How does one start bringing religion into their life who has never before?

Question

I am going through the roughest most alone time I have ever gone through and literally have nobody. I have a father-in-law (of soon to be exhusband) and I have someone to get some advice from but only from a distance. No friends, no parents, extended family or siblings. Not even childhood friends. I have gone to sunday school as a small child and weekly services but our family stopped when I was 8. When I was a teenager I went to youth group for a few months and also sunday service. I have never "Believed" in religion nor have I seen it to be anything more than a crutch for people who can't exist w/o knowing an indefinate fate or how we got here. Others have told me I should turn to God, but I don't think I can and I don't know how it would help. The whole concept of religion seems to be "made up" and a false sense of not being alone. I want something to help me get through this but how can I turn to religion/God? I'm almost willing but just can't see a point.

am seeing a counselor

Answer 1

Been there, done that... when everyone else walked out... God beckoned me to come to Him so that He could strengthen and comfort me

Find a bible (preferably one that you can read easily... New living Translation is the one that I used and could understand perfectly!) open it to the book of John and read about Jesus.... you can learn so much about who He is and why He came in that book. Ask God to reveal His truth to you... it is in our brokenness that God can really show Himself to us, because we don't know wherelse to turn...

'religion' isnt what anyone needs.... they just need Jesus. Churches can be good or they can just be another form of bondage... depending on which one you may go to.

Seek the truth thru the Word of God.... Praying that God can make a difference in your life today

Answer 2

I saw this question yesterday after I had used all my "answer tokens". I was hoping it would still be open today and am pleased to see that it is.

First, how can you know about anything really tell you "jump in with both feet"? But here you must be extremely careful as there are many "religious" people saying many "religious" things in our world today which are simply not true.

Actually this is nothing new. The Pharasee's and Saducee's did the same thing. There are several things you can do to begin growing your "religious legs".

1. Go to church, especially when you don't feel like it. But make sure the church is following God's Word as close as possible. I'd suggest checking out your areas Seventh Day Adventist congregations. While I grew up believing these people were a cult, I've learned quite the opposite in my personal life.

2. Read the Bible and pray. There is a one year thru the Bible course available on http://BibleGateway.com.

3. Get into a good Bible study so you can learn fully about God's Holy Word. Here's a very nice on-line one -- http://www.amazingfacts.org/school/af_logon.asp.

Hope that helps
Guy
http://inhisgracecards.com

Answer 3

Man, you sound like me several years ago. You're in a very delicate time of your life. Everyone comes to it. It's called the point of decision. Only life can bring you there. And only God can draw you to Himself to make the right decision. Coercion is the biggest mistake any Christian church or individual can make when talking to someone who is searching for answers.

As a Christian, I would say stay away from religion and seek God Himself. Find out how to do that. Sometimes that journey can be painful, but it's worth finding out for yourself. Religions can really confuse you, but God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. The Bible says that. If you are sincere about seeking truth, you will find God, because He's the source of all truth. Therefore, seek the truth and you will find the answers you need to help you. The book "The Case For Faith" by Lee Strobel is an excellent start. Happy hunting,my friend.

Answer 4

Hello, my name is Thomas. How ya doing?
First off, is it weakness to believe in something greater than yourself? Heroes have appeared in history who though little for themselves but acted for the greater good; something greater than themselves. Is this that far removed in placing your faith in a single God?
Personally I cannot help but marvel at what surrounds us with all the intricacies that exist. When it comes down to it we are forced to look at the world and question how it came about. Some simply brush such questions aside and say "It was the big bang...simple enough" But then ask them "Where did the elements for the Big bang originate?" and they shall falter and say "That is being studied".
Consider this:
Well, when you go about walking in the woods you see a most beautiful watch that was so beautiful and intricate that it was a marvel to behold. Your companion says to you "This is a great feat of evolution. Look at how all these components formed themselves over millions of years and now stands before us here!" Would you then agree with him?
No you would not. Wouldn't you then say "No it is not! Why this was made by a master craftsman! Look at all the wonderful components and the way in which they work perfectly with one another! It is indeed a marvel, but a marvel that was created by a creator."
Not sure how much good this will do you but I hope it helps. If your in S. Cal/Long Beach area I go to Parkcrest Nondenominational Church. You'll always be welcome there.
Feel free to e-mail me if you want!
Later days.

Answer 5

Well, I would suggest you do a few things just to try to investigate it and see if its true or just merely a crutch, as you mention.

First, read the Bible. I would suggest you read a Gospel (Mark or John) first. Read it through it one sitting, then again at a slower pace (maybe a chapter or just a passage a day). Before you read, pray something like this: "God, if you do exist, please speak to me through the Bible. I'm not sure if you're there, but I want to be open to you."

Secondly, pray to God. Lay your worries and troubles upon Him. Pray in a similar manner to the above. Have a conversation with Him. He's not only your Creator, but also supposed to be your Savior, your Father and your Friend. So talk to him in that manner. Once again, tell Him (if He exists) that you're open to Him.

By doing this, you'll be testing God's promise. Jesus promises that those who seek Him with their whole heart will find Him. Test this promise.

Finally, if you're comfortable, try to attend a local church. Only go to one where people are friendly and reach out to you - that's a sign of a healthy church that is trying to follow God. Perhaps the sermon will speak to you.

But in everything, try to approach God with an open heart. He loves the humble and shuns the proud. Perhaps He'll speak to you.

God bless.

Answer 6

You are looking in the right place. God sent us a letter, the bible. God said seek and you will find. Start reading the bible. Someone that has helped me and my family understand the bible is Pastor Arnold Murray and his son Dennis. They have a television program called Shepherds Chapel out of Gravette, Arkansas. Pastor Murray teaches line for line verse by verse and wants you to read it for yourself. You will need a bible. I feel the King James version is best (less chance for translation errors) but there is a very easy to read one called the Messenger that I use for studying along with the King James. A concordance will help you understand the original meanings of words it takes them back to the Hebrew and Greek. E-sword.net offers a (donation optional) concordance for your computer, its a quick reference. I too, have had hard times, without my faith I don't see how I could have went on at times, especially after a loss. Good luck to you and if you are sincere god will bless you for your studies.

Answer 7

I think it shows a lack of imagination if you can't believe that there's something out there bigger than us. :-) What that "something" is can be debated for eternity. I like the way the 12 step programs refer to "it" as our "higher power".

I personally believe that God is a form of loving energy and that we're all electro-magnetic energy, that that's what the human body is and everything around us.

Perhaps religion isn't what you need so much as a counselor who can help you deal with the pressures and burdens you're currently under. Could you seek out a counselor? Someone non-judgemental who would listen to you and help you get through this period? Would your insurance cover counseling? If not, there are usually places that will do it on a sliding fee. Many people seek out counseling to help them get through emotional rough periods.

I would also suggest that when things have smoothed out that you try to develope a support system. Do you not have friends because you've been isolated or too absorbed in work? Everyone needs friends. When you're not in crisis, you should think about what kind of people you'd like to know, then figure out where you can find them. For example, I am a country person who values practical skills. I like to talk about country music, farming, canning, and old fashioned skills. I probably wouldn't go to hip-hop clubs or high tech groups to find people compatible with me. I'd join the Grange (club for farmers) and hang out at the feed store! lol I'm sure that if you give it thought you could figure out where "your" people would be and how to get acquainted. It's pleasant to have company and friendship, but it's vital to have people who care about you and will listen when you're in crisis. It takes work to build up that network, but having people in your life is a big part of what life is about.

Good luck.

Answer 8

You are right, religion is a bunch of man made ritual and legalization of what is supposed to be a spiritual awakening and growth. However, a true and personal relationship with God has everything you say you need. This of course requires that you stop listening to the people around you and seek God in prayer and in His word for yourself. God is not far and hears the prayers of those who truly come to Him out of a humble hearts desire to know Him. He will not come into your life if you think all the while that He isn't going to do you much good or that He is made up and has no power. You have to come to the end of yourself, your thoughts, your ways and surrender to Him in prayer. Turn off the TV, turn off YA!, turn off your own fallible rational and open your heart to Him. If you keep seeking Him and exploring the value of His word in prayer He will reveal Himself to you. Then you wont be so turned off by religion but you'll want to continually pray for the religious blind stumblers that have caused you to reject God in the first place.

Answer 9

Remember that God is not just part of a mystic science equation. He is a real person with thoughts, feelings, love, power, etc. like us but greater.

The communication model of encoding and decoding seems to work fine. You can never know whether you have received the message correctly from somebody because everybody else has their own way of seeing things. It's the same with God. You have your life. He won't live it for you.

Just try praying the Lord's Prayer. Read Matthew chapter 6.

Answer 10

Hmmm.

You have to be emotionally and intellectually honest with yourself. The best answer I can offer to the question of which (if any) religion might be right for you is to point you toward the Belief-O-Matic quiz over at Beliefnet.com:

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

It's fun, and it matches you up with a wide variety of religions and philosophies based on your answers, with write-ups for each one. The results can be very surprising. It will help you decide whether religion of any kind is a path that would suit you.

Hope this helps, and good luck.

Answer 11

Get hooked up with a good bible believing church..I suggest Evangelical Free or Assemblies of God. The Bible says that God has put the desire for him in the hearts of every man/woman. If you are really feeling lonely there is no one better to fill in emptiness than Jesus. You don't have to "believe in religion" I certainly don't but I do believe in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. You don't have to join that church what ever one you go to but they can tell you about beginning a new life with Christ. God loves you and wants to be part of your life. I hope you'll give Jesus a chance. I'll keep you in my prayers