How can I find God?

Question

I've never been religious - but I've always know there was some sort of God. I feel like HE never listens to me, or that HE just doesn't care. A year or so ago I was going through rehab. I was going through a really hard time and I was in the middle of the desert with a group of other people who were going through the same thing as I was. We were in group, talking about our faith in God or a "Higher Power.." I said that I wasn't sure if there was a God or if He could hear my pleas or if He even cared or loved me at all.

I have never been the one to go to chuch because I was never taught about God. I've always been curious though. Anyways, we were all talking, and after I said "I'm not sure what I believe in because I feel that the God of my understanding doesn't hear me or care about me, he never answers me or shows me a sign - - he hates me."

After that I saw this ball of light come from the skies. It was like this giant ball of light that was MANY miles away. It came from between this gap in the clouds and went across the horizon for a few seconds and then I didn't see it anymore.

Was it a sign from him, letting me know that he does hear my prayers and that he cares about me?

Was it him trying to reassure me?

I was the ONLY PERSON who saw this. Everyone else in my group said they believed in God - I was the one who was unsure.

I believe in God - I know something had to create us. What makes me sad is, I don't feel like God hears my prayers, or that he doesn't give a sh*t about me.

What can I do?

Someone who's a Christian, or some similar religion - - or whatever - - please help me.

I'VE BEEN TOLD I NEED TO GO TO CHURCH, AND READ THE BIBLE - -- - - I HAVE BEEN READING THE BIBLE BUT NOTHING REALLY MAKES MY HEART FEEL OR ANYTHING WHEN I'M READING..


DO YOU THINK CHILDREN WHO HAVEN'T LEARNED ABOUT CHRIST/GOD WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG BECOME IMMUNE? I FEEL LIKE MY HEART IS SOLID AS ICE BUT HE IS KNOCKING AT MY DOOR AND I DON'T KNOW HOW TO LET HIM IN.

Answer 1

You say that you don’t know how to let Him in, but as you are writing that you are opening the door to your heart because you have with your written word prayed a prayer for help, and help is what you will experience. It is easier to learn of truth when your thought is less hardened by the human experience, but there is never a time when a heart has become immune and yet searches for truth.
I understand what you are feeling and experiencing because I was there for awhile myself, thinking that somehow God didn’t hear my inner voice and He didn’t care. But the truth is that God does hear you, even when you don’t talk. He supplies you with the means to ask your question, or to get an answer that is needed at the right moment.
I think it will also help to keep in mind the truth about yourself when you do ponder stories in the bible and why they are there. The truth is that you are a reflection of His infinite individuality, which is not subject to human conditions, and you are not just a mortal that walks awhile and then dies. So you begin to see that God loves you, but does not love a lie about you or lies that (for now) you believe are true. The truths in the Bible will lift you out of the quagmire of lies about life and God, as you learn His true nature, power, and love.

Answer 2

Well from what I read you have opened the door and GOD is just on the other side waiting for the door to open more, when your ready.
People don't usually believe in signs - as we are so "educated" this being 2006, and we are so advanced.
Of course this is wrong - and you COULD have had a sign just as sure as not. So I was happy thinking you had received a sign, which made you open the door a crack.
As this is a very personnal and intimate subject the acceptance of GOD or not, I would like to think you are not swayed by what is cool, or what's "hot" today. Being with GOD is a lifelong project. There will be good days and bad days.
I would state the obvious that being in rehab, you turned from a live style you did not want to find one you will be more productive and happy with.
I am Roman Catholic, and there are clear, written in stone stuff that turns many off, as well as keeps people contented very nicely. A quest for you to find a human community to share your faith may be in order. Buddist and other non violent religions; I have no knowledge on Pagans or the older religions; The mainstream religions are well documented. The Jewish faith is similar to mine, in that there are rules, and laws.
I know this R&S will provide a good start for many different views. Then invest in an hour into web searching the ones the harmonize with you.
The hard part will be talking to a human and trusting that your not buying a pig in a poke, or a lemon of a used car.
Kick the tires and give them a good test drive, before commiting. TALK TO EVERYONE. May be write down all the bad things and verifying if they are true. Such as in my religion - not all priests are bad, and most of the money is used for good.
Being religious today is harder because we get painted with a dirty brush no matter the truth, before there is any investigation. Look at the Islamic faithful - the vast majority are like you, good solid thinkers but there are a few that make them all worried.
I babbled too long.
Before I go remember this: GOD DOES NOT HATE YOU!!
So open a door to GOd, and don't worry about how long GOD waited outside, as HE already knew everything about you and was waiting for you to freely choose to welcome him, as we all have to. We have free will for a reason, remember. GOD does NOT hate you!

Answer 3

The first thing you need to do is pray!!!!! The second is read the scriptures. Then try the best you know how to live the way he wants you to and follow his example. A few things will keep you from receiving revelation from the Holy Ghost, sin of any kind, that you know better than to do. Drugs or alcohol, and feelings of unkindness towards others. Then truly check into those who show up at your door preaching the Gospel for if you are truly looking he will send someone to you when he feels the time is right but you also have the responsibility to look for him in truth and humility. But be sure of one thing HE LOVES YOU more than you can possibly understand and wants to help you. Check out a few of my previous answers to questions my help you also. Good luck!

Answer 4

Listen - here is the answer to find Jesus Christ. Get down on your hands and knees. Cry out to God and Jesus to save you - tell Him all of your sins, your weaknesses, your hurts, your hangups - everything. Ask for God's forgiveness of your sins, your selfishness - tell Him how you are feeling - He will listen and hear you. He will only hear you if you believe that Jesus Christ was His Only Son - Jesus died on a cross, was buried, rose (came back to life) on the third day according to the Bible and sits at the right hand of the Father - Believe dear one - Believe. God will hear you when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ - He will save you. Please give this a try - you will not be sorry - you will find the answer - you will find healing and the Truth - Jesus Christ. He is waiting - I will be praying for you. After this begin reading your Bible - start at the Book of John - the Bible will be revealed to you then because you will be reading it with "spiritual eyes" as you will have the Holy Spirit within in - He comes in at the point of salvation. Blessings dear one - find Jesus - He is there - it is the Truth.

Answer 5

Wow, I definitely think that ball of light was a sign, and a very good sign as well..I am Muslim. Islam has bought me Peace, and it has helped me through some of hardest times that I never thought I would survive through...However, I do respect all religious beliefs, because that is what our religion teaches...
I would tell you to visit different churches and mosques right now..You can visit a mosque on a Friday afternoon, around 2pm is when we have a service. If you have any Muslim friends, ask them to take you.You should also ask friends to take you to their churches for bible study, perhaps you will understand better...Since you are unsure about Christianity, you should study All religions right now.

As for God, believe me, he is near. He hears you, and He loves you.
Peace

Answer 6

Honey, to me God is LOVE, if you feel your heart is cold/closed then it has been closed to God/love.
And no wonder, if anyone would know you would know all the pain people hide from , you would see it in anothers in rehab, closing our heart is the only defence we have to being hurt upon hurt.
Just as you have lived your life, walking a path away from God/love, now it seems you are travelling back trying to reconnect yourself to God/love.
God is always there he is right there in your heart, you can't see him you can't hear him, you may not be able to feel him yet, but he is right there holding your heart safe until you find him; until you are ready to open your heart again.
I would trust your experience of the bright light, if you feel that was an attempt to reach out to you, then i beleive it was. Those types of experiences are placed for us; they tend to be the most life changing, and ones we don't have the words to share with others.
You may feel all alone, maybe abonded, maybe angry or fearful, your questions will lead you to your answers. Don't give up and when people offer you suggestions or advice use both your heart and mind to decipher what feel right FOR YOU.

Happy Journeying

Answer 7

Hello, United We Stand,
You don't have to go anywhere at all to find God. God is everywhere and in everything.
To allow God into your heart, is to humble yourself before Him. Tell God how you feel and that you are a sinner. Repent and start off in a new direction.

God will guide you in the steps He wants you to go in. I know where He will lead you and that's directly to His Son Jesus Christ. Once there, you will need to decide the rest of your life. There is no turning back from this. There is only a new creation waiting to be created. Need more info, e-mail.><>

Answer 8

Have you ever not answered a question because it is common knowledge? or a common question you get asked often?
I suspect that may be the way god rolls. Maybe for the first million years he answered this question for his dear creations, but simply found that people would find out soon after anyway, so why bother answering .
I am not doubting that god let you know he is there.
Read the book conversations with god. it is helpful.

Answer 9

For many years I felt the same feelings that You are describing, then this happened to me.

Several years ago I had an unusual experience concerning an uncle, a distant relative who lived over a thousand miles away.

While driving my car I suddenly felt the unmistakable presence of this relative that I hardly even knew. He was more like someone I had heard about than someone I knew. It was very strange; it felt as though I was momentarily lifted right out of my physical body. I seemed to be suspended somehow beyond space and time, bathed in a love so intense It felt like I could have just disappear into it at any moment if It would have let me. It only lasted for a few seconds, but it seemed to last forever at the same time. I realize how crazy this must sound. The experience was so strong that at first I was afraid I was loosing my grip on reality. I finally managed to chalk it up to an over active imagination.

Three days later I got a call from my aunt telling me that this uncle we are talking about had gone into a coma and died the day I had the experience. It felt like ice water had been poured down my back when she told me this. I had lost any real ideas of God or faith and had become somewhat of an atheist. Needless to say this experience caused me to rethink some of the conclusions I had come to.

I feel blessed to now understand that even in our darkest confusion something loves us so much that it went out of its way to assist me and bring me back to a state of absolute certainty about Gods love for us.
During the experience it seemed like there was a vast amount of information that I was somehow allowed access to. One thing that I came away from this experience understanding beyond any shadow of a doubt was that any Idea that God is unhappy with us or would judge or allow us to be punished for any reason is simply impossible.

I can’t explain the love I felt with words. They simply don’t make words big enough or complete enough to do this. The only way I can begin to convey this love to you is to say that there was simply nothing else there. Nothing but love. No hint of judgment, no displeasure of any sort. It is as though God sees us as being as perfect as we were the day we were created. It is only in our confused idea of ourselves that we seem to have changed.

I hope this is of some help to you. Email if you want to talk about it.

Good luck. Love and blessings.

Your brother
Don

Answer 10

More specifically you need to read NEW TESTAMENT which teaches us all about Jesus and why he came. We are all living hopeless lives without him! He is the very TRUTH of God and that is how you find God is through Jesus. If you decide to put your faith in him you need to do the following things to become a Christian...
A. repent (turn away from your sins)
B. confess Jesus as Lord and savior
C. be baptized
D. live faithfully

I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. -John 5:24

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." -John 14:6

PS: You can IM me if you want.