What do you do when a friend who has lost faith is causing you to also lose faith ?
Have you ever had that problem ? What did you do ?
2006-11-18 18:20:18 · 11 answers · asked by unknown 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Ignore and continue to practice what u have been doing. Ask ur friend also to do the same and not try to convert others. If, however, he persists u may have to review friendship itself.
2006-11-18 18:23:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes it is darkest before the dawn.
If your friend's faith was in conditioned thinking, then it may be that God is removing all that, before replacing it with true faith that is not conditioned. Many people lose their faith when they think their prayers were not answered, or God allowed something to happen that is unjustified and out of control.
Perhaps you are sympathizing with your friend, and feeling his despair, so that you will go through the thoughts to recover and share them with him. This "empathy" process happens with me all the time, sometimes to a fault. I forgot what is happening and assume the feelings are mine, when actually my neighbor is suffering, and I can better help if I walk through the same process.
So please have faith that God is using you to help your friend, not to drag you both down. For 12 Reasons why prayers are not answered (so you don't lose your faith in the process) read
"Healing" by Francis MacNutt (edition 2000 or later is best).
When you understand the whole healing and recovery process, it won't worry you as much if you experience ups and downs along the way. It is healthy and mature to go through stages of emptiness, in order to let go of our human expectations, conditions or perceptions so we can receive new wisdom and better understand from God's more universal viewpoint.
When I completely let go of my past understanding, forgave it all and started over, that's when I received a broader vision of faith.
2006-11-19 02:39:56 · answer #2 · answered by emilynghiem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I are Christians but haven't gone to church lately. We are offended with the way the government has been using the church and don't want to be involved with people that don't necessarily share our views on the whole world. But still, our faith is not lacking. You can still believe in a higher power without believing in the way people change and distort that religion. What exactly is making you loose faith? How are they causing you to loose faith?
2006-11-19 02:29:52 · answer #3 · answered by LoLo 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pray for that friend and stay clear from them until they come to a realization that they need God. I haven't really had that problem for as a friend but family I have. They are believers now. Give them over to God and stay strong and hook up with a stronger believer to strengthen you in your faith if that's what you want for your self. *(*
2006-11-19 03:53:34 · answer #4 · answered by Pashur 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because my faith in God is not base-less. You see, I have faith in the person of God because I have experienced His presence in my life. If my faith were just "hoping" He existed, it probably could be shaken at times. And, honestly, during periods of prayerlessness or word "droughts" and times when I have gone without fellowshiping with Him, I have wondered was He really so interested in me. But, I have never doubted Him. Only my ability to follow Him or to be what He desires of me. I KNOW he loves me! I never doubt that. A friend's hard times and doubts can affect you, I can understand that. But you just have to be confident in His love. You can only trust someone whose character you are sure of. You can only trust someone you know, not know about.
2006-11-19 02:30:57 · answer #5 · answered by fruitypebbles 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
pray for your friend and for yourself, do not lose faith, the faith that we have in jesus is the most important gift that we could ever have.
2006-11-19 02:23:15 · answer #6 · answered by spanky 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The faith that God gave you now imply it on your friend.
2006-11-19 02:29:30 · answer #7 · answered by relive 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Surround yourself with deep fellowship. Find friends who can be there for you, surround yourself with wise counsel. Be honest with God, tell him how you feel, tell him the truth, ask that He will show himself to you. As cliche as it sounds, pray Big!
2006-11-19 02:24:41 · answer #8 · answered by tmjd 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is important to surround yourself with positive people who lift you up and do not bring you down.
2006-11-19 02:28:27 · answer #9 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be strong, dont let him/her bring you down, talk to him/her if they will. Help them however you can
2006-11-19 02:24:08 · answer #10 · answered by chinks 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋