I'm trying to believe in god please help?

Question

For the last 15 years or so I've wanted to be accepted by the Lord and accept him into my heart.
Every night I pray that I'll be able to believe in him, but I still don't 100%. What can I do in order to believe?
I'm so scared and terrified and petrified as I know that if you don't believe in god you go to Hell and burn in perpetuity.

I've tried everything, visiting Lourdes and Fatima, I already go to church daily, and as I mentioned I pray every day to accept god and banish the d---l. I will never give up but what more can I do?

Answer 1

Sweetie, there is no hell. Sin, hell, and satan are man made words. words created to use fear to control the masses.

Perhaps you believe in God and know He is not that biblical monster.

Ignore the buy-bull.

Read up on Deism, Gnosticism, or/and Spiritualism. .

Answer 2

Question:
Why Should I Believe in God?

Answer:
The word "should" is an interesting one -- usually indicating force or compulsion, or obligation. Basically from that perspective, you shouldn't.

But on the other hand, it is nice to try to understand the forces beyond us which we cannot understand, which is just about everything outside ourselves! It is an opportunity, not a compulsion.

But then again, what are your options for some understanding of life that is beyond the limits of your control? In that sense, yes, everyone should believe in God. It does not make sense not to. Read further.

The Real Question
The more realistic question is more like, "Why not believe in God?" That is the question I have never heard an adequate answer to. It is pretty hard to explain how everything comes to be with no source! The word "God" or other names, refer to that source.

How much of life around you can you control? Well, all the rest of it, the parts you can't control (most of it -- other people, the weather, death, etc.) has some force, or substance holding it together, allowing it to work.

What is that? Well, the name or word is not critical, but whatever it is, that is what we mean by God. It does not make sense that there is not something summing up everything.

The Source?
We normally believe everything has some cause or source. Why should the WHOLE of everything be the only thing that has no source? Isn't that a funny concept?

Besides this, the recorded experience of hundreds of millions in the history of the world indicate that there is a personal, not just an intelligent and powerful, aspect of "God."

I would think it is better to be in proper tune, alignment or relationship with the ultimate source, or purpose or goal of the universe, cooperating with it, not crossways with it.

Some sites that may be able to help you explore what and why are -
http://www.biblesearch.com/belingod/belingod.htm
http://www.gospelway.com/god/why_believe.php
http://www.orvillejenkins.net/faithlife/believegod.html
http://www.orvillejenkins.net/faithlife/believegod.html
And there are many more sites just enter - why should I believe in God - in your favorate search engine.
And read and explore and then come to your own conclusions. You might also explore sites that start with why I do not believe - http://www.americanatheist.org/smr97/T3/besant.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5015557
http://www.topix.com/forum/topstories/T8BEMVPJI9RNF2NGP
Then decide what you believe.

Answer 3

Stop thinking of faith as a huge effort from your side. God understands your fears and doubt and doesn't expect you to be perfect. He loves us as we are.

Sometimes parents are strict and expect you to deserve their love. If we've grown up that way we tend to think that God is like that. He isn't. He really knows your thoughts and needs even better than you.

Accept it: you'll never be 100%. It's impossible for humans. You may simply relax and accept what God is giving you. All you need to do is hold out your empty hand to God, he will take it. And if you ever again doubt or feel you are not good enough, he is still there. He is NOT waiting for you to sin so he can punish you. Rather, he is ready to love, forgive and guide you as you live your life.

That is the God Jesus taught us about, so don't believe anybody who tries to teach you anything else.

Answer 4

T^his is probly a hard answer to answer. Not everyone in the world is a believer some people think how can you believe in something that you can not see I am a catholic and there are things I question all the time not Believeing is not going to make you burn in hell Is there a hell? all I can tell you is when you have a parent sick or in surgery do you or do you not say god I hope she gets better. that being said you must have some belief if you say that right?

Answer 5

Interesting. I may as well point out that every religion says you'll go to hell if you don't have that religion. I have difficulty with some aspects of religion as well. I believe there is God, simply because science makes no sense with the Big Bang Theory. Although everything else scientific makes sense, with evolution on the border of weirdness. God accepts everyone, but those with mortal sins must first be forgiven. Confession is the way to go with that. I'm going out on a limb with this suggestion. I don't think that as humans we can be expected to never have any doubt, as doubt is natural. You are making an effort (very strong effort apparently). I question whether anyone truly believes COMPLETELY without any question. The point of faith is believe without proof. What aspects do you doubt? Why do you doubt them? The way you were brought up determines some of your beliefs. People think it's easy to convert religions, but if you were brought up with one belief, it sticks with you. (Problem with racism stems from this). I hope I helped a little. Religion is a tricky topic.

Answer 6

Hello Marion,

It is something you and I should be concerned with.

It is not something you do, but what the Lord has already done. It is your trust placed in HIM to do what HE says HE will do.

He said He will save you and take you to heaven if you believe that Jesus Christ died for your past, present, and future sins.
He has already done this for you. All you need to do is to accept it. Tell HIm that you want that free gift and you want to be forgiven and live a life pleasing to Him.

This is all you need to do without any other works to get you to heaven. Going to church, reading the Bible etc. are all good things to do, but do not help you get to heaven.

Remember HE is able to do what HE says HE will do.

Hebrews 10:23 says:
"Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed. We can trust God to do what he promised."

So, it isn't what you do, it is what HE already did. Do you believe that? Do you trust Him to be faithful and strong enough to do that for you? Then you are ready for heaven. Once you do this, you will NOT lose this salvation that He gives to you.

Yes, we must (with HIs help) turn away from things that are not pleasing to Him. Don't keep sinning on purpose. But, this doesn't mean that you will be perfect. You will need to have His help continously.

If you are or were sincere and you know that God is faithful and strong enough, then get up off of your knees and live joyously.

You see we can't do anything. It is a free gift. Just take it. He wants you to have it.

You won't necessarily feel any different tomorrow, but you will have God on your side and you may seek Him to help you do the things that are right in His eyes.

You won't be perfect until you get to heaven. But, you should not purposely do something that would displease Him.

I hope this has helped. Many people do have this concern, so you are not alone.

Here is one that will really relate to what you are asking - -
Hebrews 11:1 (The Ryrie Study Bible)
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

Or from "The Everyday Bible"
Hebrews 11:1
Faith means being sure of the things we hope for. And faith means knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. "

Here again it isn't what you do, but WHO you have faith in.

In Christian love,
Nan

Answer 7

Well, the bible says, "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." If you are genuine about a walk with the Lord, then it will take time. All of our lives or at least most of it, we have done things which are contrary to God's way. So, it may take awhile for your mind to be renewed with the things of God. But, I know that if you're attending a good full gospel church and reading the bible for yourself and praying, you will grow. You already have the faith inside of you, just aim it at God. The says, "that God has given a measure of faith to every man." When you lie down to sleep at night, you believe you'll wake up in the morning, right? So, believe that you are on the right track with God and just say Lord I accept you into my life. I may not fully understand you or know your ways, but, I wanna know you and experience you for myself and know that you are real. And, believe that He has heard your prayer, and will answer or fulfill it.

Answer 8

Faith encompasses doubt - there is always the possibility you could be wrong and the fears and worries that go along with it. When you are certain and your "faith" is unshakable, what you have is not faith but Pride. The opposite of faith is not doubt, it is certainty.

Also, you cannot intellectually back your way into having faith. The postmodern inability to access religious belief because we know too much makes the traditional way of viewing God completely inaccessible. There is simply no way for you to get back to God from wher eyou are, your mind is expanded and will not go back to its former shape. But takeheart, though you cannot go backward you can go forward.

I would recommend two books that will help you tremendously. First, The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg, second Reimaginig Christianity by Alan Jones.

Answer 9

Well the first thing that's wrong there is that you are coming to God only to avoid hellfire. Yes burning eternally is a scary concept, however one should not marry just because they feel lonely. Get what I'm saying? When you come to God you have to have the heart to get to know Him personally. That means reading His Word, meditating on it, seeking Him out in your prayers and being REPENTANT of your sins. Feeling guilty or being upset that you got caught are totally different than being repentant. It means that you actually are sorry for what you've done. Now if you feel that you are not truly repentant, it's because you don't know God, the way to get to know Him is through his Word and through prayer. God loves you and sent His son Jesus to die for your sins. Be afraid of God because he is almighty, not because you might go to hell. Jesus loves you, if you are TRULY seeking Him with all your heart then knock and the door will be opened to you.

Answer 10

We believe in God only when we are in trouble ! We forget him otherwise ! Why are you so scared ? You are not going anywhere . Even if you do , you will have lot of company. Heaven and Hell are all in this world. If you stay scared all the time , you will have already made your life a hell. Believe in Humanity ,not in some particular religion. Humanity is being closest to God ! Stop being a sissy !

Answer 11

First, you should know that you have already been accepted by the Lord. He loves you just as you are! Second, it's ok to have doubts. God created us with strong, curious minds - He expects our doubts and questions. Just tell Him honestly how you feel and ask Him to show you His love through your trials. Ask Him to increase your strength in faith. Sometimes, we learn the most when we have to work to seek Him this way. But don't worry - even the strongest Christians have to continually reaffirm their faith. Remember that He gave us free will, and it is our choice to love and serve Him. I will be in prayer for you too!