I'm supposed to be saved but why sometimes i don't feel like i am?

Question

is it normal to feel that way? sometimes i feel not worthy to even pray to God because of my past, i've done really disgusting things that i can't even speak of only me and God knows about it. i know he forgave me from them but why can't i seem to break out of it, me being this way is effecting my relationship with him.

Answer 1

You're projecting your own feelings onto God. Because you haven't fully forgiven yourself for your past actions, you imagine that God has not fully forgiven you either, even though this contradicts Christian theology. I recommend therapy sessions to help you come to grips more with the "disgusting things" you're talking about, and to help rebuild your sense of self-respect and contentness. You won't be able to have a healthy relationship with anyone else (including God) until you have a healthy relationship with yourself.

Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and it does no good to dwell on them to the point that it interferes with your life now. No matter how bad you feel the things you've done in the past are, what matters is that you be the best person you can be in the future, since it is the future, not the past, that you have the power to change. Remember, too, that your own religion teaches that God doesn't consider anyone too bad to pray to him, so long as they have faith.

Answer 2

Everyone's right about one thing....guilt....why do you feel guilty about things you've been "forgiven" for? You could try confessing your wrongs (because all people like to hear what kind of dirt other people have...they like the power that comes with knowing someone else's secrets....you watch, someone will ask you, lol) What did you do that was really so wrong, and more importantly: WHO SAYS IT WAS WRONG? If you say it was wrong, it was wrong....if god says it was wrong....well then....you said you sometimes don't feel "saved" or "forgiven"....god said you were forgiven if you asked, but obviously it's not always the case....maybe if his forgiveness isn't always applicable, and is at whim, then his rules are too. Maybe what he says is wrong doesn't matter. The only person you have to answer to is yourself, my friend, if you spend your life trapped in the illusions of a bunch of drama-queens and "forgive me so I can go do it agains" then by all means, carry on. If you really want to feel true freedom, unsnap those chains, and see how great it feels to know that nobody will ever control you without your permission, and know that you are free to do whatever you want (within legal limits, of course, lol) without consequence, guilt, or fear. I think you've outgrown this relationship, and you don't need the crutch any longer, you're ready to stand as a man, much the same way you are now able to sleep without a nightlight that keeps the monsters away. Free yourself from these chains that hold you down, and see how great you feel....according to the church's rules, you can always change your mind later, say your sorry, and all is forgiven (every now and then). I'm not going to "pray" for you....just tell you the truth, and let you decide.

Answer 3

the following articles are all Bible-based, & designed to show you what (& where) the Bible indicates about how God feels toward us, especially needed when we're feeling down about ourselves ...

Will God Overlook Our Weaknesses?
- Moses and David
- The Fight to Throw Off Sin
- God Expects Us to Fight Our Weaknesses
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2002/11/8/article_01.htm

Life IS Worth Living! :
- "Will God Forgive Me for Feeling This Way?"
http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/2001/10/22/article_05.htm

What Is Your Life Worth?
- How Precious Your Life IS!
http://watchtower.org/e/20050201/article_01.htm

Did you know that there are prerequisites for prayers that are heard by God? ...

"Teach Us How to Pray"
How Should We Pray to God?
- The Name That Must Be Hallowed
- Proper Subjects for Prayer
- Further Counsel on Prayer
- Prayers That God Hears
http://watchtower.org/e/19960715/article_01.htm

Hope--Where Can You Find It? :
- Does Hope Really Make a Difference?
- Why Do We Need Hope?
- You Can Fight Pessimism!
- Where You Can Find REAL Hope! http://watchtower.org/e/20040422/article_01.htm

What Does God Require of Us? -- How You Can Find Out
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_00.htm

Advanced On-site Search
(In case a link becomes modified, this can be used.) http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm

Answer 4

Do not let Satan come in and put doubt in your mind. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but Jesus came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Remember the parable of the sower who sows the seed and some fell on stony ground, some fell among thistles, and some fell on good ground? It says that Satan came immediately to steal what was planted and so he does come to plant doubt in you or tell you that you have done such terrible things that God could never forgive you. That is the oldest trick that Satan uses. He has told me before that I can never live this Christian life because I will never get it right. But God who has begun a good work in you shall bring it to completion, and don't you ever forget that GOD will never leave you and He always finishes what He starts.

Answer 5

None of us are worthy to pray to God. That's why we need Jesus. Those disgusting things in your past, well you're not the only one in the world who's been saved from disgusting things, in fact, if you look, you will find people who were more messed up than you. Also, just because you have been saved from them, doesn't mean that you won't face the consequences of what you did for the rest of your life. I highly recommend finding another christian who has been a Christan waaaaay longer than you, and who is strong in their faith to disciple you. Discipleship is one of the vastly important aspects of Christian life that is too often forgotten these days. Also, you might seek counseling if you continue to be depressed about your past. Many people have chronic depression and don't even know they have it. God is your stronghold bud. Remember that. And, the joy of the Lord is your strength. I'll be prayin for ya

Answer 6

Please read every word of this.

I wish that at this time in your life you will make a crucial decision to realize that the Bible God does not exist.

Nothing you have done is unforgivable. Women often do things they are not proud of due to a lack in self confidence. You have to forgive yourself, and realize what actions bring negativity into your life and try to not do those things. A lot of things in this life will give you temporary, instant gratifacation, but in the long run will only ruin your self image, due to disappointment in yourself, and the chasing of false highs.

Love yourself, love life, love what you have in this world, the people that are in your life supporting you, and the ones to come.

God is a disillusion. It's something people for ages have been using to fill the void they feel, when really that void is just the zest for life being repressed by the Groundhog Dayesque rat race society has pigeon holed us into.

Love everyone equally because it's the right thing to do. Do what makes you happy in both the short and long terms. God has never helped anyone, positive thinking has. Often the two are confused.

Good luck in whatever you decide, you probably just scanned over this thinking I'm some stupid Godless idiot. Really I've tried walking with God, turns out he wasn't there, but you know who was? My mother, my friends and me. Believe in yourself, and learn from your mistakes, and turn any negatives into positives.

Love.

Answer 7

Maybe you can't coz you're afraid that even if He has forgiven you that He'll see you in a differnt way because of what you've done. No, God loves you and forgives ANY sin. From stealing to murder and thats His love for you.

Grace is an undeserved blessing and that is what He gives us. We are is children and have a right to talk to Him like everyone. You can tel Him anything. He's like a loving dad talk to Him. when you have done something well that's all the more reason to talk to Him! Never feel unworthy because in His eyes your worth is much more than His life itself.:)

Answer 8

Let me introduce you to your accuser---satan!! Satan tries to rob, steal and destroy anyone and everyone he can. He goes to God and accuses us of our sins. Read Job. BUT, if you have Jesus as your Lord and Master of your life and the Holy Spirit indwelling you, which you may have if you believe you are saved, then Jesus is your defender to God when satan accuses. Satan is trying to put doubts in your mind about your salvation. Use God's Word to battle the enemy! Pray when you have these thoughts. And remember, when satan reminds you of your past, remind him of his future ( in the Eternal Lake of fire). If you are a true believer, then be assured that God has forgiven you of your past and go on to live for Him. Trust in Him and read His Word. Satan works hard on especially new believers or believers who are weak. He is cunning and uses many devices to draw you away from God. If you are a professing christian who wears a christian label who straddles the fence with one foot in the Word and one foot in the world, then you need to decide to get off the fence, repent and follow the one true master. The Lord said you cannot serve 2 masters. Pray and read His Word. He'll give you assurance thru the Holy Spirit.

Answer 9

It's VERY normal to feel that way. We all experience it. As for not feeling worthy - well, you're not. Neither am I. That's the whole beauty of Christianity.

I know from experience that it's more difficult to forgive yourself for some things than it is to believe God forgives you. Just stay focused on Christ. What's that old racer's slogan? "What's behind me is not important." Good words.

Answer 10

HI Candy,

If I had a nickle for every time a pang of guilt for something from my past, I wouldn't have to work any more.

The Bible tells us that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of those sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". Another passage tells us that he will cast our sins into the depth of the sea. What a wonderful assurance... God will forgive us... the hard part is learning to forgive ourselves. It is important to understand that Forgiving a certain action does not mean condoning or accepting it. And while God promises not to hold these things against us, we sometimes can't let go of what we've done (sometimes because we are still tempted by those things).

So... is it normal to feel that way... oddly enough, yes, most of us have that problem... what we do is stick to "The Book". Satan's mission is to steal, to kill and to destroy. And he attacks us because ... well... quite frankly... he doesn't have to worry about the people who haven't accepted Christ... what he does is try to rob us of the joy we have in our salvation... he wants to kill our ability to witness and destroy our testimony.

In truth... you by yourself are not worthy to pray... none of us is worthy (For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God). However, we have an advocate/ attorney, who pleads on our behalf... The Bible tells us that we don't even know what we should be praying for, but the Holy Spirit within us makes intercession for us... Through the power of Christ's resurrection, we know that God no longer sees us as just plain sinners... but as his children, who can humbly come to him.

If you are having problems stopping certain behaviors, it is entirely possible you need a change of environment. I used to love certain parties I attended on weekends... and it was difficult for me to stop doing some of the things I did there... finally I realized that the only way for me to stop doing those things was for me to stop going to places where those things were being done. For a while it may even mean disassociating yourself from people whose destructive behaviors and attitudes could be poor influences on you.

Let me caution you to stay involved in Bible Study... and don't accept what ANY preacher says at face value... compare it to the Word of God... get someone to help you... go to another minister (never hurts to get a 2nd opinion). But always let the Word be your guide. It's your roadmap to a healthy, successful and fulfilling life.

Best Wishes.