Religiously Stuck

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Rhett&SarahsMom :

I have a pentacle. Which I havent worn it in nearly 8 months. I also have a cross. Two bibles. A book of Mormon. And several charm and nature "spell books"

The fact that I havent worn it does not mean that God is whispering for me to come back to "Christianity" Because I never left.

I have to admit that I find such comments like "God is whispering for you to come back to the true path" or "He has a plan for you"
bothersome.

If you are confused. SIT. You have to be at peace with yourself before you can move in any direction. And the "path" you were on is not "bad" or any such thing. Just know that what ever power, being or "god" that you feel knows who YOU ARE.
Thats all that matters.

I agree with a lot of what you've said.

The thing about my necklace is that it is/was extremely important to me and I would have never been without it around my neck for more than a couple of hours, let alone months. For me, I looked at it and was like "Ehhh

So what?" and didn't put it back on. Everyone has asked me where it is. I have worn it constantly since I was about 12, it has a very concave shape on the back and I would often run my thumb over it repeadedly like a worry stone during anxious times or times of stress. Just the presence of it brought me peace. In some ways it's not about the symbol to me, in other ways it certainly is. For me not to want to wear it, something if off. Not wrong, just off.

The comments of others about God do not bother me in the slightest bit. Maybe that's what it's about, maybe it's not. I just have no idea how I will know... I just keep thinking I will see some sort of divine sign pointing me in the right-for-me direction and I'm not seeing one and it's driving me nuts. I feel kinda like Pocahontas in the movie seeing John Smiths compass arrow in her dreams, where is my arrow?
The whole thing could be beaning me over the head and I don't know if I will "get it" or not.
Perhaps I need a blinky neon sign.

lol


I do sit. I think. I ponder. I search my inner self. Nothing is coming to me. The more I sit and mull it over, the more alone and confused I feel. Why is that? I feel at peace with myself I am fairly certain. I don't feel anything. I'm just BLAH, I just exsist.
I sure hope that isn't bad.
*sigh*​

 

[Wifezilla]

Could be mild depression...more of a medical issue than a spiritual crisis. When is the last time you had your vitamin D levels tested?

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

uh... never. I already take Zoloft and Kolonopin everyday for depression and anxiety. I haven't had any med changes in about 8 months.

 

[HiDelight]

I personally wanted to thank you for starting this thread

I am new here and I have barely been able to keep on top of things because this is an amazingly busy board! This thread was wonderful in that it gives me an idea of how diverse and welcoming a place this is

and lots of food for thought

no matter what you think ...thinking is so good for you! questions bring answers and answers bring more questions!

to think chickens are the center of interest here ..how wonderful!

brings me right back to nurturing/nature and how important it is to all of us

thank you so much and many hugs to you

and yes I agree with wifezilla sometimes a mild depression can bring feelings on that may seem like one thing and actually are another ..it does for me anyway

 

[NurseNettie]

I'm not religious, never was, probably never will be. I encouraged my daughter to go to a congregational church with her grandmother when she was a child, and went to bible camp, etc.-- not because I believed, but because I never learned about religion, and wanted her to learn. She decided, at an older age, that it wasn't for her. She was involved with a Pagan coven for some time, and maybe still is, I'm not sure. She found a lot of great friends there-- so I would never judge anyone who is Pagan ( btw--- she lives in Salem, MA, where Paganism has a large following-- it's also where I grew up and went to school). So, maybe we're just a bit open minded.

I have seen people change their religious paths for a lot of reasons--- choices as well as "callings". Follow your heart and your feelings and you'll know what to do. I actually envy you-- having not ever gone to church or practiced any religion as a child ( I was baptised a Lutheran as a toddler-- in Berlin Germany).. I never learned about God or was able to make any educated decisions about it. I often hope for a calling of sorts, in order to learn more, or feel more about God and religion.

You'll find your way-- best wishes!

 

[Quail_Antwerp]

I am what is called a Preterist (I think that how to spell it). Basically, I am a Christain, but I believe the Bible in it's entirety has been fulfilled. I believe we are the generations that came after the second coming, etc.

Brief explanation as to why I believe the way I do.

Was raised in a Church of Christ. Very, very strict, had to follow a dress code, and no instrumental music. I was baptised in the Church of Christ.

My mom never forced us to go to church, she allowed us to choose and I made the choice.

Then my mom remarries. New step dad insists that we are "going to attend church as a family". Drops us right smack in the middle of a Pentecostal congregation. Never in all my years of believing in God had I endured so much persecution as I did at that church. The preacher's wife would drag me in the office every Sunday along with my mom and give us a dressing down of how horrible I was and what a terrible influence I was on the other teens. It was humiliating.

Once during a service with this congregation, my mom leaned over to whisper in my ear (the sermon was about the second coming) "I wonder what they would do if they knew this already happened?"

No joke, it was like someone had dropped ice water over me. I was hurt, immediately followed by anger, and I walked out of the church service.

What happened next is why no one on this earth will ever convince me that God doesn't exist, or that He doesn't care about me.

I know it was night time, and I only know that because I remember having the fleeting thought that I was looking at the clearest, brightest night sky I had ever seen. I didn't see the sky or anything at first, I was too hurt and angry. I was crying, and I remember looking up to the sky and I screamed, "YOU MEAN I MISSED IT?"

Now, all my life I was taught we are not to question God, but guess what? I did. And I recieved a very clear and comforting answer that night.

It is hard to describe what I felt, but I kid you not, I know God had put His hands on me that night. I felt like someone was comforting me, and during those few moments I was clearly told, "It matters not, as long as you are ready when I come for you."

I was immediately filled with a peace, I cannot explain it. I also immediately felt that my mother was correct, that the second coming had passed, that the Bible had been fulfilled, that God had won.

Now, I cannot tell you what happens to us when we die, as I do not know, but I will say this, I believe when we pass from this earth, our soul immediately goes to God. We are either admitted into His kingdom, or turned away. But, I do not believe Hell is still in existance. The Bible is clear that hell will be destroyed. I do not believe that God would destroy this Earth, and that belief is based on scriptures from Revelation. When the seals were open, 1/3 of the people were taken. It was always 1/3 of whomever was on Earth.

Another Scripture in the Gospels, when Jesus in answering when would they know these things were to come to pass he said, "This generation shall not taste of death until they have seen all these things." I believe he was talking to that generation, the ones standing before him, not us.

My apologies for rambling on, I'd like to finish by saying, it is not sinners who are denied heaven, but those who don't ask forgiveness. Believe me, I'm a sinner. No one is more a sinner than the other, and we are all equal in the eyes of God. He loves us all the same, he sent his Son for all of us, and loves us the same even if we don't accept His gift of life.

 

[Wifezilla]

uh... never. I already take Zoloft and Kolonopin everyday for depression and anxiety. I haven't had any med changes in about 8 months.

Vitamin D status plays a big role in depression. We are just coming out of winter and you just could be plumb tapped out.

Another possibility is that you need a medication adjustment. Age, hormone levels (and vitamin D IS a pre-hormone), weight loss or gain...all can change your med requirements. If you are feeling "flat", it sounds like it is time to call your doctor.​

 

[farmerlor]

Y'know, I think everyone should at least question their religion and faith at some point. That doesn't necessarily mean that a change is in the offing. I too was raised Christian by a family of zealots and have since become Pagan. I have many, many books on many, many different religions and whenever I have questions I just read from some of them. Reading those books always comforts me and reminds me that for me Paganism is the right choice.

 

[cwc362]

Quote:
I think this is something everyone struggles with at one point or another. We don't always come to the same conclusions, but we sure understand the struggle.

Very well said Wifezilla- Ditto

 

[Mahonri]

Jenna.

No judgment here.

Perhaps God is calling you.

Sometimes you just come to a point in your life where you just need questions answered. Important questions... like: Where did I come from?

Does God really KNOW me?

What is my true purpose in life?

Is God happy with me?

What happens when I die?

Life's great questions don't have to go unanswered.

Life's great questions, Answered.