Have you ever walked away from your faith?

saintrose · Oct 31, 2021

I've been a believer for many years and have walked away from my faith several times - although I returned; yet still I question. I know that down through the ages theologians have wrestled the deep unanswered questions such as suffering and promises that don't seem true.

Have you ever hit the wall with your faith? If so how did you move past it?

I know this isn't a nice topic and many believers gloss over it. I always avoided the Book of Job - but it is in the Bible.

Aidan1 · Oct 31, 2021

saintrose said:

Dear saintrose, to follow Jesus is always a fight. One thing Jesus promissed his followers is to be persecution from those which avoid Him.
Since i became a child of God in 1987, i never doubtet the word of God and his promisses.
Pain, suffering, problems deseases are not different to believers then to unbelievers.
But the way to treat with is different. I always can come to my father. Till now I can say he carried me trough this years. Through my own faults and the faults of others. He never disapointet me, but I Him often.

Blik · Oct 31, 2021

As I study and pray I am amazed at my blindness about the Lord in the past, while I was sure I was walking with the Lord.

Lucy-Pevensie · Oct 31, 2021

saintrose said:

I recommend Job, Jeremiah, Lamentations & Ecclesiastes. God has been there with those he loves before.
I hope that doesn't sound like I'm trying to brush off your tribulations. I just know that it helped me to know
that God had experienced these things with people before & he brought them through. I hope that helps you too.
Knowing that you are not outside the scope of the experience of holy people.

I've never walked away from my faith but I have had times of struggle when I didn't understand what was going on.
I can't say I'm sailing along smoothly now either but it's myself I doubt, not God.

I remember you sharing that you are dealing with prolonged physical pain.
I'm not sure of the details but my own mother suffered with prolonged, intense pain in the form of rheumatoid arthritis
with some other complications for years. I am currently dealing with some health issues myself as well.
I'm telling you that because I don't want you to think I'm not sympathetic to the difficulties we can face.

((hugs))

Pilgrimshope · Oct 31, 2021

Are you talking about doubting God exists ? Or walking in faith ?

GRACE_ambassador · Oct 31, 2021

OP: doubting and walking away from God?

Precious friend(s), Trusting God And His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided is key:

1) Re-examine our OWN SELVES to "make SURE we Are IN The Faith! (2 Cor 13:5)
God's Simple Will!

IF "we are IN The Faith," then TRUST God That HE "Did What HE Said HE DID":

2Ti_1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

IF we have this, then one might think, well "we Shouldn't doubt God And His
Promises," Correct?

2) However, due to babes In Christ suffering from "Every Wind of false doctrine,"
the doubt comes from ALL the Confusion Caused By ↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑↑

God's Solution, "Approved Unto Him"? "study HIS Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!"
(2 Timothy 2:15) THIS has Definitely done it for me = NEVER to doubt God Again!

Hoping it will Encourage others also:

God's Approval/TWO Different Gospels
Distinctions In God's Two Different Programs: Prophecy vs Mystery!

Finally:

3) For your Encouragement in sufferings, and understanding What God's
Purpose Is Today, Under HIS PURE GRACE!: GRACE Word for infirmities

Precious friends, please be Richly Encouraged And Edified, In CHRIST!

SophieT · Oct 31, 2021

no

but I have walked away from Christians

always believed from the minute i was saved onwards

I think many have problems but the problems are actually with other believers

MatthewWestfieldUK · Oct 31, 2021

I had completely walked away. Then a constant daily battle. Then back. Its varied each decade of my life. Nobody seems to admit that they didn't want sometimes

Pilgrimshope · Oct 31, 2021

MatthewWestfieldUK said:

did you ever doubt that God exists ? Or are you saying your walk fell flat at times you turned away from following after him , praying and seeking him ect ?

MatthewWestfieldUK · Oct 31, 2021

Pilgrimshope said:

Famine, hurt and science had me questioning during my teens.

Pilgrimshope · Oct 31, 2021

MatthewWestfieldUK said:

Thanks for clarifying

MatthewWestfieldUK · Oct 31, 2021

Pilgrimshope said:

How about u

Pilgrimshope · Oct 31, 2021

MatthewWestfieldUK said:

um honestly I was taught there is a God from my earliest memory so I never can recall doubting he exists . I was only asking to try to understand your perspective . Not in any kind of judgement or anything

some are born into Christian homes where I think from very early on as far back as we can think we just believed and we’re told about Jesus from people of faith

what I have done is at different times in my life fallen away from following the lord as I should have at the time , I didn’t always live my life as if I believed many times I have made the wrong choices that conflict with my faith that he is and rewards those who diligently seek him

so I have failed many times in different ways as I think we all have if we are really Introspective and reflective of the entirety of our life’s work according to Gods word we’ve all fallen short and are in the same boat brother we just fail in different ways than others

thank God we have Jesus to atone for our shortcomings though

God bless your journey from here forward and strengthen those weaknesses in both of us in Jesus name

Gideon300 · Oct 31, 2021

saintrose said:

I've never stopped believing but like many, I wondered about the same issues. I had an especially difficult time once. I blamed God for a situation that seemed to be His will but was a disaster. After 50 years in the Lord, I've quit wrestling with God. Jacob was nowhere near as stubborn as I was. These are the conclusions I've come to.

1. God is good. All the time. My perception is flawed and I see things from the wrong perspective and without understanding.
2. God is love. The cross shows how much God hates sin. The cross shows how much God loves sinners
3. God is wise. He sees what we do not and He knows how to resolve issues when we are clueless
4. God is powerful. God can do what He promises, even when it seems impossible.
5. God is dependable. He is faithful to all His promises. If we struggle to accept this, refer to points 1-4
6. God is patient. What human ruler would put up with such rebellion and arrogance of his subjects?
7. God is judge. Everyone will get to face God and be forced to account for their lives. How much better to be forgiven, justified, acquitted and declared righteous before that day!
8. God will prevail. The much mentioned Job said that the plan and purpose of God cannot be thwarted.

People rave on about sin and the law and how bad it is to break the sabbath and such. You may think this is heresy, but God does not care that much about such trivia. There is a sin worse than speeding, lusting after the near naked women on the beach or lying on your tax return. The greatest evil is doubt and unbelief. Doubt and unbelief is a slur on the very nature of God and is straight from the pit of hell. Satan planted this seed in Eve's mind and she accepted it. Adam went along with her folly and the rest is the wretched history of humanity.

Whatever battle you face, whatever troubles you in life, however little you understand what you are going through, you may be sure that it's not God's fault. He's done everything necessary to reverse the blight that Adam brought on himself and his descendants. There is always a reason for our troubles. "Where did I go wrong?" is a great prayer. And God will show you, if you ask in humility and with respect. And you will see the salvation of God, if you will keep your heart right before Him.

Pilgrimshope · Oct 31, 2021

Gideon300 said:

I've never stopped believing but like many, I wondered about the same issues. I had an especially difficult time once. I blamed God for a situation that seemed to be His will but was a disaster. After 50 years in the Lord, I've quit wrestling with God. Jacob was nowhere near as stubborn as I was. These are the conclusions I've come to.

1. God is good. All the time. My perception is flawed and I see things from the wrong perspective and without understanding.
2. God is love. The cross shows how much God hates sin. The cross shows how much God loves sinners
3. God is wise. He sees what we do not and He knows how to resolve issues when we are clueless
4. God is powerful. God can do what He promises, even when it seems impossible.
5. God is dependable. He is faithful to all His promises. If we struggle to accept this, refer to points 1-4
6. God is patient. What human ruler would put up with such rebellion and arrogance of his subjects?
7. God is judge. Everyone will get to face God and be forced to account for their lives. How much better to be forgiven, justified, acquitted and declared righteous before that day!
8. God will prevail. The much mentioned Job said that the plan and purpose of God cannot be thwarted.

People rave on about sin and the law and how bad it is to break the sabbath and such. You may think this is heresy, but God does not care that much about such trivia. There is a sin worse than speeding, lusting after the near naked women on the beach or lying on your tax return. The greatest evil is doubt and unbelief. Doubt and unbelief is a slur on the very nature of God and is straight from the pit of hell. Satan planted this seed in Eve's mind and she accepted it. Adam went along with her folly and the rest is the wretched history of humanity.

Whatever battle you face, whatever troubles you in life, however little you understand what you are going through, you may be sure that it's not God's fault. He's done everything necessary to reverse the blight that Adam brought on himself and his descendants. There is always a reason for our troubles. "Where did I go wrong?" is a great prayer. And God will show you, if you ask in humility and with respect. And you will see the salvation of God, if you will keep your heart right before Him.

Amen wonderful post

iTheophilus · Oct 31, 2021

saintrose, thank you for posting; I know it took courage. For me, by God's mercy and grace, my faith grew stronger during a period of great tragedy (the loss of three babies). During these hard times, I realized that we will all face adversity in this life. I discovered that my problems were transient and that eternal life awaited me. I also realized that I would now be able to comfort others in the same manner that my Father had (and always has) comforted me. Yes, through all the depression, I always knew deep down in my heart that my Heavenly Father loved me. Please always remember that He will never leave you nor forsake you. God bless you.

Theophilus means “loved by God”

She_is_Legendary · Oct 31, 2021

Mine is more of, changing my ways of thinking. Changing my mind about My life and how I live. I doubted yes, but I always came back. I’ve walked away once years ago, worst mistake of my life, but I came back fully and whole heartedly and now I’m in the best place I could ever be in. I have my days when I’m down, or sad or have bad days. But God is in full control, he holds me he guides me, he loves me as much as he loves the next person.

I just recently learned that my path is changing for the better, when I want something so badly and it doesn’t go my way, it’s cause God has something even better and Bigger for me down the road. It’s very difficult to keep that in mind, but I know it’s true. It’s hard to give it all to him, but once I do.. the rest is history.

Everyone has a different story to tell, sharing life experiences is always a wonderful joy. To see how far everyone Has come from their struggles. But I hope this helps in some way. Once you go walking forward, never look back. 😇🙏🏻

JohnDB · Oct 31, 2021

saintrose said:

So....
At some point everyone has a crisis of faith...or due to rebellion walks away and conveniently forgets about their faith.

And I wish to this day I never had done so...I'm still paying heavily for my misadventures...so are those I love the most.

Sin is the gift that keeps on giving.

No one is exempt... everyone pays for YOUR sin. It's just the living with yourself afterwards that gets tougher and tougher.

Roughsoul1991 · Oct 31, 2021

saintrose said:

My brother walked away while I walked into faith. He was very active in church and was advocate about becoming a military chaplain. Two fractured ribs, pneumonia, and shin splints during boot camp kept him from that dream. He blamed God and that led to doubt and then disbelief.

I on the other hand just as him grew up in church but hated the traditional church atmosphere. I never committed much to memory but was forced to go. Practically spent my summers at church due to my mother working the mother morning out program as a paid babysitter at the church. So we often roamed the halls playing a portable PlayStation in a unused room.

I remember as a younger kid I escaped the building and tried to run away from my Bible class as a young child. Had the church freaking out hunting for me.

Anyways I never cared or questioned God's existence. Until my early twenties as Anxiety, panic attacks and car accident brought me to my knees in exhaustion as I was fighting for control over mind and matter as my physical pain became a reality that I not wanting to kill myself but would happily die naturally just to feel freedom from the mental and physical pain.

This brought me to God and changed me.

My brother on the other hand is now being eaten alive by depression, suicide attempts, and medications with harmful side effects. I pray he reaches the same point I did and comes back to Jesus.

She_is_Legendary · Oct 31, 2021

Ultimately, the sad part about reality is some people do better being medicated and some people do better just relying on their faith. Yes, I am being medicated I do have my own problems I do have my own mental health issues, but I do try to rely on Christ as much as I possibly can, I do have days where I have doubts and I have days where I’m just happy

There’s nothing wrong with being medicated just as long as you are sticking with it you’re talking to your doctor about your ups and downs and you don’t let depression and anxiety overcome your soul. That’s the hardest part for some, it’s not easy to feel “normal“ when that’s the very last thing you feel. Makes you want to ask “what is normal?”.

Christ in my heart, is a forever feeling… but depression and anxiety is a mental health issue that needs to be worked through and or being watched by health professional.

entirely MY opinion though. Just putting my 2 cents here.

God bless 💜

Have you ever walked away from your faith?

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