Why is the Christian life unfulfilling?

Question

I feel like something is missing. I don't like going to church (I've moved around a lot and been to many churches and haven't really liked any of them). I rarely get anything out of reading the Bible. When I did what I wanted I was quite happy and content, but then people started saying it was wrong and unglorifying to God. and so I stopped, because I do believe that we should be glorifying to God.
I just feel like something is missing from it all. I currently go to my parents' church (a Calvary Chapel). If there's any christians on here, let me know what you think..

Answer 1

There are three aspects to the Christian life that are important to balance. The Christian life is alot like a three-legged stool. The three legs need to be equal or close to equal or else you get off-balance or even fall off.

The three legs are: bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other Christians. All three are vital to your growth as a Christian. all three must be engaged in regularly.

bible study: are you reading the bible regularly? studying it? memorizing chapters? asking god to make it real and alive to you?

prayer: do you have a time of prayer each day? not just just presenting a shopping list for god but having real fellowship with Him, communing with Him, loving Him, praising Him? do you pray in the mornings? do you pray in the evenings? Do you go off by yourself just to pray alittle before going to school or your work? Prayer is so vital....so very very important....

and finally, fellowship with other believers. you are going to your parents' church. Are you involved? Are you in the youth group or young adults? Are you volunteering your time and getting involved? Are you going on short-term mission trips, retreats, overnight activites, etc. Do you have others that you pray with, study the bible with? etc.

I can almost guarantee that you are not doing one or two or maybe all three of these things....

Having said all that, sometimes the Christian life ain't easy. sometimes it is as dry as dust. Especially if you have moved around alot and don't have close friends at your church. But don't give up! The Christian life is the most wonderful awesome life there is!!

Please email me if you want to discuss more.... i'll be glad to try to help....

god bless!!!

addition: you said that when you were doing what you wanted, you were happy but others made you stop. what was it? was it sinful or just not the norm? just curious...sometimes we stop doing things not because God wants us to stop but because other well-meaning people want us to stop... and then we get all messed up because we stopped doing what we really should be doing!!!

Answer 2

Well-this is because you are trying to live a religion-not a relationship. God doesn't tell us to do things to make us not have fun the same way a parent tells their kids to look before crossing the street. Not to steal some boring time of stopping and looking around instead of running and doing what they want-but that parents know there are cars out there and that those cars can hurt their kids. God is the same way- a holy life is one that follows what God says- not what a church or orginization tells you to do. That being said, it is important to find a church that you do feel comfortable in-that still teaches the Bible as the one and only authority- so you can be encouraged and find other people who are on the same journey. Jesus said that He came to give us life abundently-that means a better life than we had because He's there taking out the speed bumps so we can have fun cruising without bumps. Yes many times sin seems like more fun- like sky diving. If you are stuck in a plain and watching others feel the joy of jumping free into the air you'd want to go too. The point is-we know that those in sin believe they have a parachute that will open to save them at the last moment-not realizing it doesn't exist. In a plane and flying through the air-you both reach the ground-it's just how you are when ariving that differs. So actually look into the Bible for what God wants you to do- I suggest reading through John first in the Message Translation-that might be easier to understand- or get an audio bible- like the Bible Experience and find what God wants you to do to be holy. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I have been there and done that but had to find my own way.
One way I did it was in reading the bible, I did see that I had to make a choice, believe religion or believe that the bible is the word of God.
It has truth on every thing, the worst of the worst and the best of the best, and religions do not come close to presenting what it is all about.
So I decided religions are a waste of my time, that is people second hand view of the bible and how you are supposed to feel about it.
I want it first hand, and I want how I am supposed to feel about it after I get it first hand and not any influence from another source.
I do not know how God and Christ could handle it any different, the good dealing with all being as bad as it can get with unholy angels and unholy humans, still his family and a sad lot.
For those that are holy and want rightenousness, they are being patient to bring back perfection as it was.
Any lost after every effort will only have self to blame.

Answer 4

There is a differance in going to Church and reading the Bible and Having a personal relationship with God. Talk to God about it. Tell him you want to have a relationship with him. Stop looking at the Bible like a book you should read and look at it as a way God can talk to you and help you. Before you pick it up and read it - ask him to talk to you today. think of it as a letter God has for you. Dont look at Church as a responsibility but as another way God can communicate with you and maybe you can also be a blessing to others. It may feel weird talking to God like that But your relationship will grow and the closer you get to God the less it will seem like a chore.

God is our Father he is not some being that is beyond our grasp. He longs for a close loving relationship with you.

Also Pray that God will lead you to a church that you will feel at home at. Also - remember, there is NO perfect church or No perfect doctrine. We are all human and sometimes we make mistakes. That is something we all have in common. It is like a family - you dont just walk out of a family cause you get irratated sometimes. Ask God to show you were you need to go. And dont look for perfection - Look for a place where you can feel loved, and accepted and learn to grow as a Christian. Remember - God is always truthful, but we are human.

Bless you,

Kathy

Answer 5

Well from what it sounds My Christian friend. You are Living the Christian life NOT because you want too, But because you feel you Have too. To me from what little i've read without any deep knowledge of you, it sounds like the "Christian Life", is not the life of which you want to truely live, and thus, feel like you're being forced too. Sure people say "You Have A Choice', but it honestly does'nt Feel that way, which for anyone, is a sucky feeling to have.
I can say from my Personal experiences.. I am 27 years old, and was born and raised in the church. I've known it since birth. All of my family, my mother, father, and all three brothers, are deep into church. However, despite being so in-grossed and surrounded by "Faith", personaly, I always felt Unfufilled or unsatisfied. I was NOT into the same things as far as church went as they where. I was not as happy to spend as much time at church as they where. I was only doing it because "They said" , or "God Said" I should.
So, I stopped going. I turned away from it for a while. Pretty much I wanted to experience the "Freedom" the rest of the world was.
In other words, I had to "Find my own way" in the world.. And that I did. I found my "own way" , not just in the world, But, also to god. Many people forget that we ALL have our own jourines in life that we need to take. And when they hear you're Not walking the path they are, they are quick to Ridicule, But, what they Should be doing is telling you, "What ever way you go, Go With God"
We all have our own paths to life, righteness, and being saved, and it sounds like you are truely ready to begin Yours. I'm not going to tell you to stop going to church or continue, i'm just gonna say. Whatever path you choose, remember the teachings you where given cause you have them for a reason. You are in controle of your choices and youre choices will ultimatly decide your path. God has a plan in mind for us all, and yours will soon be realized. Taking controle of your life and feeling like your in controle, is the First Step. The next is actualy being left to make the choice of Which direction you want to go in.
I currently still attend church, but not because I feel I have too but because certain events took place in my life that I felt the need to "pray" so that they would change, and they did.. I learned that church and the christian way of life, has a place for me, and god has a place in my life. But first, I had to experience and learn some thiings for myself.
I hope that what i've said helps you some. You sound like a very intelligent individual. And i'm sure you will make the right choices concerning your life and faith.

Answer 6

You made your first mistake by listening to what other people think. God shall judge you, not other humans. Other people will have to stand up for what they do on judgement day, as well as you. I guess my point is for you to do what ever you want as long as you are happy and worry about repentence when the time comes. As far as church goes I have one saying that I shall ring through the ages, and that is "Just because go in a garage, it doesn't make you car." Of course, my other law to live by is "Don't take life too seriously, it isn't permanent."

Answer 7

What exactly are you looking for in a faith? Do you disagree with the church doctrine, the people who attend, or the activities involved in your current/ parents church?

I belong to the Eastern Orthodox Church - it is very traditional, similar to Catholicism, but somewhat different. It is the eastern church, catholicism is the western church. I know alot of american converts who attend and who have said that they have truly found what it was they were looking for. You can search for Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, and Lebanese or Antiochian Orthodox churches in your area. They are all the same, with language being the difference, but many of them have changed to english speaking liturgies.

Answer 8

People say they have faith in Christianity because it feels right for them. It comforts them, makes them feel like part of something more important or whatever. That's a pretty stupid reason for believing in God, but it's an understandable one.
You apparantly get no such comfort of satisfaction from your religion. So why is it that you're so convinced god exists in the first place?

Answer 9

Sounds like it is time to soul search. Perhaps you should bible study at home for awhile. Christianity should not be unfulfilling. No one should be leading an unfulfilling life by personal choice...no matter what the religion or lack thereof.

Answer 10

if you are not seriously committed to God in your heart, that's the problem. you want the world and Christ too. but the Bible says in
Revelation 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.


You need to chose/Time is running out.

Matthew 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

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