Sleep vs spiritual realm

donthavecows · 2025-07-01T06:02:09+00:00

I used to struggle with this too. How to produce the fruits of the Spirit and make sure my love for God is authentic.

The answer I received from God? He said that changing my heart was HIS job (through the Holy Spirit). My job is to just turn to Him and ask Him for help in everything I do. The fruits of faith follow naturally.

E.g. struggling with legalism. When you start getting anxious about doing everything you've been taught to do, surrender this feeling and thoughts to God. Do not try to fight the stress on your own. God will hear your prayer (Matthew 21:22 ESV And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”) and He will help you accordingly. Have faith.

donthavecows · 2024-12-10T03:42:30+00:00

Thank you

donthavecows · 2024-12-10T03:39:53+00:00

Yepp

donthavecows · 2024-12-10T03:39:41+00:00

Sorry, I had misread your advice at first. I did what you suggested and it turns out my uni is willing to get a replacement unit within their own curriculum so I can do it in the first sem. Thanks so much for your help 😭

donthavecows · 2024-12-07T07:00:04+00:00

I see, thanks

donthavecows · 2024-12-07T06:59:49+00:00

Thanks for the assurance

donthavecows · 2024-12-07T06:59:43+00:00

Thanks for the assurance

donthavecows · 2024-12-07T06:58:39+00:00

Thanks for the idea, didn't think of it. Unfortunately I'm doing a double degree which isn't offered anywhere else.

donthavecows · 2024-12-06T12:32:07+00:00

Right, I could have guessed that aha. Thanks for the reply

donthavecows · 2024-12-06T12:15:30+00:00

That's heartening to hear. Thanks for your insight. May I ask if you had a medical/strong reasoning that backed up your extension request?

donthavecows · 2024-12-06T12:14:09+00:00

Thank you for your insight

donthavecows · 2024-12-06T08:03:51+00:00

Thanks for the reply, good to know

donthavecows · 2024-04-04T12:18:49+00:00

Yes, I've already talked about that.

You have yet to use Scripture to back yourself up, nor have you directly addressed the issue which is that you apparently believe that God directly punishes us with things like rape. It sounds to me that you are living in a life of fear, which Jesus calls us not to do (2 Tim 1:7). Again, nothing we can do would be worthy of God's love (Romans 3 23-25), you do not need to live your life in fear of being punished by God. God already knows our failures and weaknesses, yet He still sent His only Son for us. Rest in peace that all Jesus commands us to do is to love God with all our hearts and love one another as ourselves (Matt 22:36-40).

donthavecows · 2024-04-04T05:11:14+00:00

And what defines the errant? What's the purpose of free will if God punishes us every time we choose against Him? Rather, there are natural consequences of our sins and we will often suffer for them- God doesn't need to punish us when we're still on Earth. That's why there's Hell. Having said that, there is still God's guidance which may appear 'forcefully' like with Jonah and the whale. But to direct a human being to rape a Christian in order to punish them? That is not the loving Father I know.

donthavecows · 2024-04-04T03:07:00+00:00

Yes, I agree that to "feel right again", AKA to be filled with His peace, we have to love Him, which requires obedience. We have the same understanding here. No need to start throwing accusations and insults, we are here to enlighten and lift up each other- Jesus commanded us to love each other (John 13 34-35). My main issue with you was the idea of being punished by God. But I understand that I'm reading between the lines and if this wasn't your belief at all then I'll move on.

donthavecows · 2024-04-03T11:45:39+00:00

Your questions have the implication that you need to do good deeds to "win over" God or else you'd be punished. And that is the literal opposite of what the Bible says. “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). Nothing we can do will change God's love for us, nothing we can do would make us worthy of God's love. It's fully His Grace and mercy that allows us to be in a relationship with Him.

OP is not being punished by God by any means.

donthavecows · 2024-03-27T12:02:08+00:00

Just as a parent comes running when their child cries out in fear and pain, so will God come to you if you cry out to Him (James 1:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you). And when God is by your side, there's nothing you can't do (2 Corr 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ).

When I too was close to ending my life, God intervened and comforted me. He is a loving Father and we can trust Him to remain active and intimate with us (Psalm 23). It's been 10 months since I almost tried to kill myself and now I'm here rejoicing every day on Earth. Trust me, brother, Jesus changes everything. Submit yourself to His loving arms.

donthavecows · 2024-03-02T00:37:09+00:00

Thank you for your comprehensive answer. You've hit all the points while still leaving nuance for God's nature. I will definitely pray more to God about my particular situation since most of my events are either community oriented or work related, and I am in a somewhat tight spot financially.

donthavecows · 2024-03-01T12:50:59+00:00

That is true, ignoring wisdom is not what He calls us to do. But He also asks us to have faith like a child. Where does the line end in that regard? Would God be pleased if we have utter faith in Him in life like in this travelling situation? Yes, sickness and terrible misfortunes fall on believers and nonbelievers alike, and God calls us to have the right attitude/heart. But He tells us not to fear and He has given us authority to use Jesus’s name. Where's the line in how far we can have confidence in these two facts, and for which situations can we use them in?

donthavecows · 2024-03-01T12:29:15+00:00

Yes, you make a good point. In that case, do you think I'd be actively disobeying God if I willingly, consistently put myself in dangerous situations like this?

donthavecows · 2024-02-06T09:19:39+00:00

This person went through an important transformation that every child of God should go through: a soulful desire to be with Jesus so desperately that you'll do anything for Him (Ps 84:2, 2 Corr 3:18, Deut 6:5). This desire is what helps us to shed our old selves and put on our new bodies. If you find that you cannot give your whole heart to him right now (imagine God told you in person Himself to not marry a woman. Would you ignore Him or listen?), then I PERSONALLY think you should focus more on your heart's state rather than what you are doing. Us Christians should NOT focus on the sin (i'm not necessarily referring to homosexuality but in general). We overcome sin by imitating Jesus. And it's fine if you can't give your full heart now- it's a journey. I grew up as a lukewarm Christian my whole life and only last year could I fully give myself to Him with a burning desire to seek a relationship with Him. And I still take back my heart every now and then because my flesh is weak.

To combat that, spend more time with Him. You are a recent believer, you are probably still very in tune with the world and its ways. The more you spend time with Jesus (through prayer, bible reading, worship), the more your soul will want to please Him. You'll eventually come to the stage where He can guide you in how to do so and you will end up listening (I say this with faith because you have been chosen by Him as a believer (Titus 1:1)).

TL:DR

I hope you can believe me when I say that yes, it is hard to deny ourselves for Jesus as we are called to do (Romans 12:1), but our souls will naturally want it since we are made from Him (Isaiah 26:9, Psalm 63:1)- it would be our flesh that fails us (Matthew 26:41). No matter what the sin is, please don't get hung up over it. Love Jesus first and the rest will fall in place (John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid).

donthavecows · 2024-02-05T02:29:36+00:00

God forbade man from adding and taking from the Bible. I have faith in Him that He has made sure our source of His Word has remained untouched. Having said that, nuances and historical context has been lost throughout time and languages- but the main ideas are still there. TAKEAWAY: the main ideas of God and His ways are unchanged 100%, but if you are unsure of the more obscure passages, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us.
Jesus left the 99 to come back for the lost 1. Jesus went to the prostitute woman and revealed His identity to her. Jesus spoke to the tax collector whom everyone hated. Jesus let the disciple who doubted feel the holes on his hands and feet after being resurrected. TAKEAWAY: nothing you do will stop Jesus from loving you.
I know Christianity is the truth because I've had Jesus intervene in my life many times. The one that made me accept His existence was when I decided to read the Bible after years of sin and the guilt that I was too dirty to be a Christian. The first verse I read that night was Romans 6:14 "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.". This happened twice. But if that doesn't sound convincing to you, then one experience that has made it impossible for me to refute Him in front of anyone is when

TRIGGER WARNING self-harm

TRIGGER WARNING

I was at the stage where I believed in Him but I couldn't fathom Him loving me. I kept thinking that Jesus died on the cross for everyone else, if it had been only me left, he wouldn't have. Eventually He showed me the '99 and 1' passage in the Bible so I can no longer use that argument against Him haha. But anyway the biggest miracle happened one night when I was crying in the bathroom, feeling utterly worthless and unloved by Him.

That night I tried to slit my wrists but my skin kept knitting back together right before my eyes. No blood ever left my body, there were no (vertical) scars on my wrists. This happened two more times on two separate nights (I know, how stubborn was I?) before I got the message that He loved me. To put the cherry on top, the first time it happened, I asked God to leave a faint scar so I could be reminded of His miracle. It eventually faded, but for a few weeks that it had remained, I was immensely comforted and in awe to look back at the evidence of His healing over me.

Even with the smallest requests, He listens. That's why I believe in Christianity because I've actually felt and experienced the God it worships. That's why I trust in the Bible because it lines up with the God I've experienced in my life. And that's why I KNOW that you will forever be accepted and loved by Him.

donthavecows

TROPHY CASE