From Firm in the faith to Backsliding fool

[Sjohn1107]

I need serious help man..I'm just takin life easy and not serious at all..my school grades are droppin and i'm begining to make my myself and my friends an idol for my life..I know God is still with me but my heart and mind is everywhere else and not on God and the truth..i'm sick of living like this..especially because this is how i acted before i got saved..and it feels like i'm takin my life and its true values for granted..I know i'm still here in real life with real consequences...But for some reason I feel like I just cant go and repent from this..i dont wanna keep livin this way but when am i gonna come to the realization that i'm heading in the way of shipwrecking my life..my dad thinks its just some minor problem..my teachers just think i'm just playing around..no somethin is seriously up with the way i'm living..my whole attitude is changed now i went from being focused and motivated..to Hopeless and carless..i wanna stop backsliding but i dont where to start man i need steps or real true advice from somebody man...

-God Bless-

[DaniHansen]

:hug: Praying for you.

And, of course you can be forgiven. You only have to ask. Remember the parable of the prodigal son. Your Father will receive you, because He never left, you did. He is still where He has always been. But sometimes we have to find out that the world really has nothing for us, and how empty it really leaves us, so that we never turn our backs again, and can continue on that narrow path without always wondering what if ... If you're in the pig pen eating pig slop, then come on home, and stay home, and walk in your inheritance. God is obviously dealing with you, or you would not be asking for help. :)

[faroutinmt]

You are not hopeless. You are discouraged, feeling condemned, and thinking that God is mad at you.

God is for you. Just be honest with Him and cry out to Him for help. When you realize that there is no good thing in you apart from Him, you are in the right place. Don't think that God has forsaken you just because you are overcome by your own weaknesses. He is nearer than you feel. It is His pleasure to forgive your sins. He loves you as a son.

Drawing near to Him is a battle sometimes. That's okay; don't be discouraged by it. If you have fallen, realize that He is not surprised like you are. He knows your weaknesses. Just recognize how dependent you are on His grace and mercy and run to the cross. He has not left you.

[Christian_lady]

My dear sibling,

from what I have read, you remind me of myself. For about 6-8 months, God has been pressing me to do His work.

I told Him to outright can it and fell into a bit of depression (focusing on the things of the world to pleasure me).

My work, schooling, friendships did not suffer but my relationship with Jesus certainly did.

I kept him in the back of my mind. I prayed less and less and sometimes protested against reading the Bible (because I knew that 'nudge' would just appear again).

But I didn't let go of who He is for me and what He's done. Sure enough I found myself on the straight path again (and it's so much more exciting than it was before).

I don't know why you feel your relationship has slipped with Jesus.

In my case, I didn't want to do His work because I was afraid of letting go of the things I want in this life. I was also a bit ticked off at Him because I felt like I was serving Him and He wasn't serving me. But ending up on the straight path once more, I realized this path is actually the ticket to the life I have dreamed of. (I hope I'm making sense).

I feel more powerful now and less afraid. I also feel willing to be transparent and to trust again. There is so much I could explain to you online.

Take care, I know you'll get through this if you keep praying.
CL :kiss:

[AverageAL]

Sometimes it helps to look at your situation from a different perspective. I'm married with three children, facing bankruptcy and wondering if we're going to be able to stay in our hope. I finally found a rather low paying job, but anything is better than nothing at the moment. However we are certain to run out of money well before that first check comes in so I'm not sure we'll have enough for food let alone gas to keep going to the job. Sounds bad eh? It is, and I have no idea what to do. However, even under these circumstances I find it helpful to remind myself that there are countless others in this world far worse off than I. That's how I do not totally loose my faith.

Recognized that the situation could get worse. Imagine your future if things continue the was they are. Then, consider what changes you can make and commit to making them. Set goals, small ones at first but set them. Each goal you achieve will give you and incredible boost of morale and energy to go for the next goal. And always remind yourself, it could get worse. Imagine yourself in my shoes. Want to be there? Didn't think so.

Best wishes,
AverageAL

[Daisymae]

Sjohn,

My heart goes out to you. But as another has already said, you are not alone in feeling the way you do. Many of us backslide. I have been the prodigal daughter more times than I care to think about!

It sounds to me like you need a mature Christian to come along side you. Do you go to a particular church? You sound like you are young. If you have a church, go talk to the youth pastor about what you are going through. If they don't have a youth pastor, then the pastor. Do you have other Christian friends? Talk to them and ask them to help you find someone who you can share your struggle with. Trust me, there are people out there who God has gifted and are ready and willing to help.

You need to have help from someone who feels as strongly about this as you do. I am sorry that your dad does not view this with the same concern as you but that just means you will have to seek out someone who does.

Pray that the Lord would provide that person for you and then do your part in looking in the right places.

I am praying for you. Please update us on how things go. We truly care about you.

[jponb]

I am another witness to going through a rut. While attending college, I went through a period where I could not focus, didn't want to be there, grades falling, the works. You have to find yourself. What I mean is that there is a sparkplug missing in your heart and it is very hard to identify where it is located. Maybe it is uncertainty about your purpose? What is this all for? When these questions lurk in our subconcious mind, they tend to zap the life out of us. Your purpose my friend is to be about your Father's business. You are not representing a college Greek Fraternity; but you are repping the Most High God. Find your joy and love in that. I guarantee you things will change.