Should I doubt my own salvation?

Question

I know that the holy spirit brings a person joy but there is no joy in me. Could this also mean that I am lacking the influence of the holy spirit and, therefore, lacking salvation? The evils of the world pierce me with so many knives that even when I am lucky enough to find an opportunity to fight the forces of darkness (corruption, disease, insanity, devastation, etc), my enthusiasm is powered by sorrow, not joy. I often doubt the existence of God because I can no longer sense his influence within me and or in the world. It has become a dry, objective existence and nothing more. I've already talked to priests, pastors, therapists, family, friends. Problem is, none of them can identify what this stabbing agony is. Have you experienced it? What does this mean? Am I just being foolish?

Darryl,

Thanks, that made me laugh :)

Answer 1

1) Many very holy people and saints through time have experienced a period where they either doubted God's existance or did not feel his presence in their lives. Look at Mother Teresa - recent letters showed how she felt a deep absence of God's presence - but look what she still acomplished!
2) Depression is not uncommon. Many people see the choices others take and feel sad at the results. As a teacher of at-risk youth, I was on anti-depressents for years due to being constantly in the pressence of those who choose poorly and suffered much at their own hands. I felt this stabbing pain you describe. It took years before I finally came around to some decisions. I needed to see more good. All I was seeing was failure and negativity.
3) These are the times when prayer is the more helpful. Even small, seemingly simple prayers can help to strenghten oneself.
4) Try to spend time in situations where you can see the good in the world. This is why I also teach school of religion at my church, so that I don't ONLY see those young students making horrible choices. I see 'better' (for lack of a better word) decisions in life. And that helps me to not dwell on sadness all the time.
5) I don't watch the news much anymore. For a week, I kept track of how much good versus bad news was reported. I was sick with only seeing murder, murder, robbery, etc... The rare times good things were reported were usually 15 second pieces with little information.

Hope it helps. Keep praying. Simply giving up may result in a greater negative. It can take a long time... years for me. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 2

try living the health laws that God set forth for us, They are just as important as living the ten commandments. However that said this can only truly be done with God's help because there is no good in any man, all good comes from God. But if we ask Him to take our sins -daily- and ask for His will and not ours He will give us freedom from habits and practices and even diseases.
Trust me when I say I know God is still out there and the Holy Spirit lives in me. He can live in you too. Remember our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. you must keep it clean to hear the Holy Spirit.
I hope this helps.
Try looking up Dr Neal Nedley's website he has natural cures for depression which you sound like you may be suffering. However even if it is depression most forms of depression can be cured by changing your diet and certain other things in your daily habits.
God bless you I hope this helps.

Answer 3

You aren't the first person in the world to be deeply troubled by the horrible things that happen and the evil things people sometimes do. You have to have courage and the power think positively in spite of it all. There is much good in the world and in most of the people in it. It is almost as though the more good you see the more there is. It works like that with the bad too. Look at the good, be strong (not always so easy I know), and create what good of your own that you can.

Answer 4

Hey I ben through about te same thing has saying if I dont go to church my salvation is gone and I cant give out tracts nomore.
Yes I have talk to friends family to .
No u not being foolish I feel the same way I know how u feel it has become a dry the old church I went to is dry as dirt on a hot summer day wher it hasnt rain in 2 weeks .
I know about te dry and u are not being foolish ok.

Answer 5

Many of us have times that it seems there is no joy in our lives. This mainly comes from letting the cares of this world overcome us and forgetting where our joy comes from: Jesus. I have found in my own life that when these times happen that the only way I find that joy inside of me is when I again speak to others about my LORD and Savior. It's when I can share Jesus and what He has done in my life with others that I find the greatest joy.
Even when I am surrounded by my Christian friends and brothers and sisters in Christ I find my joy not what it use to be. I know this is in part my own fault because I haven't let go of things that have been weighing heavy on my mind and heart. Only when I release these things to the LORD and do what He has called all of us to do, which is share the Gospel of salvation with others do I truly find that great joy in my heart again.
We stand on the mountain top and glory in our LORD when we share His Word with others, but we also all go through that valley filled with trials and temptaions to weigh us down. It's when we put our trust in our Heavenly Father and persevere through whatever we face that we find ourselves growing stronger and maturing in our faith in Jesus Christ our LORD.
So don't give up my friend, pray and ask God for understanding and wisdom to see you through this time. I'm praying for you and I know God will show you the way if you just let Him.

Answer 6

zan your cute

relax-first you have had a time that your let Jesus into your heart to forgive sins and become your friend

now as long as your not living in sin or denial of sin, your going through a period of testing

yet most issues are spiritual be careful of physcial battles

fight in your mind to a bad thought "The blood of Jesus rebuke that thought" then put in a good one Phil. 4:8

satan is the only enemy, and we win, but we have to stay in the power of Jesus, dont argue with a deamon

chose your battles wisely make sure Jesus is leading you into it, and have on the full armour of God along with daily rededicatin your life to Jesus, and praying not to let anything take away the peace and joy of Jesus from your life


for now pray

"the blood of Jesus bind the evil one from my life, and release help understanding, inner peace, joy and true love, in your name Jesus amen

now close your eyes if you see light its all fine, if you see darkness ask Jesus why, he will bring something to your mind ask forgiveness and help to correct it..





peace up David in Jesus amazing grace the sweet pea

Philippians 4 prayer peace power contentment & joy -even by paul in prison for life for preaching the gospel

Romans 1:16 not ashamed of the gospel-the only thing that will change people-

find a messianic congration of Jewish and gentiles that love Jesus the fire of God will be there

and then a good assembly of God or other bible church and just do it!

Answer 7

My understanding of scripture is that the HS works to seal our salvation daily. If you feel doubtful about your salvation, it could be that you have not received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The lack thereof, leaves you open to the enemy's taunting about whether you are truly saved. I encourage you to ask God to pour out His Spirit on you....I asked for the same several months ago and God has been faithful to give me a greater hunger and thirst for Him day by day that leaves no room for doubt, no place for lasting pain and no question about whose I am.

Answer 8

you are born with a sinful nature, nothing you did ..the core of you is sinful. because of Adams sin. When you ask Jesus to come into your heart you take on a new nature, It is nothing u did. It has to do with what Jesus did. Your flesh is still the same, but your sprit is changed. You are having a problem with your flesh it will always fight the sprit as, I explained flesh is corrupt the new sprit is not. You need to renew your mind, and get strong in the word, and build up your sprit. You lived in your flesh all your life, and many habits have formed with time. Its the same thing you need to feed your sprit and build it up so you are strong...read Romans.

Answer 9

How do you get an opportunity to fight the forces of Insanity?
Is That like a Fantastic Voyage Movie?

Answer 10

If you are living a "saved life' and not living in mortal sin, then do not worry and trust God's promises by growing closer to Him in prayer and service of loving faith. We all need to throw ourselves on the mercy and grace of God.

You may be dealing with depression