When you are "lost", how did religion help you?

Question

Read so many testimonials from people who say that religion helped them at times when they are "lost", "desolate" etc, how exactly does it work? Do you just feel a surge of hope and happiness in you like when you are eating chocolate? Or is it because you found friends through your religious cell?

I never see people elaborating on this.

Seriously, how?

Answer 1

As a guy who has joined and quit several religions (thus who has had this experience several times more than most people), it is an interesting experience. It definitely has a chemical rush to it, a bit like kissing a new girlfriend for the first time, or falling in love. All tingly all over. Gives you good vibes.

However, upon reflection, that feeling does go away, and one is left with the examination of the dogma of the church. That's usually when the church and I part ways.

Answer 2

You asked; Do you just feel a surge of hope and happiness in you like when you are eating chocolate? Yes,it is something like that and kind of a peace surrounds you too. You have just given up will get spiritual help after you have PRAYED and requested God's help. But it take an invisible and strong amount of belief

This prayer of faith begins you on the greatest journey one can ever make. Like when you ask a friend to help or to go somewhere with you. You don't know what a friend will do, or how they will act. But you knowthat they will have your back. They will be with you, no, matter what. That gives you peace and assurance.

You need to contact a Bible believing person and tell them your problem. They will instruct you on prayer and how Faith works. Telling {TESIMONY} your story is an important part of sharing what you feel. That is that surge of hope and happiness experience you talked about in your question.

You knowing that you, know that you KNOW, The answer now coming;

"I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and to die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is. " I say.

I have learned to use certain coping phases, as well as Bible Scripture. And I know where to go for help when I need it.

Example:

"When Fear” rings to your doorbells, send “Faith” to answer it! And general I try to remember this;

" If you don't like something.

CHANGE IT!

If you can't change it,

CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT IT! "

(Sent to me by Bobbie Kimball)

Now I rejoice. I tell others about this great gift (The Holy intervention of God). And, I pray that others will read these words and be willing to let God come into their hearts also.

A WONDERFUL WAY TO EXPLAIN IT:

A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said,
"Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before.
He didn't know what was inside.
He knew nothing except that his master was here,
and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough." May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Check out this testimony....,
http://www.geocities.com/prodigal52/testimony.html

Peace & understanding starts with you. You Can Make a Difference!

Answer 3

Seriously? I had lost my job and frankly, my will to live. My family and I were fighting every day and I started cutting myself, trying to work up the courage to kill myself.

I decided one day to go back to church. Walking in, I felt like my burdens were lifted. For one hour, I was free from all my pain. I get that same feeling when I pray, like I can share my pain with someone who is really there for me.

The first time I went to confession after going back to church, I wanted to cry because I felt so good afterwards. There was no condemnation from the priest, but a hug and a welcome home.

My confirmation was one of the happiest days of my life. It was through the love and understanding I found in the church that gave me the strength to stop cutting and find a new job. I've never looked back and regreted that time. I look forward with renewed hope.

Answer 4

Religion never helped me. Mere religion doesn't help anyone! It is an intimate personal connection relationship with God and the call of God on your life that helps and even changes your life. Before God called me I had gone to Catholic school for 12 years and nothing I learned or saw of religion helped me. I had even gone to my grandmother’s church but none of the religious rituals or people showed me anything but surface and pious religiosity. Nothing showed me or inspired me about God until one night as I was going out to a party I just kept hearing within myself "That’s it, That’s it! Get it out of your system because this is the last time you’re going to do this!" While at the party as I was dancing it seemed that everything around me went into slow motion until all I could really remember is the flashing strobe lights. I heard within myself so clearly "You are going to be miserable as long as you ignore my call." It was a sweet and gentle urging that I couldn't deny. I didn't understand what was going on but when I left the party a guy I know walked up to me and said, "See you next week." And I told him that I don't know how I know it but I was sure that I'd never be back again....and I never did go back. The next day when I woke up I turned on the TV and a Pastor was preaching about people who are miserable and how they cover it up by evolving themselves in relationships that go sour or going to clubs etc. As I listened something was changing inside me that I just could not understand. By the end of the program I knew I had to find the church and learn all I could about God and what happening to me. Two weeks later I began to attend that church, accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I've not been the same since. So you see legalistic - ritualistic religion can't help anyone! God has to call you and you have to be open to Him when He calls!

Answer 5

Though I had a sad child hood and had many dysfunctional and terrible relationships, that lead me to seek out truth and reality. I felt there must be more to all this pain and suffering. And in my search I found the most beautiful loving Supreme Person Who has loved me all along. Krishna. I found that I am eternal and I am only suffering due to past karma. God wasn't making anyone suffer, it was their choices from past lives and now they are getting theirs. (what goes around comes around. There is a hell but no one goes there eternally. IT is a place to get ones bad karma. And as one surrenders to God all of their karma becomes minimized and finally disappears. We then can see Him and our self clearly and enjoy our eternal loving relationship with Him. But it is all our own free will. He never told us to come here. Knowing all this and so much more gives me great peace and happiness. Krishna consciousness changed the way I understand God and everyone and myself. I am satisfied and happy now. I am not mad at God or my past because I now see it was all my choice to come here and all my suffering was brought on myself through wrong action. He didn't do it. He is just.

Answer 6

It didn't happen all of a sudden. Jesus Christ changed me from the inside out and it happened over time. When I began to study the bible is when God began to change me. I used to be afraid and confused and very sad. He set my feet upon the rock of His word and I can say I have a Joyful Life. I've been studying the bible for ten years...it has made all the difference in my life. I do not do the things I used to do...I make wiser, Godly choices. I still have a long way to go, I am still willful and need to learn more obedience. I am thankful God will not leave nor abandon me.

His word promises that "He who has begun a good work in you will see it through to completion". That day of completion will be the day I walk into His kingdom.

Answer 7

Lost is the state you are in before you get saved. Salvation is repenting of your sins(anything you think say and do that displeases God) and start to follow what God wants you to do with your life. Usually when someone talks about being lost in their testimony it's in the past tense. You become "found" when you see God's plan for you.

Answer 8

Many times in my life I have been hurting deeply.
When I talk to God about it there is a peace and love that comes from very deep within the spirit. Kind of like when you are hurt or burnt and someone puts a cooling salve on it that takes the pain away.
I'm very thankful for my relationship with God, and very likely would have been another teen suicide statistic had it not been for him.

Answer 9

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and establish a relationship with Him there is a "peace that passes all understanding." Through persecution you know that all thing work for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purpose. Would you like to understand what the Bible says about salvation?

Answer 10

It gives me strength in daily life, it gives me hope that there are actually Gods that care, and that stand with you if times are hard. Because it gives me a fulfillment in life that no other religion ever could do. Being connected to the Gods who are as close to you as bloodkin, following a Lore that teaches you to be strong and independent, honoring your ancestors and the heroes of before, that is Asatru for me.