Questioning things...

[FadedOne]

hmm...I know i'm still rather new here and not knowing anyone, but I figured I'd stick up a prayer request.

I find myself questioning some major issues. As deep as...is God even there? yeah...I've been a Christian for 6 1/2 years, and went through a serious rough period of questioning 2 years ago. Seems like there shouldn't be such questions anymore eh? But there are.

mm...and every time I doubt I get attacked with fear and more doubt and all this mess. I don't want to go through that again. If anything I want these questions to strengthen my faith. But i need to question....

So yeah...advice, encouragement, prayer, etc. All would be very good and muchly appreciated. And yeah....I can offer further explanation if anyone cares lol.

anyways...thanks.

Lara

[Ssjjvash]

Hi, Lara, nice to meet ya'. I don't think I've met you already.
I'll pray for you. It's good to question stuff; I do that a lot, but sometimes, it all comes down to faith. Your mind is never going to comprehend how God has always been there or how you can tell He's there if you can't see Him.

Do you have any one you can talk to around you? Church counselors, pastors, or parents? It'd be good to ask them too. Well, I'll see ya' around. Be blessed.

[Hitokiri]

I will indeed pray for you. God is always here and loves you no mater what.

[GhostontheNet]

I think it would also be wise to know why you believe. That is; what evidence is there for the truth of Christianity. There is indeed a vast body of literature on the question, much of which I'm familiar with, and could help you know what to look for.

[agasfas]

Many people question things in life... Myself included. About your question, "is God even there?" I would argue yes. I have a suggestion. Go out into and examine the world around you. Look at the complexity of life around you--nature and human life in general.
Because when you look at it, it really makes one think. Why are things the way they are? Why are humans the only beings that are rational and logical thinkers? Our vary nature is a good indicator of the existance of God.

Psalm 94:9-10
Does he who implanted the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches man lack knowledge?

We are made in the image of God and because of that we are different then the rest of his other creations. God loves all of his creation, but we hold a special place in his heart.

Suggestion, ask God questions about his existance and whatever else troubles you. Though do not tempt God to prove his existance (corinthians 10:9) like, "prove your existance or else." We shouldn't tempt God and God will not allow us to be tempted more then we handle (Corinthians 10:13). There is a difference between tempting and testing. God doesn't tempt, the devil does. God cares for you, not just a select group of people. He is only willing to work with you if your heart is willing. ANyone can toss bible verses out, but unless you really want to change, God is unable to help. Not that he can't, but you have a free will. Just remember, Satan will do what he can to deter you. Don't buy into the lies, regardless of what hand you were dealt in life, God wants you live a happy fulfilled life. In all honesty, many are dealt just a really crappy hand in life, but some resfuse to let that get them down. They would rather take refuge with the love of Christ than with Satans lies and deceit. LIfe will beat us down, but it's getting back up that really matters; that's what really makes us who we are.

If you think positively, you feel positive (better). Think negative and everything seems like to drag like nothing is working in your favor. Satan feeds off of negativity... kind of like a "gateway drug." All Satan needs is that little bit of room to work. Try thinking of the positives in life: your life, family, friends, sports you enjoy, hobbies etc. There will always be someone that cares for you, God included. God loves each of his children.

Hopefully I may have helped. Actually I hope I stayed on the original topic. All I know is that God Loves you and is always willing to help you. Just don't let life discourage you. God reveals himself to everyone in a number of ways, it's wether you want to accept it or not. I will pray for you. Also, if you ever need someone to talk to feel free to PM me... I don't alway know the best things to say, but I try . Take care.

[FadedOne]

aww..you guys, thanks so much for the prayers and especially the helpful advice/comments. I can seriously use it.

ssjjvash : hmm..no, I don't really have anyone that I can ramble about this to. At least not in person. I'm not so great at opening up...lol, the net is my 'escape' from my worries of being judged etc.. So yeah. Thanks for the welcome.

GhostontheNet: books? I am interested. I'm fond of things that make me think. I know of those Case for Christ/Faith books that are often mentioned, though i've not read 'em. Should perhaps. Otherwise though, open for suggestions.

hitokiri: thanks for the prayers

agasfas: lol...that was a mite of a ramble, but I love such things. Thank you very much.

You're right, there is alot in life that yells higher power... I've been asking myself why all these doubts lately. I'm not sure honestly. I guess I see alot that I call God that could easily be just chance. For example....I could ask God to please let the sun shine today...and it may. But how is that God and not the weather? i know...reallly lame example. But...stuff like that.

I don't want to be a doubter like this. Technically God is my sanity. I don't know how I'd live without Him and knowing I had someone to ramble to when no one else is there. (my mind says this is a crutch, and faith is a crutch). But I'm also dealing with alot of life confusion and a bit of depression and yeah....while I may talk God's ear off, I never find answers and I never hear. For all I know, He could care less. Part of me knows He cares, and part of me doesn't believe at all. This is confusing probably.

But yeah...trusting in the unknown. How does one do that? I"m afraid to doubt, but afraid to believe in someone that..for all I know....could care less about me. Maybe doesn't exist at all.

I know it sounds like i'm a weak Christian now. Maybe I am...it's quite possible. But I do have faith, and I don't believe that i'm just going through the motions. But...I'm also a very emotional person and subject to doubt everything and also, the things I believe can often be written off as highs. hm...i suppose this makes even less sense. I'm trying to solidfy my faith. This has been eating at me for some time now, and finally last night I was like....what if I decided right now that I was an atheist?? It scared me...especially since I could almost see that happening. Now I know I need to stand on truth now before something bad happens(my life is tough, but not bad...it's mostly sort of aimless right now) and I blame it on my faith.

again, apologies for rambling...I'm afraid that the people that normally would get the brunt of my stressed thoughts are busy/stressed themselves, and yeah...I don't want to let this fester.
Thanks much,

Lara

[agasfas]

But I'm also dealing with alot of life confusion and a bit of depression and yeah....while I may talk God's ear off, I never find answers and I never hear. For all I know, He could care less. Part of me knows He cares, and part of me doesn't believe at all. This is confusing probably.

Many people face depression everyday. I fought it for years until I realized that I didn't have to go through depression. In middle school I started to loose my hair due to Alopecia-- immune system would attack my hair follicles. Then it would grow back and then more would fall out. THis continued until recently. All my life everyone would joke about me having cancer, laughing behind my back and stare. That made me very self conscious and depressed. I would use that negative energy to feed myself more negative. It's just a circle. Then one day my friend spoke to me bluntly, "Dude, I'm sorry you had to go through that but it was the past. Sure it sucks, but people don't like to be around negative people, they make things not worth doing. It really ruins the atmosphere." ANd he was right.

Perhaps your not getting the anwsers from prayers because your not asking the right questions. And trust me, God can/will say no. Just because we ask for it doesn't mean we will get it. I've asked a million things I've never recieved. God knows what's best for us. I've prayed for many things in the past that I knew I didn't need, and I'm glad Jesus said "No." I've prayed for a girl friend many times and have yet to see one. But you know what, I don't want just any girl off the street who is a Satanic drug user. I want one that is most compatible with me, not "I need one now." And God knows that. When the time is right he'll give you what you need. Question: How are your prayers structured?

Matthew 6:9-15
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."


How many times we pray or the length isn't what matters, it's the content....
Matthew 6:7-8
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."


Jesus gave us a perfect outline on how we should pray. Not only for ourselves but for everyone around us: family, friends, enemy, debtors etc. Like Jesus has stated, unless you can forgive the people who sin against you, the Father will not forgive your sins, the same could also apply to all aspects of life. Jesus doesn't want us to be caught up on ourselves, we need to be praying for others. I'm not saying it's bad to pray for yourself, but you need to pray for others as well. . He cares for everyone equally. I've found when you pray for others it really helps depression. It gets the main focus off yourself. When Jesus was on earth He served an example, he cleaned other's feet and did what he could to help serve one another.

But let me assure you that Jesus does care for you. But keep in mind, God does have the right to say no. ANd to say to God, "give me this, or show me that or I won't believe you," is not fair to God. Has anyone ever asked you to do something you knew wasn't right? It's kind of like the same situation.

Sometimes, I even forget my own advice. But everytime I loose sight of it, God has always helped me get back on track through a number of ways: friends, the bible and most often the members of CAA. They can be bluntly hard and honest at times, but sometimes we need that. THe members here really do care about you as well as God. But you must also be fair to God. So please don't take this the wrong way...

I hope you start feeling better soon. I will continue to pray for you. Keep smiling

Edit: Be patience with the Lord, he will provide you with what you need.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

[Rogie]

I'll pray.

[termyt]

Agasfas did a good job so allow me to simply add that questioning is OK. It's primarily how we learn. Just be honest in your questions and seek the answers with an open mind and heart. If you do, I've no doubt of the answers you'll find.