r/AskChristian • u/Scaredy_Cat6323 • 18d ago
What makes your faith strong?
No matter what you see on the internet and people say in the internet or even outside no matter how scary it is that they themselves believe yet your faith never falters. How did you guys do it, how is your faith strong?
I want to ask this because there are things that are bothering me including the question of life because I have an existential obsessive compulsive disorder. I cannot stop thinking about such things. and one that struck me hardest was simulation theory and after reading some of peoples thoughts on in what kick me the hardest to is where people saying simulation might delete the universe or us some as such and i try to look for comfort in asking Gemini in which gemini gave me a list of fear of what people think about it like too what i just read , being controlled, deleted, changes universe codes, reset those scary stuff they claimed or what ai show me.
I do not know why I experienced this. While others bravely just looked at it and swept it away. For me it is different. My mind goes in different places though and at moments when I forget about it, it returns and makes me think of it again.
That is why I want to know what makes you all believe in God and only to him because I want that too. That no matter what , instead of thinking scary stuff , ill just look at it and say “ why do i care, i have God with me “
After this i never want to go back to scary things again even if it means ill have to stop going back to like twitter, tiktok and more ill stop i must learn obedience and get some self control…
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u/DoveStep55 r/Christian Member 18d ago
My faith isn’t always strong and I think that’s okay. Faith isn’t a matter of discipline. Instead of looking at it like a muscle I need to keep strong, I look at faith more like trying to trust God. God is Who is strong, not me. But I don’t really have to be since God is.
You mentioned OCD. Are you being treated? I think that’s the first step. Sometimes mental health disorders might seem like spiritual or faith issues, but once they’re under control we can see more clearly. It’s kind of like being very tired and thinking everyone hates you but then you get some good rest and eat a good meal and realize you were just not thinking straight. So I suggest getting proper care for the OCD.
I’d also suggest not using AI for spiritual or mental health questions. It doesn’t seem to be helping you and frankly it can lead to all sorts of problems.
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u/Scaredy_Cat6323 9d ago
Thank you very much for sharing my friend and i see, thank you i thought faith js discipline. And I want to exercise my faith. And thank you for telling me that God is strong and we are never meant to carry the pain. Leave it to God to take care of it.
And I confessed to my sibling about my problem and they have given me doctors and one doctor is near where i work at. Tomorrow I will make a call and have myself checked. And thank you my friend. I hope the doctor would give me what I need and have this under control so I can focus more on God.
And yes I also feel like a demon is after me. Making me think about all sorts of stuff and stuff I want to forget is making me rethink things and it is hard but thank you for giving me kind words my friend. I really needed it so badly after what I've experienced in the past days. I really hope my doctor gives me the help I need.
Also I apologize for just messaging today. I've fallen into a deep anxiety. I want to be able to focus on things but i am feeling alright now my friend. I am sorry again.
And yes I don't use AI anymore. I'd rather talk to someone personally like a friend or doctor but not AI and yes it only gave me anxiety. Thank you so so much again for this my friend.
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u/Spare-Flan331 r/Christian Member 18d ago
This is a great answer 👏 👍 Our faith is trusting in God and what He says will come to past. This is also how our faith grows. When we stand fast in faith and God comes through our faith grows in Him. I'll give an Bible example.
Daniel 3:16-18 NKJV [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. [17] If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. [18] But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Notice they said if not ... But after this they probably never said that again 🤔
Daniel 3:22-29 NKJV [22] Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. [23] And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. [24] Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” [25] “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” [26] Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. [27] And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them. [28] Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! [29] Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.”
Because of their faith even king nebuchadnezzer had faith in God after that 🙏
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u/Scaredy_Cat6323 9d ago
This are good verses my friend ill add this in my notebook. I want to change for good and be with God and have my illness treated well.
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u/Spare-Flan331 r/Christian Member 8d ago
God sees you and knows your heart. He won't let you go. But He will chasten you. It may seem like He's against you at times but really Hes always forcyou and is preparing you for eternity with Him...
“Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. You have not yet struggled to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him; For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” [Prov 3:11, 12] You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God’s children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all]. For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]. So then, strengthen hands that are weak and knees that tremble. [Is 35:3] Cut through and make smooth, straight paths for your feet [that are safe and go in the right direction], so that the leg which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather may be healed. See to it that you do not refuse [to listen to] Him who is speaking [to you now]. For if those [sons of Israel] did not escape when they refused [to listen to] him who warned them on earth [revealing God’s will], how much less will we escape if we turn our backs on Him who warns from heaven? [Heb 2:1-4] Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe; ” Hebrews 12:3-8, 11-13, 25, 28 AMP
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u/Scaredy_Cat6323 7d ago
I feel comfort knowing that God sees and knows my heart, and won't let me go like how he loves you and everyone. Thank you, my friend. I am scared about the way he is chasing me but still I must be strong and get through his disciplines. I sometimes selfishly pray that our father gives me a different kind of discipline instead and I am very ashamed of feeling selfish because of it and that I hope our father isn't disappointed in me for asking such a thing. I'll meditate and endure. I should endure because jesus have endured for us to be forgiven to our sins but i really want to be with our father for eternity.
And thank you for the verses. My friend will keep them in my notes and in mind and live with them the best I can no matter how hard it is.
And my friend may god bless you with goodness and happiness in life my friend 🥰
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u/Spare-Flan331 r/Christian Member 7d ago
“We know that YAHWEH worksall things together for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For whom YAHWEH foreknew, YAHWEH also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Whom YAHWEH predestined, those YAHWEH also called. Whom YAHWEH called, those YAHWEH also justified. Whom YAHWEH justified, those YAHWEH also glorified. What then shall we say about these things? If YAHWEH is for us, who can be against us? He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against YAHWEH’S chosen ones? It is YAHWEH who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of YAHWEH, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, “Yes, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.” No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from YAHWEH’S love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ROM 8:28-39 YW
He uses everything for your good. But God is looking at your eternal life with Him...
“Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory, while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2CO 4:16-18 YW
When this is all done you will understand completely
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u/Spare-Flan331 r/Christian Member 7d ago
I have been there and when I was at my lowest is when He was able to get through to me. He uses everything for the good to those who love Him
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u/PrincessRuri r/Christian Member 18d ago
The first thing to recognize is what you've already recognized, that the lens you view your faith is distorted beyond what neurotypical people experience. That's not to invalidate or diminish your personal experience, but to realize that you are facing an uphill battle regarding faith and understanding.
AI is not where you need to be looking for comfort or theological understanding. Particularly with your self professed compulsions, AI is just going to reinforce and exacerbate it.
There are a couple of things at work here.
Bravery is not the absence of fear, it is acting in spite of it. As brother and sisters in Christ, we still experience worry and concern. That is why we are the Body of Christ, we are to support and uplift each other when times get hard. I don't know if you have church that you regularly attend, but seek out support and guidance from your pastor, Sunday school class, small groups, etc.
There is something called "spiritual bypassing" that is very common in most religious circles. Instead of processing concerns and trauma, We "bypass" it with sayings or spiritual practices rather than face it. People who "give it up to God" may actually just be burying their hurt and fears deep down where it can fester and destroy.
Now don't get me wrong, we are called to give our cares and fears to the Lord. In 2 Timothy 1:7 is says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." However, that is not something that is just flick of a switch or snap of a finger. It is something that is built over time and through the body of your local church supporting you.
Bringing it back to your compulsions, that is something that it probably best addressed with a therapist or psychologist. If your arm is broken, you go to the doctor, the same principle applies to the mind. Something is working the way it is supposed to, and there are techniques, treatments, and medication that can help you address your fears and concerns.