Christians: What to do when faith and life become rather empty?

Question

I've been a Christian for ten years. I earned a degree in biblical studies and am well read in theology and philosophy. I am an artist showing my work in several big cities. I've lived in many places. But I am approaching thirty, lonely, bored, and listless. I moved to my hometown and I've not joined a church here. I don't communicate much with my old friends. It is like I am having a third life crisis or something. Like things are over. What do you make of this.

Note: I'm not interested in atheism or Wiccan or some other belief system. I have no intellectual dissatisfaction with my own faith. Thanks.

nondescript: I appreciate the sentiment, but really, I'm not interested in being an atheist. I am quite literate in atheist literature anyway, from Epicurean materialist thought through Post-Modern Anti-Realism. And I am well read about the history of religions and the Hebrew's relationship with Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, etc. And I know plenty about the Mithra cult. I am sure you are sincere, but spare condescension of insinuating I am afraid of thinking.

Shane: I have looked into Catholicism and I truly admire so many things about it. Yet I do not think I could fully commit to a few of the central doctrines. But maybe later in life I could. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't understand how as a "Christian" you cannot find fulfillment in learning , growing and applying the teachings of Christ. For starters since you seem to have enough time to get bored I'm sure you can find the time to spread and maintain His Kingdom. Serving others may yield the blessings you may be expecting. Sorry for the preachiness.

Answer 2

First, I recommend seeing a psychotherapist to determine if you are suffering from depression. Many forms of depression result from chemical imbalance, which is not unlike diabetes. Remember, medication is only one form of treatment, and sometimes all that is required is a short period to "kick-start" you, and get you back in the saddle.

Also realize that growing older is a dynamic process, and change should be expected, perhaps even welcomed. Change is the defining quality of the universe. It may be uncomfortable at times, but the alternative is stagnation.

These things aside, the main impression I get from your post is that you are accustomed to having something "external" act as a force for happiness in your life. One of the things that a great portion of our world does not understand is that happiness must come from inside. No amount of religion, socializing, recreating or diversions will "make" you happy if internally you are sad. They will simply be "quick fixes" which fade as soon as you are apart from them. This is the classic "work 5 days so you can relax for 2" mentality that so much of our world has accepted as law. This is why so many people dread Monday mornings. In my experience, the key to happiness is to DO what you enjoy most, and BE what you love most.

When people ask us "what do you do?", the automatic response is to declare, "I'm a mechanic, I'm a doctor, I'm a supervisor, etc, etc." We tend to define who we are by our careers... the 8 or 10 hours a day we spend working (usually for someone else.) Is who you are the work you perform each day? If so, are you DOing what you enjoy most, and are you BEing what you love most while doing it? What are you doing for the other 12-14 hours, and how can you spend less time doing the former, and more time doing the latter?

Not many people have the courage to approach life in the manner I've described above, but the people I've met who do so are some of the happiest people I've ever know.

Answer 3

You are looking in the wrong place for excitement. Religion will offer nothing new. Besides, most religions are primarily, though it is denied, to serve God, not your own personal needs. I have to agree with some of the Christians on this post. You are supposed to give yourself because he is your creator, not because you feel lonely or bored. Religion is not about self-gradification or self-discovery. It is about following dogma and limiting your life experiences and choices. Why not preach if you have such a massive amount of information on your side? Also, i don't think sitting in a church for a few hours will offer you much excitement.

It seems like you need a life change, are you in a serious relationship? More than what religion can offer you, what you need cannot be offered by being a church going person. Most of the time, having children or getting married are major life changes that bring contentment to ones life.

Answer 4

Gee with all that education in the bible why would you not be fulfilling God purpose??? It is a life saving work not only for unbelievers but for your-self... You may read up on what is blood-guilty.. How does that matter to Gods will? What is Gods will?

You ought to know that Gods will is the preaching work. Being qualified not by education but by what the bible says a qualified servant would meet in order to properly have Gods spirit to teach and make disciples of persons. In order they can change their lives and benefit from Gods rules and regulations. This is or may be why you are feeling empty. You are not helping others and learning from their lives and experiences.. so sad how false religion has put a blind over an intelligent creature as yourself.

My challenge is for you,, is What does the bible say identifies people as Gods people? What should they be doing? What main quality should they be displaying that includes the preaching work?

Answer 5

It seem that most if not all Christians go through dry periods and encounter "speed bumps" in their walk with the Lord. Many Bible "greats" went through the same thing. Consider Joseph who was abandoned by his family as the youngest,sold into slavery and ended up in jail in a foreign country where he languished for (I think it was 13 years) he doubtlessly thought it was the end of the world for him and he would have been very miserable only one day to be suddenly called out by the the Pharaoh who appointed him the virtual Prime Minister and Joseph ended up as almost the most powerful man on earth. The Lord has a purpose for you as you were not a mistake. His purpose will be revealed when the time is ready. He waited for the time to be ready concerning Joseph and Moses and Paul and David and SO many others who he had called. Consider Sampson, The lord created him for the express purpose of "beginning to deliver his people from their bondage" Consider Abraham and Noah. The timing had to be right for both of them. The Lord will bring all things together for you when the time is right and remember to that he who waits also serves as he is not expecting great things from us and he will perform his will through you when he is ready. In the meanwhile may I suggest you find yourself a good Bible based church and enjoy the fellowship with other Christians and wait on the Lord

Answer 6

Are you doing what God wants you to do? If you're living a life knowing Him, but not living it for Him, then yes you will be unhappy. Compiling a huge amount of knowledge and not using it makes that knowledge useless. You must be familiar with the parable of the lamp (Mark 4:21-25 ; Luke 8:16-18). Maybe God is not interested in you showing your artwork. Maybe He's more interested in you using your knowledge to evangelize.

You mentioned that you haven't joined a church. Remember that separating yourself from God is not the answer. It sounds to me that you're just not on the right track. Find your calling and you'll find your happiness! :)

Answer 7

Been there...am there now...the only advice I can give you is to join a church or other activity where you have fellowship with other Christians. I know when I stay away from church & don't read anything spiritual or pray my life feels empty & my faith takes a nosedive because I'm not hearing real stories about how God is working in peoples lives. Hope it's temporary :-)

Answer 8

...Hello. You sound a bit depressed. Believe me, I have been there. I hope something that I share can help you.
...I like this quote from Jim Elliot, who was martyred in 1956 while ministering to the Auca Indians in Ecuador:
"I many no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not."
...What things do you know God wants you to do now? How about:
1. Ask God for wisdom in what to do (James 1:5)
2. Hook up with a good Bible-teaching, Christ-honoring church, where you can fellowship regularly with believers and participate in corporate worship
3. Spend time in His word, daily if possible
4. Pray daily
5. Discover and begin to use your spiritual gifts and natural abilities, in service to others. Seek God on how you might serve Him and others
6. Make friends with folks who have similar interests; maybe join a Christian singles' group
...Be encouraged! Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans that I have for you," says the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope."
...I believe God has great plans for you...seek His kingdom and His righteousness, do what you know you should, and God will change your feelings eventually.
...If I can ever be of any help to you, contact me.
...God bless you!

Answer 9

Iron sharpens iron.

Lack of fellowship can lead to feeling this way. Aim to meet passionate people who share your faith and encourage you.

Renew you commitment to Christ and spend time in prayer and the word. Don't allow your soul to become downcast - praise God. Loneliness and lack of genuine contact with others can be stifling. It might be good to aim to attend a church and attend a small group or bible study. Its not over until God says so.

Jeremiah 29.11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Answer 10

depression. Increase prayer. Have you been reading your bible. I know I slacked off and then I jump started and there was new stuff I had not seen.

Creative people are suseptable to depression and the best ones express it in their creations.

I know what it is like to not want to go to church but I assume there is a reason the Bible discourages this so next week I'm gonna try again.

Sun light helps sometimes, exercise also, a confidant helps, there are drugs but as an artist I would steer clear of those. Prozac is one that has few side effects.