I need help getting closer to god

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Jl734

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Hello. This is my first time posting on the forum. I’m gonna go through my story, just so that way everything makes what I’m about to talk about. Thanks for listening!

So, I’m younger. Not very young but an older teenager, still in hs. I transferred schools, and it turned out to be awful, being relentless bullying, it was bad too, I won’t get into how bad it was. After I left the schooo, after things got really bad, where I was getting physically hurt, I reflected, and I’ve seen videos, shorts and Facebook reels, about how what we go through has a purpose- and now especially, I believe that. Now, I’m starting down my walk with god.

Right now, I’m struggling with anxiety, and fear, and worrying about the future. I know what to do, matter a fact I know exactly what to do, pray. But I have no motivation- at all. I want to ask god for guidance, what to do, with my current situation. So I have a couple questions. I read online that we can talk to god as a friend, is this true, and would he respond, or would we just feel his peace and presence? Also, how could I hear him? Would he respond to me in anyway if I asked him for guidance? I’m worrying about the future, and right now at least, I’m feeling like there’s no way out of it worrying about the future, right now I feel like even if I ask, and pray, I wouldn’t stop worrying, I know god is all seeing. Knowing and loving, but I can’t shake the feeling that even if I pray it won’t help with my anxiety. I know it will, but I don’t have any motivation. If been doing research, is this a spiritual attack, or is this normal? Also, I’d like to add… I started on this app callled through the word, I decided to start reading the word, and it’s a good app, it reads the Bible to you, and explains it. I ended up falling asleep to this, and in the middle of the night, I woke up, I remember something coming down on me, like something entered me, maybe it was just me… I’m not sure. I’d also like to say, I have prayed before, before a lot of this anxiety. I asked to see him in a dream, and once I was lucid dreaming, and I remember thinking lustful thoughts, and then all the sudden, I saw what I think was god, I saw a figure standing in front of light, and he looked the same way a traditional picture of god looks, and I remember feeling something come down on me, almost like being under a jet engine, almost like something was possibly going into me. I’m not sure what this all means.

Thank you listening. God bless
 

ScottA

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Hello. This is my first time posting on the forum. I’m gonna go through my story, just so that way everything makes what I’m about to talk about. Thanks for listening!

So, I’m younger. Not very young but an older teenager, still in hs. I transferred schools, and it turned out to be awful, being relentless bullying, it was bad too, I won’t get into how bad it was. After I left the schooo, after things got really bad, where I was getting physically hurt, I reflected, and I’ve seen videos, shorts and Facebook reels, about how what we go through has a purpose- and now especially, I believe that. Now, I’m starting down my walk with god.

Right now, I’m struggling with anxiety, and fear, and worrying about the future. I know what to do, matter a fact I know exactly what to do, pray. But I have no motivation- at all. I want to ask god for guidance, what to do, with my current situation. So I have a couple questions. I read online that we can talk to god as a friend, is this true, and would he respond, or would we just feel his peace and presence? Also, how could I hear him? Would he respond to me in anyway if I asked him for guidance? I’m worrying about the future, and right now at least, I’m feeling like there’s no way out of it worrying about the future, right now I feel like even if I ask, and pray, I wouldn’t stop worrying, I know god is all seeing. Knowing and loving, but I can’t shake the feeling that even if I pray it won’t help with my anxiety. I know it will, but I don’t have any motivation. If been doing research, is this a spiritual attack, or is this normal? Also, I’d like to add… I started on this app callled through the word, I decided to start reading the word, and it’s a good app, it reads the Bible to you, and explains it. I ended up falling asleep to this, and in the middle of the night, I woke up, I remember something coming down on me, like something entered me, maybe it was just me… I’m not sure. I’d also like to say, I have prayed before, before a lot of this anxiety. I asked to see him in a dream, and once I was lucid dreaming, and I remember thinking lustful thoughts, and then all the sudden, I saw what I think was god, I saw a figure standing in front of light, and he looked the same way a traditional picture of god looks, and I remember feeling something come down on me, almost like being under a jet engine, almost like something was possibly going into me. I’m not sure what this all means.

Thank you listening. God bless
Welcome J!

First...God has us all in the world as a time of decision. All that happens in life is like a series of forks in the road. If we make good or bad decisions, eventually we will determine which we prefer--good or evil. The scriptures/the Bible says that God has "set before us life and death, blessing and cursing", saying "therefore choose life" and live. In doing so, we show ourselves to favor what is good. God in turn, then guides us through life--which is still full of good and evil--but promises us safe passage if we continue to seek Him and all that is good.

The other thing that we are here for, is to get to know God. So--get to know Him! Read about Him--the Bible is a collection of recorded witnesses who have had personal encounters with Him. This stuff is real. I know because I am one who has personally encounter God. It's not that everyone does though, and that is where faith comes in. Faith is a mechanism for God to know that we are in tune to Him--and not against Him and evil. If we get glimpses of those Godly moments coming together enough to be convincing, we're on the right track. When that occurs--keep doing what you are doing--that is you making that decision for good, the end of which is eternal life--all the good stuff, with no more pain or sorrow or anxiety. It sounds like you are already on your way--keep it up!

As for why things are now the way they are: Something needed to stir you, to get you to thinking. That was God. Someday, you'll thank Him for it sml

Happy Easter (Resurrection Sunday)!
 
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Debp

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It's good you are reading and listening to the Word of God. That can bring healing to your troubled mind. As can prayer, of course.

Read Ephesians chapter 6 about spiritual armor.
Have a blessed Easter.
 
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Debp

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P.S. Get into a good Bible teaching church. You will find love and support there. Also, pastors give counseling for free.
 

quietthinker

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Hello. This is my first time posting on the forum. I’m gonna go through my story, just so that way everything makes what I’m about to talk about. Thanks for listening!

So, I’m younger. Not very young but an older teenager, still in hs. I transferred schools, and it turned out to be awful, being relentless bullying, it was bad too, I won’t get into how bad it was. After I left the schooo, after things got really bad, where I was getting physically hurt, I reflected, and I’ve seen videos, shorts and Facebook reels, about how what we go through has a purpose- and now especially, I believe that. Now, I’m starting down my walk with god.

Right now, I’m struggling with anxiety, and fear, and worrying about the future. I know what to do, matter a fact I know exactly what to do, pray. But I have no motivation- at all. I want to ask god for guidance, what to do, with my current situation. So I have a couple questions. I read online that we can talk to god as a friend, is this true, and would he respond, or would we just feel his peace and presence? Also, how could I hear him? Would he respond to me in anyway if I asked him for guidance? I’m worrying about the future, and right now at least, I’m feeling like there’s no way out of it worrying about the future, right now I feel like even if I ask, and pray, I wouldn’t stop worrying, I know god is all seeing. Knowing and loving, but I can’t shake the feeling that even if I pray it won’t help with my anxiety. I know it will, but I don’t have any motivation. If been doing research, is this a spiritual attack, or is this normal? Also, I’d like to add… I started on this app callled through the word, I decided to start reading the word, and it’s a good app, it reads the Bible to you, and explains it. I ended up falling asleep to this, and in the middle of the night, I woke up, I remember something coming down on me, like something entered me, maybe it was just me… I’m not sure. I’d also like to say, I have prayed before, before a lot of this anxiety. I asked to see him in a dream, and once I was lucid dreaming, and I remember thinking lustful thoughts, and then all the sudden, I saw what I think was god, I saw a figure standing in front of light, and he looked the same way a traditional picture of god looks, and I remember feeling something come down on me, almost like being under a jet engine, almost like something was possibly going into me. I’m not sure what this all means.

Thank you listening. God bless
G'day J
Glad you joined us. Confused or not, ignorant or not, young or not, we all stand before our Creator equally who has an affection for us which is difficult to understand. Difficult in the sense of, how can people with an antagonism towards him be loved to the point of giving his life for ours.
The understanding of this grows as you allow yourself to get to know him, so do that. You can ask him the questions you have and in particular, to guide you to people who will help and encourage you to grow.
 
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Windmill Charge

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I’m struggling with anxiety, and fear, and worrying about the future
May I suggest that you seek counselling from either your church minister or from a register councillor.
As has been suggested get involved with a biblical based church.
 
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Bob

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Thank you for joining us, and welcome.

To begin, you are headed in the right direction—toward God—but it sounds like you do not fully trust Him yet to care for you and care about you. Bible study can help assure you that is true.

Here are a few other suggestions, which complement what others have recommended.

Prayer: start by giving thanks to God everyday, several times a day. Examples: when you awake, something like, “Thank you God for giving me this new day full of hope and promise. Be with me in my struggles,” etc. (help with difficulties, etc.) Before each meal, give thanks for the food. Give thanks for home, family, etc. (All that blesses your life.)

Helping others: ask yourself who in your life needs help. Be a friend, be a solid member of your family. “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” is a central commandment because that is one of the reasons you exist. So look for ways to be kind, caring, sharing.

Anxiety about the future: this can haunt us, if we let it, all our lives. The anecdote: remind yourself you are in God’s hands and He cares about you. Ask Him every day to guide you and mentor you.

Come again with again questions as they arise.


Peace.
 

Debp

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Anxiety about the future: this can haunt us, if we let it, all our lives. The anecdote: remind yourself you are in God’s hands and He cares about you. Ask Him every day to guide you and mentor you.
Jesus said to take a day at a time...that helps me!
 
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Jay Ross

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If God can be found in all of the space around you then there are no suggestions that I can make that will get you any closer to God than you are already.

Perhaps you need to hold out your hand to God and let Him take it, instead of you trying to take hold of God's hand if you can see it.
 
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Jl734

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If God can be found in all of the space around you then there are no suggestions that I can make that will get you any closer to God than you are already.

Perhaps you need to hold out your hand to God and let Him take it, instead of you trying to take hold of God's hand if you can see it.
Wow I guess that does make sense.. how would I do that, should I pray for that?
Thanks
 

Jl734

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Thank you for joining us, and welcome.

To begin, you are headed in the right direction—toward God—but it sounds like you do not fully trust Him yet to care for you and care about you. Bible study can help assure you that is true.

Here are a few other suggestions, which complement what others have recommended.

Prayer: start by giving thanks to God everyday, several times a day. Examples: when you awake, something like, “Thank you God for giving me this new day full of hope and promise. Be with me in my struggles,” etc. (help with difficulties, etc.) Before each meal, give thanks for the food. Give thanks for home, family, etc. (All that blesses your life.)

Helping others: ask yourself who in your life needs help. Be a friend, be a solid member of your family. “Love Your Neighbor as Yourself” is a central commandment because that is one of the reasons you exist. So look for ways to be kind, caring, sharing.

Anxiety about the future: this can haunt us, if we let it, all our lives. The anecdote: remind yourself you are in God’s hands and He cares about you. Ask Him every day to guide you and mentor you.

Come again with again questions as they arise.


Peace.
Thank you for your assistance.
 

Lambano

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So I have a couple questions. I read online that we can talk to god as a friend, is this true, and would he respond, or would we just feel his peace and presence? Also, how could I hear him? Would he respond to me in anyway if I asked him for guidance? I’m worrying about the future, and right now at least, I’m feeling like there’s no way out of it worrying about the future, right now I feel like even if I ask, and pray, I wouldn’t stop worrying,
Getting close to God is a noble pursuit.

How we pray varies from individual to individual. Start with talking to God as friend. (Jesus said, "I now call you friends", John 15:15.) If it turns out you're more comfortable talking to God as a father, or as your boss, or in more formal structures, try that. But don't stop, even if you don't feel it's working. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

How does God respond? Sometimes (rare) in an audible voice, or in an internal voice where you "just know". Sometimes in circumstances. Sometimes in that peace and presence you mentioned. Some of our brothers and sisters on this forum see visions (not me, though). A lot of times, not at all, and you wonder if your prayers are going any higher than the ceiling. Sorry; I don't want lie to you about that.

About the anxiety and worrying: Sometimes it goes away; sometimes it doesn't. No guarantees; I don't want to lie to you about that either. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7. You'll just have to trust Him.

By the way, there are other ways to get close to God, but I haven't got it all figured out. I struggle too, just like you.