What to do when you are losing faith?

Jase · Mar 29, 2007

I'm going through a major crisis of faith right, primarily due to a major personal issue that has no solution, but also because I'm just not convinced God even exists.

I want so badly to continue to believe, and I really really need God's help because of my personal issues, but no amount of prayer, no amount of begging, no amount of crying has done anything. I just don't feel God's presence no matter how hard I try. Everyone keeps telling me that God is there and cares, keep searching and you will find him, prayer works - but none of that is true. Prayer absolutely doesn't work for me, and all my searches for God have left me empty. I'm so overwhelmed from my situation and trying to find God, i'm physically ill. The stress is unimaginable. And in all this, where is God? No where. I don't want to lose my faith (what little of it is left), but I really see no point in not just becoming an atheist. It's pretty apparent to me God doesn't exist.

Vividwings · Mar 29, 2007

For starters, you sound like you're depressed and overhwelmed, and I know how much that sucks. Before you start on a radical change in belief or just start trying to pray again, try to find a way to cheer yourself up. Hang out with your friends (if that's possible), read a funny book, try to find something you enjoy and do it.

Once you're in a better state of mind (if that's possible. If not, skip step one), try to look at the situation impartially. Think about what made you begin to loose faith, and look at the reasons why you should or shouldn't believe in a god. Before you commit yourself to anything, even trying to pray again, read. Look things up. Religion is a major part of your life, and if you think that your views on it are changing, be sure to research it. You said that you saw no point in becoming an atheist. Why? Also ask youself what drew you to religion in the first place and your reasons for wanting to stay and try again.

Keep a journal of your thoughts on the matter, too. You should always strive to make an informed decision, no matter which way you end up going.
Good luck with your struggles, I hope you find some form of belief (or even disbelief) that fits well with you, because in the end, that's what matters. Don't keep trying to pray if you honestly don't believe anyone will answer, and don't go atheist unless you're absolutely sure. Remember, agnosticism is always a middle-of-the-road option.
I really hope that wall of text was coherent. Again, good luck!

BelindaP · Mar 29, 2007

I think Vividwings is right that you're depressed. The really bad thing about depression is that it makes you feel separated from God. He's there for you, but you can't "feel" him. I know this from experience, because I have suffered from life-long depression. At my very low points, I felt much as you do right now. No amount of praying, begging or anything else will help you to feel His presence right now.

If it's possible, you should consider seeing a mental health professional, or at least a pastor, to work on whatever is bothering you right now. Until the depression begins to lift, you are going to feel completely and utterly alone.

The good news is that you are not alone. He's right there with you and suffering with you, even though you can't tell it. Although it doesn't seem to be helping right now, continue to pray and tell God exactly how you feel, both the good and the bad. I find that reading Isaiah 53 really helps me at the low points. Jesus knows exactly how you feel.

If you feel like sharing your personal problem, perhaps we can help to carry the burden. Feel free to share here or via PM. Don't give up just yet.

Jase · Mar 29, 2007

BelindaP said:
I think Vividwings is right that you're depressed. The really bad thing about depression is that it makes you feel separated from God. He's there for you, but you can't "feel" him. I know this from experience, because I have suffered from life-long depression. At my very low points, I felt much as you do right now. No amount of praying, begging or anything else will help you to feel His presence right now.

I agree that I'm depressed, but unfortunately there is nothing that can be done to solve what is causing my depression. But there are other things bothering me too, outside my personal issues like atheism, promises in the Bible the don't hold true, etc.

If it's possible, you should consider seeing a mental health professional, or at least a pastor, to work on whatever is bothering you right now. Until the depression begins to lift, you are going to feel completely and utterly alone.

Well, i've been to numerous mental health professionals, and have been on quite a few medicines, but nothing works. Like I said, it's the underlying issue that is the problem.

The good news is that you are not alone. He's right there with you and suffering with you, even though you can't tell it. Although it doesn't seem to be helping right now, continue to pray and tell God exactly how you feel, both the good and the bad. I find that reading Isaiah 53 really helps me at the low points. Jesus knows exactly how you feel.

Well, part of my problem is I'm not convinced God exists. The fact that he is silent and seemingly uncaring doesn't help.

If you feel like sharing your personal problem, perhaps we can help to carry the burden. Feel free to share here or via PM. Don't give up just yet.

I've briefly talked with you in PM about my issue, but things have only gotten worse since then.

Digit · Mar 29, 2007

Hello Jase,

I'm sorry to hear things aren't going so well for you. I think moments like this are truly the toughest. I am also open to PMs if you want another ear. I have always been a man of action, and I find it very difficult to rely on prayer to sort my issues out. Not that I dont think it's valuable, just that I find it hard to surrender myself that way.

I haven't spoken to my real father since I was 7 years old. Recently a friend of the family got given a note from him, saying he wants to talk to me again. She didn't think I would want to, and threw the note away. I was pretty furious, as she had not right to make the decision. But I started praying about it and asked God to give him a second chance, and not 5 days did I get a call from him. It was a little weird at having someone call up and say, "I'm not sure how to put this, but I'm your father." out of the blue. If you don't feel prayer is working for you, then perhaps it is not God's Will. God often exposes us to those things we battle with, to temper our soul and diversify our character. To make us more.

Anyhow, feel free to PM me should you wish. You will be on my thoughts. All the best and God bless.

Digit

If Not For Grace · Mar 30, 2007

no amount of begging, no amount of crying has done anything.

Most Good Parents do not respond to their children when this is their mood. God is not a magic genie designed to give us a miracle when we "want" it. God is a loving Father who does what is best for us in order to teach us. When you are weak in faith, go back and build..If your roof leaked would you not repair it?

Do you believe that Jesus lived? Died? Rose Again?
Then start there...If these things are true--the rest then also must be true. Faith requires a little work..Just a little (mustard seed)..Get Busy and Get Better..Be gentle with yourself and allow your hurt to heal.. Sleep in peace, God is awake!

Prayers.

Buttermilk · Mar 30, 2007

Jase said:
promises in the Bible the don't hold true

What promises are you refering to?

Not everyone believes the Bible 100% literally, and that's OK

Jase · Mar 30, 2007

Buttermilk said:
What promises are you refering to?

Not everyone believes the Bible 100% literally, and that's OK

Mat 21:22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

These 2 are a couple examples. I know that these require you to have a faith, but they require so much flawless faith, that pretty much no human has enough to make them mean anything. One little doubt, and prayer doesn't work. God also has to already have planned to give you what you pray for for your prayer to do any good, and 99.9% of what we pray for isn't going to be answered.

I'm also not sure I can believe anything is possible. My situation I certainly don't see as being possible to change.

It's just all these promises of hope and prayer seem so unrealistic. I pray constantly for help from God. Are those prayers ever answered? No.

Buttermilk · Mar 30, 2007

Jase said:
Mat 21:22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

but some prayers are answered with a no, or later. God will not automatically provide our every whim, it doesn't work that way

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

possible: possible means it could happen, it does not mean it will happen.

giftofmusic · Mar 31, 2007

God honors a teeny tiny grain of mustard seed faith ....thats probably more than your faith..be encouraged! are you a christian by chance?

Johnnz · Mar 31, 2007

You have two issues. You don't have a well grounded intellectual basis to your faith. This is not uncommon. There is plenty of good information available to help on this issue.

The other issue is that you have personal problems that require a wider frame of reference than you currently have. Depression is not at all pleasant. But Martin Luther suffered from it all his life. He knew the reality of God in spite of and through his depression.

Some wise counsel and caring support would do wonders for you.

John
NZ

lavenderskies · Mar 31, 2007

I do not know what the "underlying reasons" are that you speak of, but nothing is hopeless. I advise you to seek out ways to deal with this underlying reason you mention.

Know that you are not alone, God is with you. He loves you.

I am praying for you.

Jase · Mar 31, 2007

lavenderskies said:
I do not know what the "underlying reasons" are that you speak of, but nothing is hopeless. I advise you to seek out ways to deal with this underlying reason you mention.

Well that's the problem, there are no ways to deal with it. Only God can change it, and I'm pretty much positive he isn't going to. I'm not sure what to call it other than hopeless.

Know that you are not alone, God is with you. He loves you.

While it's a nice sentiment, and it's what most people tell me, I find it hard to believe to be true. If God is with me, why can't I feel his presence? Why won't he help or even answer me?

giftofmusic · Apr 2, 2007

are you a born again christian?

DArceri · Apr 2, 2007

Jase said:
Well, part of my problem is I'm not convinced God exists.

That could be why you are not hearing God or He is not hearing you. Your problem could be that your heart is still not right and God knows it. If you only come to Him when you are in trouble, then He might not think it is sincere. We need to live for Him in good times and bad. He knows your heart and if there are things you still are not letting go that is a sin to God, He will not hear you, because you never wanted to hear Him in good times. Do you know what your sin is? You need to trust God with dealing with your sin. Submit all your being to Him. Admit that His ways are right and your way is wrong. He cares for you, but He needs your WHOLE HEART. I would read Psalms if I were you. God speaks to me when I read Psalms. He reveals Himself in Scripture throughout the Bible. Just give God's word a chance to speak to you.

AWorkInProgress · Apr 3, 2007

Jase said:
I'm going through a major crisis of faith right, primarily due to a major personal issue that has no solution, but also because I'm just not convinced God even exists.

I want so badly to continue to believe, and I really really need God's help because of my personal issues, but no amount of prayer, no amount of begging, no amount of crying has done anything. I just don't feel God's presence no matter how hard I try. Everyone keeps telling me that God is there and cares, keep searching and you will find him, prayer works - but none of that is true. Prayer absolutely doesn't work for me, and all my searches for God have left me empty. I'm so overwhelmed from my situation and trying to find God, i'm physically ill. The stress is unimaginable. And in all this, where is God? No where. I don't want to lose my faith (what little of it is left), but I really see no point in not just becoming an atheist. It's pretty apparent to me God doesn't exist.

No offence, but sounds like you already lost it.

My recommendation is seek out local healing ministry. God may blow your mind away for his glory.

I did my own studies to sincerely know if I was following right God. My step dad took me to Healing and Prophetic minstries. When you see holy spirit in action and how random people who had little to no faith become full believers after their own healing(curing cancer, walking disablility, hearing problems, personal issues). There not much doubt that he exists. ( www.Gracetribute.com )

I say truely seek his face by constantly asking heavy hearted questions, seeking out these ministries, and knocking on doors of believers for answers. Maybe this a trial to bring you to him?

I will pray for you and don't give up. Got to keep hope!

LoG · Apr 3, 2007

We pray for God to fix this, fix that, get me a wife, get me a better car, house etc. etc. thinking it is the only way for us to feel better about our situation. All externals.
God is more interested in healing the inner person so they desire to be a better person in spite of being single, broke with a host of external problems.

Another thing is that God often answers prayer but not in the way we are looking for, but because we are all stressed out and blind to anything other then our own version of answered prayer, we miss it.

When I am feeling stressed it is because I fear I am not getting something I wanted. To be ok, I pray for God to remove the fear and maybe then my eyes will be opened to how I can get what it is I want.

ANM29 · Apr 3, 2007

It is very easy for someone who has not walked a mile in your shoes to tell you to just, "Trust God".

I myself also am in the biggest test of my life so far and at moments I who thought I was a strong believer am stumbling very badly right now. It is one thing to say you have great faith and another when your Faith is tested, and he is seriously testing both of our faith right now.

I think all real believers will have to walk through this valley at one point or another.

It is one thing to give Christian lip service and another to have to actually walk in a place where you question even if God exists. I can now TOTALLY understand how John would have to ask after all he knew and saw Christ do.."Do we need to look for another?". I didn't quite get it, until now.

Just know that I can relate to everything you feel. I am not speaking from what I heard, but from what I am dealing with right now myself.

I know that after this is over God will have to prove himself to be the ALMIGHTY I know him to be or else I will loose my faith totally. Now this is being "real".

When you are going through this type of trial you really can't allow any and everyone to speak into your life, ESPECIALLY those who have never been in this place before, and many have not yet to reach this place..But, I believe if they keep walking with God they will.

In this place, it is dark and cold and there is no light at all. There is no end of a tunnel, because you are not sure if it is even a tunnel your in or not. The only thing that can save you is the grace of God you swear has left you and "TIME". We must wait on him, we will come out stronger and with much more wisdom. We will trust him and know that he is unable to fail us. We will stand still and see the salvation of the Lord EVENTUALLY. We will know that he who started a good work in us will complete it, he will not deny us or he denies himself. He will show up on time, not our time.

ANM29 · Apr 3, 2007

BTW Jase, Most people will say you are not as close to God as you claim to be if your feeling this way. IGNORE THEM! They are not as close to God as they claim to be if they don't understand that even the strongest believers will fall at times. Tell them to read thier bibles.

Peter denied him, John asked if he should look for another, Thomas didn't believe it was him and all these men actually walked side by side with Jesus..SO, why wouldnt' we have our doubts.

There is nothing wrong with you. This is a sign just how close you are to Christ if anything. The closer you are to God, the harder the enemy fights you.

The reason most people say, "The devil never bothers me, my life is great" is because the enemy does not see them as a threat. If you are being fought this hard, just know that you actually are doing something VERY RIGHT!

God Bless!

DArceri · Apr 3, 2007

ANM29 said:
I know that after this is over God will have to prove himself to be the ALMIGHTY I know him to be or else I will loose my faith totally. Now this is being "real".

REMEMBER, no one suffered more than God's own son, JESUS HIMSELF. Everything else pails in comparison.
God in His infinite wisdom, has a purpose for everything. God uses suffering to bring those "who are His", closer to Him. Thus, those who truly belong to God are drawn closer to Him in times of suffering. We at times may stumble, but the TRUE BELEIVERS will perservere. For our character is tested in times of trials and it is through these trials, God finds out who is His faithful children are.

Trials and Temptations
JAMES 1:2-4,12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything....Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

What to do when you are losing faith?

Well-Known Member

Newbie

Senior Contributor

Well-Known Member

Senior Veteran

Legend-but then so's Keith Richards

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Senior Veteran

Senior Veteran

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

A fool becoming wise

Veteran

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency