Topic: Losing God

[GammaRay]

It's the first I'm asking from someone to pray for me (besides Saints).
So, I've been getting more and more into knowing God (theology and such), but this only made things worse. Instead of using that knowledge to have peace of mind, I started "preaching" (in very bad and awful ways) about Orthodoxy and how correct it is. I can barely type this text, I feel so embarrassed and ashamed.
Despite I knew that God exists (valid proof), I couldn't feel Him! I was right there, praying with the rosary, crossing myself, listening to Christian music, reading the Gospels, but everything felt so...empty. As if I was just moving my hands or I was doing some sort of homework for my religion classes; not anything spiritual. I even stopped writing poems/songs about Him.

I think I'm never going to be a Christian. It all seems so hard for me. How could God ask from me to do such hard things, while I live in the world of sin? I don't think I can carry this faith.

I've been a self-proclaimed Christian for more than two years, but it feels like I never was one. I feel so alone.
Please, pray for an arrogant and lost kid like me. My prayers don't seem to work out.

[Heorhij]

Lord, have mercy!

GammaRay, you know, I am very much like you. I keep having pretty bad experiences with theology - exactly because whenever I find something close to my heart there, and share it with people, I immediately get very sarcastic responses, and have to acknowledge that the people who make these responses are RIGHT. I am the worst kind of "preacher" one could imagine. I should never even try preaching because I only shoot myself in the foot, make the message look ridiculous.

Praying for you.

[mike]

Lord, have mercy!

[jnorm888]

It's the first I'm asking from someone to pray for me (besides Saints).
So, I've been getting more and more into knowing God (theology and such), but this only made things worse. Instead of using that knowledge to have peace of mind, I started "preaching" (in very bad and awful ways) about Orthodoxy and how correct it is. I can barely type this text, I feel so embarrassed and ashamed.
Despite I knew that God exists (valid proof), I couldn't feel Him! I was right there, praying with the rosary, crossing myself, listening to Christian music, reading the Gospels, but everything felt so...empty. As if I was just moving my hands or I was doing some sort of homework for my religion classes; not anything spiritual. I even stopped writing poems/songs about Him.

I think I'm never going to be a Christian. It all seems so hard for me. How could God ask from me to do such hard things, while I live in the world of sin? I don't think I can carry this faith.

I've been a self-proclaimed Christian for more than two years, but it feels like I never was one. I feel so alone.
Please, pray for an arrogant and lost kid like me. My prayers don't seem to work out.

Mother Teresa went through this dry spell for 40 to 50 years. I forgot what it's called, but you are not alone in having dry spells.

Perseverence is key, and it might feel like Hell on the inside, but in the end, it should give you an interior strength and discipline you never had before.........but nobody likes dry spells, but we have to persevere when they come our way.


It is ok to take things one step at a time, go at your own pace........you don't have to be a super christian.....just go at your own pace........at your own rate.






JNORM888

[jlerms]

Lord have mercy and help us believe!

[scamandrius]

Lord have mercy on you Gammaray!

I hope I'm not presuming too much about your backround, but perhaps reading this may help you a little with your struggle:  http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/safely-home-to-heaven.aspx

Also remember that God calls us to be faithful, not to be perfect.

[Michael L]

I think that what you might be experiencing what the Roman Catholic mystic John of the Cross called the Dark Night of the Soul. He wrote poetry and theological commentary on this topic titled Dark Night of the Soul<img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=mmasupremacyc-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FCK1SY" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />. It might be worth reading.

According to the wikipedia(take it for what its worth): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Night_of_the_Soul

The "dark night" might clinically or secularly be described as the letting go of one's ego as it holds back the psyche, thus making room for some form of transformation, perhaps in one's way of defining oneself or one's relationship to God. This interim period can be frightening, hence the perceived "darkness."

In the Christian tradition, one who has developed a strong prayer life and consistent devotion to God suddenly finds traditional prayer extremely difficult and unrewarding for an extended period of time during this "dark night." The individual may feel as though God has suddenly abandoned them or that his or her prayer life has collapsed. In the most pronounced cases, belief is lost in the very existence of God and/or validity of religion, rendering the individual an atheist, even if they continue with the outward expressions of faith.

Rather than resulting in devastation, however, the dark night is perceived by mystics and others to be a blessing in disguise, whereby the individual is stripped (in the dark night of the senses) of the spiritual ecstasy associated with acts of virtue. Although the individual may for a time seem to outwardly decline in their practices of virtue, they in reality become more virtuous, as they are being virtuous less for the spiritual rewards (ecstasies in the cases of the first night) obtained and more out of a true love for God. It is this purgatory, a purgation of the soul, that brings purity and union with God.

 

[SolEX01]

Lord have Mercy.

[ialmisry]

Lord have mercy!

[Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)]

I am inclined to agree with Sinner Servant. I will add one more thing: I found it most helpful to pray the Lord's Prayer, with emphasis on "Thy Will be done." In any case, I join all others in praying for the Lord to have mercy.

[Pravoslavbob]

Lord, have mercy.

[GammaRay]

Scamandrius, that article was excellent and very accurate on Greeks. Indeed, I do lead a "secular-like" life, sometimes get a bit of drunk, having premarital relationships, more often calling names and acting like a spoiled child in public. But it's true, I always 'repent in a more child-like way'.
I also checked The Dark Night of The Soul on-line a little.

As for my background,  I was raised as a "passive Orthodox" (i.e.: I never looked in it for real), left everything at my early 10 and came back two years ago (but only recently realized how true Orthodoxy is). I'm typical Greek 16-year-old kid who acts exactly like Heorhij said; a "preacher" full of sarcasm who destroys the Church's image.

Thanks, everyone. Even those common and simple "Lord have mercy!" posts were much helpful. I can't find any way to thank you enough.
I should find a father soon and start attending Church on Sundays.

[stashko]

Lord Have Mercy!,,May God The Lifegiving Holy Spirit Guide Your Path....Amen Amen

[Fr. George]

Lord, have mercy.

[Riddikulus]

Lord, have mercy.

[Alveus Lacuna]

Lord, have mercy.

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!"

[eleni-sinner]

It's the first I'm asking from someone to pray for me (besides Saints).
So, I've been getting more and more into knowing God (theology and such), but this only made things worse. Instead of using that knowledge to have peace of mind, I started "preaching" (in very bad and awful ways) about Orthodoxy and how correct it is. I can barely type this text, I feel so embarrassed and ashamed.
Despite I knew that God exists (valid proof), I couldn't feel Him! I was right there, praying with the rosary, crossing myself, listening to Christian music, reading the Gospels, but everything felt so...empty. As if I was just moving my hands or I was doing some sort of homework for my religion classes; not anything spiritual. I even stopped writing poems/songs about Him.

I think I'm never going to be a Christian. It all seems so hard for me. How could God ask from me to do such hard things, while I live in the world of sin? I don't think I can carry this faith.

I've been a self-proclaimed Christian for more than two years, but it feels like I never was one. I feel so alone.
Please, pray for an arrogant and lost kid like me. My prayers don't seem to work out.

Hi Gamma/
In this world we are all sinners!
Not one of us is worthy to ever ask anything of God.
We humbly ask for the prayers of the Saints and the people around us to strengthen us in Faith and Love toward others like you and me.
Its like this....I remember reading a few days ago...
If there was no sin in the world,then the devil wouldn't have anything to do,it went something like that!
For you to ask for a prayer shows that your faith in God is not lost.
It only shows what all of us at some stage feel like....the devil and his demons work night and day...they give NO ONE any rest.
Please dont worry about being lost, because our God Lord Jesus Christ never loses anyone that think of Him.
Your prayers do work....It is the Evil one's INTENTIONS to make you think that they are not working!
Keep me in mind in your prayers...I will pray for you too.
I came to the thread to ask for a prayer as well.

Take care,
ICXN
I too am a sinner
eleni

[prodromas]

Lord have mercy on you Gammaray!

I hope I'm not presuming too much about your backround, but perhaps reading this may help you a little with your struggle:  http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/safely-home-to-heaven.aspx

Also remember that God calls us to be faithful, not to be perfect.

Lord Have Mercy

Although I would agree with scamandrius, Christ did actually ask us to be perfect like our Father in heaven but this perfection is not to be seen as sinlessness but as showing Love like a martyr that forgives his excecutioner or like the father of the prodigal son forgave his son. This takes time it is not instantaneous.

[Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)]

Lord have mercy on you Gammaray!

I hope I'm not presuming too much about your backround, but perhaps reading this may help you a little with your struggle:  http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/safely-home-to-heaven.aspx

Also remember that God calls us to be faithful, not to be perfect.

Lord Have Mercy

Although I would agree with scamandrius, Christ did actually ask us to be perfect like our Father in heaven but this perfection is not to be seen as sinlessness but as showing Love like a martyr that forgives his excecutioner or like the father of the prodigal son forgave his son. This takes time it is not instantaneous.

In the counseling field there is one cardinal rule; meet the clients where they are. Sometimes, we must hold back talking about where the client should be and just get him going in the right direction, one step at a time.

[prodromas]

Lord have mercy on you Gammaray!

I hope I'm not presuming too much about your backround, but perhaps reading this may help you a little with your struggle:  http://orthodoxinfo.com/inquirers/safely-home-to-heaven.aspx

Also remember that God calls us to be faithful, not to be perfect.

Lord Have Mercy

Although I would agree with scamandrius, Christ did actually ask us to be perfect like our Father in heaven but this perfection is not to be seen as sinlessness but as showing Love like a martyr that forgives his excecutioner or like the father of the prodigal son forgave his son. This takes time it is not instantaneous.

In the counseling field there is one cardinal rule; meet the clients where they are. Sometimes, we must hold back talking about where the client should be and just get him going in the right direction, one step at a time.

Yeah sorry I know that my post might not reflect that sentiment, but that is what I meant by not being instantaneous.

[PeterTheAleut]

Lord, have mercy!

[sohma_hatori]

Lord have Mercy!

[ignatius]

I am personally very familiar with this issue. Lord have Mercy on us all.