OCD Thoughts And Anxiety About Going To Hell

[Giuliano]

I don't mean to go off topic but all of this sinning and hell could had been prevented if Adam and Eve never ate the forbidden fruit. I'm so upset. If only I had a time machine I would go to The Garden Of Eden and stopped them from eating it

Yeah maybe, but we all helped create it too. What good does blaming them do if we are still sinning too? Do you have a problem maybe with forgiving other people? It's hard for us to find forgiveness from God if we aren't willing to forgive others.

Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

 

[Lavender Purple]

Yeah maybe, but we all helped create it too. What good does blaming them do if we are still sinning too? Do you have a problem maybe with forgiving other people? It's hard for us to find forgiveness from God if we aren't willing to forgive others.

Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Yes true but I was just saying. Sorry I didn't mean to come off as ignorant or arrogant. I'm just so sad and disappointed that we could had lived in immortality and paradise

 

[Giuliano]

Yes true but I was just saying. Sorry I didn't mean to come off as ignorant or arrogant. I'm just so sad and disappointed that we could had lived in immortality and paradise

It's up to us now then to try to help others back into paradise, isn't it? It will also be sad if we don't do our part. No?

 

[Lavender Purple]

It's up to us now then to try to help others back into paradise, isn't it? It will also be sad if we don't do our part. No?

Yeah but look at the world we live in now? It's all hate, violence, wars, deaths, sickness, homelessness, and sex.

 

[bbyrd009]

Yeah but look at the world we live in now? It's all hate, violence, wars, deaths, sickness, homelessness, and sex.

i suggest that that is strictly the result of where we choose to put our focus, fwiw
believe it or not by many accounts the world has never been better than it is, right now!

anyway welcome to the forum, and i hope you are edified by your time here

 

[Giuliano]

Yeah but look at the world we live in now? It's all hate, violence, wars, deaths, sickness, homelessness, and sex.

Yes, and we doing anything about it? Someone said it's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.

Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

 

[Lavender Purple]

Thank you all for your replies. Random people online said if you come to God/Jesus bc your scared of hell, you are wrong. I felt this was my case and now I feel even more guilty. I fear I will end up like this guy here:

I want to clarify a mistake here. I believe it was a youtuber who said "if you come to God/Jesus bc your scared of hell, you are wrong". Not from random people. God/Jesus forgive me if i lied again please help

 

[Nancy]

i suggest that that is strictly the result of where we choose to put our focus, fwiw
believe it or not by many accounts the world has never been better than it is, right now!

anyway welcome to the forum, and i hope you are edified by your time here

Okay Mark, and just how has the world never been better? I see the opposite.

 

[amadeus]

i suggest that that is strictly the result of where we choose to put our focus, fwiw
believe it or not by many accounts the world has never been better than it is, right now!

anyway welcome to the forum, and i hope you are edified by your time here

Okay Mark, and just how has the world never been better? I see the opposite.

What is it that Solomon meant with these words?

"Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this." Ecc 7:10

 

[Nancy]

What is it that Solomon meant with these words?

"Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this." Ecc 7:10

I see what you are saying here John...and wise it is! I suppose my thoughts were going more to the evil that is so very prevalent in the world right now. not really looking back...don't want to become a salt lick for the deer!!! lol.
We live in such a God-less society and it becomes more and more so, Imho. So, then the world just seems to be worse in that sense..

 

[amadeus]

I see what you are saying here John...and wise it is! I suppose my thoughts were going more to the evil that is so very prevalent in the world right now. not really looking back...don't want to become a salt lick for the deer!!! lol.
We live in such a God-less society and it becomes more and more so, Imho. So, then the world just seems to be worse in that sense..

We may use yesterday's example to help us so as not to repeat their mistakes, but how many people really do that assuming they really know what yesterday's mistakes were? Comparing yesterday with today for the sake of comparing does what? Who does it edify? Could we or should we now in a taunting voice say: "My day is better than your day! Ya Ya!"?

That was written by Solomon and now see what Paul wrote a thousand years later:

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." II Cor 10:12

 

[bbyrd009]

Okay Mark, and just how has the world never been better? I see the opposite.

well, state a metric by which the world has gotten worse, and we'll see i guess?
i'll be going to "moralityindex.com" primarily for the data fwiw

 

[Nancy]

well, state a metric by which the world has gotten worse, and we'll see i guess?
i'll be going to "moralityindex.com" primarily for the data fwiw

They will call good evil and evil good. Under the graph-

"In the graph above, righteousness is toward the top and evil is toward the bottom. So upward trends are good, and downward trends are bad." So, according to this graph (who even knows who came up with it) from 1940 until 2004, morality improved??! Sorry Mark but, if you don't see an increase of lack of morals in this world, and that they have and are continuing to get worse and worse. That graph IMHO is bogus...but then, it is only my opinion. People are fornicating like rabbits, divorce is at an all time high (includes Christian marriages as well) people bear false witness all the time and seemingly don't even try to hide it! People and nations still killing more and more innocent people (yeah, I know...who say's they are innocent, haha)
And....that's all :)

 

[Truman]

God is a much better father than earthly fathers. If my child makes mistakes or has a stupid attitude, I want them to come to me so I can help them. God will not reject us because of our failures. He'll deal with it as only He knows how. And He certainly won't throw us into hell. I spent a long time making sure my salvation. I'd get some confidence that God would accept me but then I'd read some scripture and get all condemned-feeling again. I had to study the word and eventually I got it. He is my savior. I can't save myself. That's why I need a saviour. To save me from me. Because I can't unsin myself.
While we were yet sinners, He died for us. While people like me were shaking their fist in God's face, saying F - You, God. His response was to get nailed to a cross. If He wasn't going to condemn us then, then He never will. He loves us with perfect, unfailing love.
The eternal punishment of fire versus the punishment of eternal fire. The lake of fire isn't full of lava. Dante's Infernal and artists influenced by him have a lot to do with our society's image of hell. I don't believe for a second that the all-knowing God would create billions of people knowing He would torture them in fire forever.
Eternal fire is what the baptism of fire is. I believe it's what the lake of fire is. The worst-case scenario is that some un-reborn people get tossed in and as the word says, perish. This means cease to exist. The lake was made for fallen angels and demons. Nothing to be afraid of if you are a believer. If you ever encounter anything like this, calling on Jesus will make them flee in terror. Some things need to be talked about.
You are in Christ if you have received Him. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. If you feel condemned, it's your old nature and/or the enemy. Satan is a created being with limited power. God is Almighty. Also remember, just because you think a bible verse means something doesn't necessarily you have it right.
When I hear someone struggling with their surety of salvation, I recall having the same struggles. Keep struggling and you will get it. Press into God. Read the word. Get together regularly with other believers and think for yourself. Shalom. P.S. If you haven't already, read or watch The Father's Love Letter online.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

They will call good evil and evil good. Under the graph-

"In the graph above, righteousness is toward the top and evil is toward the bottom. So upward trends are good, and downward trends are bad." So, according to this graph (who even knows who came up with it) from 1940 until 2004, morality improved??! Sorry Mark but, if you don't see an increase of lack of morals in this world, and that they have and are continuing to get worse and worse. That graph IMHO is bogus...but then, it is only my opinion. People are fornicating like rabbits, divorce is at an all time high (includes Christian marriages as well) people bear false witness all the time and seemingly don't even try to hide it! People and nations still killing more and more innocent people (yeah, I know...who say's they are innocent, haha)
And....that's all :)

looked at the graph also, and felt about the same as you. I’m confused and maybe have some weird thoughts here. Like the open display of same sex relationships. It has been accepted in porn hidden for I don’t know how long. it was better when nobody saw or acknowledged it? Men with men is offensive, yeah? Women kissing women on television is offensive. But I thought that was considered ‘sexy’ until it is not ‘hidden’. Now openly made manifest, up in the faces yeah? You said things that are no longer hidden but are readily seen, uncovered. Not sure hidden is better when it all is still there but not seen so we all can pretend it is not there in the heart of mankind.


Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. [9] Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. [10] Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

Consider Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:

Consider ^with Job who was blessed in his latter end more than the beginning. Or those the latter end is worse than the beginning. (worse and worse). 1 Corinthians 15:46-48 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

‘Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.’

Hebrews 10:32-36 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; [33] Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. [34] For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. [35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Which Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 supports ‘and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.’

Consider what are the ‘former days’ and why call to remembrance?

 

[Truman]

Yes true but I was just saying. Sorry I didn't mean to come off as ignorant or arrogant. I'm just so sad and disappointed that we could had lived in immortality and paradise

The best is yet to come.

 

[Nancy]

looked at the graph also, and felt about the same as you. I’m confused and maybe have some weird thoughts here. Like the open display of same sex relationships. It has been accepted in porn hidden for I don’t know how long. it was better when nobody saw or acknowledged it? Men with men is offensive, yeah? Women kissing women on television is offensive. But I thought that was considered ‘sexy’ until it is not ‘hidden’. Now openly made manifest, up in the faces yeah? You said things that are no longer hidden but are readily seen, uncovered. Not sure hidden is better when it all is still there but not seen so we all can pretend it is not there in the heart of mankind.


Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. [9] Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. [10] Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.

Consider Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof:

Consider ^with Job who was blessed in his latter end more than the beginning. Or those the latter end is worse than the beginning. (worse and worse). 1 Corinthians 15:46-48 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. [47] The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. [48] As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

‘Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.’

Hebrews 10:32-36 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; [33] Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. [34] For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. [35] Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. [36] For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Which Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 supports ‘and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.’

Consider what are the ‘former days’ and why call to remembrance?

In time yes, the "end" will be much better than the beginning...of this world, when Christ sets things right. But at this point, I don't know how one cannot see how bad things have gotten, there is no shame anymore, anything goes!
Remember the former things of old...hm, not sure of what you mean by this. Remembering the days before being set aside for The Lord is not something I do much of unless to tell my testimony and to recall how far God has brought me. Also to remember all the prayers He answered that I did not recognize before.

 

[charity]

as one member said you will most likely get different replies. I lived my whole life or most of what I remember of if with this intense crippling fear. My counselor says it maybe began with my step father who terrorized our home singing gospel hymns while drunk. That I was trained early on to always be expecting the next shoe to drop in a major way so physically, my body stayed tightened and prepared for fight or flight. I don’t think it was all his fault but just who I become which is fear based and terrified always. It made me sick. Sometimes losing down to ninety pounds. When I had children, panic attacks surfaced. Sometimes all day long one after another until I could not function in life in anyway. Basically housebound under being a stay at home mother, on antidepressants for thirty years and Xanax. OCD, yes that too. Sometimes a fear so great it prevented even swallowing. All kinds of little odd ticks of trying to control the fear. Only telling you all this because I want you to know that several years ago I sat with the counselor and when being told one day I could be free and be different...to my core I thought ‘what a joke. You have no idea how deep it goes. This is just who I am and who I will always be.” That I believed wholeheartedly. Several years ago though something changed in my heart and thoughts. It wasn’t how I could please God because that was terrifying in itself. It was beginning to see just how enormous God is and how small I am. The more enormous God became and the More capable I saw He is, the more a quiet trust began to surface. It causes problems on such topics where you become titled as once saved always saved and that is not the point. I try to tell others, in my case, I can’t focus there on myself but to be well and to rest ... God becomes the capable One and not me. It has been nearly a year now since I’ve taken my antidepressant. Can’t remember the last time I had a panic attack, when they once were so bad I would get in the car to run and once in the car the panic was still there, my realizing (even more terrifying) I had nowhere TO RUN. Doctors could NOT help me. Pills could Not help me because, even then with the pills panic was still present with me. God is the only one who helped. I still get depressed but even in depression, every day there is this Tremendous Hope because I have seen to my core something has changed drastically that I was fully convinced would never change. The biggest change is being no longer convinced ‘it is impossible.’ Life is different. Now I can go sit in a restaurant and have a meal and coffee without struggling to swallow for looking for the nearest exit. Something He taught me once, in the beginning and hopefully maybe it will help you. I was told I had to have an MRI and would be in the machine for over two hours. For weeks I stressed over being trapped in there and was nearly to the point of “I just can’t do it.” In prayer right before the test He revealed a plane (realize that sounds insane) but even at the time I didn’t realize what He had done. He replaced the X-ray machine with being stuck in a plane. In prayer I saw that although I had never been on a plane, being in one in flight with no exit and no way out would be the ultimate of being trapped. In my mind the X-ray machine became so small ...I could get out anytime I decided and I wasn’t really trapped. Somehow He had diminished my fear and I was able to do the test. Again, realize that may sound crazy. Sometimes I wondered why a plane? Why not just take the fear away without replacing it with something I never considered fearing? His word says to fear God First and fear of all those other things starts to diminish and become irrelevant in Light of Him. I hope He shows you how enormous and capable and sufficient He is, and promise everything else will get smaller. He can move mountains, yeah.

'Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.'
(2 Cor. 1:3-4)

Hello @VictoryinJesus,

Your user name has now taken on a different meaning for me, for I can see now why you chose it. Thank you so much for sharing this with Lavender and with us all. Your testimony will have a far greater effect than any words that can be said by others who have never known the fear she has described.

Thank you
With love in Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[charity]

I don't mean to go off topic but all of this sinning and hell could had been prevented if Adam and Eve never ate the forbidden fruit. I'm so upset. If only I had a time machine I would go to The Garden Of Eden and stopped them from eating it

'What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
In God I will praise His word,
in God I have put my trust;
I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.'
(Psa 56:3)

Hello @Lavender Purple,

This is not the thread to go into this now, perhaps, because your fear is real and causing you distress. However, your fear is unfounded, and unnecessary, and the product of false information concerning this subject. For the word, 'Hell', has been misused and abused. It's meaning is 'to hide away' and is used for the place of the dead or the grave. It is only used in relation to fire and punishment in regard to end time judgment. You do not have an immortal soul, so, when you die there is oblivion, for there is no consciousness in death. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and know Him as your Saviour, then you have the joy of the knowledge that when you awake from death's 'sleep' at the resurrection, you will be with your Lord in life everlasting. Only those who have died in unbelief have the prospect of future judgement, for there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus: and there is no such thing as eternal conscious punishment for mankind.

Perfect love casts out all fear, and God's love, in Christ Jesus, is perfect love.
Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you, and nothing can separate you from His love.

Thank you
With love in Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Remember the former things of old...hm, not sure of what you mean by this. Remembering the days before being set aside for The Lord is not something I do much of unless to tell my testimony and to recall how far God has brought me. Also to remember all the prayers He answered that I did not recognize before.

understood. Honestly sometimes the first thought when waking up in the morning is ‘what is the point’. This heavy depression. Some mornings it is not there. But even those mornings upon waking to depression it quickly leaves when He becomes the focus. Seeing for the first time there IS a point, there is Hope. Like you (if I’ve understood you correctly) there can be sorrow yet rejoicing. You shared a post once about this conflict when losing a loved one. Having Hope yet...also at the same time grief. The world looks very unstable (imo)a roar, but then there is also a stability (stillness)spoken of in Him. The former things He said have passed away...all things become New. Makes me think of not wanting the New for saying the old is better. Luke 5:39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.

So I pause at: the former is better? If so, then why ‘I do a New thing.’ And tell you before it springs forth...