What makes someone decide to follow God?

Hi guys! I am new to this site. I'm a 24 year old male, new to being Christian and trying to understand my purpose in life. I am also trying to get closer to God..

My question is what makes a person decide to follow God? Also is it wrong to start finding God when you're in a time of struggle such as anxiety or sickness etc.. does that make you selfish because you're only seeking God to get better? I suffer from anxiety and have been trying to get closer to God but I feel like I'm being selfish because I never once tried to find him before and when I'm feeling okay I don't even think to praise him or try to get closer to him. What are you guys opinions on the matter?

Appreciate your time and God bless!
 
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Welcome to cfs.
Very Glad to see you here and looking forward to some good ol fellowship one with another.

As we ask of all new memers,
Please look over the Following and Familiarize yourself with them, this will help you to have a safe and joyful time here in the forum.

Again this is just forum procedure and nothing else.

1. Forum Policies and Procedures
2. Topics which May Not Be Discussed in the open forum.

If you have any questions or issues with the forum, please feel free to contact a moderator or helper and we will do what we can to help.

Again Welcome to cfs
Blessings

As for your questions... according to the Bible... it is The Father who draws all men unto Himself (John 6:44). So whether you come to Him in a time of need or not.... He is the one who has pursued you and put the desire into your heart to know Him.

The more you grow and learn about how much He loves you... you will do more to be thankful all of the time and not just when your needing Him.

He loves you and according to Philippians 2:13 it is The Father who dwells within you (via the Holy Spirit) giving you the power and desire to do what pleases Him.

God bless you with much peace and wisdom. Your always in our prayers
 
We all have something we suffer from, but the important thing to believe is there is nothing too big for Him to stand in His way concerning us. Jesus died to save us, after all, and rose again. Defeating death itself.

To answer your first question
A little background:

I grew up with a notion of Jesus and God. In my little child-mind at age of 6, I thought they were two people. I couldn't comprehend who this person or people were. Just that there was this place we couldn't see.
Fastforward, I grew up in a Baptist church. I believed in God for as long I can remember, but I didn't know what it meant to follow Christ.. or what Christ even meant. I eventually left that church and took some time away from churches altogether. I couldn't stand Christianity for a while. Not because of Jesus, but because of those who claimed His name. I kept seeing them fighting and arguing with one another, but I didn't realize they could have been "false" followers. However, this made me seek Him all the more and without other people's influence. I began to search for Him myself. He already found me and knew me, I just needed to find Him and accept Him.

I did not fully accept Him until just 3 years ago, sadly. I had to be completely broken in order to find this treasure. My life before then was superficial and going along with the ways of this world. I was truly lost. Then I found myself sitting on the couch just thinking about my life and where it was going... or wasn't going. I thought "there must be more to this life than people using each other for greed." Then I popped the question to God "What is the absolute truth?"
I told Him it was all or nothing for me. I can't meet Him half-way, it doesn't work, my way doesn't work! My life was slipping away and I said to Him that I don't know how much longer I have left.

He answered me the next day, and even allowed me to stumble along the way so I could learn to walk in His ways and truly be set free!

Was I asking to be saved? Indirectly, yes. My heart was indeed genuine, however. God loves an honest, unhidden heart. I hope and pray this helps and encourages you. <3
 
View attachment 3317
Welcome to cfs.
Very Glad to see you here and looking forward to some good ol fellowship one with another.

As we ask of all new memers,
Please look over the Following and Familiarize yourself with them, this will help you to have a safe and joyful time here in the forum.

Again this is just forum procedure and nothing else.

1. Forum Policies and Procedures
2. Topics which May Not Be Discussed in the open forum.

If you have any questions or issues with the forum, please feel free to contact a moderator or helper and we will do what we can to help.

Again Welcome to cfs
Blessings

As for your questions... according to the Bible... it is The Father who draws all men unto Himself (John 6:44). So whether you come to Him in a time of need or not.... He is the one who has pursued you and put the desire into your heart to know Him.

The more you grow and learn about how much He loves you... you will do more to be thankful all of the time and not just when your needing Him.

He loves you and according to Philippians 2:13 it is The Father who dwells within you (via the Holy Spirit) giving you the power and desire to do what pleases Him.

God bless you with much peace and wisdom. Your always in our prayers

Thank you for giving your feedback, God bless!
The one thing I lack in life is love that's why I'm consumed with all of this anxiety (fear) and social anxiety.. thing is I don't understand how great God's love is for me, since I don't even feel love for myself, I have a hard time trusting and being patient in God's plan.. I end up giving up because I'm so consumed by my anxiety and pain that I don't know what to do. I've read multiple books in the New testament and I see how great God is to us but my faith doesn't grow and I pray on it too but I don't seem to get closer to God. Am I doing something wrong? That's why I ask is seeking God during time of need a wrong way of approaching him?
 
We all have something we suffer from, but the important thing to believe is there is nothing too big for Him to stand in His way concerning us. Jesus died to save us, after all, and rose again. Defeating death itself.

To answer your first question
A little background:

I grew up with a notion of Jesus and God. In my little child-mind at age of 6, I thought they were two people. I couldn't comprehend who this person or people were. Just that there was this place we couldn't see.
Fastforward, I grew up in a Baptist church. I believed in God for as long I can remember, but I didn't know what it meant to follow Christ.. or what Christ even meant. I eventually left that church and took some time away from churches altogether. I couldn't stand Christianity for a while. Not because of Jesus, but because of those who claimed His name. I kept seeing them fighting and arguing with one another, but I didn't realize they could have been "false" followers. However, this made me seek Him all the more and without other people's influence. I began to search for Him myself. He already found me and knew me, I just needed to find Him and accept Him.

I did not fully accept Him until just 3 years ago, sadly. I had to be completely broken in order to find this treasure. My life before then was superficial and going along with the ways of this world. I was truly lost. Then I found myself sitting on the couch just thinking about my life and where it was going... or wasn't going. I thought "there must be more to this life than people using each other for greed." Then I popped the question to God "What is the absolute truth?"
I told Him it was all or nothing for me. I can't meet Him half-way, it doesn't work, my way doesn't work! My life was slipping away and I said to Him that I don't know how much longer I have left.

He answered me the next day, and even allowed me to stumble along the way so I could learn to walk in His ways and truly be set free!

Was I asking to be saved? Indirectly, yes. My heart was indeed genuine, however. God loves an honest, unhidden heart. I hope and pray this helps and encourages you. <3

Thank you, your response did help. To see that thru all of your pain, God saved you.

I feel like I've pleaded with God for so long for help but I don't feel anything. Maybe I'm impatient, maybe I'm not being honest with him. One problem is I keep trying to be perfect before him, try to sin less, read the Bible and ignore all earthly desires but I realize some of those things are impossible to do and I can never be perfect before him so how do I know if he's listening?
 
Hi guys! I am new to this site. I'm a 24 year old male, new to being Christian and trying to understand my purpose in life. I am also trying to get closer to God..
My question is what makes a person decide to follow God? Also is it wrong to start finding God when you're in a time of struggle such as anxiety or sickness etc.. does that make you selfish because you're only seeking God to get better? I suffer from anxiety and have been trying to get closer to God but I feel like I'm being selfish because I never once tried to find him before and when I'm feeling okay I don't even think to praise him or try to get closer to him. What are you guys opinions on the matter?

Appreciate your time and God bless!

Hello PureBeliever;

Thank you for joining all of us at CFS! Are you doing something wrong? No! You are on the right track asking questions about God. Your new friends, brothers and sisters in Christ will love to share with you about God but at the same time you will bless us with your testimonies (life story), thoughts and questions.

In your relationship with God there is so much to gain, wow! I encourage you to ask Him directly and read the Bible about His deep, deep LOVE for you, brother, and all of us. You will learn more how we pass on His love unto others. When we love others in Christ we are blessing them.

Blessing others is a way that can relieve the anxiousness. There is a wonderful feeling of peace because your heart is now of a servant for others. You help make their day, as Jesus was for all.

If you get a moment, please read my testimony and hope this will help http://www.christianforumsite.com/threads/coming-home-to-cfs.48786/#post-464187

i look forward to fellowship with you, PureBeliever.

God bless you and your family!
 
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We all have something we suffer from, but the important thing to believe is there is nothing too big for Him to stand in His way concerning us. Jesus died to save us, after all, and rose again. Defeating death itself.

To answer your first question
A little background:

I grew up with a notion of Jesus and God. In my little child-mind at age of 6, I thought they were two people. I couldn't comprehend who this person or people were. Just that there was this place we couldn't see.
Fastforward, I grew up in a Baptist church. I believed in God for as long I can remember, but I didn't know what it meant to follow Christ.. or what Christ even meant. I eventually left that church and took some time away from churches altogether. I couldn't stand Christianity for a while. Not because of Jesus, but because of those who claimed His name. I kept seeing them fighting and arguing with one another, but I didn't realize they could have been "false" followers. However, this made me seek Him all the more and without other people's influence. I began to search for Him myself. He already found me and knew me, I just needed to find Him and accept Him.

I did not fully accept Him until just 3 years ago, sadly. I had to be completely broken in order to find this treasure. My life before then was superficial and going along with the ways of this world. I was truly lost. Then I found myself sitting on the couch just thinking about my life and where it was going... or wasn't going. I thought "there must be more to this life than people using each other for greed." Then I popped the question to God "What is the absolute truth?"
I told Him it was all or nothing for me. I can't meet Him half-way, it doesn't work, my way doesn't work! My life was slipping away and I said to Him that I don't know how much longer I have left.

He answered me the next day, and even allowed me to stumble along the way so I could learn to walk in His ways and truly be set free!

Was I asking to be saved? Indirectly, yes. My heart was indeed genuine, however. God loves an honest, unhidden heart. I hope and pray this helps and encourages you. <3

What a wonderful testimony, Elysia! It ministered to my personal walk with Jesus when I got saved.

Thank you for blessing us and hope to share more with you and all of us.

God bless you, Elysia, and your family!
 
Thank you, your response did help. To see that thru all of your pain, God saved you.

I feel like I've pleaded with God for so long for help but I don't feel anything. Maybe I'm impatient, maybe I'm not being honest with him. One problem is I keep trying to be perfect before him, try to sin less, read the Bible and ignore all earthly desires but I realize some of those things are impossible to do and I can never be perfect before him so how do I know if he's listening?


Mm. This strikes very close to home for me as well. I was very much like you when I was trying to walk the righteous path on my own strength (though I did not know it at the time). That's the thing though, you don't "feel" a change in you. You notice it when you observe where you came from, if that makes sense. This transition of the heart takes time and a little bit of effort on your part when God tests you - and He will! But don't worry, this is all for your good as it was so very necessary for me (and still is) then.

But yes, no one can be perfect in His ways alone. Jesus Christ did that because He was the Son of God and had to be perfect in order to become the sinless Lamb, be placed on the cross and became sin (our sin) and died for us and rose again! <3 <3 <3

What's impossible for us is not impossible for God. His strength is what we must rely on everyday because we recognize our weaknesses. These things we take before God so He makes us strong. (These you can read in Paul's letter/epistles to the churches, but also get to know God by reading the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I've been going through them like this: Matthew 1, Mark 1, ect. I hope this helps you as well)

Remember, God has made you perfect because we are made in His image (mind, body and soul = His will, His people, His everlasting Life). We cannot BE perfect because we fell in sin since Genesis. We live in a fallen world, but God undid the things Satan tried to destroy.
 
Oh, I realize I didn't answer your last question as to how to listen for God.

Everyone is different, but God knows your heart. No one else understands it but Him, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. How He speaks to me is through His word when I read, through asking Him things in prayer - questions I have about what is written to better know Him. He answered me today actually in church while the pastor was praying. How to describe it was like lightning (but without the sting! lol!) more like a sharp realization. Kinda also reminds me of His Sword, which is oddly enough His Word.

You will find all these things out if you seek Him diligently and getting to know Him on a personal level. He listens to an honest and open heart. So ask Him! He's waiting for you! <3
 
Oh, I realize I didn't answer your last question as to how to listen for God.

Everyone is different, but God knows your heart. No one else understands it but Him, so don't let anyone tell you otherwise. How He speaks to me is through His word when I read, through asking Him things in prayer - questions I have about what is written to better know Him. He answered me today actually in church while the pastor was praying. How to describe it was like lightning (but without the sting! lol!) more like a sharp realization. Kinda also reminds me of His Sword, which is oddly enough His Word.

You will find all these things out if you seek Him diligently and getting to know Him on a personal level. He listens to an honest and open heart. So ask Him! He's waiting for you! <3

I guess I have to be more patient and get to know God on a deeper level and keep yearning for him and not give up, since he didn't give up on me!

Thank you for your feedback and God bless you!
 
Guess that you feel like the world is against you. And have nowhere to turn. And God can provide you the way to Him.
 
Thank you for giving your feedback, God bless!
The one thing I lack in life is love that's why I'm consumed with all of this anxiety (fear) and social anxiety.. thing is I don't understand how great God's love is for me, since I don't even feel love for myself, I have a hard time trusting and being patient in God's plan.. I end up giving up because I'm so consumed by my anxiety and pain that I don't know what to do. I've read multiple books in the New testament and I see how great God is to us but my faith doesn't grow and I pray on it too but I don't seem to get closer to God. Am I doing something wrong? That's why I ask is seeking God during time of need a wrong way of approaching him?

Every experience is different for every person. But as you are seeing anxiety and pain can play a huge part in blocking our receiving The Fathers love for us.

Something to think about, is what is causing the anxiety and pain. Who is responsible for your plan. If for any reason your holding God responsible for the pain that you have experienced... that can put up a wall in your heart, which makes it difficult to know or receive how much your loved.

You mentioned pleading with The Father so long for help... kind of sounds like your a little disappointed because you feel like you have not received from Him what you were expecting.
 
I am new to this site. I'm a 24 year old male, new to being Christian and trying to understand my purpose in life. I am also trying to get closer to God..
Hey, PureBeliever, anytime is a good time to get closer to God. God is always there. The key in growing closer to Him for me is to pray, read and try to apply biblical principals in my life, and keep in good supportive Christian fellowship. Lone Rangers can get shot out of the saddle sooner or later by the enemy of our souls who wants to keep us from knowing, growing, and getting closer to God. Mainly, as you commit yourself to His purposes in your life, the Lord will, via His Holy Spirit, guide you in your journey. Trusting that --- is the big thing and always my Big Idea for each day. We don't, however, do it alone. We are part of the Body of Christ..fellow believers and followers of the Way of Jesus (as seen in the Gospels), He who suffered and died to set us free from the power of sin and death. Gateway to eternal life!
 
Every experience is different for every person. But as you are seeing anxiety and pain can play a huge part in blocking our receiving The Fathers love for us.

Something to think about, is what is causing the anxiety and pain. Who is responsible for your plan. If for any reason your holding God responsible for the pain that you have experienced... that can put up a wall in your heart, which makes it difficult to know or receive how much your loved.

You mentioned pleading with The Father so long for help... kind of sounds like your a little disappointed because you feel like you have not received from Him what you were expecting.

You're right, I have been disappointed and I have at times think the anxiety is coming from God. Many times I think he's testing me that's why I'm going thru this hell in my head. But recently I've been questioning myself and I've come to realize besides the environment I was around and grew up by, I'm causing my anxiety. I'm causing it because of past experiences of pain that I'm trying to protect myself from
 
Every experience is different for every person. But as you are seeing anxiety and pain can play a huge part in blocking our receiving The Fathers love for us.

Something to think about, is what is causing the anxiety and pain. Who is responsible for your plan. If for any reason your holding God responsible for the pain that you have experienced... that can put up a wall in your heart, which makes it difficult to know or receive how much your loved.

You mentioned pleading with The Father so long for help... kind of sounds like your a little disappointed because you feel like you have not received from Him what you were expecting.
Also what gives me immense doubt is that I've heard and read that God doesn't help people with anxiety, many people mean by that is that God doesn't cure anxiety, but I'm not asking for a cure, (since we all have some form of anxiety) I'm asking Him to help me face my fears even if their irrational. One time attending a church in my local area (which I don't attend anymore because of how secular they are) the church interviewed believers who have depression and anxiety and they have all said that God put them thru this to help others and that sometimes God says no. That gave me alot of doubt and fear that I will experience this pain forever..
 
Yes, even Paul asked for God to heal him, but God said His grace is sufficient; and that His power works through our weaknesses. <3

Forgive me ... but that is not what that passage was meant to convey. The Father was telling Paul that His grace (authority and power that He gave him and us) is sufficient. And he (Paul) needed to use that God given authority to cast that worry (anxiety) down and give all the cares for the churches over to The Father for He cares for him and us (1 Peter 5:7, 2 Corinthians 10:5)

Christ's power makes us strong in our own fleshly weakness... for it is by the power of The Father within us via the Holy Spirit... which gives us strength.

Blessings
 
You're right, I have been disappointed and I have at times think the anxiety is coming from God. Many times I think he's testing me that's why I'm going thru this hell in my head. But recently I've been questioning myself and I've come to realize besides the environment I was around and grew up by, I'm causing my anxiety. I'm causing it because of past experiences of pain that I'm trying to protect myself from

Unfortunately the devil has been lying to you. The hell in your mind is from the enemy, but Father in His mercy and grace gave you (all believers) the tools and authority to cast it all down. It the only one that can put it into action is you. The Father will not do for you or any believer what He has told us to do, or given us the authority to deal with.


2Co 10:3 — 2Co 10:5 (KJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Here how The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul told us to deal with the junk that comes to our minds. The Father knew we would have battles in our minds... so He gave us the weapons to fight with.

It can be a challenge to take thoughts captive at first, because we are a lot of times just used to letting them be thought... but the more we do it... the easier it becomes and the less the thoughts come in. But never put your guard down... because when the enemy thinks your not paying attention, he will try to bring thoughts again... but as you cast them down (refuse to think them) they will not stay.

Here's a passage that helps us.....
Jam 4:7 — Jam 4:8 (KJV)
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.....

By doing what the Word of our heavenly Father says to do... we are submitting ourselves to Him.
 
Also what gives me immense doubt is that I've heard and read that God doesn't help people with anxiety, many people mean by that is that God doesn't cure anxiety, but I'm not asking for a cure, (since we all have some form of anxiety) I'm asking Him to help me face my fears even if their irrational. One time attending a church in my local area (which I don't attend anymore because of how secular they are) the church interviewed believers who have depression and anxiety and they have all said that God put them thru this to help others and that sometimes God says no. That gave me alot of doubt and fear that I will experience this pain forever..

I'm sure all those people who said that God does not heal anxiety were well meaning.... but they have been deceived into thinking that, that is true.
And the devil's purpose in incorporating that lie into the church was to keep believers defeated and thinking that our Father really does not care about us like His Word says He does.

The root of all anxiety is fear. Plain and simple. And when Jesus was brutally beaten and died... He bought back our freedom from fear.

1 John 4:18 niv says.... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Jesus love for us is perfect. And the more we come to understand that love... the less we fear. The more we understand or accept (sometimes by faith) what we really have because of Christ and his anointing... the less we fear.

Fear is a tactic of the enemy to get us to submit to and allow his destruction of/in our lives. It's all the enemy has. For Jesus stripped the enemy of all of his power right before He rose from the dead.

Colossians 2:15 (NLT)
15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

1 John 3:8.... "For this purpose the Son of God was revealed, that He might destroy the works of the devil".

The devil would like for us all to think he is powerful. And he has gone to great lengths to deceive people into believing it. However truth is that the only power he has on this earth is what we allow him to have (1 Peter 5:8....
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour).

2Ti 3:16 — 2Ti 3:17 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.....

The verse above tells how The Father teaches us. And the devil once again has lied to the loving church people, convincing them that there is no hope, or sometimes Father says no or that He uses bad things to teach His children a lesson.

Think about if you were a dad... would you put your kid in a car accident or tornado, or break their leg to teach them a lesson? Of course you wouldn't.... why? Because even though they may have disobeyed or didn't know what the rule was... you still love them, and don't desire any harm to come unto them. Same with our Heavenly Father... He loves us so much that he sent His only Son to redeem us from the curse that was brought about by one man and woman's disobedience (read Romans 5). That the devil tricked them into giving him (Genesis 3).

Mat 7:7 — Mat 7:11 (KJV)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV)
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Your Faith in Christ gives you the victory over the enemy....

1 John 4:4 (KJV)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.


1 John 5:4 (KJV)
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
 
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