I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father (and the Son),
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

If you disagree with any of it, then how is it the defining line in the sand of whether you are a Christian or not? I ask this because, by necessity, some denomination have to reject the last paragraph.

As a 23 year old man, I have the strongest desire in my life than ever before to spread the good news but Im just not sure how I can get through to people when so many people in this world have hardened hearts.

I want everyone to know and understand that the love that Jesus Christ offers is something every soul not just wants, but needs. We need Jesus just as much as our lungs need air to breathe. But most people I talk to just don’t comprehend or understand that.

He has changed my life and is continuing to mold me into the person I need to be. He gives a peace the world can’t give to us.

Satan is deceiving so many every single day in this chaotic world and it makes my soul sad to see other souls lost. I want as many people to know that their true spiritual peace can be found in the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
Jesus Christ is the name above all names and Im proud to say it!

I recently lost something important im a huge clutz but I went out of my way to really make sure this never happened and so honestly one of my first thoughts was to pray to find it lol. in my situation in particular I’ve already got a huge situation with god and I’m already so far so in comparison it’s minuscule but I still do pray I find it.

Im just wondering do other people do that? And even though im on thin ice with god right now with my situation could I maybe pray about it?

There is still a battle that we must overcome in this life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, our strength in victory so that we may inherit the promise.

If perseverance of the saints were true, the New Testament authors and Christ himself didnt get the memo. Here is the truth laid bare.

“But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

— Revelation 2:4–5

18 “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: ‘The words of the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and whose feet are like burnished bronze.

19 I know your works, your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first.

20 But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

21 I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

22 Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,

23 and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.”

— Revelation 2:18–23

Hence why Christ warns genuine believers to return to their proper state of being if perseverance of the saints were true; how is it possible that these beleivers abandoned the faith they had at first?

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise.” — Hebrews 10:36

Again, why are belivers being told they have need of endurance if faith necessarily produces endurance?

2 Peter 1:5–10 — “make every effort,” “be diligent”

Why make every effort if the faith you expressed at first was the end-all, be-all?

1 Peter 5:8–9:

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” — Ephesians 6:11

Why is Satan still presented as a genuine threat to believers? If indeed perseverance of the saints were true, this would be nonsensical.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…”

— 1 Timothy 6:12

What is there to fight for or take hold of? It's already been done, as they say...

7 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

— Galatians 6:7–9

There is clearly a sense in which giving up is a real possibility in Paul's mind; this is incompatible with the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. Furthermore, Paul warns the belivers not to sow to the flesh, which shouldn't be possible under this framework.

These verses only scratch the surface; there are hundreds of verses that directly fly in the face of this doctrine, and I'd wish Christians would start to take the scriptures seriously and revolt agaisnt the false doctrines that infiltrated and seduced the Churches.

I got saved a little over 1 year ago but have neglected reading my Bible tbh.

I’ve struggled with cptsd, ocd, depression, self hatred and anxiety disorder all my life and I’m in a really dark place right now.

God has blessed me with a wonderful, loving husband but my mental illness makes it hard for me to fully commit. I‘m scared to my core of hurting or disappointing him and I think about leaving because of this.

I started grabbing my Bible more often and I actually want to stick to reading and journaling daily. It’s actually my last straw tbh since therapy and medication haven’t done too much for me.

Has it helped you with mental illness and general life quality? Do you have any tips on how specifically you’ve journaled? I was thinking about a gratitude type journal. And just writing down Bible verses that give me hope.

I really hope there is light

It is so hard to find genuine friends in general when you are already older (I’m 29F) it seems, but especially Christian ones.
Most people do not seem to know how to communicate and reciprocate a genuine connection, at least the way I’d like.

Is there something wrong with me? Are my “standards” too high. I have been told I’m too picky before. 😭 though I feel it is the bare minimum.

I feel like I just have such a short fuse now with others. Once someone starts to consistently not acknowledge me or what I’m saying, I just don’t want to partake anymore.
I lose interest quickly.
It has happened so much now where I’m not given the same that I’m giving within a friendship or relationship that I’m just over it. I do trust God with it though… is anyone else experiencing this 😭

I started my first till operator shift in stadium today. I was quite nervous as I panic easy under pressure and I thought I'd make a lot of mistakes. I thought even getting there would've been an issue. It doesn't help that a couple years ago I ended up being let go from a job about a month after starting because I made a pretty hefty mistake. But today, instead of ruminating or worrying, I decided to try my absolute best to put it into God's hands. Before I left home, I was reading about biblical ways to let go of anxiety, and while it did work a bit and I felt a bit lighter, I still had the feeling I was holding on somewhat. I think part of that was that letting go was so foreign and weird to me, so my body automatically fought to stay anxious (kind of like it's hardwired to do so). Anyway I got to the area near my place of work quite early so I used that chunk of free time to read a written sermon on it. And it was SO helpful. Genuinely. It was like a literal burden was taken off my shoulders. I felt light and confident. I wasn't sure how I was going to do on my own strength, but I knew that someway, somehow, God was going to get me through this. When I arrived at the the ground, I went through a whole load of issues trying to find where I was working (it's a massive stadium), but I kept reminding myself that "God is in control" or something to that effect. And moment by moment, he kept proving me right. When I eventually got there, I asked my colleagues to give me a quick rundown on everything I need to know and even had time for some small talk (before I was promptly moved to another area because I was actually in the wrong place lol). In the end, I didn't even do the tills. I got told to sort out the food, but I've come home tonight feeling accomplished and grateful to God. I forgot to mention but what made things even easier was the idea of "not focusing inwardly but outwardly". Thinking more about how to act Christlike in my place of work, whether that was talking to and being kind to others around me or keeping myself busy and making the shelves look full and presentable for the customers instead of moping about and doing nothing. I got into a rhythm and it took my mind off of the worrying! I've got another shift on Saturday. I'm assuming that I'll probably do tills this time. I'm still slightly nervous, but I'm going to take away everything I learned today and go again this weekend! God bless!

So I’ve been talking to this great guy for the last few weeks. He’s caring, emotionally mature, handsome, so sweet, he always makes me feel good about myself and so much more. We instantly connected the moment we met. I prayed to God to speak to me about if he is someone I should pursue and I feel like God has given me multiple signs to go for it however I recently found out the guy I like doesn’t believe in God. I don’t even know if this is right subreddit to post in (sorry to the mods if this is the wrong one) or if there is a Christian relationship subreddit I should be posting in either way I don’t know what to do.

Edit(I realized I should’ve added this up here and not at the bottom) : Okay you all have made valid points and yes being equally yoked is extremely important I guess I’m just a little disappointed. He seems like such a great guy and he’s been very understanding of me refraining from sex until marriage, he respects my beliefs etc but like I said the disappointment is there. I was hoping this relationship would be different and what’s crazy is that I wasn’t even looking for a relationship but we met each other, started talking and we instantly clicked. I asked him about going to church with me one day and he basically told me that he wouldn’t. I couldn’t really ask about it, it was late we both were tired so we just said our goodnights and went to bed. I want to talk about it more with him today but I’m not sure how to go about it.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)

Jesus never promised His followers an easy life.

He never said that following Him would eliminate disappointment.

He never promised that people wouldn't hurt us, finances would always work out, relationships would never become difficult, or painful seasons wouldn't come.

In fact, Jesus told His disciples exactly the opposite:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

Not might.

Shall.

Trouble is part of living in a fallen world.

But thankfully, Jesus didn't end the sentence there.

He continued:

“But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

That's where Christian hope begins.

Jesus Didn't Hide the Reality of Suffering Sometimes we mistakenly believe that if we're walking closely enough with God, everything should start becoming easier.

But Scripture doesn't teach that.

Jesus prepared His disciples for hardship.

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18 (KJV)

The apostles experienced rejection, persecution, imprisonment, loss, and suffering.

Following Jesus doesn't mean avoiding every storm.

It means discovering who is with you in the storm.

Christianity isn't God's promise that nothing difficult will happen.

It's the assurance that our difficulties do not have the final word.

Jesus does.

“Be of Good Cheer” Doesn't Mean Pretending It Doesn't Hurt When Jesus says, “be of good cheer,” He isn't telling us to pretend suffering isn't painful.

Christian joy isn't denial.

There are times to grieve.

There are times to cry.

There are times when life genuinely hurts.

Jesus Himself wept.

But pain doesn't have to become the ruler of our hearts.

Our circumstances may affect our emotions, but they don't have to become the foundation of our hope.

That's why Jesus begins John 16:33 by saying:

“...that in me ye might have peace.”

Notice where peace is found.

Not in circumstances.

Not in people.

Not in money.

Not in everything going according to plan.

“In me.”

Our peace is found in Christ.

Who Are You Becoming While You're Going Through It? Sometimes we're so focused on asking God to change our circumstances that we never stop to ask what is happening inside us while we're waiting.

It's easy to say:

“You don't understand what I'm going through.”

And perhaps the person standing in front of you doesn't.

But suffering doesn't give us permission to become cruel.

Pain doesn't justify treating people poorly.

Disappointment doesn't give us permission to live in bitterness.

Trials don't excuse abandoning our walk with Christ.

So perhaps alongside:

“Lord, when will You change this?”

we should sometimes pray:

“Lord, what are You producing in me through this?”

James writes:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2–3 (KJV)

The trial may be doing something we cannot immediately see.

Don't Let Trouble Turn Into Bitterness Hardship can expose things already living beneath the surface.

Fear.

Anger.

Pride.

Impatience.

Self-reliance.

Bitterness.

And when those things surface, we have a choice.

We can feed them.

Or we can bring them to Christ.

Hebrews warns:

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you...” Hebrews 12:15 (KJV)

Be careful what takes root during difficult seasons.

What happened to you matters.

But so does what is happening within you.

Don't allow somebody else's sin to become an excuse for your own.

Don't allow disappointment to convince you that God has abandoned you.

Don't allow suffering to slowly harden your heart toward Christ.

Bring the hurt to Him.

Your Joy Has a Stronger Foundation Why can Jesus tell suffering disciples to be of good cheer?

He gives the answer:

“I have overcome the world.”

That's the foundation.

Christian joy isn't:

“Everything is going wonderfully.”

It's:

“Jesus has overcome.”

Christian peace isn't:

“Nothing bad can happen to me.”

It's:

“Whatever happens, I belong to Christ.”

Christian hope isn't:

“My life will eventually unfold exactly how I planned.”

It's:

“My Savior has conquered, and my future is secure in Him.”

That's a peace circumstances cannot manufacture and circumstances cannot ultimately destroy.

The Cross Looked Like Defeat When Jesus spoke the words of John 16:33, the cross was approaching.

Soon His disciples would watch Him be arrested.

Beaten.

Mocked.

Crucified.

Killed.

From their perspective, it would appear that everything had gone terribly wrong.

But the cross wasn't the defeat of Jesus.

It was part of His victory.

Jesus willingly gave His life.

And three days later, He rose from the grave.

That's why our confidence isn't wishful thinking.

Our hope is anchored in our risen Savior.

The Gospel: Jesus Has Overcome The greatest trouble humanity faces isn't financial hardship, broken relationships, sickness, disappointment, or difficult circumstances.

Our greatest problem is sin.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23 (KJV)

Every one of us has sinned against a holy God.

And sin has consequences.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (KJV)

We couldn't rescue ourselves.

Good works couldn't erase our guilt.

Religion couldn't make us righteous.

So God came to us.

Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, lived the righteous life we could never live.

Then:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Jesus took our sins upon Himself at the cross.

He died.

He was buried.

And on the third day, He rose again.

He conquered sin and death.

And salvation is offered to everyone who turns to Him in repentance and faith.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9 (KJV)

This is why Jesus can say:

“I have overcome the world.”

Our hope isn't that we'll somehow become strong enough to overcome everything ourselves.

Our hope is in the One who has already overcome.

A Call to Repentance Maybe suffering has been revealing something in your heart.

Maybe you've become bitter.

Maybe you've been taking your frustration out on everyone around you.

Maybe disappointment has caused you to distance yourself from God.

Maybe you've been trusting your circumstances more than Christ.

Bring it to Him.

Repentance doesn't mean pretending your pain isn't real.

It means refusing to allow your pain to become permission for sin.

Tell God the truth.

“Lord, this hurts.”

“Lord, I'm angry.”

“Lord, I'm disappointed.”

“Lord, I'm struggling.”

And then surrender it.

Ask Him to keep your heart tender.

Ask Him to help you forgive.

Ask Him to produce patience.

Ask Him to keep you faithful.

Ask Him to make you more like Christ even here.

Don't Waste the Trial Maybe the question isn't only:

“How do I get out of this?”

Maybe another question is:

“Who am I becoming while I'm in this?”

Is the trial pushing you toward Jesus or away from Him?

Is it producing greater dependence upon God?

Is it teaching you to pray?

Is it revealing where you've been placing your security?

Is it exposing something that needs to be surrendered?

Don't assume every hardship was specifically sent by God to teach you a lesson. We live in a broken world, and suffering has many causes.

But whatever its cause, God can meet you in it and work through it.

Conclusion: The Trouble Is Real, But So Is Jesus You may be walking through something difficult right now.

Don't minimize it.

Don't pretend it doesn't hurt.

But don't give your trouble more authority than your Savior.

Your finances may change.

People may disappoint you.

Plans may collapse.

Doors may close.

There may be seasons you never expected to walk through.

Jesus already told us:

“In the world ye shall have tribulation.”

But don't stop reading there.

“...but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)

The trouble is real.

But so is Jesus.

The pain is real.

But so is His grace.

The trial is real.

But so is His peace.

The battle is real.

But so is His victory.

Don't let what you're going through determine who you're becoming. Keep your eyes on Christ. Keep walking with Him. Keep trusting Him. And when the world gives you trouble, remember: your Savior has already overcome the world.

Too many years of this depression.. the warfare leaves my mind and body in a debilitated condition. The battle feels all on me.. it hurts to know others feel the peace and joy of the Lord and I'm past depleted.. depression, anxiety and the biggest thing now is the insomnia through the years.. more and more hallucinations at night.. no insurance or money to help that and I'm tired of the empty depressants that I chose to leave behind last year after decades of unsuccessful attempts with that.. break up after almost 15 years together.. my 10-year-old son lives with her now and the split has me so alone..

I have a church group online I attend but half the time have to hide the true pain because expressing myself pushes people away because it's so intense..

I don't want to lose hope.. I dive into the word I even have been building an interest more and more in theology.. but I'm just so tired..tears as I write this.. I don't want others to feel this way.. I want brothers and sisters to be okay in Christ and I want those that don't know Christ to find him. I feel as if my only encouragement is knowing that he's away maker and miracle worker in the lives around me more than in me.. I'm 39 and just so disillusioned at this point.. I don't even feel fully comfortable posting here.. 988, the occasional encouragement from others just doesn't feel like enough.. I don't even feel comfortable knowing I have a jealousy and envy when it comes to Satanists and Muslims and other people of beliefs finding Jesus in their dreams and visions and real supernatural encounters.. when all I feel is silence.. I try to reason with myself that the silence is maybe testing of my faith.. I'm just tired at this point.. homelessness that I suffered in 2024... Stepfather who was pretty much my father passed away in June.. my mom is in frail condition with her health.. I live with her now.. unemployed I can't keep stable with a job I can't seem to manage my time and money when it comes.. I have been abstaining from smoking weed and drinking for a while now.. but because of the insomnia I feel so tempted to smoke again because I was at least getting rest even though it was a temporary fix.. my name is Louis.. it would be really thankful if there could be prayers..love you

There have been issues within my relationship here and there over the years. Each time I always pray for a sign on whether or not that the relationship is the “right one” (I’m a very anxious person). Each time, I pray for an obvious sign (so that I don’t miss it) on if our relationship is at an end, there’s nothing.

Now, this isn’t me questioning God, it’s more of I’m not sure if I’m so un observant that I’m missing things, or if my “if he isn’t the one remove him” and him still being in my life is the sign. Maybe it’s just continuous spiritual warfare with how the world is. He has been struggling with his faith, and keeping out negative influences in his life.

I just feel naive. Am I missing the answers to my prayers? Or am I still letting my anxious fears blind me. I love my partner very much, so I’m very confused. If I’m not “seeing” the signs linked with my prayers, why are there issues happening?

​

Hi, ive been getting into faith for a little over a year. It started with praying, then going to church and finally learning a rosary. I went to confession like 2 weeks aho for the first time ever. I was in there for over an hour and it was so wonderful. I also thought abt it more and more and reflected and thought that i wasnt so bad in sinning after all, that i didnz sin at all and that i was practically perfect...well, i think god wants to give me a sign and strike me down bc ive been rlly struggling to pray and stay away from sin.

I also noticed how i purposefully choose the "easy" way by just sinning and thinking: i dont care, god isnt real anyways, why should i restrict myself. It scares me and i want to get away from that mindset as quickly as possible bc i was in such a good place mentally after confession and i felt so joyful and healed and close to god...maybe with a bit too much pride.

Has anyone experienced anything similar? Or does anyone know how to deal with this? Thank u so much for reading this, i know it might be weird and too personal but i rlly needed a place to finally speak my mind.

I am a new (returning) Christian.

I left the faith at 12 when I lost my Mum to Cancer and am now coming back to the faith.

I have recently joined a local Pentecostal church as this is what I used to be part of but am struggling a little with understanding as I work my way through the bible for the first time.

I am a naturally very curious and analytical person and so am looking for someone who would be happy with me asking questions which may sometimes be difficult (evolution, Big Bang, etc) so I can work on my understanding of how the bible and how God interacts with the world that I currently am familiar with only through the view of natural science.

Is anyone open to being a study friend for me to help find sources or guide me to help me understand these things?

TLDR: New Christian trying to understand the world from a biblical standpoint in conjunction with/in some cases as opposed to classical scientific / biological thinking.

Hey everyone!

I never posted here but I was wondering if I could get some good answers.

A background check: I was born in Brazil and raised in Christian church with a non denomination, but following the Bible principles.

I moved to United States and never quite found a church like mine back in Brazil. Right now I’m in a church that just opened, which is nearly 2 years old and I know everyone but I just don’t fit in. We don’t have many ministries yet and I’m not active serving because well, it’s new. The thing is that is a very small community, we receive good food there and the worship is amazing, but I feel the lack of community and being part of the body, I used to be very active back in Brazil leading teenagers and prayer sets.

But it has also the factor that I was a teenager and had more free time, which leads to my Christian crises of mid 20’s. How do a manage a new environment with new responsibilities of a adult life?

I know giving all to Jesus and putting at his feet is always the best answer, and live day by day. But during this 5 years here, also being a immigrant it has been really a challenge, which makes me feels so distant to God and how my old devoted self was.

I don’t want to move though to another place until I have an answer from God. So I have all this mixed feelings (and now I’m also engaged) which mix more my emotions in between god, work, relationship and this new church system.

Anyways, it’s not so serious matter but it’s been for years my faith struggle.

I want to be able to give it all to God but at the same time life is getting me so tired, I can’t nearly fast or start a prayer and fall asleep, and I don’t know I just feel “off” or not well aligned with the Holy Spirit sometimes.

Anyways if you have been though your 20s or 30s or you are in one of the stages I would love to hear from you :)

God bless!

In the night before this day I prayed for our lord to give me peace, I asked him when I go out to meet someone I have feeling to him to show me the way , I cry for , if he is the one keep him god and if he is an evil take him away , the date was horrible when I get to home I cried more because it was bad and pray again before one hour they call me that he didn't want me and we are not gonna work together I thanked him but say that I'm sad that we are not together, now I remembered that the 🙏 prayers I said was indeed, glory to the lord he listens and make me an answer I'm sad but I'm happy with him work with me , I love you Jesus 🖤✝️

Heyyy!!! I'm a boy.. 19 years old and I'm new into christianity. I'm was a complete atheïst, but now I'm reading the bible I pray etc, but I find it difficult.. can you help me?

I feel just... empty,stressed, not hungry,ignored, left out, alone and not excepted in this world and I want to find God really bad.. can anyone help me please??

I just fall in love with a girl who love Jesus, we have know each other for three years. If u ask me about her, I can say she is perfect, but. I think she was in love with me for a while, but we stopped talking because I told her that God was telling me He didn't want us together—even though I didn't understand why God was saying that. Around my birthday, I started writing to her again, thinking God agreed with it or had allowed it; but now, weeks later, I’m getting the feeling again that it isn't right for me to talk to her—even though it hurts. I’m afraid to tell her the same thing I told her before—that God doesn't want us talking again—because I don't want to hurt her. What should I do? How do I find the strength to do it? How do I bear the pain, and how can I make sure she bears it too? If anyone can answer that for me, I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life.

Bible makes it clear there’s sin in the world. It says dont become the world. I dont think we are meant to counter every thing since it’s impossible. I sometimes wonder if that’s what the verse where Jesus says don’t resist evil means, though it’s highly disputed verse. Like the lamest example of it is arguing against people on Reddit who are wrong morally.

I need counsel please. I dont want to write an essay on how I ended up in the trenches. Recently I got close to God again and its only gotten harder. I'm at my wits end. I am jobless, late on rent, stuck really and I have been hoping and trusting for so much. I need a word, encouragement or something I started fighting with him and leaving only to apologise and seek his presence right after. If you have any questions I will answer

I do try to have faith in God but I am obsessed with the worldly things i also have anxiety if i am not in control of mylife . It is hard for me to spend time with God because i have adhd. I never meditate on God's words because my mind gets bored easily and I read the Bible with my hearts closed. I am like the pharisees in the bible

If I am rejecting God , I am actually one of the people who take the wide path instead of the narrow path.wide path leads to destruction

Hello all,

A recent question (and form of doubt) I've been struggling with recently as a Christian is on why God created everything in the particular form it takes. This is not necessarily replicating the question of why we have evil and suffering, but why evil and suffering go to the levels that they do. For example, God could've allowed free will and its consequences of evil to be far less painful upon humans and animals than he did, but he made it so. The question "why does God allow kids to have cancer" doesn't necessarily challenge why evil/suffering exists alongside God, but moreso why God made such suffering exist in the first place, when so many other forms of suffering, many of which are far less painful, exist, and can enable equal growth in his creation, equal growth in us. We experience evil when someone steals from us or lies to us, we experience suffering when a child we know we know dies from illness or a natural disaster, and yet, God created a magnitude to those forms of evil and suffering - why DOES the illness of the child cause unfathomable pain when it didn't need to, why DOES the natural disaster, such as a tsunami or earthquake, have the magnitude it has? Why did God design everything in the way it is, when he could've done so much more, yes, but could've also done done so much less.

It's hard for me to articulate this question, so I hope it makes sense, but please let me know if it doesn't.

Thank you, and as always, God bless and keep you all.

I've been a "Christian" all my life and while I think deep down I believe, at least to an extent, there's this disconnect between me and God and the Christian life that has been there always as well. This past year I've been searching for God or a sense of understanding and peace but no matter what I've tried, I don't feel even remotely close to connecting. I've maintained some bad habits but I have tried to repent but that never works. I've tried surrender and praying for true surrender but that hasn't happened either. Every day I'm stressed about something to the point it makes me depressed and I turn away from God even more. I've asked God for solutions and help but I feel I'm in the desert. I heard someone tell me my lack of peace and progress comes from the fact I'm not Born Again. If this is true, how can I become Born Again truly so I can finally find peace and surrender in my life?

I feel like I’m to blame for a certain situation that I could have prevented. What if I had done things differently? The situation happened over five years ago and I think about it every single day and the feelings of guilt come back. I can’t forgive myself for it. I get stomach aches and have to cry because of it and I just want to scream because I can’t turn back time and undo what happened. Does anyone else struggle with feelings of guilt and what has helped you? I feel like this is going to stay with me for the rest of my life.