Does anyone here know how to improve your relationship with God? Why does it feel like God left me. It feels like I am not even worth it anymore, but I do know I believe. I am worried I do not believe enough, if that makes sense. Due to my OCD I also battle with going to hell. I am terrified of the thought.
Someone else on this site told me his son died for everyone an the person did make me feel better. But it is an ongoing fear.

[LadyShadow]

For me God lives within me. It IS me. Everything I do in my life I do because I want to, not because I am scared God will be mad at me. You have to live your life, go outside, observe the trees, breathe in God's air and take him within you. I believe God is all around us and lives in our heart, and by being kind to others and living your life by doing what makes you happy you will be closer to God. That's how I view it. It is just an opinion though.

[venusss]

Not Christian... but here's my take...

don't self torment. Don't judge yourself for inperfections... and no you are not going to hell for OCD, which is one of the most common mental disorders (with many additional people suffering some traits of it).

don't ask for "things" material or otherwise ("Please make me so and so"). Ask for strenght to carry through. Open your eyes to good omens and everyday miracles.

[allimsaying]

Not everyone can just 'have' a strong faith naturally. It is something many need time to grow into. Dont feel there is something wrong with you if your faith isnt strong, just give yourself time to develop a closer relationship. I believe God is only Love. God will not punish you or send you to hell. God only heals.

Hi Broken Angel Wings, thanks for sharing. My sister battled with the fear of Hell growing up, we were subjected to a very religious and abusive upbringing. For years she was terrified of 'missing the rapture' and could not sleep and cried a lot, in terror of being left behind. Can a man be more righteous than God?

If you believe that we were created by someone else and we didn't create ourselves, then how can creation be more kind and merciful than the creator? If we wouldn't do that to others, (I know there are some kind, merciful people in the world throughout history) that makes it impossible that we could be kinder than who we call God. If He is, then He is LOVE. You are in hell right now I hate to tell you, there is only joy and light on the other side. Love is what its all about my friend. Love is patient, love is kind, love is not rude, love does not parade itself to others, love keeps no records of wrongs. Love never fails. Hope this helps my friend and feel free to contact me if you want to talk. Yours truly, Lightbulb7Seven

[allimsaying]

That just about sums up all I believe. God IS Love and nothing more do I ask. If God could take away the pains of this world, Im sure it would have happened by now. As we share Gods love, we can reduce our pain but things like weather, car wrecks, illness and sorrow will always be part of life. It isnt love that eliminates those things, but it is love that makes it all more bearable.

Originally Posted by Lightbulb7Seven

If you believe that we were created by someone else and we didn't create ourselves, then how can creation be more kind and merciful than the creator? If we wouldn't do that to others, (I know there are some kind, merciful people in the world throughout history) that makes it impossible that we could be kinder than who we call God. If He is, then He is LOVE. You are in hell right now I hate to tell you, there is only joy and light on the other side. Love is what its all about my friend. Love is patient, love is kind, love is not rude, love does not parade itself to others, love keeps no records of wrongs. Love never fails. Yours truly, Lightbulb7Seven

[James_from_Idaho]

Broken, I have been in the place you are in.. Feeling like God didn't care about me, even though he gave me the Holy Spirit.. It is a learning experience for us.. Right about the time things started to get good in my relationship with God.. Is when I learned to tell him the truth.. I was afraid, I would tell him I was afraid.. If I was angry, I would tell him I was angry and so on.. We don't have to live in shame and fear when it comes to God.. He accepts us in the condition we are in.. And then he works to make us right.. And there is nobody besides God who has it all right.. But we grow each day.. The truth makes us free.. I just reccommend having a truthful relationship with God.. Pretty soon you will work through the harder times.. And you will start to have a good relationship with God.. And he will always be there.. Amen

[bharani1008]

God is love and love is our true nature. When we seek happiness from people or objects we don't notice that love but get lost in the desire. Try to remember a time when you felt simple love. Relive that experience and realize that is who you really are. Then you will feel God's presence and be in that peace. You put your attention on the love and that becomes your experience.
I hope this helps.
Keep trying. You can get there.
This is just my personal feeling.

[tohelpafriend]

Originally Posted by James_from_Idaho

Broken, I have been in the place you are in.. Feeling like God didn't care about me, even though he gave me the Holy Spirit.. It is a learning experience for us.. Right about the time things started to get good in my relationship with God.. Is when I learned to tell him the truth.. I was afraid, I would tell him I was afraid.. If I was angry, I would tell him I was angry and so on.. We don't have to live in shame and fear when it comes to God.. He accepts us in the condition we are in.. And then he works to make us right.. And there is nobody besides God who has it all right.. But we grow each day.. The truth makes us free.. I just reccommend having a truthful relationship with God.. Pretty soon you will work through the harder times.. And you will start to have a good relationship with God.. And he will always be there.. Amen

Hi,
Yes, I agree, He does work to make... us right...sometimes through hardship or trials. Sometimes I'm afraid before God that I'm dishonest in some way He would not like......or even hide my flaws from Him. We cannot change ourselves, but He can. I just want to understand what I'm trying to break through....change I guess....I was a grad student in Theology and almost died in 09 at the end of a semester. Last June I almost died again..now I thank Him for preserving my life for some purpose. At times He is very near other times I'm searching in the Valley.....
thank you for your post, and welcome to PC. "help............."

[spondiferous]

I take inspiration where I find it. And I've found it in surprising places. (I'm happy to elaborate on that, just not here; anyone can feel free to PM me, I'm happy to share my spiritual journey ) For me, there are times of such great darkness that I cannot connect to anything, especially not some kind of Creator. But it comes back. I agree with what was said about it being something we sometimes have to work pretty hard at. I am active in my spirituality; it's not just warm fuzzy bunny slippers I can slip on at my leisure. When I cannot connect to Spirit, to Mystery, I follow my beliefs and values as a temporary substitute. It's gotten me this far. Good luck.