Some bad feelings have been coming back.

[bakura91]

This week some of my previous fears have been coming back, I have a LOW view of myself, I still some times fear that God is angry at me and that I'm not good enough for Him. I'll hear some preachers angrier sermons on line and I'll doubt my salvation and fear. I still haven't had the guts to step into a church either.

[K. Ayato]

So what are you gonna do about it?

[Hiryu]

Lies. You'll always be good enough for God. He loves his children. Why do you doubt your salvation? God is merciful and slow to anger. There is no reason to fear God. (Of course, That doesn't mean we shouldn't respect him. He's absolutely by no means a pushover and should not be treated as such.)

If you're having a problem, go to God. Don't avoid him, there is no use doing so.

[Rylynn4869]

This week some of my previous fears have been coming back, I have a LOW view of myself, I still some times fear that God is angry at me and that I'm not good enough for Him.

It's easy for us to think this way. After all, we are all sinners while God is holy and perfect. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Romans 8:1, and Luke 12:6-7. I've always found hope in these verses whenever I feel the way you do now.

Also, I agree with Hiryu. If you're feeling discouraged or doubtful, take it to God. If God cares about you enough to have every hair on your head numbered, then how much more all your prayers must mean to him!

[TopazRaven]

Bakura, you are certainly not the only one who has or had problems like these. I used to have a similar problem in the not to distant past. I feared God and going to hell so badly I'd literally cry myself to sleep at night, begging for mercy. I felt unworthy and worthless. Then one morning I woke up and thought to myself, "why am I treating God like some evil overload who is just waiting for the day He gets to destroy me instead of the loving and merciful Father he truley is?" I'm not sure what happened, but after that the fear has lessened to the point where it is almost gone.

I still have moments where I fear going to hell or I fear for my loved ones, but it is nowhere near as bad as it used to be and I always pray to God about it. No matter what anyone might tell you Bakura you are loved by God. Never stop praying, I think that could be the worst thing for anyone to do. I'll admit I don't pray for as long as I should, but I find time every day to speak to God, if only for a few minutes. Don't shut him out. The important thing to remember is that no human that has ever lived is worthy of God's love, yet he loves us anyway! He sent His only son to die for our sins so we could be with Him!

I'm sure there are plently of things we do that God doesn't like, yet He still forgives us and continues to love. I'm not sure if I am even really helping here as I'm not very good at giving advice, but this is what I think. Keeping praying, read the bible and find the courage to walk into a church of your choosing. I was afraid of going to church to, but I managed! Trust me, if I can do it then you can do it to.

[Kaori]

The whole point of Christianity is that even though no one is good enough to deserve salvation, God still loved us enough to save us:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Romans 5:6-10)

Not only did Christ die for us while we were still sinners, he died for us while we were enemies in a state of hostility with God.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. (Eph. 2:13-14)

Through Christ, that state of hostility has already been abolished. If God loved you enough to send his only son to die for you while you were still his enemy, how much more do you think he delights in you now that you have been reconciled to him and are trying to follow him? Please don’t lower the greatness of God’s salvation by telling yourself he cannot save you because you're not good enough.

I do also know what it feels like to have a low opinion of oneself and to doubt one’s salvation—the latter was a source of anxiety to me for a long time—so allow me to offer some advice as someone who has been through similar struggles:

First, although other people will disagree with this, I firmly believe that the way out of the trap of self-loathing is not to try to boost your self-esteem or tell yourself you deserve respect but to take your eyes off of yourself. Look at the depths and the richness and the mystery of Christ’s love; look at the people around you, those people for whom he died, and start asking yourself how you can meet their needs. Being a follower of Christ isn’t about getting your own needs met; it’s about loving God and loving others.

Second, by all means, find a church or a group of Christians with whom you can meet together and have fellowship in person—and by “fellowshipâ€

[bakura91]

Thank you guys! I'm moving forward again. I cant give up in a battlefield!

[TheMewster]

Prayed for you!!!