Serious question - I've been trying to spend more time with my bible, but I still feel lost. I know I just need more of Him; I have struggled with general depression and anxiety throughout my life and I'm trying to become closer to Him everytime the "negative" thought processes start, but I'm still feeling disconnected. I thought about fasting, but I don't eat much regularly anyways (I do eat every day, but normally or one or two meals so I'm not sure how to fast effectively.)
So when you want to become closer to Jesus what do you do? I need His direction in my life and I want to be a more active partner in our relationship. I want to learn to listen more effectively to Him.
Thank you!
Update:I was an athiest for 24 years, I had researched and was prepared to defend my "un-faith" to anyone who asked, nothing an athiest can say will shock me at this point. Since I've been saved for the last 5 years I have never been free-er. Lack of faith is never the answer.
I will continue to ask the Lord to bring me closer to Him, I just feel that He is waiting for me to listen... and I don't know how? How do you listen to the Lord? Thank you!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Ask and you shall receive. The question then becomes what will you do when you've received? Will you reject that which is placed before you by God?
http://urantiabook.org/newbook/index.html
I don't feel near or far to imaginary beings.
I have a sense of connectedness with everything and thats much better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6w2M50_Xdk
"Lack of faith is never the answer"? What sort of credulous bullflop is that supposed to be? How is faith in the imaginary an answer? In what way is being gullible a virtue? Why as an atheist did you feel the need to defend your lack of god belief? Did you not realize that the burden of proof was on the person making the outlandish claim? So you know there is no evidence of God. You know the fact is Jesus probably didn't even exist and that the writers of the NT didn't begin writing the Bible until 40 to 70 years after his supposed death and those writers never actually met him. You know that the the Jesus myth was based on many gods and heroes of antiquity and not one aspect of Christianity is unique, but now you believe anyway because you've decided that blind faith in what you already know is impossible is better than skepticism in the face of a bunch of hocus pocus nonsense?
I doubt you studied Christianity at all before you jumped in with both feet for social and emotional reasons.
There is nothing better that just spending time. As all relationships we need to make it a priority to spend time. Fasting is a good thing to do but to be decided upon on your own and there are no rules on fasting...maybe you will fast TV or something else. I fast a number of ways one is I eat breakfast, lunch then only liquid until lunch the next day. Also research the Daniel fast. I have been reading an excellent book "Experiencing The Depths of Jesus Christ" by Jeanne Guyon so good. Also there is a great 24/7 prayer room online (IHOP aka International house of prayer) or maybe even locally where you live.
You are bound to be anxious and depressed. You have been told that you are a worthless miserable sinner since the day you were born. It is something which you need to address immediately by gaining self respect through improving your self-image. This is not something you can do within the confines of a repressive religion like christianity.
First off, just to inform you - I am no expert in the bible and christianity, but from what I have learned through life is that people that feel distant from god, also feel distant from themselves. Take a step back and think about the person that you want to be. Remember that you are who you are, and that your beliefs are as important as anyone elses. Take steps to become the person that you want to be, and you will find that with each success in your life, you will feel closer to god.
I draw near to Him....(in prayer and reading scripture and loving others)
James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.
whilst u permit jesus take administration of your life, it doesnt advise your life is going to be suited. in certainty in specific cases he shall we u flow by way of difficult cases so as which you comprehend that he's the only situation you're residing for. and in specific cases you will have difficulty praying. in specific cases you basically won't be in a position to get the words out!! yet whilst u settle for jesus into your life he can supply the holy spirit and whilst u don't recognize what to declare out loud, the holy spirit intercedes for you as a results of fact he's conscious whats on your coronary heart. and in case you have difficulty praying continuously, think of roughly what makes you experience incredibly related to god. no be counted if thats assisting persons, making a song, enjoying an device write a letter! different human beings connect with god in a different way. he doesnt assume you to come lower back up with an internet site long prayer. he in basic terms needs you to place your believe in him and compliment him for each little thing .. in spite of in case you think of that whats happening isn't reliable. it relatively is all area of his plan :) he loves you!!
A man was driving down the road in his pickup truck with his wife sitting beside him. "Do you remember how we used to be when we first got married?" the wife asked with a visible sense of loss. "We used to sit so close and cuddle while driving and I used to rest my head on your shoulder." Well, honey," the man replied, "I haven't moved an inch!"
Try developing relationships with others. Because your relationship with God also depends with your relationship with others. Our relationship with others is a glimpse of our relationship with God. =)
Look him up on facebook