I know the first thing I should do after I sin is run to God but I have the hardest time doing it.  It's not that I don't want His forgiveness I just have a very difficult time asking Him, I feel so sinnful that I just sit there and feel alone.  What can I do to get over that?\n\nPlease if you don't have anything constructive to say, DON'T.  Thank you.
217348
It is hard to overcome old habits, but you must 1st realize Jesus paid the whole sin debt for all mankind over 2,000 yrs ago. That was long before any of us were born. So did He only pay for your sins up to the time you got saved, and now it is up to you to keep track of your sins & be sure you don't leave any out when you pray, or you'll go to Hell? Jesus paid it all, Brother, and God is smart enough to not leave any part of our salvation in our hands, or we'd sure lose it. Paul wrote, "I know in Whom I have believed, and am pursuaded that He(Not me or you)He is able to keep that which I have comitted unto Him against that day." He took it out of our control, because Jesus did it all for us. He was sinless & died in our place, so He could Impute His Righteousness unto us(we have none, ours is as filthy rags)That when God sees us, He sees the Righteousness\nof Jesus in us. We are Made Acceptable in The Beloved Son, and He is our Only Hope of Salvation. Not by works, but by His Grace, so we have nothing to brag about, but what Jesus did for us as our Substitute.  God Bless, Pastor B.
152218
Are you holding anything back?  God wants you to get real with him.  He knows all about you already, tell him your fears and He WILL comfort and help you.  I have been in your situation.  I have had to learn like others have said, there is not always that magic feeling that we want to feel and that is where faith comes in.  You have to remember, the devil knows all about you also, and he will do everything in his power to make you doubt yourself and most of all doubt God.  Clear your mind and ask God what is going on, He will reveal His path for you.  When I was saved I did feel different, I knew it was real, but the peace and presence of God that He has shared with me came much later after I grew in faith and wanted a real relationship with God not just seeking a feeling.  Keep close to God, find spiritual friends and leaders, and spend time with them each day.  God loves you, He is leading you through this and I have learned those times when I have felt down and out of the loop with God, -if I kept the faith- He always brought me out stronger than before.  Seek Him with all you heart, trust me He WILL answer.
639214
Sin IS inevitable.  The point is that you keep trying to do what is right and ask God to help you.  He loves you---he's not going to abandon you if you are doing your best!  As long as your heart is sincere, just live your life doing what you know is right, and you have nothing to fear.
611024
we don't have to worry about that, none of us are God never have been or never will be. Accept Him into your heart by asking Him to forgive you for all your sins.you won't become God but you if you meant the prayer will become just like Him.
332853
You took the words right out of my mouth. I am about to split myself. Like you I feel blessed to encourage others but it's like you get slapped in the face for it. It stings after a while.  I hate to get rattled up but you can't help it. So you need and iron backbone to stay focused on God in this forum. Stay on it if it's God's will since you have a link here to help others. It's better to leave the 99 and go after the one. Wait, there may be one Saul that you may lead to a Paul for God's glory through your blessed link.
184957
hi! heres what i think and what the bible says about your situation:\n\nromans 5:3 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.\n\nGOD doesnt say that once you are a believer, all your problems will be solved. but he assures us that the trials that we go through will help develop our character and molds us to be better christians.\n\n1 peter 4:12-13,16 12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. \n16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. \n\nTHIS just assures us all the more that as christians we will not be freed from problems. and Jesus even encourages us to rejoice when we experience these things in life.\n\n1 Corinthians 10:13 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.\n\nTHIS does not only pertain to temptations but also problems and anything in life. it says that God will not give us anything that we cannot carry. but when he knows we cannot do it alone anymore, he will still help us out.\n\nGOD hears your prayers, he hears all our prayers. as ive mentioned, being a child of God doesnt exempt us from having problems. i think the question now is if you trust the Lord that he hears you. the way i see it, maybe the Lord allows these things to make your faith in him stronger and be more trusting in his power over your life. maybe when you pray you just pray without trusting. so maybe you should also evaluate yourself when you pray and speak to God. reading the bible is also important in knowing Gods will for you and how he wants to work in your life.\n\ni hope all this helps you :)
675607
You are assuming a lot.  I'm neither sinful nor full of shame, I live in a world of light and I try to walk with God everyday.  It's a joyful walk, not one of shame and desperation.\n\nI feel I must follow God, otherwise my life would be in the potty by now lol.  I need His hand on my life, or I'll just mess it up very bad.
102891
I'm sorry for what you're going thru.  Life is tough and this may sound tough but try it.\nStop focusing on yourself.  Stop feeling sorry for yourself.  It's okay for awhile, but you're never going to feel good if you can't stop thinking about you.  Pray and cry, but then wipe your eyes, blow your nose and look around.  Who needs help?  Who else needs prayer?  What can you do for others?  If you're going through a tough time it's the perfect opportunity to help another get through their tough time.  Selfishness breeds discontement.  Love elevates one another and helps us see beyond our own situation.  And when you reach out, others are going to reach back to you with open arms.  And you won't feel alone any more.
246132
I think it all comes down to an attitude of heart.\n\nIf you have the attitude that you can sin all you want and your covered, I think you're in big trouble.\n\nIf you think one sin will separate you from God for all eternity then life becomes a gamble.  Who can guarantee that their last act won't be a sin of some sort?  We all sin and fall (present tense) of the glory of God.\n\nSo, what do we do?  I think the book of I John paints a good picture when he talks about walking in the light.  Walking in the light is walking a lit path.  It's a determined walk.  Trying to stay the course.  You can misstep and come back to the path.  \n\nThere is a difference between stumbling along in your journey and abandoning your walk.\n\nSome of us came from homes of abuse, addiction, and neglect.  Some people have more to overcome in gaining maturity than others do.  That's why God is the one Who judges us.  I can't tell by my experiences how far you should have come on your journey.\n\nBut there is a difference is stumbling or not walking gracefully and abandoning the course.  Some people wear the Christian t-shirt while jogging another road.  That's walking outside the light and in the darkness.\n\nIt's something that you have to be vigilant about and pray about.  Some people may use Christianity to excuse doing what they want to do, but that's not the purpose of Christianity.  It's mishandling it in the same way using a vase to murder someone is not the correct usage of a vase.\n\nNobody seeks to do away with vases just because they have been used as murder weapons.  People are creative and can use just about anything to accomplish goals or justify their actions.
387224
I will pray for you. One thing that is helpful is when I begin praying, I just spend some time quietly trying to prepare myself for an encounter with God. Just open your mind and your heart. Prayer can be a wonderful thing. The holy spirit is the one who intercedes for us. Pray that the holy spirit would convict you of sins that haven't been made known to you and pray that the spirit would guide you as you pray. My other advice is to really get into the word and study it. The more you learn about Him, the more rewarding your prayer time is because you get to know the One you are praying to and talking to. I also love to worship before I pray. Just sing a song you know and really think about what it's saying. God wants to speak with you and He will...just pray. There is no one way to do it. It's a unique relationship you have with your Creator. Just praise Him for who He is and let him know you love Him. He knows what is in your heart. I'm praying for you. God bless.
199453
Whenever I pray I just speak from my heart. He already knows how you feel so just talk to him. I usually thank him for everything he has done for me and ask him to forgive me of my sins. Of course there is more, but I think the best way to pray is to say how you truly feel. There is no need to be ashamed. Try it for yourself and see.
584636
He's always listening, sweetheart! You might not be able to feel God in your life right now, but he's there, because you have asked him to be with your prayers. God hears all sincere prayers that are in line with his will, and has your best interests at heart. I am so very sorry for your pain, whatever is causing it! I know when I am in need of a shoulder and comfort from God, I read  in Psalms. You might try Psalm  4, 23, 25, 27, 34... all of these may bring you some relief from your feelings. Good luck, and you can get in touch via my 360 page if you need to 'talk'.
299263
I remember asking myself this alot when I was a young girl. I asked this very question once. Someone closer to God answered this for me.\n\nIf you ask your Heavenly Father to forgive you of a sin with all your heart and mean it, he will. \n\nIf you turn around and continue to repeat that very sin, then ask for forgiveness, God looks at this as * What sin is this do you ask me to forgive you for twice?* \n\nIt was forgotten and erased away the first time you asked him. \n\nNow I do believe because we are human, we will continue to make mistakes. Some of those mistakes will probably be what we have already asked for forgiveness for. However, God does understand we are only human. This doesnt pardon you to continue to do the same thing over and over. God knows your heart. Its that simple. When and if you continue to do the same mistake over and over, God knows your heart. He will know and understand your life at that time, what you are faced with and the fact you are trying to make it better.\n\nI dont have the magic answer here. But I do believe that God knows your heart. If you are changing your life, making an effor to be righteous and do the right thing, God knows this about you. We will all falter at one time or another. Just be diligent and keep on.
343810
Just thoughts - Feelings of guilt for not living as you believe you should? \n\nYou seen the sacrifice yet thought you could avoid it by going to a safe place, but the conviction followed you. But instead of repenting you went further away.\n\nIf this seems right to you then you should ask God to forgive you and help you to return to Him. You would then find freedom from the guilt that plagues you and discover how good and pleasing His will is for you.\n\nI hope this helps
470215
First of all I would like to commend you for making the best decision of your life. I know that it appears to be a struggle letting go of the habits that you have developed in life, but I will assure you that it only feels like that because that is how the evil one would like you to feel, defeated. But you know as well as I do that there is only one source that is mightier than that evil liar, and that is Almighty God Himself.!!!  The fact that you want to be a Christian role model for your children will indeed cause the liar to squirm, it will reek havoc among its clique, causing it to throw temper tantrums and spreading a barage of lies and imaginations your way, the liar of lies will try and make you feel as if you are doing all this in vain. BUT-- NOT TO BE DISCOURAGED!!! Tada - Our Heavenly Father is watching and keeping His hand over you, you see there were some promises that were given to you when you accepted God's Son as your Savior. You were promised Eternal Salvation as long as you remained faithful and did not turn your back on Jesus, it sounds to me like you are doing all that you can to retain the relationship that you have with Jesus. Amen. Here are some scriptures that will surely help you as the liar comes to overwhelm you. Remember brother, as soon as it tries to decieve you, rebuke it with authority, the authority that God gave you!! You can stand up to that wiley thief, as long as you believe that you are a child of God, the brother of Jesus and the Prevailing Saint that God intended you to be. \nOur prayers will be with you brother, I know that you will dominate this challenge that has come your way, Have Faith, Trust and Believe!!\nFreedom from Sin - Ezekiel 36:25-26 - Romans 6:6-7 - 2 Corinthians 5:17 - \nRomans 6:14 - Colossians 2:6-7 - 1Corinthians 16:13 - Isaiah 40:29\nthese are just a few. God Bless you brother.
41899
I had that problem as well for a while so I sat down and wrote out what I thought on it from what I knew and learned.  It's long so bear with it...\n\nWhat is forgiveness?Each person has their own definition of it. To some it is never talking about it again. For others its pretending whatever it was never happened. Still others think its absolution of guilt and minimizing what happened. Still others it means giving up thoughts of revenge. Finally, some feel it is as simple as giving up the hate. Which is right?\nOK, let’s start somewhere else… Firstly, why SHOULD you forgive? Is it really necessary? That is dependant a lot of you and your school of thought. Most Christians point to the phrases in the bible and say it’s gods plan. Others are more apt to put forth the proposal that is makes you a better person. But does it? Is it truly necessary to forgive someone to grow? My personal belief is this; it depends on what you are forgiving. Some things are small and don’t really mean that much so it’s not a big deal, forgiveness is easy there. But what about bigger things? Things that affect your life and your mental health? That is where it gets more complex… Anger, hatred and rage are there for a reason some times, all of us have felt them at some point in time, they are normal. They are there to tell you something is wrong and you need to work through it. Depending on the offense forgiveness isn’t automatic. It takes time. Sometimes forgiveness is NEVER warranted, EVER. Think about it, why should you forgive someone that isn’t the least repentant for what they did to you? Then there are truly evil acts that should never warrant forgiveness. Yet as mature adults we, mostly from teachings when we were small children, feel that we have to forgive someone no matter how heinous the crime. Step back a bit and think about that… Then ask yourself why? Why are you forgiving them? Is it because that is how you feel or is it because you were once told that is the proper thing to do? Which is it? What we are never taught as a child is that anger is healthy and the expression of such is right, we sometimes have a reason to feel that anger. And to get better that anger is needed. Only after you have worked through that stage should you consider forgiveness. Even then sometimes you don’t need to forgive someone. I hear the gasp from here so bear with me… Why should you have to forgive someone when you don’t feel it is warranted? The answer is you shouldn’t. There is nothing in this world that tells you it’s a requirement. Think about it; aren’t there some things done that don’t ever warrant it? No, forgiveness doesn’t make you better than them, really it doesn’t. Forgiveness will not get you into heaven faster. Forgiveness won’t make what is done to you go away. Forgiveness truly can only come when YOU are ready for it, not before. If that never happens then so be it. Just because you don’t and can’t forgive someone doesn’t mean you are filled with hate and rage, it just means you are unable to make that step because you don’t feel it is warranted, no other reason.\nSay you are ready to forgive someone for something fairly big, OK your ready to tell them all that and shine your halo a bit. But before it goes that far mayhap you should ask what their definition of it is. If it is we will never discuss it again, it never happened or that it’s an absolution of guilt back off! That is not forgiveness, they want you to forget it happened and let them off the hook. That is not forgiveness. Just because you FORGIVE them doesn’t take away their culpability in the matter or make it so it never happened. No way, doesn’t work like that. If they want absolution send them to church, that is the only place they will get it! No one ever said if you forgive them that you can’t ever talk about it, they just don’t want to is all. Forgive and forget is all wrong because as much as you try you will NEVER
194677
Sure.  Sin is a terrible thing.  The good news is that no matter what it is, if we are repentant and try our best to be obedient and live as God wants us to live, our past sins don't matter.\n\nGod is greater than our sins.  You have to trust that in order to let it go.  He doesn't forgive us because we deserve it, He forgives us because He is so great and He promises to.  Believe Him, and forgive yourself.  \n\nDon't be discouraged.  Just keep working on being at peace with God and yourself.  You do that by doing what He wants you to do to the best of your ability.  We all sin and fall short (present tense) of the glory of God.  But He offers us salvation.  \n\nConcentrate on all His blessings.  Read His Word.  Pray to Him and tell Him all your heart.  He will heal you.\n\nThere is no sin we could ever commit and repent of that is  greater than God's forgiveness.