I'm losing my faith (Full Version)

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Pululu -> I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 12:25:09 AM)

Not in God. But in my life.

I love God. My relationship with him has deteriorated in the past year, but I don't doubt his existence and God's word.

What I am doubting is my lifestyle. I feel like I'm living a life that people expect me to live, but not who I really am. I have a desire and goal within me, a drive to accomplish something specific, but it seems like everything else, family, friends, church, is pushing me to live a lifestyle which is pleasing to them. And it's killing me. I feel so unhappy; so oppressed. Any advice?



MrFribbles -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 12:30:33 AM)

quote:

I have a desire and goal within me, a drive to accomplish something specific


What is this goal, this specific something? Knowing that will help guide my advice.



_CANCELLED_ -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 12:31:34 AM)

Without more specifics it's hard to say. So I'll just say what I do when I'm feeling this way. Tell him in simple terms, as if you're just having a conversation. Expect an answer, but also, be prepared for that answer--whatever it is. It may not always be what you want. God Bless you.



Pululu -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 12:49:04 AM)

I'd rather not share the goals, since a forum can't really decide what I'm to do. For the purpose of this post, just understand that I believe God has set them within me.

The problem... the conflict is with my environment. I love all the people that are pushing me towards different things, but I hate that they're doing that. It's easier for you to understand if I give you specifics of what I'm being pushed to do. Get a nice paying job, get married, have kids, work the soundbooth at church, and develop in a way that fits their desires and needs.

That's what I'm losing faith in. The lifestyle they want me to live. I'm living it now. Working towards there desires, without a drive within myself for those desires. I'm not happy within that lifestyle, but I'm pushing forward to please them. But I feel I need to pull back. Make some changes in my life, and change my direction. I just know I'm going to hurt people, and I hate the fact that people are going to get hurt because I'm not living the way they want me to live. It's either that or live unhappily inside the lines drawn out for me.

I'm not looking for advice on making a decision, but advice in dealing with a situation.



_CANCELLED_ -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 1:10:18 AM)

I think I understand. In that case, just pray for the right words and the opportunity to say what you have to to them b'c you have a right to live your life, create your own happiness, make your own mistakes how you see fit--just like they have the opportunity for theirs. We have enough to worry about in our own lives without trying to live someone elses--or trying to tell them how to do it. I'll keep you in my prayers about it. God Bless.



MrFribbles -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 1:13:42 AM)

quote:

I'm not looking for advice on making a decision, but advice in dealing with a situation.


Well, my advice is this.
If you're currently married (I'm not certain from your posts), that takes priority. Even if you're not satisfied with your marriage, it's still where God wants you. But if you're not married, and you feel this way, then I would keep away from marriage for now.
Now, as to the church stuff... God has called us to be involved with a local body of believers, but He hasn't commanded us to fulfill a specific role in that church. If you don't feel like you are glorifying God with what you're doing now, then change what you're doing.
If your goals are not against God's will, then there's no reason to not go for it, as long as it doesn't interfere with your marriage (if you are married, heh).



Pululu -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 1:36:52 AM)

I'm not married, nor engaged, but in a relationship. I guest what I could use best right now is an interceder.

You know the hardest part is seeing where my relationship with God has gone. That's why I guess I'm losing faith in this life I'm living, because I'm dying within it. I just know God has called me for something outside the norm. Not for my glory, but for his. But with it being outside the norm, it comes into conflict with the norm expected for me - the one I'm living now; and I know within me I need to change that...I just don't know how. I don't want to hurt anyone. Anywho. Prayers all around please. Thanks all.



MrFribbles -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 1:42:39 AM)

quote:

I just know God has called me for something outside the norm. Not for my glory, but for his.


If that's the case, then I say go for it. If you've promised someone you'd do something for them (running the soundbooth, for example) for a set period of time, I would fulfill that promise first (assuming it's not too terribly long), but after that, just go with it. Your first and primary duty is to do what God has called you to do, and if other people don't understand that, well... That's going to happen. But as long as you are doing what God has called you to do, to the best of your ability, then you're doing what you should be doing.



Purposeful_Life -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 2:37:49 AM)

Generally speaking there are 3 Dream Stealers:

People, Time and Life itself.

Well meaning people that love us are often the worst offenders.

Stay firm to what God has called you.



BibleL7 -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 3:42:10 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pululu

I'm not married, nor engaged, but in a relationship. I guest what I could use best right now is an interceder.

You know the hardest part is seeing where my relationship with God has gone. That's why I guess I'm losing faith in this life I'm living, because I'm dying within it. I just know God has called me for something outside the norm. Not for my glory, but for his. But with it being outside the norm, it comes into conflict with the norm expected for me - the one I'm living now; and I know within me I need to change that...I just don't know how. I don't want to hurt anyone. Anywho. Prayers all around please. Thanks all.


Seems the first part of this post is a big part of your problem in not being in line with the Lord.



Little_1 -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/15/2008 4:17:29 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pululu

I'm not married, nor engaged, but in a relationship. I guest what I could use best right now is an interceder......


You do have an Interceder - the Holy Spirit; however, it seems that you may not be allowing the Holy Spirit to lead you because you are depending too much on other people (even though much of this is well-intentioned on both sides).

"The fear of man brings a snare but whosoever puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe" (Proverbs 29:25) - you are living the first part of this verse with it's consequences and it is time to turn from such living and turn to the living God to lead and direct your life and that is what all this unrest you have in your life is all about. Nothing will change until you do! It seems like you have been happy to let others make decisions for you up until now but it is time to take that back and spend time seeking God's best for you and you can do this by spending time in prayer and the Bible (also with good Christian counsel).

Commit your life to God afresh and seek Him (and delight in him) and He will give you the desires of your heart (Ps 37:4). Others want what is best for us (going by their perspective) but God wants what is ultimately the best for us and the difference may be worlds apart. Remember Psalm 139 - God knows you better and more intimately than anyone - He is "I AM" and His perspective is complete.

It will not be easy from your point of view but God will give you the strength to do what is right. Don't procrastinate - start right now and God's Holy Spirit will empower you to do His will if you are willing to obey.

All the best.
Little_1



indigoblue2008 -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/16/2008 10:52:43 AM)

Thank you for sharing your hearts concern with us.

You are safe here.

I would encourage you to set aside some time to talk specifically with God. Make it a priority and schedule the time when you will not be interupted by cell phones, Tv, people, etc. Then simply share with God what you have shared with us and ask God to protect your conversation with Him.

I have good news for you. The Lord never left you, in fact he still does and forever will LOVE YOU DEARLY. .

Since your Faith in God is intact, allow that faith to work for you and resubscribe your life to a deeper relationship with Jesus. Trusting The Lord is easier than the adversary wants you to think.

There are two books that have made tremendous positive changes in my walk with Jesus and most of all, the way I think about Him. First read the "Pursuit of Holiness", then the book the "Practice of Godliness" both books written by Jerry Bridges of the Navigators. Both books should be required reading for Believers/Follwers of Jesus Christ. The books spell-out the steps to take in understanding where we came from as sinners and then how to change our thinking about God, our service to Him and our ultimate devotion to a God who loves us more than we can understand.

We will keep you in our prayers, please keep us informed and above all, allow the Lord to love you, then love Him in return, with all your heart.



jstbeliev -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/17/2008 4:23:27 PM)

Pululu:

If what you are desiring to do is according to the Lord's will, His Word and glorifies HIM in all that you do...pursue it with all that is within you and I pray the Lord to strengthen you both now and in the days to come, in Jesus powerful and holy name, amen!



seekingwisdom -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/17/2008 5:19:17 PM)

Pululu:

It sounds to me as if the title of your post should have been "I'm losing my focus." and not faith.

Not knowing the particulars this all sounds like a simple problem of boundry issues between you and the people in your life right now. The lines between who you are and who they want you to be are getting blurred and you are losing focus of the person YOU CHOSE to be due to others chosing for you. You probably are allowing others to have this influence over you because you care about them and know they care about you and theres nothing wrong with that, but there is also nothing wrong with drawing a line where they and what they want for you begins and ends. You have a right to say no to what you do not want to do and a right to tell them what you would like to do and this right has nothing to do with changing the degree of how much you care about them and it should not change the degree of how much they care about you.

If it does, then it's time to question, do they care about you for who you are, or do they care about you only if you agree to be who they want you to be. Even if who they want you to be is a better choice for you then you would choose for yourself, it would not be right to go along with it if it's not also your choice as well.

I know in my spiritual journey that if I try to force myself in a situation that I am not yet ready for, it is the same thing as pushing the catepillar out of the cacoon before it's had time to develop and grow. It's a no win situation. You need to be free to grow and change and make choices at the rate which is right for you. The best thing to do would be to turn it over to God and ask for His choice and timing in the matter above and beyond theirs and even your own. His timing is always perfect. Ours is always flawed.

Hope that helps!

SW



delete123 -> RE: I'm losing my faith (6/17/2008 8:41:05 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pululu

Not in God. But in my life.

I love God. My relationship with him has deteriorated in the past year, but I don't doubt his existence and God's word.

What I am doubting is my lifestyle. I feel like I'm living a life that people expect me to live, but not who I really am. I have a desire and goal within me, a drive to accomplish something specific, but it seems like everything else, family, friends, church, is pushing me to live a lifestyle which is pleasing to them. And it's killing me. I feel so unhappy; so oppressed. Any advice?


My humble opinion is, it is killing you because you are people pleasing. Do not live to please people, you can not make them *all* happy. Live to please God and if the people around you disagree well too bad, it's not their call, it is Your calling to follow Him that died for you.

Believe me I lived this way for a long time, everyone always knew what was good for me, Oh really?! No they did not have my best interest at heart, but the Lord does.

Shut these demanding people off, who are demanding of your time and what they believe is your gift to serve God.

Once you set up boundaries and follow the Spirit, you will feel this burden liefted.
God bless you
CRH



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