I don't feel God is transforming me inside out...

[Marilyn C]

On 11/18/2024 at 10:35 AM, Figure of eighty said:

Sometimes I wonder if I should give up being a christian. I've been saved and baptized twice but I see no fruit in my own life.. 

I've come to a place where I feel weird towards God. I don't trust him at all, I have alot of anger towards him and I genuinely don't want to surrender completely mainly bc I see an example being my brother who's brainwashed and has nothing. 

Idk what to do. 

 

I really don't know how to trust God 

Idk I wish I were full of faith but I'm not. 

 

I just know my situation isn't ideal-- I just feel like a pot of destruction.. 

 

I think maybe I should take a hiatus. 

Hi Figure of eighty,

You are eating poison, no wonder you don`t feel well. The poisons are those negative thoughts and concentrating on yourself. Learn to eat healthy food and you`ll feel much better soon. Healthy food for your spirit/soul is `thankfulness.` 

Here, have a taste -

Thank you God for the air I breathe to keep me alive.

Thank you God that I am alive and a person who feels, sees, hears, tastes, smells....

Thank you God for such a variety of food.

Thank you God for my shelter to keep me warm in the cold weather and sheltered from the sun when too hot.

Thank you God for the many clothes I have.

Thank you God for the people om Worthy who listen and speak encouragement to me.

Thank You God............

Thank you God..............

 

Marilyn.

 

 

[Tristen]

On 11/18/2024 at 9:35 AM, Figure of eighty said:

Sometimes I wonder if I should give up being a christian. I've been saved and baptized twice but I see no fruit in my own life.. 

I've come to a place where I feel weird towards God. I don't trust him at all, I have alot of anger towards him and I genuinely don't want to surrender completely mainly bc I see an example being my brother who's brainwashed and has nothing. 

Idk what to do. 

 

I really don't know how to trust God 

Idk I wish I were full of faith but I'm not. 

 

I just know my situation isn't ideal-- I just feel like a pot of destruction.. 

 

I think maybe I should take a hiatus. 

Taking a "hiatus" from worrying is a tremendous idea. Taking a break from God is a terrible idea. In Christ, there is always hope. Imagine having to go through this without hope.

My advice 1: Relax. Jesus said to cast our cares and burdens on Him. In Him we find our rest, and peace. My impression from your words is that you are trying to carry your own burdens and cares, rather than giving them over to Him. The beauty of grace is that we don't have to have it all figured out.

E.g. "Lord, I don't know what to do about ... . I need your help. I therefore give this issue to you." Thereafter, you don't have to worry about it (sometimes 'worry' itself is the problem we need to give to God). You can make a decision, "I'm going to trust you Lord to take care of me - because I know I can't do it on my own"; i.e. a decision to stop yourself from worrying - "No, I'm not going to think about that anymore. I've given it to my Father". Say it out loud if you have to - and mean it - be determined.

My advice 2: Trust can be a decision. Many fall away from Christianity because they have never actually had the critical "no matter what" talk with God - i.e. "No matter what happens, no matter how I feel, or if I understand - no matter whatever circumstance may befall me, I'm sticking with you Jesus forever". Not an empty emotional decision - but a thoughtful, heartfelt choice - "This is who I am now - I belong to Jesus". "Whether my Christianity progresses fast or slow, when all is said and done, I am His". Once you've made that decision, the whole "I should give up being a christian" is no longer an option. It doesn't matter how you feel - because feelings can't be trusted. It doesn't matter what awful or disillusioning circumstance you experience; nor if you just don't understand; and are at your wit's end - you simply shrug your shoulders and trust that God knows - and has a plan. 

My advice 3: Just be open and honest with God.

E.g. "Lord, I thank you that you have given me peace and rest, but to be honest, I really haven't been feeling it for a while now. If there's anything I need to do differently, please open my eyes and teach me so I know. Otherwise Lord, all I can do is leave it in your hands." - and mean it - let it go and think about something else.

"Father, I thank you that you love me, and that you order my steps and hear my prayers. I need your help today with my attitude/this person/this circumstance/this bill etc." - whatever it is you need help with (or want to talk about). Don't make it weird or religious - just be honest - God wants a relationship - and prayer is the main way we communicate to God.

My final advice: Did I mention relax? Stop trying to figure everything out. God knew what He was getting with each of us - and yet He allowed His beloved to suffer the cross on our behalf - so He could spend forever with us. If you choose Christ, then you win life - no matter what else this life throws at you. Take a deep breath and receive His rest. And then you and God can get on together with the destiny He has for you.

 

[BibleStudent100]

On 11/17/2024 at 3:35 PM, Figure of eighty said:

Sometimes I wonder if I should give up being a christian. I've been saved and baptized twice but I see no fruit in my own life.. 

Good morning Figure of Eighty:

All of the contributions so far have been spot on and there is little to add, but my favorite scripture:  

(1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.
 

Try focusing more on helping others by spreading the gospel message and by engaging more in your church and you will find these feelings of despondency falling by the wayside!

 

God Bless!

 

[Cntrysner]

On 11/17/2024 at 5:35 PM, Figure of eighty said:

Sometimes I wonder if I should give up being a christian. I've been saved and baptized twice but I see no fruit in my own life.. 

I've come to a place where I feel weird towards God. I don't trust him at all, I have alot of anger towards him and I genuinely don't want to surrender completely mainly bc I see an example being my brother who's brainwashed and has nothing. 

Idk what to do. 

 

I really don't know how to trust God 

Idk I wish I were full of faith but I'm not. 

 

I just know my situation isn't ideal-- I just feel like a pot of destruction.. 

 

I think maybe I should take a hiatus. 

Paul (Saul) had a false sense of security under the law on his way to Damascus, he was fully persuaded that persecuting Christians gave him a right standing with God. The ascended glorified Christ appeared to Paul and revealed to him that he was worthy of God’s wrath, blinded by the truth of who Christ was he fell to the earth as dead. Paul was in agony for a time yet received the revelation of the grace of God in Christ. Paul knew as a blasphemer he was not worthy, this knowledge enabled him to fully receive God’s grace and unconditional love. 

1Ti 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 
1Ti 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 

No matter what condition we are in it is God’s love for us that fully persuades our faith in Christ. God is love and forgives all our transgressions.     
 

[Marathoner]

On 11/17/2024 at 4:35 PM, Figure of eighty said:

Sometimes I wonder if I should give up being a christian. I've been saved and baptized twice but I see no fruit in my own life.. 

I've come to a place where I feel weird towards God. I don't trust him at all, I have alot of anger towards him and I genuinely don't want to surrender completely mainly bc I see an example being my brother who's brainwashed and has nothing. 

Idk what to do. 

 

I really don't know how to trust God 

Idk I wish I were full of faith but I'm not. 

 

I just know my situation isn't ideal-- I just feel like a pot of destruction.. 

 

I think maybe I should take a hiatus. 

When we pay heed to what afflicts us, we believe the twisted and warped narrative it supplies. I've indicated that we share some things in common --- you've written about matters I have experienced myself, particularly where affliction and flesh and blood family is concerned --- but what's not clear and can't be communicated effectively with words is how I didn't know and couldn't see what happens next. None of us can. 

I'm not about to tell you what you should or shouldn't do because I know how powerless religiosity truly is. Platitudes and posturing are meaningless when you are a prisoner of affliction. Prayer is always effective, but the Lord doesn't move in ways which satisfy the expectations of men, and this includes us, @Figure of eighty. Did the Lord not do what you expected for Him to do? 

Do as you see fit. I did the same and because I belong to the Lord, He never left me at any time. Why? Because of this affliction. It's involuntary! We cannot stop the relentless assault, and we are powerless in its grasp... but there is a way in which we may overcome it anyway. What's my prayer for you? That you don't have to go through what I endured to walk in victory in the Spirit of the Lord. When we focus our eyes upon Christ and Him alone, we overcome this horrid jailer of the flesh. 

There are times when I want to give up. I even have excellent reasons to give up, yes? I do. However, I refuse to give up even when that's all I want. We are not going to receive everything we want, my friend. No matter what you do, you'll see. Go well. 

[Vine Abider]

Just wanted to say I was impressed by all the responses here. This is Christ speaking through the members of His body to help a member in need & distress! 

[Neighbor]

On 11/17/2024 at 6:35 PM, Figure of eighty said:

Idk what to do. 

Hi,Having read several of your posts over time and in reading this one I see also many  helping and encouraging responses

Might I add for your consideration? Sit down  in comfort and read, read the Book of Job, read it as you might read a novel, seeing the characters, feeling their surrounds. Get into the story  just as you might an interesting tale.

Then note the strong angry dissertation  by Job  in chapter three. Job too railed in anger even as he had stood his ground giving thanks to God. He had a hard battle to wage yet God saw Him through it. God will see you through too.

God is faithful! Hang on, hang on to the hope certain that is our Lord and savior Jesus.

[PATrobas]

We acknowledge your helpless feelings. We all have them from time to time. This mornings ICR might help you. The point, as others have pointed out is to turn to Jesus; "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered." Romans 10:13

November 19, 2024
Problems, Problems, Problems
“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” (Psalm 55:6)

The 55th Psalm is a psalm of “complaint” (v. 2) by David and gives an insight into his thought process as he tried to deal with the great problems and burdens that were overwhelming him. His first instinct was to run away from them, flying like a dove far off into the wilderness.

The prophet Jonah (whose name means “dove”) tried that strategy years later, only to encounter even worse problems (Jonah 1:3, 15). One does not solve problems by fleeing from them.

Then David decided to berate those who were causing him trouble and to complain about them to the Lord. “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17). The words “pray, and cry aloud” here actually mean “complain and mourn.” “Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues” (v. 9). “Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell” (v. 15). His burdens were all the heavier because those he had trusted as friends and colleagues were now using deceit and guile against him (vv. 11-14), and the injustice of it all was almost more than he could endure. But complaints and imprecations were also unsatisfying: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

Finally, the Lord gave him an answer, and David found the rest for which he had been so fretfully searching. Here it is: “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22). The last phrase of the psalm is “but I will trust in thee” (v. 23).

The way to deal with burdens and problems is not to flee from them or to fret about them but to turn them over to the Lord: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). HMM

[farouk]

8 hours ago, Tristen said:

Taking a "hiatus" from worrying is a tremendous idea. Taking a break from God is a terrible idea. In Christ, there is always hope. Imagine having to go through this without hope.

My advice 1: Relax. Jesus said to cast our cares and burdens on Him. In Him we find our rest, and peace. My impression from your words is that you are trying to carry your own burdens and cares, rather than giving them over to Him. The beauty of grace is that we don't have to have it all figured out.

E.g. "Lord, I don't know what to do about ... . I need your help. I therefore give this issue to you." Thereafter, you don't have to worry about it (sometimes 'worry' itself is the problem we need to give to God). You can make a decision, "I'm going to trust you Lord to take care of me - because I know I can't do it on my own"; i.e. a decision to stop yourself from worrying - "No, I'm not going to think about that anymore. I've given it to my Father". Say it out loud if you have to - and mean it - be determined.

My advice 2: Trust can be a decision. Many fall away from Christianity because they have never actually had the critical "no matter what" talk with God - i.e. "No matter what happens, no matter how I feel, or if I understand - no matter whatever circumstance may befall me, I'm sticking with you Jesus forever". Not an empty emotional decision - but a thoughtful, heartfelt choice - "This is who I am now - I belong to Jesus". "Whether my Christianity progresses fast or slow, when all is said and done, I am His". Once you've made that decision, the whole "I should give up being a christian" is no longer an option. It doesn't matter how you feel - because feelings can't be trusted. It doesn't matter what awful or disillusioning circumstance you experience; nor if you just don't understand; and are at your wit's end - you simply shrug your shoulders and trust that God knows - and has a plan. 

My advice 3: Just be open and honest with God.

E.g. "Lord, I thank you that you have given me peace and rest, but to be honest, I really haven't been feeling it for a while now. If there's anything I need to do differently, please open my eyes and teach me so I know. Otherwise Lord, all I can do is leave it in your hands." - and mean it - let it go and think about something else.

"Father, I thank you that you love me, and that you order my steps and hear my prayers. I need your help today with my attitude/this person/this circumstance/this bill etc." - whatever it is you need help with (or want to talk about). Don't make it weird or religious - just be honest - God wants a relationship - and prayer is the main way we communicate to God.

My final advice: Did I mention relax? Stop trying to figure everything out. God knew what He was getting with each of us - and yet He allowed His beloved to suffer the cross on our behalf - so He could spend forever with us. If you choose Christ, then you win life - no matter what else this life throws at you. Take a deep breath and receive His rest. And then you and God can get on together with the destiny He has for you.

 

@Tristen The trust theme there is truly important; Job 13.15 puts it incisively: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him".

[Vine Abider]

2 minutes ago, farouk said:

 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him".

Love that verse!  Along with one something like it: "He will be our guide, even unto death." (Psalm 48:14)  There's only One we can say that about!