[bloodredruby]

i've been really down lately dealing with family issues and second guessing what im doing with my life, and i feel like im wavering in my faith, which is very painful for me because at times in the past ive felt its all i have. im afraid to talk to anyone know about it because they are all very religious, or not spiritual at all, and i feel like they wouldnt understand, so i feel alone. it was like this was the last thing i was was sure of and im questioning it now too. I guess all im looking for is prayers and encouragement from people who might understand as i figure this out, and also just to get it off my chest. thanks <3

[Leed]

I think you know that God doesn't CAUSE all the rotten things that happen to us in this life. Many people think He punishes us for our misdeeds, but He doesn't do that to us on this earth. We'll get our punishment in the "hereafter." God walks WITH us and helps us as we travel on this earth, and helps us get thru our troubles. Why doesn't He "save" us from the terrible things that happen to us? Because He gave us this world to do with as we choose. although it might be time to do it again. He's ALWAYS with you "Ruby." ALWAYS. He never leaves you. He knows you're struggling right now, so why not pray to Him tonight? He's listening. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

[di meliora]

Hello, bloodredruby. I understand what you are experiencing. As you have asked, I shall pray.

[Dreamy01]

I will pray. I understand this too - it is horrible. Hang in there and hopefully your faith will be rebuilt stronger than before. Sometimes it needs to go into pieces to do that.

[bicrazy]

Your faith is strong because you are concerned about it. Those who dont question it every once in a while are a little too comfortable. Its easy to stray away from what we know we need but because you are worried about it means God has something in store for you...just stay strong and dont give in to the enemy.

[dailyhealing]

You will be in my prayers also. I think it is good to question your faith from time to time, and when we are suffering it often makes it harder. And I'm guessing the fact that you don't have people to talk to in real life who would understand makes it harder. Thanks for sharing this on here!

[JLarissaDragon]

I have been in the same space many times. I am sure God understands. It is ok to have doubts, but I have also learned to doubt my doubts. I find that my spiritual side is the part of me that I have to cultivate to grow.

It is hard when you do not have people that you can talk to. I hope that some of us here can be support for you. You are in my prayers

[Lost Lamb]

I've been where you're at before. I'll pray for you. A verse that gets me thru is in Phillipians "I can do everything thru Christ who strengthens me." Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by bloodredruby

i've been really down lately dealing with family issues and second guessing what im doing with my life, and i feel like im wavering in my faith, which is very painful for me because at times in the past ive felt its all i have. im afraid to talk to anyone know about it because they are all very religious, or not spiritual at all, and i feel like they wouldnt understand, so i feel alone. it was like this was the last thing i was was sure of and im questioning it now too. I guess all im looking for is prayers and encouragement from people who might understand as i figure this out, and also just to get it off my chest. thanks <3

I can relate. I felt empty, confused, miserable, out of touch...thought I lost all faith at one point. It was very scary, and I felt very alone. I never felt that way before, either...

A good friend introduced me to a local clergy person of my faith (he knew of my situation and what lead to me feel that way), and we talked and talked and talked and talked. It felt like hours. Actually, I talked ... a lot.

I don't know how it happened, but he was asking me all the right questions, or something, because suddenly I felt clear again and in tune and in touch. It felt like the wind was back in my sails

I cannot really explain it because it feels so sacred.

I would encourage you, my dear, to speak with someone (very wise) of your faith who knows how you have been struggling and a little background as to why you are hurting. I hope they can guide you, as well .

[Open Eyes]

(((bloodredruby))),

Well, I can relate to what you are feeling and so I thought that I would share what I feel about my faith and spirituality.

I have had lots of times in my life when I have felt just like you are discribing. I have been a lone a lot with some problems that I didn't know I was going to deal with. And there were plenty of times I didn't seem to have a direction in my life. And there were times I didn't have anyone I felt I could talk to that would understand either.

I did pray a lot and I know that often when we struggle or something bad happens and we know in our hearts we didn't deserve it to happen we can question our faith.
I finally realized that it was not god that hurt me or caused bad things to happen.
I realized that he was there though to pray to when I needed help. So I used to drive to a church and sit in front of a cross on the outside of the building and I would just pray. And when I did that I always told god that I was lost and that I really needed help from somewhere to give me a direction so I could know what to do.

And then I drove home and waited and sure enough there would be something that came in to my life that gave me food for thought. I learned that once I prayed, I had to look for the helpful signs that could come from anywhere. And sure enough, there would be signs that were presented to me in all differnt places too.

It could be a sentence that would hit me in a certain way, or even just a word someone says. It could even be something I see in a movie I just happen to turn on, or even in a childrens story that I happened to read to my child that night. It really was amazing to me where the little helping signs would come from.

I think that people have the wrong idea about God and faith. I think they look at it like there should only be good in the world and how can bad things happen and why doesn't God care etc. But I have come to realize that God is about helping us learn how to survive and do better, but only if we ask him. But if we do ask and open ourselves up to a relationship with God, we have to be willing to look for the answers, because it isn't going to come down the chimney as a man in a big red suit bearing gifts. And it isn't always going to be about what WE think it SHOULD be either.

To me, I believe God, and Spirituality is everywhere around us, but also IN US too.
So what we all have to learn to do, is look for signs where we can reach into ourselves and find our way in life as best as we can and understand that we are going to learn all of our lives too. And that means that some of our life is going to be about feeling lost and alone too at times. And we can either ask for guidance when that happens and be open to whatever way an answer may come, or we can choose to just hybernate and just assume we are not loved by God at all.

Life does happen, it is up to us to find our own unique ways of living this thing called life. And there is help all around us if we "look" for it.

(((Hugs)))

Open Eyes