am 23 and I am finding it really hard being a christian. I am borna again and I am not really sinning i.e. not having sex not drinking not going to clubs etc. I am reading the word and going to church and seeking god but I am finding it so hard and not very much fun. It looks like people of the world are having so much fun and I am not. I feel like giving up but maybe god is testing me?
Any one expereinced this?
2007-08-23 21:38:41 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm a Christian and in my early 20s. True, most of my friends don't share my faith, but we get along very well and have a lot of interesting discussions. I have a lot of good times, but am not living some kind of monastic lifestyle, either. I get out, meet people, and have fun. Then again, I'm also a bit of a geek, and can amuse myself alone at the library as much as in the middle of a party. I perform music, and am active in a lot of arts-related projects. The only thing that seems a bit hard is when people get the idea that because I'm a Christian, that I'm some kind of right-wing extremist who wants to censor everything, tell other people how to live their lives, wreck everybody's fun, or preach sermons to random passers-by on the street. I'm not like that. Soon enough, though, people relax around me, and we all have fun hanging out.
2007-08-23 21:52:12 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All young believers go through this. If you have Christian friends try to get together with them - play football, some other sport, go to the cinema then for a meal, a day trip for the youth in the church, etc. The Christian life does not have to be boring or about the things we should not be doing, but some effort is required to make life better. Speak to your pastor/minister and see what is happening in your church. All secular activities are not denied to you, only some. Keep your faith but look for opportunities to do something either different or what you want to do. Maybe some of the other '20's' in your church feel the same way - so speak to them.
Once people 'couple-off' then things become more difficult, but that's how people meet other people. What are you interests? Any clubs in the area?
Remain positive! Keep your faith! Trust in God!
2007-08-24 05:48:09 · answer #2 · answered by Mac 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Everyone! because it's suddenly a new lifestyle you are having to adapt and it's difficult. Ask god for help you will be surprised how much he will give you the strength and for me he took away all the desires that i had and needed to put aside for now. It's not true that you can't have fun, what you perceive as other people having fun (getting drunk and having sex with different partners etc) is actually doing htem considerable harm and these rules are in place from god for your protection so not only are you being obedient, but you are taking care of yourself spiritually and physically. Just ask God and pray a lot and it will get easier I promise. Eventually it will become your desire to please god and you won't to do the things that are bad for you. People say that christians believe in god becuase they are weak and need something to lean on, but you are learning that it's the opposite. it takes considerable difficulty and courage to follow god and will be the hardest, but most rewarding decision of your life, if you'll just stick at it and not give up. XX
2007-08-24 04:54:36 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's much harder, I imagine, being a teen Christian. The peers around you aren't as mature and don't respect you decision, whereas I think older people, even in their twenties, will respect people for what they have chosen to believe in.
You seem very level-headed, and know what you want. You have made an amazing commintment to Christ, and by the sounds of it, you sounds disheartened that you do not feel close to God. But are you reading scripture and going to church just out of routine and because you feel you have to? Are you spending time in prayer, asking for the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
Do not give up, you have such a blessing and things will get better. Remember- there is always someone worse off than you. Maybe you can serve God and help the less fortunate? You will draw closer to God when you ares erving Him.
Other than things I have suggested, I do not really know what to suggest other than DO NOT GIVE UP!!! lol
God Bless
2007-08-24 05:53:29 · answer #4 · answered by Cookie_Monster_UK 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're a new Christian, you still have a lot of your old life in your recent memory... things that you were (are) fond of that you know displease God. Personally I hated giving up (among other things) ten percent of my paycheck, the Sunday shift differential at my work, and extramarital sex. (Thank goodness that I've got that pesky 'extramarital' detail sorted out now!)
As your faith matures, you stop dwelling on these things--whatever they are to you--and focus more on what God wants from you. You will be pleased with yourself knowing that God is pleased with you. You will find things that you enjoy that do not take away from your faith.
Personally, I never liked concerts before I converted. Christian concerts are so much tamer--no fights; no perpetual cloud of pot smoke in the center of the arena; security is only checking your bags to make sure you're not sneaking in Breakfast cereal (True story--capitalization was intentional, by the way). And the musicians are just as talented, if you find an artist or artists who perform in your genre of choice.
2007-08-24 04:52:59 · answer #5 · answered by SDW 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A tad impractical, in'nit?
Well, I'm 15 and an atheist, so I haven't faced times like yours, but I'm confident that I will not drink or do drugs of any sort, but that's for my own reasons. I'm also rather unattractive and unsocial so I probably won't have much sex or end up "clubbing", either. However, being the person (nerd?) that I am, I have plenty of other things to keep me entertained, and I'll also have my education to deal with.
If you really need to, just find some other fun things to do. Really. And who ever said drinking and having fun was a sin? I've never heard that.
2007-08-24 04:53:03 · answer #6 · answered by juhsayngul 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"not having sex not drinking not going to clubs etc. I am reading the word and going to church and seeking god"
sounds like you are really really boring.
Try not to be so uptight. Even if this god of yours is real, and he would punish you for having fun, does that really sound like a god you would want to follow? I know I wouldn't.
2007-08-24 05:09:55 · answer #7 · answered by Coma White 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yep. The closer you get to following all of your "Christian rules," the less fun that it will become.
I'd write down a list of all of the things you want to accomplish in life, and then start doing them.
Sounds like you're basing your life on what not to do, rather than what to do. Read the words of Jesus. He was a pretty positive guy. He kept telling you what to do, rather than what not to do. The whole, "Don't do this and this," doesn't come from Jesus," it comes from somewhere other than Jesus.
2007-08-24 04:52:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The bible never said that sin is not pleasurable. The Bible says sin is pleasurable, but "only for a season." cp. Hebrews 11:25:
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
The people in the world may appear to be enjoying life, but truth be told, only Jesus can bring you happiness.
One tool of the devil is to make you only look at the negative things of life. Remember the garden of Eden? Note that Satan never pointed out all the trees from which Eve could eat. He only mentioned the one she couldn't have. Don't be misled. Keep serving Christ.
2007-08-24 05:07:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Following God will definately be worth it both in the end and along the journey as you find God's making you more like Jesus, and as He speaks to you, gives you adventures... Keep going!!!
Yeah, I think we all go through tough patches - I know I do.
It sounds to me like God wants to do some more work in you developing perserverance - it will definitely be worth it in the end! Also, it could help to ask God to carry on changing your heart - ultimately it's His work - we can try and strive to do the right thing, and we can appear to be doing well for a while, but on our own, we can't change; eventually what's in our hearts will come out. We need Him to change us (and yeah, we also need to do our part too.)
On a practical note, how involved are you with the church. There are loads of opportunities - cell groups, you could arrange to do some more social stuff with ppl our age, discipleship courses, short term missions, different ways of serving.
2007-08-24 06:58:43 · answer #10 · answered by Isabel 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋