How to deal with self doubt about your faith?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
I

Icedaisey

Well-known member
#241
Jul 19, 2021
1,398
475
83
#241
HisKid said:
I don't believe in disorders any more than I believe in addictions. Are we not children of the KING? It's as if people who claim Him completely deny His power.
Click to expand...
You're free to believe that.
However, as you said to someone earlier regarding their opinion about your faith, your opinion about ailments and conditions has no bearing on those who endure ailments and live with diagnosed conditions.

Nor is it in your purview to judge what is and is not within God's power. You've no idea what work God is doing in the lives of others.

Don't imply someone doesn't trust God's power if they are sharing here they struggle with real issues. You don't know them or what God is doing in their life.

The blind man was blind all his life till Christ put mud on his closed eyes and healed him so that he was blessed with sight for the first time.
People witnessed that miracle as God intended. And that blind man was God's chosen vehicle to bring them to faith in Messiah promised they now witnessed as Messiah arrived.

Same with the Leper. And the woman plagued by demons.

What is God working in your life? That is what you should concern yourself with. Occupy your attention to finding that out.

Not judging whether or not God is with or working in the lives of others.
Because that is literally none of your concern. You and I and all in his care are to be an example of God's power and loving influence.
Not judges as to whether or not that is there for others.
 
T

TheLearner

Well-known member
#243
Jan 14, 2019
7,902
1,458
113
67
Brighton, MI
#243
CherieR said:
I don’t think fear or anxiety is a sin.

If I saw the angels come for me on a death bed, I think I would actually find that comforting.
Click to expand...
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Phi 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

These texts do not say it is a sin.
 
T

TheLearner

Well-known member
#246
Jan 14, 2019
7,902
1,458
113
67
Brighton, MI
#246
HisKid said:
In my experience, being anxious, afraid or worried is all basically the same thing. It amounts to not trusting God in your situation. I've been there enough times to know. :) The Lord put me through an extremely difficult and painful trial that basically forced me to trust Him. Now I am on the other side of it and it's light night and day.
Click to expand...
Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”

People can do both at the same time.
 
T

TheLearner

Well-known member
#247
Jan 14, 2019
7,902
1,458
113
67
Brighton, MI
#247
BillG said:
That's my point.
I have no idea.

It's called severe generalised anxiety.
It's constant and has no pin point.

So am I sinning?
Praying every day for healing and release every day.

I do have hope going forward.
Click to expand...
That is more likely a medical conduction. Go see your Doctor.
 
H

HisKid

Banned
#248
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
#248
TheLearner said:
Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.”

People can do both at the same time.
Click to expand...
I would be afraid if there was an intruder in our home.. and then if I was attacked by said intruder. And I can't say I wouldn't pull my gun on him. I would. So, I guess I'm a hypocrite because at that moment, I would be trusting my ruger.
 
T

TheLearner

Well-known member
#249
Jan 14, 2019
7,902
1,458
113
67
Brighton, MI
#249
"Depending on the context, fear and anxiety may be one of four types: (1) a God-given emotional response for our benefit, (2) a disordered physiological response that is not sinful, (3) a natural consequence of sin, or (4) sinful responses to God’s providential care. Let’s consider how we can distinguish between the four types. "
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/ask-tgc-anxiety-sin/
 
T

TheLearner

Well-known member
#250
Jan 14, 2019
7,902
1,458
113
67
Brighton, MI
#250
CherieR said:
I don’t think fear or anxiety is a sin.

If I saw the angels come for me on a death bed, I think I would actually find that comforting.
Click to expand...
"Not all anxiety is sinful. In 1 Corinthians 7:32, Paul states that an unmarried man is “anxious” about pleasing the Lord, while a married man is “anxious” about pleasing his wife (ESV). In this case, the anxiety isn’t a sinful fear but a deep, proper concern. "
 
H

HisKid

Banned
#251
Jul 28, 2021
1,226
406
83
#251
TheLearner said:
"Not all anxiety is sinful. In 1 Corinthians 7:32, Paul states that an unmarried man is “anxious” about pleasing the Lord, while a married man is “anxious” about pleasing his wife (ESV). In this case, the anxiety isn’t a sinful fear but a deep, proper concern. "
Click to expand...
Really? Then why are we told to be anxious for nothing?
 
CherieR

CherieR

Senior Member
#252
May 6, 2017
2,266
1,420
113
#252
TheLearner said:
"Not all anxiety is sinful. In 1 Corinthians 7:32, Paul states that an unmarried man is “anxious” about pleasing the Lord, while a married man is “anxious” about pleasing his wife (ESV). In this case, the anxiety isn’t a sinful fear but a deep, proper concern. "
Click to expand...
To be honest, I don’t think anxiety is the best word in that case.
 
I

Icedaisey

Well-known member
#253
Jul 19, 2021
1,398
475
83
#253
HisKid said:
I would be afraid if there was an intruder in our home.. and then if I was attacked by said intruder. And I can't say I wouldn't pull my gun on him. I would. So, I guess I'm a hypocrite because at that moment, I would be trusting my ruger.
Click to expand...
As well you should. God createdv William Batterman Ruger and Alexander McCormick Sturm for a positive purpose.;)
 
R

rayzor

Banned
#254
Aug 20, 2021
1,863
310
83
#254
HisKid said:
I would be afraid if there was an intruder in our home.. and then if I was attacked by said intruder. And I can't say I wouldn't pull my gun on him. I would. So, I guess I'm a hypocrite because at that moment, I would be trusting my ruger.
Click to expand...
as a thief,,,Try not 2 shot Jesus
 
tourist

tourist

Senior Member
#259
Mar 13, 2014
41,323
16,307
113
69
Tennessee
#259
BillG said:
Thanks for responding.
I appreciate that you are willing to talk.

For me to be anxious is not a sin full stop.
How we deal with being anxious could be a sin.
However how we deal with it can be a sin or lead to mechanisms to dull being anxious.

So once again is being anxious the same as fear?

I cannot recall Jesus using the word anxious but does use the the word worry.

Yet in

Philippians 4:6
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

David himself seemed to be display anxious behaviour bordering on fear.
Did Jeus himself have anxious thougts and fear in the garden of Gethsemane?

So as I said to be anxious is not a sin but the response to it can lead to sin.

It's a bit like if you have a sexual thought that comes to mind.
The thought itself is not sinful, it's how you deal with that could be sinful.
It's like a thought to lie is not sinful but how you deal with it could be sinful.
If you follow it through then yes it's a sin, but pray to God for help not to do it is the correct way.

Now I will give you my problem concerning anxiety.
I have been diagnosed with several generalized anxiety.
Basically this anxiety is constant and basically debilitating.
Had it for 30 years plus.
I continually seek God for healing, bring it to him.
Praise God I have been able to function.
Run a company of 30 people.
Do a ministry in church.
Have 4 kids all Christians.

I have every day prayed to God for healing, sought help in the church, been prayed over

No release has been forthcoming.
I refuse to take meds because I feel God can and will heal.
I do not believe it's medically related.

So am I sinning?
Click to expand...
Absolutely not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.