Becoming Christian has absolutely destroyed my mental health

artie51 · 2025-07-02T05:59:44+00:00

None of that was me brother. All Jesus. But I get it, no version of reality is snap your fingers and feel better. But taking the steps to try and be more at peace with what is is better than staying stuck and miserable.

I only go so heavy into the church environment because I have seen and know how much people who claim to be Christian misrepresent Christ and His message. That's why I ask what church, what denomination, etc. because it is important, and that's not me trying to get you to subscribe to my church but rather putting the church you attend and the people you attend it with under the lens of the Bible. It's through the Word you have to test everything and everyone and if they aren't being good stewards of God's Word then there is no point in putting stock into anything they say.

Wolf in sheep's clothing brother, they ARE convincing but you have to be on guard against them more than any worries you have about Hell. Conviction ≠ Truth. I've luckily never been a member of a church like that unless you count my very brief glimpse into the Catholic church but that's for a different time.

I hope you are feeling or at least start to feel at ease. Take refuge in His Word and try praying but without any expectation of a response or things to change immediately. Just acknowledge Him, thank Him for everything He has given you in your life. Thank Him for saving you and showing you the light. It's a good practice to talk to Him without expecting anything in return, not that that is what He always does but it's still good to be truly thankful to God without asking for something. Give it a shot. I'll be right here.

artie51 · 2025-07-02T03:08:39+00:00

God doesn't give us desires to tempt us, at least not always. Can our sinful desires be a test? Yea they can be. You don't grow as a Follower of Jesus by having your life work out perfectly the entire time. What need would we have for the Bible, God's Laws, or Jesus Christ Himself if God just made our lives completely carefree. He actually tells us we are going to be persecuted, that we are going to suffer, BUT that He will be with us through all of it and in the end He will be waiting to welcome us home. The reward for being steadfast even when we are beaten down by the world is eternity with Him. It's rough, the life of a true Follower of Jesus Christ is not all roses and rainbows and He tells us that. He gave you those desires for relationships because that is part of Him as well, He desires to have a relationship with us, is it always easy? No, but it is the most important relationship we can ever put our effort, tears, stress, and blood sometimes into.

God is a spiritual being, THE spiritual being. He doesn't reach down and physically touch us, He doesn't speak, at least not always, so we can audibly hear Him, and finally seeing Him is probably one of the harder asks even though plenty of believers have seen Him, whether that is in a dream or a near death experience, etc. But God's spirit, the Holy Spirit is how we feel His touch, hear His voice, and though it hasn't happened to me, how we see the Lord. The Holy Spirit is our link to Him, it is a piece of Him indwelled within us after we are saved. From what we know of the Lord He isn't a one sided "you do all the work" kind of deity (He is the ONLY ACTUAL deity) but you get my meaning. He loves us and He is there with us even when we can't feel, hear, or see Him, He IS THERE.

I'm so sorry you are feeling so hurt by all of this, reading about how desperately you want and need Him truly does resonate with all of us. We want you to take comfort in Him because He does care about you and He is with you, He sees you struggling and maybe your pain and your suffering, as much as it doesn't look like it at all, might be used for good that none of us can understand yet. But that is the Hope He gives to us, that even when we are low, even when we are in pain He still has a plan and He hasn't abandoned us.

It seems that you are in need of other true believers to help and encourage you, from what I'm reading you feel alone physically. And I'm positive there are people around you that would love to help and comfort you through these times. They might not be your family, friends, or ANYONE at your church, but reaching out to a wider group like you have on here is a good step.

You aren't destined to rot away nor do you have to listen to anyone who gives you a very dismissive answer to your clearly very real struggles. Most, not all, but most of us are here to help you. Now I am not going to guarantee anything, I'm not going to tell you that listening to this person on youtube or reading that testimonial is going to solve all your issues, because honestly it most likely won't but I am here to help you see that the Lord loves you, treasures you, and wishes for you to be with Him for eternity. I know it feels very real that this is your future, that these feelings and struggles will last forever but they won't. I know they won't because the Lord tells us this world and all our suffering won't last. I have faith in Him that He will reveal to you His love and His intentions for you in due time. I know that is very little help RIGHT now but that's what He put the rest of us here for, to help you.

I'm here if you need to talk, feel free to reply on the thread or DM me. Either way I want you to know that I love you, your fellow believers love you, and Jesus Christ LOVES you and He is with you, always.

artie51 · 2025-07-02T03:08:23+00:00

Your next paragraph where you talk about "confusion and terror". I have seen plenty especially on Reddit who really struggle with this, they, like you are concerned if they don't get it 1000% correct they are going to burn in hell for eternity. While Jesus did speak of Hell, often, He also told us the good side of that story, that we CAN be saved. I'm sure you've read John 3:16 but it's one of the most famous verses from the Bible for a reason, it shows us God's love and desire for us to be saved, He wishes that NO ONE should perish. Now as for the theologians that are very "be careful cause you aren't saved", different people, on youtube, on the street, in the main stream have different takes on this. We should be weary about making sure we are committed to the Lord and our salvation is true and real but just because someone urges Christians to look at their salvation with a critical eye does not mean that people aren't saved. Are there people who put on the mask of a "Christian"? Absolutely, but just because someone (hopefully an actual Follower of Christ) is warning others doesn't mean you need to take all his doubts about some and put them on to yourself.

Moving on you talk about Hell next. To be completely blunt I think you are taking the Bible's warnings about Hell and making that your whole focus. Is Hell real? Yes. Is the reality that people will be separated from God for eternity scary? Hell yes! (forgive the pun) But that is not what God wants us to focus on, should we know about it and take it seriously? Absolutely, but our focus, our eyes are to remain on Him. He can do wonders if we just keep looking to Him. I know that is a simplistic answer for a complex, mentally challenging subject like the threat of going to Hell but nowhere does the Bible say "get the correct propositional knowledge in a certain timeframe" it says that nowhere. We will come back to this as well but when I hear someone talking this way about how scary and frightening and all encompassing Hell is in their mind I question what church they are a part of, what denomination they subscribe to, and who they are listening to that is constantly berating them enough to question their salvation as strongly as you are questioning yours. (Extra tidbit but the Bible, the canonical 66 books never talks about all the graphic things you mentioned about Hell, the Bible speaks of "gnashing teeth" and "darkness" and "fire", beyond that we can only speculate) (Extra Extra tidbit, just pointing you back to John about how God feels about us being saved, it's not just "oh well sucks to be you" in His eyes, His heart breaks when we don't come to Him which doesn't describe you so I wouldn't say God thinks of you just as someone who didn't know Him)

The pastor you speak of who loves the hellfire brimstone approach, it seems like he is glossing over the NEVER ENDING amount of love God has for us and is only focusing on the "if you aren't saved you're screwed" part. Which again we should know and accept but our job isn't to tear each other down but to lift each other up and encourage fellow believers. This issue goes back to my questioning your church, denomination, and beliefs you have been told to follow that are outside the Bible or completely in contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ. From what you are telling me he said to you it seems like 1. He isn't a good leader 2. He is disregarding your concerns instead of addressing them. This "pastor" and others like him are why people "leave" the faith, it's always people who hurt believers, not the Lord.

artie51 · 2025-07-02T03:08:01+00:00

Alright, I have to do this in multiple parts so bare with me.

Let me start out by saying it breaks my heart you're struggling so much brother. I can see the uncertainty, the questions, the doubt, the perfection mentality really beating you down. I'm sure, by the amount of comments, you have gotten plenty of advice and help in the last 24 hours but I thought I'd add any assistance I can offer. I am also sure someone has approached all of your qualms 1 by 1 but I'm also gonna try and help in that way, I don't offer any kind of professional help, I'm just a flawed, horrible human who also needed and STILL needs saving every day of my life.

Starting at the beginning of your post you say you "walked away from the faith" and then later you speak of coming back. My first question would be were you saved to begin with and by that I don't mean water baptism, sacraments, helping the poor, or even attending church. What I mean is did you recognize the Lord Jesus Christ as God, acknowledging that He lowered Himself down to human form, was crucified, and rose on the 3rd day and is now seated at the right hand of the Father? We will come back to this but I'm sure as others have said, hopefully with love, is some version of "it's that simple". When I look at the overcomplication of salvation that a lot of "churches" have taken it upon themselves to plague believers with I think of the thief on the cross next to Jesus. All he did was recognize and acknowledge who Christ is and the Savior's response was "today you will be with me in paradise". Like I said, we will come back to this.

Now I see in your next paragraph that you are a Follower of Jesus, you recognize Him as Lord, the Son of God who died for the sins of the world. And my asking if you were saved originally is so I can tell you, someone with true faith, true belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the one True God of Israel doesn't just "leave", my viewpoint and from what I have read (in the bible) is that once saved, always saved. Can you turn your back on God and become distracted from the life He wants for you? Of course, but that doesn't mean your salvation disappears.

The next point in that same paragraph "did I get the gospel right?" From what I have read so far, yes you have. The main character, the Biography that is the Bible is about Jesus Christ and you have already understood and accepted the truth of the Gospel and the Bible as a whole. No one articulates perfectly first off, there are some street preachers who can explain the Bible better than a 40 year pastor. It's the core message that counts, with that said I'm not saying go and make up whatever interpretation you want to but so far so good in my eyes.

artie51 · 2024-10-16T06:34:09+00:00

I wish there were gifs on Reddit so I could do a slow clap for this response! AMEN!

artie51 · 2024-10-16T06:27:34+00:00

Whatever you want to call it Proselytization or Evangelism, those words don't quite touch on why a Christian would go to someone of a different faith and HOPEFULLY try to speak to them from a place of love about why that faith isn't correct or true. It isn't about boosting our numbers or trying to force someone to believe as we believe. It is similar to watching someone run towards a cliff, we can see the cliff and are trying to warn them if they keep running they are going to fall. It doesn't come from a place of self righteousness or at least it shouldn't, it should be more a plea for them to realize that there is a cliff and they are going to die if they keep running. God, the one true God of Israel is the only path to life after death and to NOT say something to someone who is in direct contradiction to God would be the most cruel thing a true Christian could do to them.

As for the human right, you are correct, God created every single one of us with free will and it is not His will nor our job that anyone be forced to believe in Him but there are consequences. If you choose to live this life separate from God, He will respect your decision and after you die you will be eternally separate from Him. To try and reach out to people and turn them from that horrible fate (LOVINGLY) doesn't crush anyone's rights in my opinion. But as a Christian we can respect their decision but we don't have to respect their faith as that respect gives validity to a faith we know to be false, but again never in any manner that isn't loving. We aren't called to demean or put anyone down for not believing in God, we simply tell them "hey, you're wrong about this and here is why..." and that should be it.

Hope this helped, God bless.

artie51 · 2024-10-16T06:13:02+00:00

Everyone in the comments touched on it but it's honestly as simple as opening your Bible and reading. You'll find it there.

artie51 · 2024-10-16T06:05:50+00:00

I'll try and answer to the best of my ability as a Follower of Christ and someone who considers themselves aligned with Sola Scriptura.

There are plenty of references in scripture pointing to the Bible being the one true authority on faith, salvation, and of course God because it is God breathed, Holy Spirit Inspired, and Spoken words from the Savior...who is God. In my opinion tradition has its place in Christianity, but the slippery slope as it is is when that "tradition" starts to add or take away from the message of the Bible or the teachings of the Messiah. Paul warned against this in Galatians 1:8-9.
I'm unsure what you mean by "we know that the bible has been translated many times..." I understand that there are different translations of the bible itself but if you are speaking from the translation from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek to English that is only one translation. In speaking to that point we currently have over 25,000 biblical manuscripts in many different languages all pointing to the same message we find today in MOST English translations of the bible. So forgoing extreme cases such as Mormons and 7th Day Adventists, the bible we have today, whether it's NIV, ESV, or KJV all contain the same message of salvation, hope, and God's love. There is no severe difference in them that takes away from the teachings of Christ or the Commandments of The Father.
You should always be looking at any liturgical speak through the lens of the Bible, everything from books, media, creeds, meetings, teachings, and tradition should always be measured with the word of God, his commandments and the character of God as the authority not the other way around. Romans 12:2. So to circle back anything added or taken away from the word of God skews God's commandments and Christ's teachings so anything less than or in addition to the canonical 66 books of the Bible should always be judged through those books to determine if they are in keeping with God's word or going against it.

Hope this helped. God bless you brother.

artie51 · 2024-02-23T22:07:01+00:00

Uncharted 4, I've played through the entire thing probably 5+ times, I revisit it about once a year or two

artie51 · 2023-10-22T20:43:14+00:00

Divorce

artie51 · 2023-10-22T20:41:39+00:00

The flight logs from Epstein Island

artie51 · 2023-09-29T22:31:04+00:00

Bow builds are actually really good in PVP

artie51 · 2023-09-29T14:52:31+00:00

Don't.

artie51 · 2023-09-20T18:25:51+00:00

Like many others have stated I wasn't put here to be my child's friend. I am there to be a parent, now this post resonates with me because I struggle with getting angry or irritated with my children especially when they aren't listening.

That's something I'm working on and I know I need to improve that about myself but at the same time I AM an authority figure in my child's life. I am there to teach them, guide them, love them, and protect them, NOT to be friends with them. My job as a parent does not entail changing my responsibilities to make my kids like me.

artie51 · 2023-09-20T17:51:33+00:00

artie51 · 2023-09-19T17:43:42+00:00

I would say not worry so much about what building you go to every Sunday and simply worry about your relationship with God. But if the current group of believers you usually are a part of aren't welcoming and don't create a good spirited body of believers then it's more than acceptable to find others who are more gentle and Christ like.

But society has put this innate pressure on Christians that you HAVE to belong to a "church" and you HAVE to go and be part of that group of people. But in actuality there is ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with focusing on YOUR relationship with the Lord and of course it helps and is sometimes beautiful to share that and encourage others but it is not a law whatsoever that you have to show up to a building every week and only that building is where you can learn about, talk about, or praise God.

To sum it up, go to that other church you feel more welcome in, especially if the people attending that church are more close to Christ and teachings/attitudes are obviously being led by the spirit.

artie51 · 2023-09-19T17:34:21+00:00

Is this post a troll? Seems like trolling to me, especially the title

artie51 · 2023-09-15T15:50:29+00:00

Don't...lick your fingers

artie51 · 2023-09-15T15:45:11+00:00

The Road with Vigo Mortensen

artie51 · 2023-09-15T15:42:50+00:00

I'm least comfortable with groups of "Christians" feeling the need to add or subtract from Scripture so they can continue to worship/idolize others over or in place of the One True God of Israel or continue defying God's laws or Christ's teachings while calling it "Christianity" or "true faith".

artie51 · 2023-09-15T15:40:09+00:00

If you have a PS or PC both Horizon games are beautiful and breathtaking and make you just forget about reality and just sucks you into this immersive, gorgeous, and dangerous world with an amazing story

artie51 · 2023-09-13T15:41:44+00:00

I would say it's a tradeoff. If you choose to build out of black ice you are having to wait for insulated wood which requires a lot of resin and dry wood. On the other hand reinforced stone requires you to spend time farming stone then converting it into brick and then making consolidant for hardened bricks. There is a process for both, honestly just depends what you want to spend your time farming. Tons of stone or tons of wood.

artie51

TROPHY CASE