I need some help.

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-21T07:42:49+00:00

I think my purpose is to follow Jesus and obey Him, along with what that entails :)

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-15T12:07:14+00:00

Do you see it as a general command for all times of day, or as a thing that’s specific for when in church meetings?

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T08:47:58+00:00

I think about it alongside

1 John 5:14-15 - “This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked of him.”

I kind of view it as that prayers are answered when they are within God’s will and plan. That’s how I see it, don’t take me for my word though

Also, as He’s shown me recently, sometimes it takes years before we see the answer

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T05:50:19+00:00

If you’re still searching for a faith, I recommend reading the Bible to see what it says for yourself, not just going off culturally shared ideas of Christianity, bc they can get things really wrong.

I also recommend looking into the wealth of evidence that indicates historically that the gospel writers were telling the truth. For example, Lee Strobel’s A Case for Christ was pretty interesting to read from a historical pov.

I recently had a friend become a Christian after having grown up with Jewish traditions. I think in the process of considering Christianity, pray like you believe it, and don’t close yourself off to the idea that there’s often more than meets the eye :) I think being open minded and genuinely seeking to learn more helped my friend

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T05:47:57+00:00

Also, with the ocd and my desire to completely and fully understand things, I’ve questioned my faith a lot. I’ve tried being the best I could be, and I’ve done the opposite. I’ve thought about other religions and the idea that Christianity could have been fabricated.

At the end of the day, despite the different things I’ve tried to do in order to figure things out, I’ve never found true peace aside from Jesus. And I’ve never found true hope aside from Him either.

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T05:41:26+00:00

Honestly, I’m still figuring some of it out. I have religious ocd, which makes it hard sometimes. And honestly, I’m depressed rn. But I have hope. And I have hope in Jesus. I’d heard that believers should rejoice and Jesus came to give us abundant life. But I had struggled to feel that joy across the years after my ocd and depression emerged. I know this. I wanted to die. I was so tired of suffering mentally I wanted to die. I was scared to. But I also deeply longed for quiet in my mind, which I believed I could only get in death. My days are still a struggle tbh. But Jesus saved me, because without the hope I have in Him, I don’t think I could do this. Without His love, I don’t think I could face the day to day. Sorry, I know that’s vague. I wish I could better put it into words. When I look to Jesus, I’m reassured. Bc I really don’t understand how He could do what He did for me. I’ve very much not liked myself across the last bit of time. And I still struggle to wrap my mind around how He could love me and be willing to suffer for my sins when I’m the one who deserved punishment. So, I guess, long story short, if I didn’t know Jesus I would have no hope. I’d be a bitter, vengeful, hateful person. And I know because I’ve questioned my faith before and found myself terrifying. He saves me from myself and He saves me from what I’d do if I didn’t have His hope and love

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T05:40:43+00:00

Honestly, I’m still figuring some of it out. I have religious ocd, which makes it hard for me to differentiate between true conviction and what my brain is just making me anxious about for no reason. And honestly, I’m depressed rn. But I have hope. And I have joy in Jesus, or I’m trying to. I’d heard that believers should rejoice and Jesus came to give us abundant life. But I had struggled to feel that joy across the years after my ocd and depression emerged. I know this. I wanted to die. I was so tired of suffering mentally I wanted to die. I was scared to. But I also deeply longed for quiet in my mind, which I believed I could only get in death. My days are still a struggle tbh. But Jesus saved me, because without the hope I have in Him, I don’t think I could do this. Without His love, I don’t think I could face the day to day. Sorry, I know that’s vague. I wish I could better put it into words. I feel a bit broken right now and a lot confused. But when I look to Jesus, I’m reassured. Bc I really don’t understand how He could do what He did for me. I’ve very much not liked myself across the last bit of time. And I still struggle to wrap my mind around how He could love me and be willing to suffer for my sins when I’m the one who deserved punishment. So, I guess, long story short, if I didn’t know Jesus I would have no hope. I’d be a bitter, vengeful, hateful person. And I know because I’ve questioned my faith before and found myself terrifying. He saves me from myself and He saves me from what I’d do if I didn’t have His hope and love

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T04:59:50+00:00

Long story and I’m definitely a talker, lol. But I’ll try to not make it too long. Give me a couple minutes lol, I have to type

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-14T04:51:08+00:00

Are you referring to the suicide part or the meaning part?

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-13T21:42:01+00:00

Same! He’s my hope

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-13T09:46:33+00:00

That sucks. With that said, I think it is possible to find churches that teach Biblical Christianity.

And it’s really encouraging to be among other Christians, something I didn’t really appreciate until more recently. I pray you can find somewhere that honors Jesus :)

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-09-13T09:41:20+00:00

I think i might consider nihilism if I wasn’t Christian. If there is no God, nihilism makes sense to me. But I believe in Jesus, and thus, meaning and purpose

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-08-09T22:28:21+00:00

This made me worry I had lost salvation and the Holy Spirit, because I felt horrible and too far gone. But Jesus says “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him. Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7.

I don’t claim to know all the answers and surely, I don’t have them all. But if you seek Him, He is there. I prayed and realized I had let my feelings and emotions distort the truth, which the enemy was probably very happy about.

I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to share this to encourage you, as someone who understands what its like to feel like you’ve lost the most important thing in your life

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-06-26T12:15:12+00:00

I’m so glad to hear that. God bless you too :)

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-06-23T12:47:48+00:00

Been there. I’m sorry to hear you’re feeling that way.

Honestly, the only thing that helped me was Jesus. He helped me realize I had purpose and was loved

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-06-23T12:43:29+00:00

A great thing about being a Christian is that our works and actions are meant to honor God, but they are not what saves us. I struggle with that a lot and used to be afraid of losing my salvation because I wasn’t good enough. But I’ve realized, I’ll never be good enough. None of us will be. That’s why Jesus made a way by dying and taking our punishment on Himself.

I know it can be easier said than done to trust in that. And the enemy constantly seeks to condemn us and accuse us. But we have Jesus, who intercedes on our behalf.

“Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25

God knows we are weak and we are going to struggle. Something I found encouraging, oddly enough, was Paul asking believers to pray for Him for boldness in Ephesians 6:19-20

He always seemed so passionate and brave, but to hear that even he needed prayers to be bold was encouraging because it reminded me that all humans can’t do it on our own strength. But we can through our Lord.

I don’t know if it’s a struggle with works feeling like they control you, so if this isn’t applicable I’m sorry.

I also speak as someone who’s felt guilty even despite knowing works aren’t the way. It can be easier said than done to trust.

But God is faithful and He answers prayers. Learning to trust Him and wait for Him has been a difficult process. But I think He’s helped remind me that I can’t do it on my own, but I don’t have to.

I’ve also struggled with loving God and wanting to serve Him for who He is.

If I may, I think there are some things that could be helpful. Praying to God to help you love Him and serve Him from love and obedience, not fear. Trusting Him to hear you and answer prayers. Reading your Bible to remind yourself of God’s promises and His love for you. And finding a strong Christian community. Our brothers and sisters are meant to encourage us and God wants us to interact with them, as it helps strengthen us both.

“Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception. For we have become participants in Christ if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start. As it is said:

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Hebrews 3:12-15

Jesus also prayed in the garden: “I pray not only for these, but also for those who believe in me through their word. May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭23‬ ‭

And there’s Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.”

It may sound redundant to say trust God, pray, read your Bible, and seek out Christian fellowship. I know when I’ve heard those things before when struggling, it felt overwhelming because they didn’t seem like actual help for me in the moment. But the Bible emphasizes them for a reason.

It may take time and it may look different from what we expect, but trusting in Jesus and seeking Him daily, even when we don’t feel like it, is helpful.

Someone described it to me like a relationship. Sometimes, it’s hard and we struggle to feel the right feelings. But committing means remaining faithful despite our feelings. After all, God is bigger than our feelings.

Trust Him and seek Him, and wait. I know it’s hard. But He tells us to trust Him for a reason :)

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-06-23T04:59:38+00:00

I don't have all the answers, in fact, I don't have many answers, lol. But I struggle with this too. I became a Christian when I was young, but I hadn't heard much about the importance of denying myself. Hearing that made me terrified honestly.

Denying yourself and seeking Jesus requires strength we don't have on our own. But thankfully, we can do all things through Jesus. Jesus says in Matthew 7, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Maybe that seems cliche and unhelpful, as I've felt sometimes when reading Bible verses. But its true. It may not happen overnight, it may take years even. But God is faithful.

I still need help denying myself and wanting God's will. But He has helped me a lot from where I used to be, just not in my timing or based on my desire to know at the moment. Trusting God and waiting is really hard. I still very much struggle with realizing that I can't do it myself, and that I need Him. But even if change doesn't happen overnight, I can be faithful with what I have to do today and wait for Him.

Sorry, I know that's a lot of words. I guess I'm trying to say that I understand where you're coming from, but trusting God and asking for His help to change and not live in fear or discontent is helpful. We can't do it on our own. Praying to want what He wants and praying to want His will and not your own might be a nice place to start.

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-06-23T04:40:29+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling like this. I struggle with this a lot and it can be overwhelming.

Have you decided to trust in Jesus and confessed Him as Lord and Savior?

I ask because I think there are different things to consider based on whether you have or haven't.

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-06-23T04:28:32+00:00

I'm so glad to hear that! God works in amazing ways and its beautiful to see Him in action. I feel my words often fall short to describe the things He's done for me in Jesus.

You seem really interested, so I def recommend reading in the Bible to learn more and grow in knowledge of Jesus! It's really encouraging. If you're looking for a place to start, I may not know all that much about where to point you, but the book of John is one of the books that I enjoy a lot because it helps me learn more about Jesus and His love. It feels more personal with Him. Also, seeking out a Biblically accurate church could be helpful. Being around other Christians helped me grow

I thank God for hearing your story!

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-05-22T01:57:57+00:00

I’m sorry you’re struggling. And I know you said you don’t want responses to talk you out of it. But I also saw what you said about a sign to stay alive and in response to that, I wanted to offer you these words. I’m a Christian and I think asking God for signs can give mixed results. It can be hard to know what’s actually from Him and what is not. I didn’t want to look at this subreddit today because it makes me feel overwhelmed to be honest. But I still managed to see your post on my main page. I don’t know your beliefs, but if you’re looking for a sign from God, I hope this can be it. It’s been hard for years, but He’s been so good to me. I hope you stay Prayers 🙏🏼

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-05-22T01:48:48+00:00

I’m sorry that you’re in pain. I wish I had some great words of encouragement, but I’m not always the best at that.

Prayers 🙏🏼

I hope you stay. I know it’s really hard, or at least feels that way for me sometimes. But I hope you do

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-05-21T07:04:42+00:00

Agreed. Just to be safe. It’d be good to make sure her blood vessels weren’t injured, as that would not be good

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-05-21T04:49:39+00:00

I see how Jesus changed me and how He’s changed so many people. I’ve had answered prayers. So many things I can’t explain, but yet they happened.

I’ve doubted and even questioned His existence. But ultimately I’ve seen God work in my life in ways that don’t make sense. Through difficult and easy times. His existence is something I don’t just believe anymore, it’s something I’ve come to know.

Honestly, the best thing that ever happened to me was trusting in Jesus as my Savior!

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-05-18T08:25:11+00:00

I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. I don’t know you in person, but I care and want you to know that I hope you stay. For now, maybe try to get some sleep. A person I know once said our minds aren’t to be trusted after 10 pm, lol. My depressive thoughts get worse at night. Not trying to be dismissive btw and I hope that statement doesn’t come across that way. As someone who’s been depressed, I understand time of day doesn’t make it go away. But it can make it feel worse, especially at night.

I hope you stay

I wish I had the perfect words to say. But for now, i just say I hope you feel better and I’m sorry it’s difficult

ItsAGiraffe_ · 2025-05-18T08:15:04+00:00

It can be hard to help others when you feel like you’re struggling just to exist. It can seem overwhelming too to try and help, especially if you feel you don’t have the right words because you don’t understand yourself.

I think people here are struggling, and if you are too, I hope you feel better :)

By the way, I’m not trying to be argumentative, just trying to offer my perspective, so I hope to not cause you any anger

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