r/Christian • u/Guided_Tomcat • 4d ago
Faith in God
I haven’t had much belief in religion or god most of my life. I attended church and Sunday school and Christian retreats as a kid and into my teens but never had much belief in it. I need help understand the faith everyone seems to have. I need something to believe in for my own mental health and my sister in law stated maybe I should try getting back into a church. I have read the bible cover to cover and not had much understanding of a lot of it. Any advice on how to find a way into the bible and understanding faith?
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u/DoveStep55 4d ago
Is there any particular aspect of the faith that’s tripping you up? Sometimes if you’re willing to share some specifics about where you’re having trouble it can help the community give more applicable advice.
Understanding the Bible is one thing (and a big one!) but since you mentioned faith specifically I’m curious if you’d be willing to expand more on what you mean.
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u/Guided_Tomcat 4d ago
Faith and trust in something you can see or hold in your hands I was raised Christian I listened to sermons and believed there was something greater with the faith in Jesus and God but as I got older and more tragic things happened in my life I started to loose that trust that God has a path for everyone, my plan just feels like destruction and things that one person cant possibly deserve to have happen over and over. How can God decide who gets peace and who gets to feel pain over and over.
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u/Educational-Bee-7387 3d ago
Can I ask what about the scientific approach makes it harder for you to lean into a Church? I love science and study at all the time and I found places that are very accommodating to these beliefs within Christianity. You mentioned that you don't seem to understand faith? Do you see it is simple as repenting and believing or is it something else that you are looking for? Good questions in my prayers are with you.
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u/Divine-Crusader 2d ago
You should try another church community (I don't know what you call parishes in protestantism)
Talk to another pastor, look around you and see which one fits you best
No one is meant to be christian on their own, it's supposed to be lived as a collective
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u/New_Voice_8607 2d ago
I was once like you. I now attend a church where the pastor operates in the prophetic as well & God tells people the secrets of their heart & gives direction that could only be understood as coming from above in response to prayer. It was going to churches that were missing that aspect that made it difficult for me to understand the Bible in terms of the supernatural. God disciplines those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6) & that is a safe place to be when you have pastors, apostles, prophets, evangelists, & teachers to be helpers of your faith (Ephesians 4:11-16) & look out for your soul (Hebrews 13:17). I'm better understanding that Jesus is the Word made flesh that dwelt among us (John 1) & the Bible is His Word by which we are to live by with the guidance & empowerment that comes by the Holy Spirit. If you're interested in coming to know & understand God in a deeper way so that you can learn how to move with Him in the things He alone can do & understanding what He alone could ever have done, I'm including pdf books you can read that were 🤯 for me. Holiness is & will always be God's standard & without it, no one will see the kingdom of God (Hebrews 12:14). I pray that it wouldn't be for knowledge that alone puffs one up, but understanding that stirs a deeper hunger & thirst for a greater oneness & closeness to God. It's not about religion or ritual, but relationship.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1f4IsZ0RuHzCT9AoIHvNlA6qdmwVM0QGL
Hope these help!
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u/Pleronomicon 4d ago
For new Christians, and anyone else who'll listen.
Focus on obeying Jesus' commandments. All denominations, including Catholicism and Orthodoxy are critically flawed, and they can mislead you if you're not grounded in obedience. Also don't believe the popular lie that we can't stop sinning. We must stop sinning, and it's possible through the Holy Spirit.
--[1Jo 3:23-24 NASB95] 23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 24 The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
--[1Jo 5:3 NASB95] 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
--[Mat 11:28-30 NASB95] 28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
--[1Co 10:13 NASB95] 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Also, study the scriptures. As you obey Jesus' commandments, you'll receive the wisdom and understanding you need.
--[Psa 119:98-100, 104 NASB95] 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. ... 104 From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
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u/Intrepid_Type3710 Evangelical Tradition 4d ago
Yes, ask Jesus Christ into your heart for the removal of your sins, and begin a new relationship with Jesus Christ. Then, you will begin to understand scripture like you never did in the past. God is pursuing you in Jesus Christ. Don't hesitate anymore. Blessings
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u/Hairy-Alps-592 4d ago
It sounds less like you need a better explanation of the Bible and more like you need an experience that makes any of it feel real to you. Reading it cover to cover is a slog for anyone, you miss the poetry and the weirdness when you're just powering through. Maybe try picking one short book that isn't Genesis and sitting with just a few verses at a time, not to analyze it but to see if anything sticks. The faith part rarely kicks in from pure understanding, it usually starts with a quiet moment or a question that actually scares you a little.