Contents:
Healing a Broken Marriage. Restoring the Gates that Prevail. Experience the Power of God's Presence. Living Christian in the 21st Century. Don't Leave God Alone. Spiritual Father or Spiritual Failure. Enjoying God's Best in the Midst of the Storm. Are You Going to Heaven? Global Call to Prayer. The Power to Overcome Fear. The Prayer from the Crypt: Rejecting Offense, Strife, and Unforgiveness. Peter Got Out of the Boat. Seven Things God Hates. Compiled by Barbour Staff. The Way to the Master's Heart. Character for Spiritual Leadership. A Change Must Come. Seeding of the Heart. The Beginning of the Journey.
Liberated from Church Hurt. Stepping Stones to Victory. Martin G Tharp PhD. Abounding In All Good Things. Item s unavailable for purchase. Please review your cart. You can remove the unavailable item s now or we'll automatically remove it at Checkout. It drove me insane all through school. I still struggle with it from time to time. I think Satan wants to keep us from joy any way he can. What was true when the Bible was written will always and forever be true. I confessed with my mouth Jesus Christ is Lord.
He is my savior and nothing can change that. It can be hard when we start believing at such a young age. Someone once gave this analogy and I found it helpful: I would say that I know I am alive because I am breathing and talking to you. I remember wanting to go forward, but afraid my ride would not want to stay to wait for me.
The next pm the teacher taught on the flood and the next time God would destroy the world by fire and we needed to belong to him and be saved. She said if we wanted to be saved to stay in our seats and if not to go to the craft room. I remember being shocked when a girl got up and left. I know I believed I was saved! My mama was afraid I might not have been ready and took me down the aisle at my church and there my pastor read through the scriptures and asked me if I believed and I said yes.
He presented me for baptism. Later I came across the word repentance and I began to worry, did I know how to repent back then? Did I pray or the preacher pray? I have led others in the sinners prayer. I went forward as a young adult and told the preacher that I was plagued with doubts and he had his wife pray with me. I felt relief, but later I would have doubt again.
When was I saved? At VBS, my home church when my mama led me down the alter, as the doubting adult?
I know I have felt The Lord in my life, so why am I so fearful? I feel like it is Satan trying to break me. I have not lived a perfect life but I know I love the Lord. I know He is faithful. Thank you for this post. I feel the exact same way. When I was 12 and about to move up to high school my soon-to-be-teacher took me into a little room at my school to talk with me the way she had the other students and then she asked me if I was saved and I told her I wasnt.
Monday when my teacher came and got me again she said she could see how under conviction I was Sunday night,and asked me if I wanted to be saved. I said yes and repeated the prayer she told me to pray. Afterwards I told my principle and my parents and I really did feel happy or at peace, but about three years later in a special meeting I began to doubt. I talked to my mom about it once and she said it was the devil trying to steal the joy of my salvation. But being saved young and not having evidence of a life transformation from sins like drinking,drugs, ect ect, it can be difficult to see the change, even when we can feel it.
This is something I am currently struggling with. I am a young teen, definitely FULL of doubts. And I overthink way too much. I doubt so much too I over think it so much I think. Build on that, and you will find peace! Thank you for this. I was not feeling the peace or joy of God like I once did when i first gave my heart to the Lord.
I thought I had to accept the torment but now I know this is a battle with the enemy. Thank you for your testimony.
It has greatly helped me. You took the words right out of my mouth! I became a born again Christian at a very young age too. BUT our God has far more power though — and so do we when we fully accept it, so allowing the enemy to cause us doubt is one of the worst things we can do. Thank you ALL for this! I got saved when I was six. I was raised in a Christian home, so Jesus was a daily topic.
But I know it was real. The devil will use that to fool you and make you miserable! I have held to my testimony for comfort that what I have is real…no matter how Satan tries to attack! Within a week after I got saved, I had a dream. I was at my school, and a wicked snake was coming towards me. People now may call it corny or stupid, but praise Jesus for that dream!! It is assurance for me! When I was 11, I witnessed to my cousin who was 7. We got to talking about salvation, and he told me he wanted to be saved. At churches I went to, I started a Wednesday night class for kids.
Two kids got saved as a result. That may not sound like much, but all that happened before I turned You would think with a dream like that and the witnessing I had done, I should never doubt my salvation! But unfortunately, I did.
From the time I turned 17, I had major problems with it. My joyous attitude in life and, unfortunately, my assurance in my salvation, had all went away. I even keep a journal now of my walk with God…which is helping me tremendously! One thing I would like to add to this post: Sometimes we just need to be reminded of how God has used us and what he has done in our life! Ten minutes ago, I was miserable, but now I feel renewed!
This is what I needed! Thanks for the post! Kaylin, thank you for your testimony. I have a five year old who wants to be baptized and I have doubts about here realizing what it truly means and encompasses, due to her attitude towards others and her meanness that comes out so strongly. You helped remind me that even the young can do great things for the kingdom of God.
Identical story to yours, thank you for saving me from typing again lol! And Thank God for the ability to have Church whenever we are with other believers, wherever they may be! I am a mother your story is much like my son! I know he was saved at a young age he frequently ask people if they knew Jesus and whiteness at a young age as a child he was so good and wise almost unbelievable far above what you can imagine people were amazed At him.
Back when I was ten I thought I got saved on July 15th and that was my papas birthday, but I had doubts every now and then and the. This summer it hit me, I had dreams, would cry in my prayers thinking I was lost and I talked to our pastor we prayed he brought me to salvation. Ask God for help faithfully and he will provide it for you. I am 34 years old…was saved when I was 17, fell into a life of drugs shortly after. I was raised in an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church where the gospel was preached and I absolutely believe everything the bible says….
This blog has encouraged me and I am thankful for it. Were you convicted, 2. And did you call? Thank you Kristin for this! I have doubted so much since I first saw myself a sinner and called on the Lord at Those 3 points really got across to me just now! Doubts have come off and on. But, the battle with doubt is so strong sometimes it exhausts me. But I know that God can help me with anything despite my doubts! I am 37 and I am really struggling with this.
So it is no just an age thing. It is hard to believe in a God we do not see or hear. Nowhere in the bible does it say that Jesus will reject someone who truly desires salvation. I have a few more scriptures to add. I have called you by name. God does not want us to be afraid. He wants us to know that he loves us enough to save us! But the last couple months I feel like Lord this is hard , I dont know what happened. Lord I love you , I want o get back on track. Everytime I think im winning , the devil always find a way to get through.
If i confess with my mouth. I am 64 years old and have doubted my salvation since I was I am a senior, been saved for almost 50 years, but have struggled with doubt periodically through the years. Our present pastor said in a recent sermon that if you have doubts, you are more than likely lost.
That sent me into a state of anxiety that almost made me sick. I did it one last time earlier this spring. The Lord spoke to my mind through the Holy Spirit. Since that time, if it flits through my mind, I can brush it away. But, thank God we have more than a one time experience to rely on. We have His word.
Did He refuse me? I pray that this new mindset sticks. In fact, it is an extremely effective technique of Satan. Look to the Bible. Choose to follow Christ. I appreciate this blog so much.
I also grew up in a Christian home. I went to private school, attended church, prayed with my family. Well when I was about 5 I asked Jesus into my heart. The prayer was so obvious to me at the time, like when they asked me if I believed Jesus was the sun of God I was like yeah of course. Well 6th grade year it hit me so hard. The reality of heaven and hell became so weird. Because of that rude awakening I viewed God as a mean harsh God. Like many that will read this, I prayed the salvation prayer a crazy number of times.
Like at least once a day. I had doubt after doubt after doubt. I looked at my friends who had such strong relationships with Christ and I always got mad bc I wanted that. He actually sent two people to tell me. See most people think that you have to have no doubts when you come to Christ. Christ loves people who have doubts. Christ only saves broken people.
Look down at your clothes, realize that your cloths are dirty and ratchet. But look up and see the one who endured that hell so he could have your dirty cloths. Take off your clothes. Be real with God. Give him your clothes and watch as he wraps a robe of forgiveness around you.
Look at the scars on his hands, remember the crown of thorns, think of how his own father abandoned him. Think of his soul going through hell. Think of his could body laying in a tomb. BUT now think of the chains of hell being broken, think of the weight of your sin demolished, think of Jesus raising to life. All for you, so he could raise you to life too. Kinda like a poem I guess. But hoped it helped! Please be praying for me bc I still doubt as I will be praying for other people on here!
Seek God with your whole heart and he will give you that assurance. Cling to the word of God. Another assurance verse is Titus 1: I thought I was losing my mind. I will be praying for you all, and please pray for me me through my struggle with doubts as well! Your salvation does not depend on what English Translation you use. Faith in Christ and not in a particular English Translation is the basis for Salvation. I too have and am still going through this. I have been plagued with this since I was a child.
I have asked Jesus to save me many many times. I hear others testify and I get scared. I go to church services and get scared. I analyze everything I think and feel. Which makes me feel more lost scared and hopeless.
What if thats me? Or when people say they felt like something was missing. I do get comfort that I have had prayers answered and feel the Lord guides me and knows me. But sometimes that is all overshadowed by doubt. My husband says if your child were drowning and he cried out to you to save him, would you? Of course is my reply!
The one major thing that makes me wonder or worry is how can I be sure I meant it in the right way specifically did I have Godly sorrow which is required or worldly sorrow? I do reckognise I am a sinner and need God and I know I love Jesus and desire a replationship with him more than anything! But the doubts plague me even when I get reassured by someone or something it comes back again: Come back to them every time.
Just keep coming back to God. It may take a long time before the doubts leave for good ….. I never used to struggle but seems like the more I try to get in the word and pray more, the stronger the doubts! I know in my head torment comes from Satan! May you pray that I will never doubt again! I so needed this. I suffer from doubt from time to time.
I will pray for you please keep praying for us. It helps a lot to see my thoughts and feelings echoed in the article and comments above. Thank you so much for posting this article. It helps to know that we are only human and others have the same struggles we do! God tells us to put on the full amour of God daily against the devils schemes.
Ephesians also, that not find it strange that we r goinh through these trials ,that our sisters and brothers in Christ are experiencing the same things, 1peter. We need ro remain steadfast and cling to Gods promises regardless of our feelings and emotions. Satan tries make it so difficult, but the lord overcame this world and we have that authority in Christ that we r more than overcomers through Christ who loved us.
I to have prayed and prayed and felt like my prayers were being heard I would always get nervous about the rapture and things like that because of this. This testamony really helped me. Thank you for following Gods leadership and sharing it. Praise Jesus for his goodness. May God Bless you and your family. See you in Heaven one day. My dad killed himself last year right before Christmas some time. So I could ues a lot of prayer s for peace and healing for this.
I want peace to where if something were to happen to me like if I get into a car accident or something happens to me that I would go up to heaven. I no we are not always granite about tommorw so I just would like peace about this for tonight and for Jesus to help me take one day at a time to help me overcome this. Thanks for the prayer s and may God bless you. I pray that God sweeps down his hand and embraces you with all the love and healing he has to offer you. I pray that the Holy Spirit heals your broken heart and makes his presence known to you.
I pray that our lord Jesus be your companion and remind you of his endless love. In Jesus name, amen. My dad is a pastor and I was saved at a young age.. I actually prayed the prayer and was baptized at age five and then again at twelve. I felt like not only was I not saved, but I could never be saved.. When she said that I felt love wash over me from the top of my head and go all the way down to my feet. Did I mean it when I prayed? Does my life bear witness to a life lived for Christ? Was I sorry enough for my sins? Am I not in awe of the cross enough? I am 32 and for the past year I have struggled with this too.
I believe in Jesus but at the same time I doubt. So if we doubt at the same time that we want him to save us , then will he? About 10 years to be exact. I went through almost every thought, feeling, ritual one could do or think trying to figure out how to be saved. There was a point that I came to, where I felt like it was too late to ever be saved. That my opportunity to be saved had passed by me. The belief was so strong, that my skin felt like it was burning.
I could almost feel the fires of Hell. I wondered if I could smell it too. My point in telling you this is not to frighten you. But to reach out and say, I know how you are feeling. After I came to this conclusion that I had lost my last chance of being saved, and I was doomed forever, a preacher came through my Bible College and to my amazement, his sermon was how he doubted his salvation.
How he at one point thought it was too late for Him as well. And how he found peace. After he preached, I went up to him and told him I was struggling with the same exact thing. He took my Bible and showed me what I had been missing with my understanding of Jesus. I had misunderstood the Gospel. I had turned it into one of works, not on purpose, but by misunderstanding. Satan had blinded my eyes from the truth. But when he showed me the simplicity of Jesus and what He did and accomplished on the cross for me, it all became so crystal clear.
One ministry is this website: It is the ministry of a man that severely doubted his salvation when he was a pastor even. He has some great messages and materials to go through that can and will help you. I KNOW with all my heart that you can be saved! And Yes Jesus wants to save you even though you doubt. I see this comment is just a few days old, even though this blog post is a couple of years old. I was just skimming through the comments, and saw yours and felt led to reach out to you. I do not believe this is a coincidence.
God is hearing your prayers. I will be praying for you. If you would like to correspond through email I would be happy to talk with you. My email is heather.
That site was not helpful at all. This has helped me a lot. I was saved when I was 10 after a very clear presentation of the Gospel. I have grown in Christ greatly because of the type of churches I have been a member of and because I was taught early in my youth about how to walk with God in my Bible reading and prayer. I am in a strong soul winning church where salvation is strongly emphasized.
I have always felt that this is a disservice to people like me who have many times struggled with doubts about their salvation experience. I have tried this before by the way. I have made it my habit to go to the Bible anytime I have doubts. The thing that causes me the most difficulty is when I see adult church members who have had the need to get their salvation settled. A big to do is made about them getting saved and baptized, and then we are reminded that if we have any doubts we should not fool around.
I have been raised in a Christian home and my dad is an ordained preacher. I always thought i was saved because i believed. Where are the converts? To die during surgery. I feel like it is Satan trying to break me. Other times though and still I wonder if my love for Him is only selfish and I just love His gifts. I was never into drugs, drinking , etc.
It is as if doubting is the same as being lost. I just wish someone would be honest and say that it is normal for Christians to have doubts, and that it is a attack from Satan to discourage us or to render us useless for Christ. Satan will do anything to get us to stop serving the Lord, and that includes challenging our faith. I think sometimes preachers will not cover this topic for fear that someone who truly does need salvation will misunderstand and get a false assurance.
I have a feeling that this is a bigger problem than anyone is willing to admit. I think you are spot on. What we can do is to share our own stories with those around us — we never know who it may help. It was truly God-led me finding this blog because I have been struggling for years with doubts.
I know that salvation does not hinge on how good I can be but on Jesus and His shed blood for me but still I fear. I admit I have felt true peace before. That others have the same feelings I do! You have been a great blessing to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart! So glad my story could help you. I to have struggled with this issue. I gave my heart to the Lord many years ago. I do not remember the date or year.
I do remember it was during a revival and close to Halloween. Now I have conflicting stories. Many years later I divorced my husband. I am 60 years old so I know that age is not a factor for these feelings. Thanks so much for all of the comments, I have gotten a lot of valuable info from here. I was raised in a Christian home and saved when I was around 7, I think.
I was baptized soon after, and lived in peace until I was about I did not know if I was saved, and went to the altar every Sunday praying for assurance and peace. I was ignorant about the bible, and just begged God over and over for peace and assurance. I talked with pastors and my parents and tons of people in the church, but instead of turning to God I started looking for distractions from my pain.
I fell out praying and reading my bible and I started doing and thinking bad things. I repented of the life I was living and asked God to forgive me. I still could not say that I was saved. I go through the day in torment. But I still have those thoughts and I still do not have assurance. I know how you feel. Just keep coming back to Scripture every time you doubt.
For me, it was a gradual process of seeing the doubts lessen. It took time but eventually they were just gone. Or am I not truly accepting him in my heart just in my head. What helped me was thinking back to when I was in 6th grade and I remembered asking Him to save me. I knew back then I had none of these questions and was sincere so I held on to that and kept bringing it back to Scripture. You are overthinking it and Satan is using that. Believe me I understand how hard it is. But if I doubt if I have enough faith then so I have enough faith?
If you desire to give your life to Christ and choose with your will to believe, then He will save. We need to keep coming back and back to His promises. Hope that helps a bit. If you could pray for me that I would believe on Christ and what He did for me with my heart. This was Satan attacking me. I waited a while and thought this might go away. I looked up what to do and felt like God was pushing me to look it up. I found this website after another one. I read it and understood that I needed to continue reading verses every time I doubted God until my doubts went away.
Satan will fail against my Father and Jesus will win the battle. I put some sticky notes on my wall with the verses on them. This was when ever I walk in my room I can read them and I plan to put them in my locker, lunchbox, binder and other places I often look. This way at school I can have access to them when ever I doubt. I also feel like this might help. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I felt like I needed to answer you. Do you believe in Jesus Christ and what He has done?
Your mom, dad, sibling, neighbor, teacher, preacher, etc…? Do you believe those in your life that have said He did it for them and saved them? He did it for us too.
I say us because He did it for you and me and each and everyone of us. He already did it. It is crazy to me that I am the one typing this to you. I say crazy that I am the one replying because like so many of the others who have posted, I battle horribly with doubt. All that is required of us now is what I mentioned above. We, like with so many other things in our lives, complicate things unnecessarily.
I apologize if I misquoted or misspoke anything and anyone else reading after, please, please feel free to clarify if I have clouded things or missed something or messed up in my bumbling attempt to help. I be praying eternal life waiting if you just accept Jesus. He died for you he loves you God bless! Mostly because i was told God doesnt owe me anything and people only get 1 chance sometimes. So feared that he would never draw me again. I couldnt sleep, eat, think straight or anything as i cried daily for months. I always thought i was saved because i believed. He showed me i was wrong.
He drew me to the altar time and time again, and each time i rejected for fear and pride. Then i decided to go back to church one day after 4 years i guess, Fathers Day. To die during surgery. He drew me again… this time to floor in front of me, not the altar. Went another couple years lost..
Telling myself i had time. So about a year ago, this month, i started watching Brother Charles Lawson on youtube. A wonderful preacher of God. He talked about the end times, and i watched more and more on death and salvation. The fear started returning to my heart, then about april last year i wrote him letters, and their church tellimg them my heart, and mind and how i needed prayers and help. I knew i was lost and i had to do something. Thought God was gone. Then on Fathers Day, same church, as i went last time years before on that day, i showed up hours before church was to start, and a man seen me, and called the preacher to come talk to me.
We prayed and cried out begging God to save me. Then i got home, and had a phone call from a man at Pastor Lawsons church i had been watching on YouTube. He prayed with me. I closed the Bible. Cried every tear possible, done all i could. I told him i didnt want to live one more day lost, didnt want to wake up another day lost, i told him i give up! I cant do this anymore. I beleive with all my heart you forgive me of all my sins, already have, i just do. You have to do this.. I wanted to touch him, but a wall was in my way. I threw myself off of my bed and to the floor on my knees and face.
I screamed Jesus I Love You!!! I felt such releif and joy. Saying heavenly father felt wonderful. I was trembling all over and couldnt stop crying. I felt his goodness all around me. So i had to tell someone. I called brother ronnie and gave them the news. I dont feel saved, im afraid in church, i dont know my direction, and i doubt again. I just want to know his will. I am guilty for being fearful, doubtful, and not sure what to do. Havent even been baptized, for fear of God telling me im still lost.
Have an unsaved girlfriend i live with… no fornication anymore… i made mistakes. Salvation to my mind was a thing, feeling, not him. For years i belived that. Now i get saved.. What did i do wrong?? I feel like dying sometimes. I would encourage you to search the Scriptures and claim Gods promises. Salvation is not about a feeling. And honestly it is nothing about us or what we do. It is simply trusting in what Christ already did. You trusted Him for that before, so now you must trust His promises that He will do and has done what He promises.
Hi…I too have struggled with doubts my entire Christian walk. It drives me crazy. My thoughts drive me crazy. I have few friends and only one family member, whom I know , that is close enough to me that I can speak to her about my Christianity…but I think she believes…once saved always saved.
When I was a little girl…I had soooooooooooo much love in my heart for The Lord. I spent so much time in devotions when I was a teen. I truly loved The Lord. Now as an adult of 55, I feel more confused and sometimes lost…please pray for me. I am 14 years old and I have been going to church all my life. When I was 11, during revival I was convicted. I went to the alter to pray with my nana, and I thought I was saved that night.
I started doubting my salvation about a month after. One Sunday morning when I was 13, I felt like I was being convicted again. I went to the alter to pray, and felt so much better. I started doubting again a little while after that. I still struggle with doubts. At other times I wonder if I truly am or not. I have been praying constantly, asking for the lords help. I just feel like nothing is working. Everyone makes it sound like a huge burden is lifted, but I just felt the fear go away, and it came back shortly after.
All I know is that I love the lord, and I believe in him with all my heart. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you, and God bless you! For me, there was not a huge relief either. I chose to claim Gods promises and every time I doubted I would read through the list of verses and claim them. Over time the doubts came less often…. And eventually they stopped coming back. So find verses that you can claim and trust God that He will do what He said He would. Satan torments me but I know God is guiding me through this. I feel like crying bc this has really been a big help!!!
This blog has been a blessing to me. I was 10 when I asked God to save me. I began to doubt my salvation when I was around I have struggled many many years. I am now 51 and I am a Baptist Pastor wife. Sometimes I am confident and other times not. I have prayed many times. When I started doubting when I was a teenager. I went to the altar a lot. I asked God to save me I got baptized 2 more times after my time.
I truly fought then as indo now that God saved me the very first time. I too would hear preachers say things like: I could write a book on this. I guess that was the first time I realized others are going through this. My doubts usually are brought on by something like: I know I am now. That usually get me to saying how did they know. I then start praying. I taught a Wednesday night class to the ladies at church on this.
I was amazed at the positive response I received. I could tell some struggled as I do at times. Just pray for me that God will use me to help other with their walk. I do not know why some doubt and others do not. I got saved at the age of 4 in a Fundamental Baptist Church. I remember walking to the altar, I remember who took me into the gym storage room to pray, I remember praying not the words I prayed though and I remember exactly where I sat in that storage room.
I was baptized at the age of 5. I remember a lot from this day as well. I had doubts once or twice as a teenager but was able to settle them quickly. I grew up in the same church and was under the preaching of truth all my life. Fast forward to today. I am 26 years old with a 4 and 1 year old and expecting my 3rd child. I started doubting my salvation in March of It has been a long road and I am still fighting the doubts. Thank you for the scripture references. I deal with the same thoughts you described. I have met with my Pastor a couple times as well.
We have all determined that I am saved and I need to fight Satan through the power of God on this. I have grown so much through this. I have read my Bible and prayed more than I ever have before. I have discovered so much more about who God is and how He thinks of me. God is showing me so much even though I doubt him almost daily. He really is faithful. All your testimonies have been very encouraging. I feel like I could write a novel about the experiences and doubts I have faced the last year but this is it in short.
Feelings are a fruit of faith. They will not come until we can have faith. Remember that the Word of God is powerful, it is our sword against Satan and he hates the Word of God. He knows it is truth and that is why he will flee from it. The Father of all lies cannot stand to hear pure holy truth. I was raised up in a Christian home and my family went to an independent Baptist church that preached the gospel.
A couple years later I was 9 and I was starting to wonder if I was going to heaven when I died I heard about salvation and being saved but I never really knew what it meant. I felt so hopeless and scared because everyone else around me was sure of there salvation and I just felt like I was only person having this problem.
I also realized that this feeling of doubt also comes from not reading my bible as often,not walking with God on a daily basis like I should, and living in the flesh instead of living According to Gods will. At that time I thought it was something I needed to do and felt good about it afterwards.. Now I am starting to have doubts about if God truly accepted it or not because of my lack of understanding back then.. All I knew was that there was a heaven and a hell..
And I wanted to make sure I did the right thing so I can make it heaven… Do you think this is Satan trying to play mind games on me.?
You Have Enough Faith (Stop Asking For More) - Kindle edition by Ted Bowman. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. YOU HAVE ENOUGH FAITH Stop Asking For More [Ted Bowman] on Amazon. com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. After twenty years of preaching faith.
Or do I need to get rebaptized because of my lack of understanding as a young teen.? First off being baptized cannot save you only accepting Jesus Christ to save you can send you to Heaven. Put your trust and accept Jesus and you will be saved. I have like many of you went forward to be saved many times. I have doubted most of my life. I really struggle with this. I get scared to go to revivals, tent meetings,youth meetings because they preach on Salvation. Or if people say I thought I was saved, but I realized I was not. I too grew up in church with Christian parents who never doubted.
I have sought help from everywhere. And yes sometimes u feel helpless. I pray and tell God I want assurance. I want to want to attend these services without fear. I start doubting before I ever get there. This post and these comments have been such a big help! I had claimed to be saved when I was 8. I have been raised in a Christian home and my dad is an ordained preacher.
So I got up and got my dad and went to the altar to pray. But after I prayed that night I got up from the altar and talked to my dad a little bit because I was confused again, because I was expecting some big thing o happen to me to show me I got saved. I felt so much better. I got baptized again and then a few months later I started doubting. During that time I found out my mom also struggled with doubt sometimes too. So I have been dealing with doubt for awhile and it comes in waves. Then I doubt again. But reading these posts gives me comfort and I thank god for that.
I need to spend more time with God and spend more time reading his word, and I hope others struggling with this can do the same and that they can stop doubting too. After I claimed to be saved at 8 years old I never doubted it. Satan had what he wanted. So there was no reason to make me doubt it because as long as I was actually lost but believed I was saved there was no issue for him.
As long as I ended up in hell, he was happy. But after I got saved at 14 I started to doubt. And the only way to make him feel better about that is to tear us down and make us sad as long as we are on this Earth. I have thought this about myself several times. He knows what gets us. Thank you so much for sharing this! I gave my life to the Lord when I was 14 and I have had my doubts but recently, they have hit me hard.
If we start to drift away from his word or stop talking to him through prayer, we tend to lose that peace and the world starts to get a hold of us. Once again, thank you so much for sharing this, it was an encouragement! I have been saved for years, but doubt continues to plague me. I continues to pray for chances to make sure that I am saved, but my timid nature holds me back from taking them.