help?

[Zackywacky]

First off, i would like to start with this post is NOT a challenge to God or anything so please dont take it that way.. Also maybe there was another post(s) like this one, if so im sorry for the repeat. Okay here i go..
Im starting my Junior year of highschool coming this fall, and i was raised Catholic, and i even went to Catholic school until my sophmore year of highschool. However around 8th grade i suppose i found it harder and harder to beleive in God, and i spend a lot of time reading stuff online trying to convince myself there is a God, or just thinking deeply, and every so often even praying about it, but i think that I really have lost my faith. I truely want to beleive in a God but my life has been, or atleast felt, really rough the past year, and especially the past few months and even when i look at it, i know it seems a lot worse than it really is but i've been having a lot of trouble and feeling alone, and i feel like God isn't really there for me, or listening. I know i sound totally EMOOOO my bad, im not really. But i was wondering if anyone had a similar period of time, which they overcame and found their faith, and if so how did you do it? Anyway, sorry about the exaggerated emo-kid-ness but its a legitamite (sp?) question.
Thank you very much for your time...

[Sasa]

Yea I'm going to be a Junior as well next year. (2010 baby)

Its your choice to believe in god or not but hes always there to listen to what you have to say and how he helps you is how you take it.

[jp44]

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.' So we may say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 3:5, 6

Hey buddy, I had a hard time when I was a senior in HS. I broke my leg beginning of football season. Football was my life, all of the recruiting stopped. And, my father and I had problems, I felt like I was going nowhere, it was always one negative thing after another. Although I did recieve a scholarship and went and played it all kept piling on. I was in a very very deep depression. I questioned the same as you. Well enough about that. All I can say is even though it seems like God is not there, he is. He will get you through, maybe the hard way, but it is only to make you a strong person. But like Sasa said, its defintely your choice whether to keep believing or not, he will be there.

Hope it helps you out a bit.

[Xflyboy]

Even though I'm not Catholic I understand what you going though, Ive been there myself. Its not always easy balancing a relationship with God and all your other priorities at the same time. The best advise I can give is to pray, read the Bible, and seek God, ask him to renew your spirit. Do you have an active church life? Have you ever thought about visiting other churches? Just give these things a try, it cant hurt...

God Bless you, and may you find the reconnection you seek!

[naughty m]

another thing to remember is when you accept Christ, it doesn't mean life is to become a walk in the park. God will challenge and test you every day. this builds our character and strength as Christians. I have this quote taped to the wall of my office (my job is a pretty big stresser sometimes...)

"The will of God will not carry you where the grace of God will not protect you."

These challenges are put in front of you for a reason, He has a goal. And, no matter what, He loves you!

[KajedAnimal]

In order to grow in your faith we need that time where we feel that God is not with us. He really is but it's just out perception of a situation. I would compare it to when you are training a small child to ride a bike. At first you have to be there the whole time while he is developing his balance and strength in his legs to be able to ride on his own. After a small time period the parent or teacher will be able to let go for short periods of time while the child continues to pedal thinking the parent is still hanging on. Usually the child will panic when he finds out that the parent is not hanging on. In reality the parent is near by waiting and wanting to protect him. It's not unusual for the child to fall a few times before he gets enough faith in his parent or teacher's guidance to do it on his own. God can be seen as our parent...he knows that in order to us to grow in faith, wisdom, and strength that he has to let us go and experience life on our own. We will get hurt but if we continue to have faith God will send his guidance our way as long as we keep trying. During these times we are to seek out his wisdom and security through the Bible, other fellow Christians, and through prayer. And remember that just because you don't feel or see God with you during certain times in your life doesn't mean he isn't there. He is waiting for you like a good parent to hug you and tell you you've done a great job. If you fall he will be there with the band-aids and will help you get back on the bike. :)