Christainity

Hi there :)

I'm a member of the Presbyterian church (which is pretty close to Methodist), and I struggled a lot with my faith when I was younger. There are some great Christian listeners on here - maybe you can try reaching out to one of them to discuss the concerns/doubts you have?

I recently moved back home after graduating college. I come from a small town and a dying church. I have very few friends who are believers here. It's been a challenge for my faith. I don't exactly have anyone to mentor me or the fellowship with people my age I need. I feel like it's a big contribution to the depression I've been dealing with for the past 6-7 months. I'm hoping to find a new home church with strong small groups to get into to help restore my faith.

You may be at a point in your life where you need to research other beliefs and world views. Knowing what else is out there may form new questions for Christianity. It could very well strengthen your faith by causing you to actually own it. I know for me it was hard to really own my faith, because I was raised in a Christian home and didn't really know any different. Being exposed to different religions helped me decide why exactly I had faith in mine.

Hello there, your struggle is something that really resonates with me, having been through a very similar situation. I would love to be able to speak to you long term and I know for a fact there are many excellent Christian listeners here. I am not a Methodist, and personally but feel that domination here may not be so relevant as we are all one in Christ. It is up to you to decide if you might feel comfortable speaking to me though, however due to really limited time at the moment I can only offer a one of chat and perhaps tell you a little more about some of the things that helped me.

You know, I think sometimes focusing on the faith and belief is similar to a long car trip.

Let me explain.....

Will we make it, is the car stout enough, we might have something break, what if there is a storm? ... It all can be overwhelming.

But what of the person that just maintains the car. Ensures the weather is sorted. Fill the tank, put air in the tires, ensure the radio is working (very important!). See, this person doesn't worry about the trip. They worry about the car.

Ok, Pickle, this is very silly . Tell me what the heck that has to do with anything??

Simple. You are concerned about your faith. But you come here, as a listener. You love, you show compassion. In your daily life you are doing the right things, honestly, love, respect, a lack of greed.

If you do these things, the faith will sort itself out. Honestly. I don't give a religious affiliation because over the years I have learned that the title of our belief and its importance is nothing when compared to the simple day to day actions and decisions we make to serve, or not serve, humanity and whatever God we envision or have been taught.

You just take care of the car. The rest will sort itself out. And if, after truly serving humanity and doing the things that are serving this world you have someone convey to you that you may not be sorted with God, I would have reservations about any faith that told me that.

Take care!