How do I keep my faith strong?

Here lately I have been being tested in my belief in God. I still believe, it's just that this is bothering me and I feel like I want to cry when it haooens because it won't stop bothering me and I actually said something in my mind because I got so mad and I didn't even mean it, but I still believe in God, but how do I keep my faith strong??? I don't want to here any bad answers either, please!

don't worry to bad My pastor always said if you are worried about loosing it at least you know you have it. God is faithful. His word says He will finish that work in you that He has started. So find yourself a mentor in your church and let them help you thru the difficult times. don't be like the ones who think they have all the answers.

What's testing your faith? Who's testing it? I didn't know we were being graded.

There is just a lot of stuff around me that can make me go through a testing time.

Hot chicks? Boobies?

not that. ewww!!!
No I meant my faith only.

when what happens, when you're tested?. to keep your faith strong, I would recommend: reading your Bible more, praying for better faith, maybe talk to your pastor or if you have a youth pastor about it. I've felt like I've wanted to cry(sometimes actually did)when I was being tested, (I'll send you an example on funmail), but keep faith and you'll be rewarded.

This has happened to me also. I suggest you go to as many youth group (if your in one) events as possible. I would also suggest that you read christian related books. Also, ask God to keep your faith strong.

Blessings,
Jessie

Keep seeking GOD.and know that you are not alone.I say you should retrospect.look back and c how far you have made it,n how much you have come out of.stay strong and I will pray 4 your faith,don't give up!

What do you mean by 'you don't want any bad answers'? Are you afraid something might make sense to you and you'll just completely loose your faith. If it is that easy, than your faith must not be that strong to start with.
Relax Dude, you don't have to believe in God. There ARE other choices, you know. Are you afraid you won't go to Heaven if you don't believe? Doesn't God know how you really feel?
My advice is to live right. Be a good person. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
If there is a good God, you should be able to get to Heaven that way. And if that's not good enough for him (or her), then you may want to switch religions.

yeah, I'll pray 4 ya 2.^_^

Katwoman, yes, you do have to believe in God and well, what I mean about the bad answers is that; I just don't want to hear it because it makes me extremely mad!

I mean, you believe it or not
thats basically it
make your own mind up, don't look to others
it's YOUR faith and YOUR beliefs
if it's not there, it's not there
just live life and whatever happens happens

go ahead, rate my answer unhelpful
its only because im saying their mind should be free
not held down by force

Teachel, everyone who believes is tested. You are not alone. Many of us have been there, and some have even lost their faith. If you are worried about losing your faith, pray for strength and guidance. He will hear you. He never leaves you. I repeat you are not alone!

If you need serious answers to your questions, funmail me or someone else who actually responded sincerely. We're with you, and I'm sure they will all agree to pray for you.

this happens to all of us at some point. its satan telling you lies in your head. dont listen to him. when stuff like this happens say I rebuke you satan in the name of the lord.. and mean it.. he will go away.. those thoughts will keep dwelling in your mind but just remember Jesus is right beside you, and loves you very very much. tell somone you trust about this. like somone from a youth group or a really close friend, a christian close friend. they will help you get through this. like I said before, this happens to all of us but we need to realize that its all satan.

hope this helps.
alli

I agree with katwoman
don't be afraid of being tested
if something makes sense, why are you afraid?
its not like you'll die
don't live your life in fear!
thats a waste
(again, rate my answer unhelpful because you're afraid of opening your mind)

Read your bible and Attend Church. . . that will help your faith remain strong and Attendance also encourages others.

(((hugs))) One thing to keep in mind, is that Jesus is setting at the right hand of the Father... making intercession for you... so, you are loved, and you are prayed for. Every believer here will be very glad to pray for you also, we are all in this together, and we do help one another... that is Gods will. When one is up, he can help the one that is down... We go thru many many things on our journey... and God never said it would be easy... use every tool at your disposal... Your bible, prayers of others, fasting, fellowship, worship... and I agree on the rebuking also... Satan will plant stuff in our minds... and we do have the power to rebuke that thought, in Jesus name... it has been my experience that it will come back... but, just keep doing it... eventually he will leave.
Jesus was tested too, you can read about it in Matthew, chap. 4, and this was right after he was baptised, in Chap. 3. He was also on a 40 day fast.. so, he had to be very weak, when this happened...
It might be helpful to go to a Christian message board for awhile, so that the comments dont pull you down further.
I will funmail you...

And remember.. when Jesus died.. he said. 'It is finished...' meaning he paid the price that it takes to keep us... he is always on our side... and we win in the end...

Blessings...

teachel,
No, I DON'T have to believe in God. The last time I checked, this is a free country with freedom of speech.

I bet that the reason you get MAD!!! when you get 'bad answers' is because you are scared, isn't it?

That's one of the perks about having an open mind and living a guilt-free life. I don't have to worry about getting scared or MAD and I don't have to worry about loosing faith in anything because I don't rely on God as a crutch so that I don't have to take responsibility for anything. What is it Christians say? Let go and Let God.

I don't have to worry about God or the Devil 1) because I don't believe in them 2) if I did believe, I don't do anything wrong to worry about.

I think that what you really meant by saying not to send any bad answers was not to send anything positive, not to write about anything except believing in God because anything else scares you. I feel bad about people who are in their own prison just because they think believing is the only way to go uptown. You could, actually, live a good life here on earth while you're here if you just quit thinking like that. But we all have the right to think what we think..

Thank you foxxy18146. It's good to know that I'm not alone. The only thing I'm scared of is that there aren't more free thinkers.

Well, whatever you believe, Have a good night and a nice week-end. I have to go and get some sleep.

Peace, Carol

*** 'what I mean about the bad answers is that; I just don't want to hear it because it makes me extremely mad!'

...are you at least interested in knowing why it makes you mad?

I guess teachel means that she wants answers which will help to strengthen faith, rather than undermine it. If you're trying to stay faithful to your wife, you don't want people giving you 'bad answers' such as 'come to this party, there'll be loads of available single women there'. You have a right to avoid advice like that. Teachel is trying to avoid advice which would have a similar effect on her faith - I think she has the right to ask us to respect that.

Flossheal, I disagree. If she is showing signs of losing her faith, why is it wrong for those who think that is a good thing to speak out. Just as some believers look at a new believer as someone being saved, I look at a new non-believer as being set free. Why is one agenda more right than the other?

If she wanted a real response from only a believers POV, she should go seek advice from a clergyman, not on a website that a lot of atheists participating.

'ClergyMAN'!? A bit sexist of you, as far as my church is concerned! LOL, but I do see your point. I think we both have a fair point, to be honest, but that teachel has a right to ask for what she sees as help, not hindrance.

lol, sorry, clergyperson...

Yes she has a right to ask for what she sees as help. I think you and I differ on what that is. I see her doubt as an awakening. Kind of like the Matirx where Neo is removed from the virtual reality world he has lived in his whole life. He doubts the concept of the matrix right up until he is released. And then once he is freed, he can never go back to that belief

I think that is the perfect metaphor for most atheist's awakening. I have never heard of an atheist going back to believing again.

Thanks.

That's interesting, but you need to know that most Christians see the Matrix (the first one at least) as being an almost perfect analogy for 'waking up' to the reality of Jesus, too! That might seem pretty repulsive to you, because you see belief systems as the form of control that is exerted by the 'matrix', but perfect freedom to me is knowing God and leaving the 'system' behind.

It's interesting how much our emotional language is similar: 'awakening', 'release', 'freedom'. What I experience to be freedom you perceive to be control. How much is your repulsion from the Christian message to do with the way it's packaged along with right wing views in the US? (Not all, obviously, including your wife's beliefs, I assume.)

Hey, we are doing what I suggested we shouldn't do: Having our own conversation in the middle of someone else's problem. Teachel, would you like us to stop it and funmail instead?

Well, for starters, pray to Heavenly Father, read the Bible, attend church and, don't worry, he won't punnish you and, we all go through trials in our faith and that's how the Lord tests us.
It sounds like that you are going through trials in your life and, that's normal to have your faith tested but, it doesn't mean that the Lord will punnish since we are all his children and, he loves us all, Jesus is are personal savior, and, just pray about it and, god bless you.
And, one more thing, if you attend church, speak to your Pastor and, maybe he can help you with this.
Hope this answers your question.

as long as you ahve some belief, that is all that matters... I dont know your EXACT situation, but I am sure there is someone out there who is struggling worst then you! You shouldnt force yourself to believe in anywthing, its just what you believe and if you dont believe in god then you dont believe in god! maybe you believe in the fact that there is something out there,but you dont believe in everything that your religion is telling you!!just keep your head up and stay positive! figure things out for yourself.. you will be fine! sorry about my mis-spelled words, I cant go back, b/c my computer is acting funny!! Hope I helped you in some way!

Corrine