My name is Bradley. As the first grandson of a pastor, I grew up in church going back as far as I can remember. I was saved at 14, and had an earth shattering encounter with the person of Jesus at 22. In the 15 years since then I’ve fallen on my face many times, spent many years far from God, angry, confused, conflicted and dealing with depression and anxiety.
I attempted suicide in March of this year, and the battle with depression seems never ending at this point in my life, however, I desire to reignite the fire of my relationship with Christ, but to be honest I am struggling with my faith, as well as giving up things I know that ultimately hinder me. I am here to make friends, hopefully accountability partners and become part of a community that can encourage and support me through this struggle.
Hello Bradley, looks like you’ve met some hard times Brother. You have a lot of faith, I can see it in your words. It looks like you are on a good path now, reaching out to people is important especially in situations of hopelessness and Praise God you’re here to talk with us! We are all Brothers and Sisters and it’s our job to lift each other up. We must seek out those lost sheep and bring them back to our Sheppard because His hand is forever reaching over us. I’ll message you if you need a buddy to talk to and will pray for you.
I have a similar story Bradley. After 40+ years, I found my way back. I realized that I needed a new way to think about God. Most salvation messages are centred around sin and the need for forgiveness. I needed to understand if I even believed in God. I asked myself what I would have to believe if I didn’t believe in God. I read a lot about creation theories, watched Hawkins documentaries (he was an atheist), and generally concluded that the universe and life on earth are way too complex and well ordered not to be the product of a Plan and a Creator. The answer to my question was that I would have to believe in random chaos, which would require as much, and more, faith than believing in God. Then I asked myself why did God create everything, and I concluded that He desired to have a creature that could understand His creation and worship Him as Creator. I accepted that was my purpose as well, and everything else sort of fell into place. The life and death of Jesus Christ is an historical fact verified by historical records outside of the Bible. I accept the Gospels as witness statements of Christ’s death and resurrection, and realized through John 3:16 that it applies to me too. It wouldn’t make sense that God would create us in a way that compelled us to worship Him, so we were given free will. We could choose to believe in Him and accept His offer and terms of salvation, or not. I choose to believe.
How are you doing, Bradley? I’m new to this forum. I find your story and my story to be similar. A year has passed since you posted this. I pray you are doing better.
Bill Norton
Good morning Bill and everyone who is still praying and hoping to bring more sons and daughters back to our Heavenly Father! I just wanted to encourage everyone to CONTINUE in the good work and faithful walk that you have started, and NOT to lose heart, but BE RENEWED in the Holy Spirit and in His New Life of resurrection. (Because none of our efforts are ever wasted in the Lord; and we can always trust that He is faithful and true. [1 Cor 15: 58])
Let’s also shake off our slumber and re-read the Word of God with diligence - Because we will easily be backslidden if we don’t constantly feed on Spiritual Food, just like our bodies will languish without nutrition.
I am also new to this forum, but has only found strength and wisdom from our Lord God, His Word and His faithful disciples from the past 20 years… Let’s re-visit today Ephesians 5:
" Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is… (read more on Ephesians 5 NKJV - Walk in Love - Therefore be imitators - Bible Gateway
Be Renewed in Christ, and REJOYCE! God bless all of you!!!
KN
