Ever since re-dedicating my life to Jesus Christ, I have been experiencing episodes of severe spiritual darkness. I have kept this hidden for a long time (close to a year) and it has caused me much distress. The God I once believed in feels so far away from me. I pray to Him but I do not hear Him. I want to feel Him but it's as though He has disappeared. I have lost almost all faith in Him. Because of this, I am doubting His very existence. I find it very difficult to open a Bible and being around happy Christian folks makes me feel angry...I am upset because I do not have what they have--faith. I cannot find it. I am so terrified of what is happening to me...I feel abandoned. I don't think I'll ever find faith in Him unless I have a near-death experience or something; just like St. Thomas, I must see to believe. That's just the way I am. I feel like abandoning the faith. I am so scared of what is happening to me. Please, someone help me!
2007-09-23 17:45:42 · 16 answers · asked by Ben 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
BuddhaIsTheLord...I haven't had an orgasm in months. Don't tell me to stop having sex when you don't even know me.
2007-09-23 19:09:43 · update #1
Here's some links that will help you in your time of need! Please go to the official website of Jehovah's Witnesses: http://www.watchtower.org scroll down and click on the button Yes for a free home bible study. While there you can also look at different topics like this one: Why Care About Spiritual Things? if you want to read this one go to this link and it will direct you to it: http://watchtower.org/e/20040201/article_01.htm
I hope this helps!
2007-10-01 16:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by ladybugwith7up 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is same yesterday, today and tomorrow. God doesn't change. So that means if you are a true born again Christian then either sin is between you and the Lord or He wants you go do something and you are not doing it. Think back to the day you were saved. Was there a burden lifted from you, did you feel the Holy Spirit tugging at your heart. When I got saved there was a voice in me telling me I needed to be saved. I was crying, my heart was beating really fast and I made it to the alter but reallty don't remember the walk down there. Sometimes satan moves in on me trying to drag me down and it may work for a while but eventually I learn to just do what the Lord is leading me to do and ask forgiveness for what I didn't do and I start feeling better. And sometimes all we need is a little faith, and start looking for God, draw nigh unto God and he will draw nigh unto you, resist the devil and he will flee from you. Here is a sinners prayer, read over this and think about it. Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am sinner in need of salvation. I believe you died on a cross at calvery and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this Prayer believing in the name of Jesus Amen.
2007-10-01 20:45:10 · answer #2 · answered by victor 7707 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you're experiencing is normal. It's called 'doubt'. Doubt in the existence of god. That's ok. Work through it.
When you're ready to give up the nonsense of religion and embrace the life you're in now, then you'll shed the depression. The depression stems from not being able to be yourself. You have to 'conform' to what christian expectations are.
The truth be told, those christians aren't really happy. They all put on a facade to each other so everyone 'looks' happy but deep inside, they're all in pain.... wondering if they're going to heaven or hell.
Truly, that's what christians are obsessed about: they're never 100% certain they're going to heaven (that's how the religion keeps you going back for more!).
2007-09-24 02:30:53 · answer #3 · answered by stevemeister 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get in & stay in the word, even if ya dont feel lke it, & pray , just talk to God like you would if he were sitting right there next to u. try praying til you KNOW you've In the presence of the Almighty. Even if your knees get tired , get a pillow or 2 & relax, & talk to him ,he wants to help you.
Key::
Psalm 91:1"he that dwells (live is) the secret place (prayer closet) of the most high, shall abide(stay ) under the shadow(beneath his wings) of the almighty.
& lilke th e othe rperson said , "rebuke satan & tellhim to leave yu in Jesus name, i do it every day at least 4 times. he plays w/our head &he knows the Bible too, & he 'll make you doubt.
but we dont go by feelings, we go by faith. you may not always feel married when youre married, but ya stilll are, same a s salvation.
God bless you my friend.
2007-09-24 04:08:52 · answer #4 · answered by AnnaMaria 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One gets inflicted with spiritual darkness when he starts practicing something just on hearsays. I am born and forced to practice my religion, just because my parents told me that. But the fact of the matter is that all of us are following religion blindly.
True, you need to trust God. But what is God, is to be understood, before we can trust Him. We have the intellect with us gifted by God. We need to use it. But first step in using the intellect is in accepting that God is beyond the comprehension of our intellect! We start from here (using our intellect!).
Now it becomes easy. You keep surrendering as you move ahead in the spiritual path. Finally you are to your destination.
And believe me, you will no longer be terrified. You are abandoned by only those, who are anyway on the wrong path. As a human being you have all the equipments installed in you and what you really need to do, is to activate those to your use.
Everything is possible in this world! And I am as much a christian as you are a hindu. Even that is possible!
2007-09-24 02:22:46 · answer #5 · answered by Vijay D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its all a test he is testing you to see if your faith in him is pure and relax in knowing this is a test and that you will come out of it and the lord will take you by the hand and say to you: come near, everything is not so bad now. be quiet in mind for I have caught you in your fall and I will never leave your side even in your darkest hour. do not fear to lose all that you have for I am all that you need.
2007-10-01 10:57:38 · answer #6 · answered by kittthedolphin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to see the Lord Jesus Christ to have faith in him, You have to first BELIEVE the WORD, by believing everything in the Bible(THE TRUTH) and believing that Jesus came to earth and died for our sins to SAVE US and believing that he came back from the dead. (ALIVE!) He's LIVING in HEAVEN with THE FATHER. if you believe him, and confess to him from your heart,(REPENT) then recieve him. ( BUT BY HAVING FAITH) Faith is KNOWING something is going to happen. Hoping is expecting it to happen. You have to TRUST the LORD. basicly, putting your life in his hands, meaning letting him take care of you and what concerns you. Not worrying about anything. and yes, it's sometimes hard not to worry but that's why we are to repent dayly and asking him for help. In prayer your to thank the Lord for his Blessings, Praising him, Confessing your sins, Asking him for help, and praying for others. Sometime ago when reading the bible I was learning more about the sins that people make. So, it's always good to read the word, so you can learn more and renew your mind to the TRUTH. See, some aren't aware of alot of sins that there doing dayly, thats why you should not only ask for forgivness dayly but while prayer your of course, comunicating with the lord too, everyday. That shows that your eager in getting to know the Lord more and more. when you pray.... do you show respect to the Lord by getting down on your knees, head down, hands together..... If not you might want to think of doing that when you pray. Go to a place where your alone so no one can interupt you while your having prayer. If you want to have more faith stop doubting the Lord your God and fully trust him.
When we go through trials in life(problems....etc...)
the Lord is really trying to help us, By reproofing us, but we have to want his help in correcting us. We are building up patience and strength by letting him help us during those times,
( TRUSTING HIM ) & by learning it the first time so we won't have to go over it again & again. You have to be willing to always do his will and not yours. And as a follower of the Lord, I know he's alive because he's living within me. To be one with the LORD and apart of God's family is the GREATEST thing thats ever happened to me. It's a privilege to LIVE for him everyday. And to strive to be like him always. And to see others accepting his AWESOME GIFT OF SALVATION also is a joy itself.
Matthew 6:22-23 " IF YOUR EYE IS PURE, THERE WILL BE SUNSHINE IN YOUR SOUL. BUT IF YOUR EYE IS CLOUDED WITH EVIL THOUGHTS AND DESIRES, YOU ARE IN DEEP SPIRITUAL DARKNESS. AND OH, HOW DEEP THAT DARKNESS CAN BE!
So, read the bible as often as you can, it can help you. Like King David said in Psalms 119:18-19 OPEN MY EYES TO SEE WONDERFUL THINGS IN YOUR WORD. I AM BUT A PILGRIM HERE ON EARTH: HOW I NEED A MAP AND YOUR COMMANDS ARE MY CHART AND GUIDE. I hope this helped you. i'll be praying for you.
2007-09-24 14:38:54 · answer #7 · answered by fully_alive888 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is testing you. Will you trust Him or your 'feelings'? I can only encourage you by reminding you the God IS love. Whatever you are experiecing, it's for your ultimate good.
Get this book immediately... SonPlacing by Garrison
http://mlf1070.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-love-of-god/
2007-09-24 08:44:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You MUST get into the Word (Holy Bible) every day. Read it, study it, hear it.
Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [ye] double minded.
GBY!
2007-09-24 00:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have backed away from the truth..God has never left you,and He will never forsake you..If you really want to get to know Him again ask Jesus back into your heart and start living the life God has planned for you...God Bless..
2007-09-24 00:52:39 · answer #10 · answered by I give you the Glory Father ! 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋