Am I losing my faith?

Question

I try so hard to continue being a good Christian but I know I am losing my faith and do not know what to do to stop it. I have done the whole trust in God and I see deep in my heart that it not happening, I have lost faith in everything it seems. God, Justice, I had an incident with another member of my church which has driven me out, I know I could find another church but I haven't yet, I feel I can't be bothered.
I've lost my faith in me and my abilities also. I think I must have relied on God a little too much as I feel I am at a loss now.
How do you suggest I restore this....I have read certain passages from the bible, I read my prayer of serenity and footprints always and I no longer feel the comfort in those prayers, things seem to have gone too far.
What shall I do....I never thought I'd be in this situation.

WOW PLUTO! You feel kind of strongly about this I am gathering!

Answer 1

lose your faith sooner rather than later.

Answer 2

This happened to me, too, a long time ago. I felt I was being squeezed out by others in the youth group (I was about 15-16 at the time). A number of things helped: first, I kept reading my Bible. After all, Jesus Himself went through periods of being misunderstood--and even worse! There were at least two times when people tried to kill Him, before Calvary! So please don't put your trust in people, but in God Himself.

Secondly, the longer you stay out of church, the harder it will be for you to go anywhere. Do you hear the voice of experience? I got mad and quit going to church for about a year and a half and got absolutely nowhere in my spiritual journey. Whose fault? Mine, for not taking better action to solve my problem.

Third, as some have responded, talk to someone you can trust but don't forget to try and resolve the issue with the person who caused it. This is Scriptural, Matthew 16:18 and following. Sometimes, they don't know what they did, sometimes they know quite well what they did, but the Bible tells us to go to them first and then take other action. I do hope and pray that you and the other person can get this settled. I heard a saying that grudges, like babies, get bigger the more you nurse them.

No, you haven't relied on God too much. We forget that sometimes, even when we think we've done everything right, that a storm comes into our lives. But hold on--the God of the storm is the God Who cares and loves you. Cling to that and believe it firmly. He won't allow anything to test you past your point of endurance (First Corinthians 10:13). Been there, done that, and I testify that He was there all the time.

Finally, Pluto has some interesting comments but I don't see how they relate to your situation. May the God of all peace and comfort bless you, Pluto, and all who genuinely seek to know God.

Answer 3

I don't know the full story, so my comments may not be appropriate. But, is it possible that your faith was in the church and not in Jesus himself? If so, that might explain why you are feeling so desolate. I have been forced four times in 26 years to choose between believing a church and following Jesus. The first time this happened was a big shock, I just wasn't expecting it. Each time this has happened since, it has pushed me more onto Jesus and made me less dependent spiritually on church. I offer these remarks to you, it may be that it has not occurred to you that this could ever happen. Blessings, Steven.

As a practical suggestion: Contact some of your Christian friends whom you can trust and who are unconnected with your present situation and ask them for their advice and support.

Answer 4

If you are truly a sincere and honest person, then you wll be able to use this experience to make your faith even stronger. In other words, you will be able to come out of this a better and stronger person than before. Temptation proves a man. This is nothing new for special people. This could be one of the foundations for greatness. Look upon this as a necessary challenge. Let your model be: Never give up; and, this includes prayer (help my unbelief), because without it you will give up.

Answer 5

What may be happening to you is not a complete loss of faith but more of a loss of the unrealistic idol god. This is very common for many people. I would say that you should read some literature along the lines of Simon Weil, or Karl Rahner, or Louis Dupré. They are basically catholic theologians who are in touch with reality of modern-day philosophy and secular life.

Answer 6

Matthew 17:20 -- So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Remember, it is not YOUR faith that saves, but God's:
Ephesians 2:8 -- For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

And also remember that we often loose confidence in ourselves (That's what 'Footprints' is all about):
1 John 3:20 -- For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

I often loose heart and confidence in my salvation, but I always remember the burden upon Christ to save me:

John 6:39 -- Now this is the will of the Father who sent me: that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again in the last day.

Matthew 18:14 -- Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

And I suggest that you read a lot more of the Bible than just "certain passages." God can encourage you in ways that I can't even imagine.

Answer 7

The spirit of forgiveness goes both ways. The other member of your Church is no better or worse than you so when you stand before God you are equal. One incident drove you out.
try and get hold of a copy of "Footsteps" from a Christian bookshop. It often helps in a very quite way

Answer 8

The only place in the bible which says you should church is in the new testement, and its authenticity is very dubious. But most religions instill a spirit of guilt, to play on your mind if you don`t go to a church.
You are taking the fiest steps away from this spirit of guilt, and it will feel very diferent at first. Keep it up and brake free from the bondage. Hold your head up high, and don`t bother to look back.
From here on question every thing and ask for the proof.Don`t be fobbed of with dogma. Only accept truth.

Good luck in your new start...!!

Answer 9

I think every one struggles with their faith at some point in time. It is OK God understands. I think you need to talk to some one about the incident that caused you to leave the church. It make it harder to deal with things when you try to do it alone. Good Luck.

Answer 10

You seem to still half-believe and it sounds like you're motivated by a bad incident at your church. Find another church and if you're still shaky, go to the library and read about other religions. A few books on atheism might be good too, but please remember that atheism is not a religion.

Atheism does not have:
Holy people
Holy words
Holy objects
Holy rituals
Holy places

All religions have those, and most also have a belief in a supernatural/superhuman power. However I mention that as a sidenote out of respect for Buddhism.

Answer 11

Keep reading the Bible, try to find another Church to go to, keep praying...wait. Prayer of serenity? Footprints? You mean, like, recited prayer? Listen...you don't have to read off a card to pray. Just talk to God yourself, He will help you. Just keep doing everything, and somehow you'll be alright.