Trouble

I'll pray for you. This may be a time of testing but none of us can really answer that for you sorry. I went through a similar experience several months back. God's presence was removed from me entirely. The Holy Spirit wasn't removed just the feeling of His presence. I would read the bible and it was so dry and dusty. I would pray to God and I could literally feel my words falling to the ground. There was nothing but a big whole there, where once God filled it. This went on for several weeks. I was so miserable during this time. In that time I nearly walked away from Him. In the end I said to Him that even if He never spoke to me again nor ever made His presence felt to me again I was His. Nothing seemed different immediately but when I woke the next morning I knew something had changed. Over the next few weeks He slowly made His presence felt to me again. It was my test to see who I would put first - God or the world. Hang in there and things will change. Cling to Him like glue. Know that He has forgiven you and loves you and cling to it. That is what I did, after much soul searching, and it has taken my walk with Him to a whole new level.

Nyoka is right many have gone through this hang in there and I too will pray for you read this link it may help you seehttp://www.christianityboard.com/christian...-lounge-f3.html

I know it ain't easy but we should practice rejoicing at times of temptation. I pace alot and feel troubled, and there is alot of prayer. I hate to sin also and when I do I seek Him further so my faith does not become shipwrecked. If I lose even one battle my armor becomes weak and I am a prime target the next time. I really hate that.

I am currently am in this situation... but I wouldn't bother trying to stay away from Him... I am in a way super glued to Him...at the same time...I don't feel Him... and it is driving me crazy. Yet there is no chance I'm going to let go of the Real Truth and Him.

It seems to me that Satan is trying to keep you afraid of sinning so that when you do sin, he can condemn you over it and, consequently, shipwreck your faith. Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." God does not condemn you. He is your helper. He sees what you are going through and He wants you to have the victory. He promised in James 4:8, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." And "Yet in all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loves us." (Romans 8:37) Nothing can separate you from God's love. I would keep assuring yourself of God's words; read passages in the Bible about God's forgiveness, and His love."Faith comes by hearing the Word of God..." Keep praying and reading the Bible. If you keep putting God's word into your heart, it will eventually transform you. And lastly, trust in God. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."Most of the time, we feel like quitting when our answer is just around the corner. Those who quit, have stopped trying. If you don't give up, you will see the victory. I will pray for you.If you want someone to talk to, you can PM me anytime. This was kind of brief...

(eternalarcadia;49166)
Thank you for your input brothers and sistersBut why does God do this to us?? Why would he risk losing us?
It is no risk for God really. He does know what we will answer before we answer but leaves the choice up to us. He is building a family. Would you like it if your children only wanted to know and love you during their bad times and didn't want to know you during their good times? How would you feel if your children never spent time with you except when they were in trouble? He wants a family that comes to Him anytime, that wants to spend time with Him even when they don't need too. He doesn't want sponges or robots. This is why He tests us. Will you stay with Him even if He never answers your prayers, when it feels like He is a million miles away, when He isn't doing anything for you? Will you still want Him then or will you turn from Him? He wants a real relationship with you.

(eternalarcadia;49038)
Lately I've been having trouble with faith.. It doesn't seem like when I usually fall back. This ones like I literally feel like giving up completely. I am constantly in fear of sinning - of committing even one sin. It's like I need constant reassurance that God exists, his word is true, and that Jesus came down and suffered for my sins - it's that bad. Is this some kind of test?I could use your prayers guys..
Bless you friend . I have been where you are. "Look at my wounds." I am here today, stronger than ever. I will never return there where you are now. But, that is to say... yes, it is a test... and the Lord will bring you through it, with greater understanding than you ever had before.I know what you are going through... I really do. You will not give up... I will pray for you, but I know the Lord has His eyes on you, and He is looking lovingly.When your mind is giving in, rest. Do not over think on things to high for you. There are some things in life that are hard to understand, and in those times... do not feel wrong in throwing your hands in the air. Throw them into the air in worship . He will give you the understanding you need, and bring you to a much calmer place, full of faith. It doesn't feel like it now, you are in a dark scary place... but He will indeed. He has a special place in His heart for you indeed.:blessyouRIVATE MESSAGE ME IF YOU WANT TO TALK. I'll respond when I'm online.

Ironically, my faith is strengthened debating some atheists. There's times in my life that God may seem far away, or "doesn't not make sense". Then when I listen to their reasoning, it's the stupidest thing I ever heard and it actually drives me back to the Lord (in other words, I don't want to be associated with such clueless, subjective and myopic illogic that they use to disprove God---- oftentimes they don't know the basics of scripture, but talk like they know all about it). This may or may not work with others, but knowing scripture helps.As for sin, we all do it, and some repeatedly if we have a weakness there. But just ask the Lord for forgiveness and strength next time. How many times does he forgive? This verse gives a clue:Matthew 18:21-22

(eternalarcadia;49038)
Lately I've been having trouble with faith.. It doesn't seem like when I usually fall back. This ones like I literally feel like giving up completely. I am constantly in fear of sinning - of committing even one sin. It's like I need constant reassurance that God exists, his word is true, and that Jesus came down and suffered for my sins - it's that bad. Is this some kind of test?I could use your prayers guys..
I have had the same problem. I fell away and everything,just because I think of the stress and being around old friends. Just know that being in fear of sinning is good but don't get paranoid. God knows your heart,he knows you don't want to sin. And thanks God,that his Grace saves us. He forgives. Do not let fear of sinning get into a loss of faith. Know that everyone sins,me,you even pastors. It is the way of life we are sinners who don't deserve to go to heaven. Yet again Praise God for what he gives us!

Thank you for your input brothers and sistersBut why does God do this to us?? Why would he risk losing us?
God does not tempt us; that is, He doesn't give us problems, but He can use our trial to teach us things.
James 1:12-17 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.13 ¶ Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
God gives us all good things. I haven't seen a Scripture where it says that God gives us trials, unless you refer to Paul's "thorn in the flesh," but even then, Paul says that it was "a messenger of Satan," and then he tells how God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2Corinthians 12:9)
Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Compare with Matthew 4:1 -- Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.)

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
When Jesus was tempted, it was always either by Satan himself, or by someone who was trying to make Him stumble, not God. And, as you can see from these Scripture verses, Jesus went through everything that we have gone through, even though He was without sin. So He knows what it feels like to be tempted to sin, yet He did not sin. We should always strive to please Him, which of course, means that we should keep ourselves from sin.
1 John 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
So, I suggest that you pray for God's help. We can do nothing without Him, but we can do everything through Him who strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13) And if you try to do this all on your own, you will find that you won't get very far. Ask God to help you to keep yourself from sin. Sure, no one is perfect, but if Jesus said, "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect," there must be a way, right? Read the Bible everyday and when you come across a Scripture that tells you what to do to please God or lists a sin, take note of it, and start to practice it. (Maybe even write it down and take one thing every day or week to implement into your life.) Also, when you do something that you know is wrong, instead of feeling depressed over it, ask God for forgiveness, make a note not to do it again, and move on with your life. We all make mistakes! Most people confess their sins and then go on sinning, but God commands us to repent -- to "turn around," away from sin.God sees your heart and He knows that you are trying. If you "slip up" and you are really trying to please God, do you think He won't forgive you? (Obvious answer is, of course He will forgive you! )
1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
You can do this with God's help. Hang in there!:read:I will pray for you.

Jesus abolished the law of commandments (Ephesians 2:15) and also the law of ordinances (COMMANDS in the New Testament) while also fulfilling/consolidating them into ONE "ROYAL" law (James 2:8) and we should live under the law of LIBERTY (the PERFECT law, James 1:25 and 2:12).It is still possible to "sin"/violate rules. We can sin against......the codes of 'etiquette', dress codes, table manners, etc. (these are MAN'S laws, not God's).It is also possible to sin against "heaven"/righteous behavior (like the prodigal son did, but his dad chose to react like God and only care that his son returned home). This violation of 'goodness' can be compared to cheating on a test (no actual physical harm, yet it is WRONG...against righteousness). What's really bad is a "sin" against a PERSON (it causes pain and suffering, they suffer misfortune). We should feel SORROW for those who suffer misfortune (as The Lord taught in His sermon). Sorrow for others makes us sad/"poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3).If we feel sorrow (true compassion), then we have 'tears of sorrow' ("rivers of living water", John 7:38, Revelation 7:16) in our heart (this is the water that was mixed with Christ's blood at the cross) and can understand the "sword of the spirit" (Ephesians 6:17) and will "walk by the SPIRIT" (Galatians 5:16 and 25). If we learn well from God's spirit so we can "enter by the door" (John 10:1), then His spirit will purify our conscience (Hebrews 9:14). All flesh shall have salvation AVAILABLE to them (Luke 3:6), but having God's spirit of holiness in us (behavior/attitude) is our GUARANTEE (2 Corinthians 1:22 and 5:5, Ephesians 1:14)."sin no more" (1 Corinthians 15:34, John 5:14).a "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31).All verses are from the RSV.

This is a wonderful time to ask for forgiveness when you do sin. He is always willing to forgive us. This could very well be a test. If it is to the point of you wanting to give up then I think this is a major cross road for you. We all sin and that is why we should be thankful for His Grace. He knows we aren't perfect.