Afraid to read The Bible and Anxiety

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Mariah97

Guest
#1
I have newly been saved and I accept Jesus as my Savior. I repented my sins and got over addiction, but I often times get afraid to read the bible and I'm not sure why. I read Intouch daily devotionals (which I know isn't enough). Some times when I'm watching regular tv programs I get anxious when I pass christian tv programs. I feel pressured to watch it, and when I don't I feel bad. Also, when I pray I always have to pray about the same things everyday. But keep in mind the things I'm praying about are truly things I care about but do I need to pray for them everyday? It takes a while and I get anxiety when I wake up just knowing I have to pray soon. I have social anxiety so I don't go to church much. When some of you guys first got saved what did you do? What chapter in the bible did you start in? How many scriptures or chapters did you read a day? I'm just a bit lost and I have already gotten some help with my ocd& anxiety but are still having some troubles.
 
Dec 8, 2014
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#2
I recommend starting with the gospel of John, read at your own pace and pray for understanding. You're just starting out, you're learning and no one can expect you to become an expert overnight. God will not give you more than you can handle. Just remember, it's not a contest.. your walk will be different than that of everyone else because He gives to each according to their need.

You're reborn.. this should be the most joyful time of your life :)
 
C

cmarieh

Guest
#3
Maybe try getting the bible on CD. Sometimes as you are learning something it helps to hear somebody read it. This is very common, so really it is nothing to be ashamed of.
 
W

wwjd_kilden

Guest
#4
- Pray about it. God is the giver of peace

As Ardchoille said: it's not a contest, do it at your own pace :)

Mark is the shortest most to-the-point book about who Jesus is, but John is good too.
The acts will give you an idea of how life was for the first Christians
 

inge

Senior Member
Jun 23, 2012
238
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#5
Maybe a weird question but: have you been involved in the past in a practice or thing that was occult? If so, this can also cause what you described.
 
Jun 19, 2011
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#6
It sounds like a lot of your problems here are probably related to your OCD. As someone with OCD I can relate to all the things you mentioned in the thread. I too also had fears of reading the bible. The reason I had fears of reading the bible because I was afraid of what I would find in it. As someone who has OCD I went through a time in my life where I was afraid of everything being a sin. Such as eating certain foods or watching majority of television. I was also deeply afraid of going to Hell and nothing would convince be that I wasn't, so as you can imagine reading the bible was fairly difficult for me.


As for the prayer thing I also had this problem. Often times I would pray the same things over and over again and it got to the point where it was not enjoyable at all and it became a ritual. A lot of people's OCD can be in regards to ritual, prayer absolutely can become an OCD like ritual where you feel like you are forced to do it. (Much like someone who has to wash their hands over and over again to be "clean"). My advice for this would be to stop praying when you feel like you "have to" if you wish to talk to God then do so but do it because you want to not because you feel obligated.

For me medication worked wonderfully for my OCD and I no longer suffer like I use to, so if you haven't already looked into that, I would advise you to do so.

If you can manage to do so, I'd advise you to find a church to help you with any scriptural based questions you have. A community of believers can be of great help to someone in the faith. I know your social anxiety may prevent this from being a viable option and if thats the case then I'd continue to ask questions here.
 
Jan 20, 2015
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#7
I have newly been saved and I accept Jesus as my Savior. I repented my sins and got over addiction, but I often times get afraid to read the bible and I'm not sure why. I read Intouch daily devotionals (which I know isn't enough). Some times when I'm watching regular tv programs I get anxious when I pass christian tv programs. I feel pressured to watch it, and when I don't I feel bad. Also, when I pray I always have to pray about the same things everyday. But keep in mind the things I'm praying about are truly things I care about but do I need to pray for them everyday? It takes a while and I get anxiety when I wake up just knowing I have to pray soon. I have social anxiety so I don't go to church much. When some of you guys first got saved what did you do? What chapter in the bible did you start in? How many scriptures or chapters did you read a day? I'm just a bit lost and I have already gotten some help with my ocd& anxiety but are still having some troubles.
Your mind wont be open to absorb information if you're pressured to learn. Thats why your feeling anxious because you're forcing your mind to accept information.
 
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JFSurvivor

Senior Member
Jan 20, 2015
1,184
25
0
#8
I have newly been saved and I accept Jesus as my Savior. I repented my sins and got over addiction, but I often times get afraid to read the bible and I'm not sure why. I read Intouch daily devotionals (which I know isn't enough). Some times when I'm watching regular tv programs I get anxious when I pass christian tv programs. I feel pressured to watch it, and when I don't I feel bad. Also, when I pray I always have to pray about the same things everyday. But keep in mind the things I'm praying about are truly things I care about but do I need to pray for them everyday? It takes a while and I get anxiety when I wake up just knowing I have to pray soon. I have social anxiety so I don't go to church much. When some of you guys first got saved what did you do? What chapter in the bible did you start in? How many scriptures or chapters did you read a day? I'm just a bit lost and I have already gotten some help with my ocd& anxiety but are still having some troubles.
OMG I HAVE THE SAAAME PROBLEMS! thank you for posting this! :)
 
S

Siberian_Khatru

Guest
#9
Mariah97 said:
When some of you guys first got saved what did you do? What chapter in the bible did you start in? How many scriptures or chapters did you read a day?
I took it one day at a time.
I started from Genesis 1:1 and ran through it like a novel; from front to back.
I shot for 4 chapters per day (I think at some point I had heard that 4 chapters/day = an entire read through in one year).

However, none of this is very important, as your mileage may vary. Your walk is a personal thing, and as with any relationship, the one you form with your God is up to how you shape it and how much you invest in it. :)
 
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G4JC

Senior Member
Feb 9, 2011
668
6
0
#10
I usually listen to the Bible on MP3 or CD. You can freely download it as well:
The Bible in MP3 Audio Format - The King James Version of the Bible

It's quite relaxing to listen to Psalms/Proverbs while you sleep. As a new believer I would start in John as well, also Romans. Both cover salvation in Christ. Enjoy your new life in Jesus, don't forget to trust Him daily, and with time you will learn to be more like Him and get far away from the sin and vice that consumes this lost world without Him... as Brandon Heath sings in his latest... I have decided to follow Jesus - No turning back. :)
 
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missy2014

Guest
#11
I have newly been saved and I accept Jesus as my Savior. I repented my sins and got over addiction, but I often times get afraid to read the bible and I'm not sure why. I read Intouch daily devotionals (which I know isn't enough). Some times when I'm watching regular tv programs I get anxious when I pass christian tv programs. I feel pressured to watch it, and when I don't I feel bad. Also, when I pray I always have to pray about the same things everyday. But keep in mind the things I'm praying about are truly things I care about but do I need to pray for them everyday? It takes a while and I get anxiety when I wake up just knowing I have to pray soon. I have social anxiety so I don't go to church much. When some of you guys first got saved what did you do? What chapter in the bible did you start in? How many scriptures or chapters did you read a day? I'm just a bit lost and I have already gotten some help with my ocd& anxiety but are still having some troubles.
Hi Mariah97 thanks for the friend request. Keep moving forward in your relationship with Father God and do what you know is right - read the bible despite feeling anxious
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
13,098
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#12
don't be afraid. give Him all your fear - hand it over to Him and trust Him. He didn't come and die for us to make us follow lots of rules about watching certain shows and doing certain things -- if following a lot of rules could have changed our hearts and our desires, and taken all the sin out of us, He wouldn't have had to come and sacrifice Himself. He's not going to be angry with you because you flipped the channel past the 700 club.

He's changing you. He's putting a new heart in you and giving you a new spirit - His spirit. He wants you to trust Him and love His mercy. He gave the Jews a law, and they couldn't keep it, and it was to demonstrate to them and to us that we need to rely on Him, not ourselves. He wants us to do the sort of things that the old law said His people had to do, but not because they are a law for us, because we want to please Him and we know these are good things. so it's good that you're giving up addictions and repenting of sins - that's that new spirit and heart in you, that wants to do these things. that's God working in you! but don't be scared when you can't measure up to the things you know you ought to do. that's exactly what He died for - so that you aren't condemned when you fail. feeling guilty is good - because it's that heart & spirit He gave you teaching you what is right. that doesn't mean to stop trying to do those things - but trust Him, don't be scared. He loves you and is ready to forgive you every time you turn away from something wrong and turn to Him.

the first things i read when i believed were the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. i had the kind of bible that has all the things Christ said in red letters, and He was who i wanted to hear from. you know something i noticed? He said "don't be worried" a lot. when His disciples were afraid, He was always calm.

it's right to have concern, and to think about what you should do, and to do what you know you should do - but don't let anxiety take the place of trust. He is God - what you can't do, give Him all your cares about; He can do all things, and you can through Him - and He knows what's best. trust Him when you don't understand and when it's all out of your control (did i say trust Him yet? trust Him!)

some days i read a lot, some days a little, some not at all. He kept prodding me - that heart He put in me kept prodding me - to read more. it's been a long time for me - 20+ years since i first put all my trust in Him - i'm a lot different, and it took a long time. ups and downs, fear and love, wandering away and running back after Him, shouting for joy and crying, feeling empty and so full i thought for sure i would pop. i think it's like that for all of us, over all, and the timescale is different with everyone too.

just never stop trusting Him -- and keep looking for Him. that's holding onto your faith :)

i started reading proverbs regularly when i was young too. over and over and over. i never really stopped - it says "wisdom is the principle thing" - and there's all this wisdom in it. see? hee hee..
here's a good verse from it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

(Proverbs 3:5-6)
 
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May 3, 2013
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#13
Hmm!

Some here gave you good tips (I would remak listening will bless you more) since it gives you the chance to concertrate spiritually on the things heard, just Scripture, not somebody´s preaching, particular JESUS addressing His teachings (The Gospel).

That´s normal you´d anxious... You´ve said you over came your addictions (it doesn´t matter what it was) and your mind (and body) is asking "for a thing" to do, meanwhile, particularly if you are not going out...

I hope you find Christians friends you could go out to SAFE places.
 
G

Grey

Guest
#14
Start with the front page and end with the back!
 
Feb 5, 2013
387
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#15
Pray before reading the bible. learn to rebuke that fear " In Jesus name " . Say it Louder and then say also " the Blood of Jesus". As a christian you are a soldier now. you are now in the spiritual warfare. as a soldier you must learn to fight. Ask also the Holy Spirit to guide you during your prayer and then proceed reading the bible.

start reading in New testament from gospel of John till revelation and after that , read Genesis,the whole OT then back to NT from john to revelations. you can do this over and over again.
 

lexscripta

Junior Member
May 14, 2016
2
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#17
I just read this, and although there is some good advice, there is some very bad advice as well.

For one thing, the Bible is clear - by beholding, we become. Therefore, I would never encourage someone to watch television. Particularly, secular style TV. That is not a good thing. There are so many Bible principles against it, I barely know where to start. TV, and its philosophy is not good for Christians.

Being afraid to read the Bible could also mean that God wants us to surrender some area of our lives that we are not willling to surrender. If that is the case, eventually, you will not want to read the Bible. Why? Because you are in rebellion against the known Will of God. Its very important to stay in step with God.

Secondly/Firstly - do be very careful about what you do in terms of occult. Rock Music, Ouji Boards, Tarrot Cards, fortune telling, Astrology, or anything closely related to those things are demonic. Watch out for Christian Rock music. It is very subtle and you think its ok, but its not. If you have been involved in any of this in the past, confess to God, and move on. He came to save you, and he will.

Be careful about sexual sin. If you are living with someone and you are not married - Get Out! Dont mess around in the least with relationships outside of the Christian bond. DONT play around with this, or porn or any such thing against the clear will of God.

Mostly, always be wiling to obey God in everything. Don't hesitate.

Many people say that food cannot harm your spiritual life. They are wrong. Try to eat healthy because your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Stop smoking. Stop all alcohol. Both of these are bad, and are not becoming for pure Christians.

Remember, even if you have done or are doing any of these things, Jesus Loves you, and he wants to rescue you from these things. THAT is why he came. 1) to forgive you and 2) to save you.

It makes absolutely no sense to continue in the very things Jesus came to save you from. Ask Jesus for the power to overcome. Repent. Believe. Claim.

Blessings.
 

Joybie

Junior Member
Feb 21, 2018
4
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0
#18
I am the same way but what help me I downloaded the dramatized Bible's app and that help me, I pray this help you