i'm no where near as close to God as i use to be and i think it's because im starting to worry about what people think! And i hate that because it use to never bug me and when i go back to church everyone's gonna be like oh we havent seen you if forever! And i know that and i dont like hearing it. i need some advice on how i can forget about what other people say or think so i can get closer to God.
2007-04-19 16:12:47 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
well not nessecarily religious people like people at school. And guys. I think that people think being Christain is not cool anymore.
2007-04-19 16:17:37 · update #1
on the contrary...being christian is so cool that you see more christians than GOD does...if you understand my meaning.
the trick to not caring what people think about you is this...know and accept the truth about yourself and know that GOD knows and loves you just as you are, and HE isnt finished with you yet. concentrate on living as GOD wants you to live...strive to be perfect even as your FATHER IN HEAVEN is perfect...we can never reach perfection, but we MUST always strive for that goal. those people who make certain comments, wether the comments are meant to hurt or said innocently...they mean nothing when you realize that the only one whose opinion about you that truly matters is GODS. forgive them for their ignorance. heap coals of love and kindness on their heads. do unto others as you would have done to you. make sure that your thoughts words and deeds are above reproach before you try to correct another.
and finally...stay out of the churches...GOD is calling HIS own out of the whore and her harlot daughters...how can any man teach what he can only partially understand...only GOD is qualified to fully teach HIS Word, which HE promises to do to those who love HIM...how do you know if you really love HIM? "if you love ME, keep MY commandments" is said throughout the whole bible.
2007-04-19 16:34:34 · answer #1 · answered by Tammy M 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some girl, I am going to be honest with you. No matter where you go in this life and how long you leave with the Lord. There will always be somebody who will judge you, look at you funny, misunderstand you or not like you for no reason. And some of them will be in the church. So, your looking at the initial brunt of being around church people again. When really you should focus on dealing with people from this day forward to here on out. You will have to remember that you are just as important to God as someone who has been faithful 50 years. No matter what you've done in life and no matter how many mistakes you make. The Lord sees you as a finished product already. So you have to walk the way God sees you, because what He has to say gets higher priority than what people think about you. I was at a church where the people were judging me and talking bad about me. But then, the Lord came in a dream a showed me I was faithful to Him in everything He has asked me to do. So that strenghthened me to do with people's criticism. Just God to be your strength and encourager and see what happens!!!
2007-04-19 17:21:14 · answer #2 · answered by super saiyan 3 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
But it IS cool to be Christian, just so long as you are a cool Christian! And believe Me, you are!
Just go ahead and accept the fact that when you go back to Church, people are going to say the inevitable. Accept it as if it already happened, and it can't be worse than that. It will only happen once or twice, and then you'll be back to going to church, and no one will say anything anymore.
People will respect you if you respect them. Being close to God means having love for all God's children. See God in all the people. You don't have to let everyone know that you are going to church or being religious. That can be between you and God.
Also, realize that many others out there have a relationship with God, and they are embarrassed to talk about it. You will be admired and respected if you can be open about your relationship to God. Just as long as you do not consider yourself better than others, people will embrace you as you are.
2007-04-19 16:24:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You gotta remember, it's about your relationship with God, and what HE thinks, and not other people.That's what counts!! The only thing that is important, is what God thinks! Just keep reminding yourself of this, and it'll eventually fade. Spend as much time with God as you can during the week, before you go to church, and before long your love for God will overcome what other people think. The Love that God places in your heart will begin to grow, each time you spend time with Him, it gets watered.
That's what I did, and it helped me, just think of as many things as you can list, that you are thankful to God for, and just remind yourself why you're there when someone says something. It's hard to get offended or let anything bother you, if you are lifted up, happy, and praising the Lord!
God knows who you are, He knows your heart, and that's all that matters. Besides, Going to church doesn't make you closer to God, and not everybody that attends regularly is a christian either. Going to church won't make a person a christian, any more than sitting in a garage will make you a car! so don't worry about them, half those people probably sin all week long, and then go to church and pretend they're close to God, and righteous.
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ, by having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, that's what christianity is all about. If you leave Christ out of it, alls your left with is religion with rules. But Jesus loves us as we are. It's people who are always trying to change us, or make us feel guilty. How often you go to church, where you sit, which church you attend and how often you go there, how you dress, etc, etc, is nobody's else's business. that's between you & God
God Bless you†
2007-04-19 17:03:03 · answer #4 · answered by cas1025 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Chances are there is no way to avoid people saying "I haven't seen you in forever!". The people at church are trying to acknowledge that you have been missed and they are glad you're back. You're not the first person I have heard fear that when they go back, and sadly, I find myself saying the same thing to people I have not seen in a while then later remembering that it is in fact unwelcoming in many aspects. So, my advice to you is keep your eye on the prize...you're seeking a closer walk with God and suffering through one Sunday of annoying comments will completely prove worth it in the future to begin growing in the body of Christ again!
2007-04-19 16:30:50 · answer #5 · answered by Jenni 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The religion you choose shouldn't be able anyone else. It should be about you and the god that you choose to worship or not worship. It isn't about guys or people at school. Not worrying about what other people say so much comes with life and maturity. Remember the walk that you have with God is between you and God. It's not got a thing to do with anyone else. You shouldn't choose to believe in God or worship Him because others think it is cool or choose to NOT worship Him because someone thinks it's NOT cool anymore. It should be between you and God.
Grow up a little bit. That isn't a mean thing to say, but it comes with life and the experience of life to know that what others say and believe about you and what you do matters very little in the grand scheme of things. Yes, people will say things. Yes, some people may even be mean to you about it. But, if I said you were a green frog, does it suddenly mean that you are a green frog? I hope not. I don't have that power over you. Don't give that power to someone else by making it so that they choose when you go to church or whom you choose to serve. If you don't think you give them that power, think again. You are allowing what others think to change what you do. Remember that through God you can be empowered. Don't give the control of your life to the thoughts of t he people around you.
2007-04-19 16:31:08 · answer #6 · answered by One Odd Duck 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just focus on your relationship with God and forget about anyone else's views. Read you Biblw and pray every day and you will notice your mind more at ease no matter what situation you may face.
2007-04-19 16:17:10 · answer #7 · answered by NitesTime 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a few resources to recommend to you. The first 2 are books: "The Embarrassed Believer" by Hugh Hewitt (paperback ISBN 0849914191) & "Approval Addiction: Overcoming Your Need to Please Everyone" by Joyce Meyer. Joyce Meyer's book is also available as a book on tape, if you prefer that format.
Another resource is the website for The Voice of the Martyrs, www.persecution.com. This organization ministers to Christians around the world who are being physically attacked for their faith. If you request it, they will send you a monthly newsletter featuring inspiring stories of courageous believers who stand up for Jesus in the face of great opposition.
There is also a book called "Jesus Freaks" by DC Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs that describes both contemporary and historical accounts of people who stood up for Jesus no matter what.
Remember God loves you and is with you all the time. He understands you completely and He will help you as you pray to Him.
2007-04-19 16:43:47 · answer #8 · answered by Rella 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Focus on the real reason you're going to church. Don't let the opinions of others bother you.
And not to sound corny, but ask yourself what Jesus would do. Pretty simple...
2007-04-19 16:16:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Studying your religion will bring you closer to the truth, but not necessarily "god".
Study on your own time, without the church's influence. Read the bible from cover to cover, and try to comprehend it.
Afterwards, when you realize how ridiculous it is, you won't have to worry about going to church anymore. You'll be amazed.
2007-04-19 16:16:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋