Hello everyone :) Here's part of my story/struggle

  • 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.
E

Emmy55

New member
Aug 2, 2026
9
11
3
16
Hello everyone, I am 16, and you can call me Emmy or Ember. I am struggling with my faith a little right now, and I am trying to find a Christian community and friends.

I grew up in a Christian home, but we stopped going to church when I was about 8 for some reason. I've always believed in Jesus. but I never really knew Him until I attended Bible camp in the summer when I was 11. My little sister and I started going to church again later that year. I was still a baby Christian tho and I didn't have a great foundation or group of friends, so for the next few years of my life, I grew lukewarm in a sense. Camp was always the reset for me, but this past year has been really rough, and I don't feel close to Jesus, and I am scared of that.

I've always struggled with anxiety ever since I was in elementary school, and my mental health was never really great, i've been through ups and downs and for the past year i've been in such a hole of sadness and like I get so much anxiety from faith itself and I've been struggling to fall asleep, like I just don't know what to do. I really wish I could say things are getting better, but it hasn't, and i'm getting really scared, especially because I keep hearing people talking about Jesus coming back soon, and I don't want to go to hell, but I'm worried I don't have enough faith to be in Heaven.

I am trying to get back into my faith but it has been hard because of this anxiety and sadness. I have tried getting back into the Bible and prayer, but I keep getting repetitive intrusive thoughts and this like really heavy feeling in my chest I can't explain, but they don't go away. One of these thoughts that i've been dealing with recently is what if God never made someone for me? Like i've always dreamed of getting married and having a Christian family, and like isn't that the whole point of everything? What if God doesn't have that for me? I don't know why, but this specifically has been my biggest worry recently to the point I can't sleep or focus.

Prayers are welcome, and I'm sorry for the random rant, i hope everyone has a blessed day. <3
 
  • Pray
  • Heart
  • Like
Reactions: Deuteronomy, MegumiGrace, Tall_Timbers and 7 others
Hi, Emmy.

Anxiety and worry are often the direct result of thinking too far into the future. In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Jesus taught us to not even think anxious thoughts about tomorrow, let alone further into the future, because there is more than enough to think about or consider today. You have probably heard the expression, "One day at a time," and there is a biblical precedent for that type of mentality. I encounter anxious teenagers a lot, and their anxiety always seems to stem from societal pressures that have been placed or forced upon them either at school, through the news, by Hollywood or social media, or even by their own family and friends. Many of them are on medication at a young age because they have adopted the wrong mindsets early on in life. In your case, you are only 16, and you are already worrying about marriage, which realistically wouldn't occur until several years from now even if it is God's will for your life. My advice to you would be to set a realistic daily plan for your life that includes prayer to God and some time in his word. Try to cultivate a daily walk with him while not thinking too far into the future. If you truly take things one day at a time, then I can pretty much guarantee you that your level of anxiety will decrease. I will say a prayer for you that God helps you along these lines. Welcome to the forum.​
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tom-, Tall_Timbers and TabinRivCA
In light of what I said in my previous response, here is a good verse of scripture to meditate on:

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Keep your focus on God, and not things, while trusting that he will guide you daily, and he will keep you in perfect peace.
 
  • Like
  • Pray
Reactions: Deuteronomy, Tall_Timbers, TabinRivCA and 1 other person
istockphoto-1716501112-1024x1024 - Copy.jpg
:)
Bless you my child, thank you for being you. At your young age, I commend you for
being God "minded". Don't be distracted by all the "noise" of the world. "Rest in Christ"
and know that all is well and God will make your path straight.

'Be calm and enjoy the young years of your life as they move quicker than one may think.
Focus on what you enjoy and with a "God consciousness" I hope your life is filled with
peace, joy and happiness in all your going and coming. Stand fast in God's love, and all is well.
 
  • Like
  • Pray
  • Heart
Reactions: Deuteronomy, Tall_Timbers, TabinRivCA and 1 other person
Among the top of the greatest dislocaters of our faith, feelings. Knowing how common those feelings are with other Christians is of little comfort. But our faith has been designated as a 'fiery trial'. Those pillars of the Church from ages past have all had to give patience all the room she needs to let God fashion us to bring us to those 'heavenly places'!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deuteronomy and TabinRivCA
Emmy55 said:
Hello everyone, I am 16, and you can call me Emmy or Ember. I am struggling with my faith a little right now, and I am trying to find a Christian community and friends.

I grew up in a Christian home, but we stopped going to church when I was about 8 for some reason. I've always believed in Jesus. but I never really knew Him until I attended Bible camp in the summer when I was 11. My little sister and I started going to church again later that year. I was still a baby Christian tho and I didn't have a great foundation or group of friends, so for the next few years of my life, I grew lukewarm in a sense. Camp was always the reset for me, but this past year has been really rough, and I don't feel close to Jesus, and I am scared of that.

I've always struggled with anxiety ever since I was in elementary school, and my mental health was never really great, i've been through ups and downs and for the past year i've been in such a hole of sadness and like I get so much anxiety from faith itself and I've been struggling to fall asleep, like I just don't know what to do. I really wish I could say things are getting better, but it hasn't, and i'm getting really scared, especially because I keep hearing people talking about Jesus coming back soon, and I don't want to go to hell, but I'm worried I don't have enough faith to be in Heaven.

I am trying to get back into my faith but it has been hard because of this anxiety and sadness. I have tried getting back into the Bible and prayer, but I keep getting repetitive intrusive thoughts and this like really heavy feeling in my chest I can't explain, but they don't go away. One of these thoughts that i've been dealing with recently is what if God never made someone for me? Like i've always dreamed of getting married and having a Christian family, and like isn't that the whole point of everything? What if God doesn't have that for me? I don't know why, but this specifically has been my biggest worry recently to the point I can't sleep or focus.

Prayers are welcome, and I'm sorry for the random rant, i hope everyone has a blessed day. <3
Click to expand...
Welcome. I'm 75. You don't need the burdens that you are putting on yourself. Faith is very simply trust. If you are trusting yourself for getting into heaven, you have reason to worry. If you are trusting Jesus, then you are in exactly the right place.

While it mostly God's will for us to marry and have a family, (don't let anyone tell you otherwise) God saves us for His purpose, not for our own selfish will. I can assure you that if you put Jesus first in your life, you will never regret it.

I suggest that you read the first two chapters of Ephesians and see what God has provided for you in Christ. Study it and thank God for His great love. Ask God for understanding. Keep asking God for help.

I also suggest that you read Psalm 34 and see how God delivers His people from fears. A few verses (3-5) to get you going:

…Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.…
 
  • Like
  • Love
  • Pray
Reactions: Deuteronomy, Tall_Timbers, TabinRivCA and 3 others
Emmy55 said:
Hello everyone, I am 16, and you can call me Emmy or Ember. I am struggling with my faith a little right now, and I am trying to find a Christian community and friends.

I grew up in a Christian home, but we stopped going to church when I was about 8 for some reason. I've always believed in Jesus. but I never really knew Him until I attended Bible camp in the summer when I was 11. My little sister and I started going to church again later that year. I was still a baby Christian tho and I didn't have a great foundation or group of friends, so for the next few years of my life, I grew lukewarm in a sense. Camp was always the reset for me, but this past year has been really rough, and I don't feel close to Jesus, and I am scared of that.

I've always struggled with anxiety ever since I was in elementary school, and my mental health was never really great, i've been through ups and downs and for the past year i've been in such a hole of sadness and like I get so much anxiety from faith itself and I've been struggling to fall asleep, like I just don't know what to do. I really wish I could say things are getting better, but it hasn't, and i'm getting really scared, especially because I keep hearing people talking about Jesus coming back soon, and I don't want to go to hell, but I'm worried I don't have enough faith to be in Heaven.

I am trying to get back into my faith but it has been hard because of this anxiety and sadness. I have tried getting back into the Bible and prayer, but I keep getting repetitive intrusive thoughts and this like really heavy feeling in my chest I can't explain, but they don't go away. One of these thoughts that i've been dealing with recently is what if God never made someone for me? Like i've always dreamed of getting married and having a Christian family, and like isn't that the whole point of everything? What if God doesn't have that for me? I don't know why, but this specifically has been my biggest worry recently to the point I can't sleep or focus.

Prayers are welcome, and I'm sorry for the random rant, i hope everyone has a blessed day. <3
Click to expand...
Teenage years are rough for most people, and basic biology plays a big part in that. And families leave church for a variety of reasons, just as they attend for a variety. One person I know attends church because it is good for business and lots of successful businessmen attend the same church he does. My parents attended church because it was what they grew up with, but stopped when a new pastor arrived that they could not get along with.

I would also note that likely far more of your friends have the same doubts about ever finding a special person to marry than you realize. I have known several people who never had a date until after high school, sometimes not until well into their 20's.

As for anxiety, have you discussed that issue with your doctor? Your doctor might be able to diagnose some physical cause, or not depending, but they are forbidden by law from discussing the issue with your parents without your permission.

But I will be praying for you, that God can sooth your concerns.
 
  • Like
  • Heart
Reactions: Deuteronomy, Tall_Timbers, TabinRivCA and 1 other person
Hi Ember that's a beautiful name, welcome to CC! Lots of great advice above and I will add this word from God 'Philippians 4:6–7 says to not be anxious about anything, but instead bring all requests to God through prayer with thanksgiving, promising that God's peace will guard your heart and mind. Also 'cast your cares to God' 1 Pet 5-7, that means toss your desires/concerns to God and He will take care of them. Worrying never accomplishes anything but gives stress. Trust God with them and live your beautiful life with His peace and love. God bless & keep you🙏🙌
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deuteronomy, Bingo and Tall_Timbers
Romans 15:13
New International Version
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

John 11:25
New International Version
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Matthew 7:24-27
New International Version
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: TabinRivCA
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back