to understand that He ALWAYS wants the very best for you and is also seeing to it that you get it .. e.g. Romans 8:32 (even when it feels like the very opposite of that to you in the moment), you will be able to thank Him for the tough times too .. e.g. Romans 8:28 and Hebrews 12:7-11.

As Charles Spurgeon once said, "I've learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages"

Doing this (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) is something that some have referred to as practicing the presence of God in your life (or perhaps better, practicing the increasing presence of God in your life) and it is certainly a wondrous thing to experience

Praying for you!

God bless you!!

--David

You're right I have to think back and go deep and start there. Thank you all

 

[Richard T]

Look at Hebrew 12:15 and the root of bitterness. When I know that I missed God in my life and knew I could not retrieve the blessing back (Yes, it is the blessing that you might miss, not your salvation.) I started to become bitter. I mean I was really stuck. I turned it over to God though and let him rip some of the old out of my heart and replace it with new vision and opportunity of what I could do in the future. I do not know if this is your case, or exactly why you are angry but it is good that your recognize your need. One need I see is to expand your knowledge of God's love. This the prayer in Ephesians that Paul prayed for them to know the depth, breadth, width and height of God's love is one you can pray for yourself everyday. Consider some more radical moves too. Perhaps adopt fasting. In Isaiah 58:6 it can be used to loosen the bonds of wickedness. Give yourself some slack though. You did not get this way overnight and it might take some time to get the healing you need so that you can move forward. It begins by just pouring your heart out. Nothing can separate you from the love of God but in a non-disrespectful way as possible air your issues and ask God to set the path straight so that you can break up the hard ground of your heart rather than harden it. Practice some good habits too daily. From reading the word to having some prayer. A sacrifice of praise too is the times you praise God even though you do not feel like it. Though you might feel like it you are not a reprobate, or even close to being lost. You just have wandered and have the heart to recognize that it is time to try some new things, to get back on track with God and let him put the first love you had back into your heart and life. I really do think you can be successful especially if you measure that success over a longer period of time and are willing to bounce back after any setbacks you may encounter. God bless you always!

 

[Zceptre]

Sweet child, God is not angry at you, and if you knew His heart for you then you would not be angry at Him. Being angry at Him simply means you don't understand what is going on, you are hurting somehow, the confusion has made you think negative things about Him, and His heart is hurting for you even if you can't understand how that is possible. God IS love, He doesn't "do" love. He never stops loving you for any reason (1 John 4:8).

God the Son did not show up in the world through a woman, walk among evil men for 33 years, allow them to beat him until He could not be recognized, and nail Him to a wooden cross until He died in agony for you, all for you to think He cannot be trusted. No one dies for someone they do not truly love, and only He really truly loves you and stays with you even with your hard feelings toward Him. (John 15:13 - Genesis 16:13)

1 John 4:9-10
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.

God loved all of us before we ever loved Him back, and He is loving you right now even if you don't feel much love toward Him. God proved His insane love for you by sending His Son Jesus to die for you before you loved Him, not after (Romans 5:8).

Don't you know that Peter the disciple cursed and disowned the Lord Jesus practically to His face (Matthew 26:74)? Don't you know the Lord Jesus knew Peter was going to do that seeing as He told Peter in advance that he would do it (Matthew 26:34)? And do you know that the Lord Jesus was not only not mad at Peter at any time, but was praying to the Father and forgiving Peter in advance and loving Peter every moment before and after the event (Luke 22:32)?

Love does not count wrongs against it, and while there is a God of justice in Heaven, He sent His Son to die for you so that He could love you in spite of your mistakes.

1 Corinthians 13:5
Berean Standard Bible
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.

Romans 8:32 says that if God gave His Son's life to us to save us, what will He not do for us?! God has made a solemn promise that He would not be angry at you (Isaiah 54:9) and God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18).

No no, if you are angry at God it is because someone has whispered in your ear that He is not good and you are believing it somehow and in some way, but we know He is good. I think you know He is good, and I think you feel abandoned somehow, when He is always with you and never leaves you (Hebrews 13:5 - Matthew 28:20).

What I think you need to do, is be brutally honest with Him and have a talk. I think you need to give Him what you are carrying around and holding on tight to so He can fix it (1 Peter 5:7).

He already knows what you are thinking, what you are feeling, what is upsetting you exactly, and why you are holding on to it. He still has not left you, He still loves you, His heart is aching to help you and love on you, and He refuses to force you to come to Him. Love does not force people to come to them and interact with them against their will. You are His Child and He is hurting for you right now and wants to fix this for you.

He will never turn you away under any circumstances (John 6:37) and He will use all of this situation for your good (Romans 8:28).

If you are feeling condemned because of your feelings, know that you are not if you are in Christ (Romans 8:1) and that you never will be even if your heart is telling you such things (1 John 3:20).

Again, take your heart and everything you are feeling to Him and put one step in His direction, and you will know He is there and that He cares (1 Peter 5:7). Just talk to Him. You do not have a bad heart, just a hurting heart, and an afraid heart, and fear is a control mechanism used by the enemy. Don't let that keep you from the one that loves you with all of His being. You simply need to see how much He really loves you and when you do, and you listen in your heart to Him speaking to you, He will lift you up.

The fact it is bothering you shows He lives inside of you, do not doubt your conversion. Remember that you will always be His Child and no one can take you out of His hand, not even you (John 10:28).

I am praying for you.

Isaiah 54:10
For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

I feel like i dont love God anymore. Im very apathetic As well as angry towards him. I know its wrong but not sure how to fix it.

I repent but the anger still lingers and comes back.

I feel very apathetic. I question even my conversion bc I feel people that truly are saved you can tell and they bear fruit. I dont. I feel real Christians trust God. Meavhwhile im angry and I can't fathom trusting him or even loving him through hard times.

What are something I should do to combat this? How do I pray, read and have a relationship with God despite the immense anger?

It starts with a relationship with Christ

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29:13

The best way to have a relationship with Him is by the following...

Prayer- Phi 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Think of Christ as your friend. Tell Him the things you are feeling, ask for His help in overcoming these feelings, stay connected with Him throughout the day, spend quality time in prayer first thing in the morning and throughout the day and last thing before bed. Jesus never leaves us, we leave Him, and to stay connected with Him, we must have an active prayer life.

His Word- Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Read His word daily, not only read His word, live it. Many people read the bible and think its meant for other people, but on every page in the Bible is lessons for us on how to live. The Bible is God manual for us on how to live and how to learn about Him. Before reading the Bible, ask for the Holy Spirit to help you understand His word and how to apply it to your life.


Share your faith 2 Tim 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

This strengthens our own faith when we share what we have learned with others.

God bless!

 

[Muhan]

Sweet child, God is not angry at you, and if you knew His heart for you then you would not be angry at Him. Being angry at Him simply means you don't understand what is going on, you are hurting somehow, the confusion has made you think negative things about Him, and His heart is hurting for you even if you can't understand how that is possible. God IS love, He doesn't "do" love. He never stops loving you for any reason (1 John 4:8).

God the Son did not show up in the world through a woman, walk among evil men for 33 years, allow them to beat him until He could not be recognized, and nail Him to a wooden cross until He died in agony for you, all for you to think He cannot be trusted. No one dies for someone they do not truly love, and only He really truly loves you and stays with you even with your hard feelings toward Him. (John 15:13 - Genesis 16:13)

1 John 4:9-10
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.

God loved all of us before we ever loved Him back, and He is loving you right now even if you don't feel much love toward Him. God proved His insane love for you by sending His Son Jesus to die for you before you loved Him, not after (Romans 5:8).

Don't you know that Peter the disciple cursed and disowned the Lord Jesus practically to His face (Matthew 26:74)? Don't you know the Lord Jesus knew Peter was going to do that seeing as He told Peter in advance that he would do it (Matthew 26:34)? And do you know that the Lord Jesus was not only not mad at Peter at any time, but was praying to the Father and forgiving Peter in advance and loving Peter every moment before and after the event (Luke 22:32)?

Love does not count wrongs against it, and while there is a God of justice in Heaven, He sent His Son to die for you so that He could love you in spite of your mistakes.

1 Corinthians 13:5
Berean Standard Bible
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.

Romans 8:32 says that if God gave His Son's life to us to save us, what will He not do for us?! God has made a solemn promise that He would not be angry at you (Isaiah 54:9) and God cannot lie (Hebrews 6:18).

No no, if you are angry at God it is because someone has whispered in your ear that He is not good and you are believing it somehow and in some way, but we know He is good. I think you know He is good, and I think you feel abandoned somehow, when He is always with you and never leaves you (Hebrews 13:5 - Matthew 28:20).

What I think you need to do, is be brutally honest with Him and have a talk. I think you need to give Him what you are carrying around and holding on tight to so He can fix it (1 Peter 5:7).

He already knows what you are thinking, what you are feeling, what is upsetting you exactly, and why you are holding on to it. He still has not left you, He still loves you, His heart is aching to help you and love on you, and He refuses to force you to come to Him. Love does not force people to come to them and interact with them against their will. You are His Child and He is hurting for you right now and wants to fix this for you.

He will never turn you away under any circumstances (John 6:37) and He will use all of this situation for your good (Romans 8:28).

If you are feeling condemned because of your feelings, know that you are not if you are in Christ (Romans 8:1) and that you never will be even if your heart is telling you such things (1 John 3:20).

Again, take your heart and everything you are feeling to Him and put one step in His direction, and you will know He is there and that He cares (1 Peter 5:7). Just talk to Him. You do not have a bad heart, just a hurting heart, and an afraid heart, and fear is a control mechanism used by the enemy. Don't let that keep you from the one that loves you with all of His being. You simply need to see how much He really loves you and when you do, and you listen in your heart to Him speaking to you, He will lift you up.

The fact it is bothering you shows He lives inside of you, do not doubt your conversion. Remember that you will always be His Child and no one can take you out of His hand, not even you (John 10:28).

I am praying for you.

Isaiah 54:10
For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

After reading all this the first thought that came to my mind about you,
how do you account for the wrath of God that is upon all sinners.
Did it evaporate into thin air?

 

[CerebralCherub]

Hi there,

I don't have lots to add from the Bible but I know, from experience, that when we're angry we tend to lash out at the people we're closest to because we feel as though they should be able to take the pain away and we're very disappointed when they don't.

I find this to be true with our worldly relationships and our relationship with God.

One of the biggest errors I see with people is that they treat God like a genie. Loving God does not mean we will have a pain free life. It doesn't mean every day will be great. It doesn't mean that we won't suffer. God didn't promise those things. He did, however, promise eternal salvation no matter what we go through in the world, if we believe in Him.

So, one of the things that may help with your anger is ensuring that you are not living with the false expectation that you are guaranteed an easy ride because you're a Christian. Then, figure out what it is that is really making you angry and go to God with this for His assistance.

I hope this helps you and God bless.