Hi guys! So happy to be here and connect with christians all around the world. I am European and American. Ive been a more "aware" christian for around 2 years (aka really understood it all). I do struggle with some things I was looking to talk about here that I don't really feel like I can straight up with people from my church or at home. So I might do so in another "forum" or so? Still have to figure out how this works.
Anyways, I also feel like it's a really great chance to see that we are not alone in our faith!! I often struggle with feeling alone in faith at home and with friends who aren't christian. My family says they are "christian" but really not that much. My dad used to always make fun of it cause he only knows that from his family but thanks to God, the past year he has been following along with some online churches , my mother comes to church with me occasionally but its still hard because my parents are/have become very anti-social with people outside of our family, so going to church or seeing friends is more of a "chore" or hard work for them. I love meeting with friends and making connections however which I'm not always so sure they really understand. Anyways, at home we don't pray before meals or talk about faith at all really.. Im too scared to ask to pray before food or maybe too ashamed or scared it'll just be made fun of. I have no idea and Im ashamed of me possibly being ashamed of my faith when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins..
My friends at church, okay they are also still younger and finding their ways but I find it hard to talk with them about faith too.. not sure why. They all grew up/live in a family where it is actively christian like family bible studies, praying before meals and so on. and so maybe its all normal for them so they don't talk about it much? But often they also don't seem to want to know or do more because they already know so much or are so used to it. Not throwing any shade at them whatsoever though, I understand them a lot and they still are very sweet nice people. I guess Im just surprised they don't want to try harder to follow God/Christ more. Then again I don't mention it either so maybe they are also in a similar situation? Its just very often they don't even try, mainly the guys which Im not that good with but they really disrespect others and us often, swear a lot, say weird things in our group chat and so on.
I don't know in general what I'm trying to say I guess I feel like its "cringe" or awkward to bring up feelings or my stance on faith with family definitely and then friends kinda too. I think it could also be me personally a lot because I grew up where I wasn't allowed to cry much or when I did I was "faking" it (and no I am female if someone thought its cause of male stereotypes or smth). But it's okay, I guess I can start talking to people on here!! And then perhaps find the courage in christ and with the support of you my brothers and sisters to talk with them and others and be a good example so they see Christs work and search for him.
Any advice or thoughts on this all? And how to remember he's always with me and to keep my faith when with non-believers especially when they know me from before I was a believer and so I also always just jump right back into my "old self"?
Sorry, this was a lot. If I said anything to offend anyone, please forgive me, and if I got something really wrong, please feel free to correct me or share your perspective or opinion with love so we can all walk better in our journeys with Christ.
God Bless <3
Anyways, I also feel like it's a really great chance to see that we are not alone in our faith!! I often struggle with feeling alone in faith at home and with friends who aren't christian. My family says they are "christian" but really not that much. My dad used to always make fun of it cause he only knows that from his family but thanks to God, the past year he has been following along with some online churches , my mother comes to church with me occasionally but its still hard because my parents are/have become very anti-social with people outside of our family, so going to church or seeing friends is more of a "chore" or hard work for them. I love meeting with friends and making connections however which I'm not always so sure they really understand. Anyways, at home we don't pray before meals or talk about faith at all really.. Im too scared to ask to pray before food or maybe too ashamed or scared it'll just be made fun of. I have no idea and Im ashamed of me possibly being ashamed of my faith when Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins..
My friends at church, okay they are also still younger and finding their ways but I find it hard to talk with them about faith too.. not sure why. They all grew up/live in a family where it is actively christian like family bible studies, praying before meals and so on. and so maybe its all normal for them so they don't talk about it much? But often they also don't seem to want to know or do more because they already know so much or are so used to it. Not throwing any shade at them whatsoever though, I understand them a lot and they still are very sweet nice people. I guess Im just surprised they don't want to try harder to follow God/Christ more. Then again I don't mention it either so maybe they are also in a similar situation? Its just very often they don't even try, mainly the guys which Im not that good with but they really disrespect others and us often, swear a lot, say weird things in our group chat and so on.
I don't know in general what I'm trying to say I guess I feel like its "cringe" or awkward to bring up feelings or my stance on faith with family definitely and then friends kinda too. I think it could also be me personally a lot because I grew up where I wasn't allowed to cry much or when I did I was "faking" it (and no I am female if someone thought its cause of male stereotypes or smth). But it's okay, I guess I can start talking to people on here!! And then perhaps find the courage in christ and with the support of you my brothers and sisters to talk with them and others and be a good example so they see Christs work and search for him.
Any advice or thoughts on this all? And how to remember he's always with me and to keep my faith when with non-believers especially when they know me from before I was a believer and so I also always just jump right back into my "old self"?
Sorry, this was a lot. If I said anything to offend anyone, please forgive me, and if I got something really wrong, please feel free to correct me or share your perspective or opinion with love so we can all walk better in our journeys with Christ.
God Bless <3