Feeling paralyzed by the heaviness of hell

[jacko]

Last night after my prayers and devotion time to the Lord, I was lying on bed and looking through my YouTube feed.
I saw this video on hell from a pastor, who was shown hell, and it very much was aligned with some other videos on hell or near death experiences. I became overcome with sadness and many of friends do NOT know Jesus and my parents. There comes a feeling like nothing else is even important in our lives, except for salvation. Like for example, I've been out of work for a long long time now and I know I need to stay busy and look for work, but I get a feeling like what's the point. Like I'm just waiting for heaven and or Jesus to come, but I also don't want Jesus to come yet, because I know so many people who don't know Jesus and I'm praying for them so hard.
Ever feel this way? I probably need to stop watching those videos on hell and focus on the God's love.

 

[jacko]

Anyone?

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Last night after my prayers and devotion time to the Lord, I was lying on bed and looking through my YouTube feed.
I saw this video on hell from a pastor, who was shown hell, and it very much was aligned with some other videos on hell or near death experiences. I became overcome with sadness and many of friends do NOT know Jesus and my parents. There comes a feeling like nothing else is even important in our lives, except for salvation. Like for example, I've been out of work for a long long time now and I know I need to stay busy and look for work, but I get a feeling like what's the point. Like I'm just waiting for heaven and or Jesus to come, but I also don't want Jesus to come yet, because I know so many people who don't know Jesus and I'm praying for them so hard.
Ever feel this way? I probably need to stop watching those videos on hell and focus on the God's love.

Phillipians I
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.


Also i do not consider youtube a solid choice to learn from unless it's from a place you already know and trust. Anyone can say anything on there and 99% of it will never be fact checked or exposed if it's false.
Personally I find these stories of people going to hell and coming back a load of baa baa sticky. 🐑
Most of the ones I've seen, if not all, conflict with one another. And too many of them like to claim seeing celebrities, which of course, gets more attention.
Also if a person claiming to be Christian says that they died and went to hell, how trustworthy are they?
What about people who die and see something completely different? Why is it not consistent?
And there have been some that admitted, later on, that they lied. Which isn't hard to do, really.
We do have some kind of idea what hell is like, but much of it is based on imagination. It's similar to how, especially in the past, Satan was portrayed as a red guy with horns and a pitchfork. And people held to that belief when it was actually just imagination.

Keep your mind on what's known, not what stories strangers claim. Especially when that person recieves fame or money.

 

[jacko]

Phillipians I
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.


Also i do not consider youtube a solid choice to learn from unless it's from a place you already know and trust. Anyone can say anything on there and 99% of it will never be fact checked or exposed if it's false.
Personally I find these stories of people going to hell and coming back a load of baa baa sticky. 🐑
Most of the ones I've seen, if not all, conflict with one another. And too many of them like to claim seeing celebrities, which of course, gets more attention.
Also if a person claiming to be Christian says that they died and went to hell, how trustworthy are they?
What about people who die and see something completely different? Why is it not consistent?
And there have been some that admitted, later on, that they lied. Which isn't hard to do, really.
We do have some kind of idea what hell is like, but much of it is based on imagination. It's similar to how, especially in the past, Satan was portrayed as a red guy with horns and a pitchfork. And people held to that belief when it was actually just imagination.

Keep your mind on what's known, not what stories strangers claim. Especially when that person recieves fame or money.

Thank you for your thoughtful answer. Just the thought of hell is really bothersome as I don't come from a Christian family.

 

[toyspy]

Good day. I was reading the post and the reply. They all hit hard. I myself had a phase where I developed an interest in hearing and reading people's stories of near-death. The awe of people visualizing what the afterlife, apparently, looks and feels like piqued my interest, and moreso, they coming back to earth to, apparently, recall their experience.

There's a hopeful affirmation to it (but then the Lord's words about the afterlife and everything written in the Scriptures should be more than enough to believe in), knowing that there's something nice beyond, and something of the opposite, which is scary. The claimants of NDE's even said their view of life on earth after coming back drastically changed, knowing that all of these is temporary, and there's something much better far beyond (or something worse, like hell, you said).

As for your point regarding losing interest in the things you have to do in this life because everything will end anyway: remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing. You can think that you're going about this life just for the sake of living, or you can think that you are doing things here because it's part of us serving the Lord, whether in this life or the next. We move because we are grateful for His salvation, and we want to do things for Him. That alone is reason to do things even if they will end together with this life. We are doing it for Him, whether here, or there. It's just a continuation.

And what Subhumanoidal said was very enlightening. Didn't know some of the claimants of out-of-this-world experiences admitted on lying. And like Subhumanoidal said, not everything on the internet can be trusted. The Scripture and the prophets should have been enough.

P.S. And oh yeah, it is scary knowing that some people we might not meet in heaven, because they'd go to hell instead. Sad for them. I truly pray everybody can just go and we'll all see each other in heaven,

 

[jacko]

Good day. I was reading the post and the reply. They all hit hard. I myself had a phase where I developed an interest in hearing and reading people's stories of near-death. The awe of people visualizing what the afterlife, apparently, looks and feels like piqued my interest, and moreso, they coming back to earth to, apparently, recall their experience.

There's a hopeful affirmation to it (but then the Lord's words about the afterlife and everything written in the Scriptures should be more than enough to believe in), knowing that there's something nice beyond, and something of the opposite, which is scary. The claimants of NDE's even said their view of life on earth after coming back drastically changed, knowing that all of these is temporary, and there's something much better far beyond (or something worse, like hell, you said).

As for your point regarding losing interest in the things you have to do in this life because everything will end anyway: remind yourself why you're doing what you're doing. You can think that you're going about this life just for the sake of living, or you can think that you are doing things here because it's part of us serving the Lord, whether in this life or the next. We move because we are grateful for His salvation, and we want to do things for Him. That alone is reason to do things even if they will end together with this life. We are doing it for Him, whether here, or there. It's just a continuation.

And what Subhumanoidal said was very enlightening. Didn't know some of the claimants of out-of-this-world experiences admitted on lying. And like Subhumanoidal said, not everything on the internet can be trusted. The Scripture and the prophets should have been enough.

P.S. And oh yeah, it is scary knowing that some people we might not meet in heaven, because they'd go to hell instead. Sad for them. I truly pray everybody can just go and we'll all see each other in heaven,

Thank you for the encouragement brother.

 

[daisyseesthesun]

Jacko, you will have to keep praying that God will open their hearts. Sometimes putting on a Billy Graham sermon can do better for them then all the arguments/reasoning in the world.

 

[Adstar]

Last night after my prayers and devotion time to the Lord, I was lying on bed and looking through my YouTube feed.
I saw this video on hell from a pastor, who was shown hell, and it very much was aligned with some other videos on hell or near death experiences. I became overcome with sadness and many of friends do NOT know Jesus and my parents. There comes a feeling like nothing else is even important in our lives, except for salvation. Like for example, I've been out of work for a long long time now and I know I need to stay busy and look for work, but I get a feeling like what's the point. Like I'm just waiting for heaven and or Jesus to come, but I also don't want Jesus to come yet, because I know so many people who don't know Jesus and I'm praying for them so hard.
Ever feel this way? I probably need to stop watching those videos on hell and focus on the God's love.

Be careful about those NDE Hell video's many of them do not align with what the Bible says.. It is way to easy to make a fake report of a visit to hell to gain attention from other people..

And yes i have experienced many of the same feelings you have.. But life goes on and we must do our best not to become a burden on others.. So do your best to seek out employment so that you can at lest supply yourself with your material needs.. Also getting a job will also put you in a position where you may be able to help brothers and sisters in Christ with their material needs, remember as the Word of God declares "" God loves a cheerful giver""

So there is a point to living life, indeed we do not know the time we shall depart this world, So we should be ready to leave this world tonight but also plan to live for 100 years old.. because both is possible with the LORD..

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Thank you for your thoughtful answer. Just the thought of hell is really bothersome as I don't come from a Christian family.

I get that. It was a struggle for me for a while, as well. And doubly so as someone that has a perfectionist streak.
To me it felt like how could I ever stop to eat or sleep or do anything other than telling people about the Gospel. I took it on my shoulders to think I had to get the whole world saved or I was failing God and those who didn't get saved. And as a result I was overwhelmed and paralyzed and didn't want to do anything since I knew I could never measure up to that standard.
Eventually I learned to balance my thinking and accept I can't do it all, nor am I expected to. Even if there were specific people I may not be able to change their minds anyways. You can still try, for sure, but people are free to choose.
Best thing you can do is not make the same mistakes I did. Weigh yourself down with stress, worry and guilt until you're not able to do anything.
Take care of yourself so you're able to take care of others.

 

[Bingo]

Last night after my prayers and devotion time to the Lord, I was lying on bed and looking through my YouTube feed.
I saw this video on hell from a pastor, who was shown hell, and it very much was aligned with some other videos on hell or near death experiences. I became overcome with sadness and many of friends do NOT know Jesus and my parents. There comes a feeling like nothing else is even important in our lives, except for salvation. Like for example, I've been out of work for a long long time now and I know I need to stay busy and look for work, but I get a feeling like what's the point. Like I'm just waiting for heaven and or Jesus to come, but I also don't want Jesus to come yet, because I know so many people who don't know Jesus and I'm praying for them so hard.
Ever feel this way? I probably need to stop watching those videos on hell and focus on the God's love.

 

[jacko]

Jacko, you will have to keep praying that God will open their hearts. Sometimes putting on a Billy Graham sermon can do better for them then all the arguments/reasoning in the world.

Yes, thank you Daisy.

I pray and insert the names of my family into the verse below.


Acts 16:31 "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and your household."


The perfect word of God has deemed it so and I claim his promises; thus my family is already saved.
Amen.

 

[jacko]

Be careful about those NDE Hell video's many of them do not align with what the Bible says.. It is way to easy to make a fake report of a visit to hell to gain attention from other people..

And yes i have experienced many of the same feelings you have.. But life goes on and we must do our best not to become a burden on others.. So do your best to seek out employment so that you can at lest supply yourself with your material needs.. Also getting a job will also put you in a position where you may be able to help brothers and sisters in Christ with their material needs, remember as the Word of God declares "" God loves a cheerful giver""

So there is a point to living life, indeed we do not know the time we shall depart this world, So we should be ready to leave this world tonight but also plan to live for 100 years old.. because both is possible with the LORD..

Thank you brother, for your practical advice. I feel like I just need to control my emotions better as the Lord is putting me through a tough trial.

 

[jacko]

I get that. It was a struggle for me for a while, as well. And doubly so as someone that has a perfectionist streak.
To me it felt like how could I ever stop to eat or sleep or do anything other than telling people about the Gospel. I took it on my shoulders to think I had to get the whole world saved or I was failing God and those who didn't get saved. And as a result I was overwhelmed and paralyzed and didn't want to do anything since I knew I could never measure up to that standard.
Eventually I learned to balance my thinking and accept I can't do it all, nor am I expected to. Even if there were specific people I may not be able to change their minds anyways. You can still try, for sure, but people are free to choose.
Best thing you can do is not make the same mistakes I did. Weigh yourself down with stress, worry and guilt until you're not able to do anything.
Take care of yourself so you're able to take care of others.

Dude, you totally get it... it's like I want to show the people around me that God is real and Jesus is the truth and way and that I'm changed.
But because I was sinful for so long, they think I'm going through a phase.

 

[Subhumanoidal]

Dude, you totally get it... it's like I want to show the people around me that God is real and Jesus is the truth and way and that I'm changed.
But because I was sinful for so long, they think I'm going through a phase.

Matthew 13
55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

What this essentially means is Jesus own hometown rejected him, because they knew him as a child and knew his family.

 

[jacko]

Matthew 13
55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."

What this essentially means is Jesus own hometown rejected him, because they knew him as a child and knew his family.

Beautiful, thank you for that verse.

 

[Bruce_Leiter]

Last night after my prayers and devotion time to the Lord, I was lying on bed and looking through my YouTube feed.
I saw this video on hell from a pastor, who was shown hell, and it very much was aligned with some other videos on hell or near death experiences. I became overcome with sadness and many of friends do NOT know Jesus and my parents. There comes a feeling like nothing else is even important in our lives, except for salvation. Like for example, I've been out of work for a long long time now and I know I need to stay busy and look for work, but I get a feeling like what's the point. Like I'm just waiting for heaven and or Jesus to come, but I also don't want Jesus to come yet, because I know so many people who don't know Jesus and I'm praying for them so hard.
Ever feel this way? I probably need to stop watching those videos on hell and focus on the God's love.

Suggestions: Try not watching those videos before you try to get to sleep so that you can fall to sleep better, spend your time during the day praying for God's provision of a job of his choosing while you apply for them (read 1 and 2 Thessalonians, in which they had the same idea to quit their jobs to wait for Jesus' second coming), and PRAY for the unsaved that you know by leaving them in God's hands, while you witness to them what God is doing in your life. Just my suggestions: You're on my prayer list.

 

[jacko]

Suggestions: Try not watching those videos before you try to get to sleep so that you can fall to sleep better, spend your time during the day praying for God's provision of a job of his choosing while you apply for them (read 1 and 2 Thessalonians, in which they had the same idea to quit their jobs to wait for Jesus' second coming), and PRAY for the unsaved that you know by leaving them in God's hands, while you witness to them what God is doing in your life. Just my suggestions: You're on my prayer list.

Thank you Bruce for the thoughtful response and I will look into the passages. Blessings to you and your family.