How do I hold on to my faith when everyone else's I know seems to be being destroyed... and they are dragging me down with them? Thanks for any advice you can give me :)
2006-10-20 06:36:14 · 23 answers · asked by J-me 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Alright... I feel I need to add that the people who are losing faith are not intentionally losing it. It's a result of challenging circumstances, family & friends trying to change their minds... they want to do right just as I do - it's just that they're lost right now.
Another thing: thank-you SO much for all the support in your answers. I was amazed at the help you all offer... I expected lots of sarcastic answers from non-believers, and maybe a few good ones... Thanks so much, God bless you all :)
2006-10-20 06:51:58 · update #1
Faith can be a hard thing to deal with at times when everything around you seems to be over-run by darkness. The Lord promised you that He'll never leave you nor forsake you. That's a promise He can't go back on. Rest assured that He's right there with you at all times and is just testing your faith. Your moving closer to God because when you move closer to Him the enemy increases his efforts to turn you away from Him. Do not lose heart, this is just a season. Remain strong amidst the onslaught of adversity. God will never give you more than you can handle. If you need more encouragement please feel free to e-mail me and I'll do my best (with the help of the Almighty) to get you through this time of trial. AMEN
2006-10-20 06:48:19 · answer #1 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go out in Nature on a clear night, and observe all the beauty of creation. Look up at the heavens and see all the galaxies and universes. And then think about how scientist now believe that everything in the universe is set up just to maintain life on earth. Then think of how it is possible for that to happen by chance.
Then you will know without a doubt there is a God. And with everything in creation being so beautiful how could God be evil. Knowing God is wonderful and Loving, there is no fear. Now that you know there is a God, search after him, question everything you believe and try to find the answers. For in Hebrew 11:6 It says".. God rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Faith is all you have, for if there is no God life is meaningless, and with all the horrible things that happen it is not really worth living. People are down right ruthless to each other, and without a God having it all in control life is hopeless.
Hope this helps
2006-10-20 14:02:39 · answer #2 · answered by Nathan W 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it is a sign of the last days...hold on tight. Focus on hearing the words - "Well done my good and faithful servant."
"I have fought the good fight. Ihave finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day..." IITImothy 4:7-8
found this, too:
God give you the grace to stand firm to the end!
"...wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth-pains (arche odinon). Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Mt 24:6-14).
2006-10-20 13:45:46 · answer #3 · answered by Kare♥Bear 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Proverbs 13:20-"He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly." If you disagree with them and feel you are being dragged down and don't want to be, then you need to get out of that situation. True friends will let you do what you want and won't force you "to the dark side". If you've been around these people a while, it's obvious that you are not changing them, they are changing you. If you want to hold on to your faith, then you need to consistently be around people of your faith.
2 Corinthians 6:14-Â "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers." This would apply to any alliance - marriage, friends, partnerships, etc.
2006-10-20 13:46:36 · answer #4 · answered by CHRISTINA 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hang on .... Matthew West says it nicely:
John 8:3-11, 2 Corinthians 12:9
"This song is sort of like “part one” of history in the making. It’s about the battle between guilt and grace—a battle I believe can be won by grace every single time! There’s a story in the book of John about a woman who is caught in the act of adultery and dragged out into the street to be stoned. I love the part where Jesus steps in, the part where Grace interrupts the religious leaders’ plans. He says, “You who are without sin, throw the first stone!” Well, needless to say, there were no stones thrown that day. Instead, Jesus picked the woman up from the dirt and said, “Go and sin no more.” Have you ever felt so guilty about a bad decision that you thought the dirt would never wash away? Have you ever fallen so far that you actually started believing you were unlovable or unforgivable? The scripture says, “My grace is sufficient for you,” and in the battle between guilt and grace, that is Grace’s victorious cry. “There’s only Grace, there’s only Love, there’s only Mercy, and believe me it’s enough!”" - Matthew West
2006-10-20 13:40:29 · answer #5 · answered by Gardener for God(dmd) 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My dear friend,You can not get dragged down with them,only if you let yourself!You need to focuse on your faith and pray for them dear,thats the most you can do for them,But you are a different story,maybe its time to make some new friends,that have better faith,you know were to go to meet them!God bless,Hollywood
2006-10-20 13:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by hollywood 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seek ye first the kingdom and all these things shall be added unto you.
Choose to flee from the very sin that drags you away from Christ. Be a leader--stand firm in your faith--even if that means finding new friends. You can still hang out with them--just try to stay away from the situations that will lead you into temptation.
2006-10-20 13:40:29 · answer #7 · answered by heavnbound 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Surround yourself with positive people in the church (or whatever religion) that can give support and encouragement to you and stay away from the nay-sayers as much as possible. Some people just suck the life out of you with all their negativism!
2006-10-20 13:46:45 · answer #8 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If your faith can be destroyed, then you have no knowledge. Admit that you don't know, live a good life, keep your mind open to all knowledge, and it will come to you. It's OK for now.
2006-10-20 13:57:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hard place to be in. My honest opinion? I would tell them how I felt about them, how much I cared about them, BUT that they are bringing me down. Find a few people who just like to go and hang out that go to your church, or try callingup the church office. I am sure the pastors dont mind hanging out with or talking to one of their brothers/sisters. If your church doesnt edify the body of Christ, find a new church. Seriously. If they are not teaching what Jesus taught, it may be time to move on. (How old are you? Where do you live? I dont want to push my church at you, but I find it is where my true brothers and sisters are, motivated and loving people who long for the Word of God. Go to a Calvary Chapel website and find a church close to you.) I was down all this last week, I prayed every day and found myself waking up at 4:30 in the morning. I started reading psalms because i havent read it yet. it says like the song "oh lord in the morning will i direct my prayer unto thee and will look up" so i prayed for a week for Him to come back to me. and yesterday I had gotten so angry and frustrated at the world, i decided to just relax despite everything. i spoke to God like He was my best friend, just told him everything that was on my heart, He heard my prayer and came back to me with His peace. And oh how amazingly sweet it was :)
So maybe talking to God and being that emotional in wanting to be closer, crying out to Him, He will pull you close, as a Father does. Remember, it is in Him that we find rest, and that He finds rest with the praises of His people. Praise Him!!!!
2006-10-20 13:52:29 · answer #10 · answered by Hurray for the ANGELS! 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋