How to have faith

Firstly I want to say how much I am enjoying the One course. I have never been to a course like it before and although I was brought up in a christian family I have never had the basics explained. Thanks to the friend who brought me along (you'll know who you are!)

I suppose the question or thoughts I want to post come from the fact that I want to believe in something but something seems to be stopping me - hence why I came on the course. My best friend is a christian and she took me along to her church at Uni, and then I went to a church on and off a few years ago but somehow I seem to get myself involved and then find myself drifting away from it again so not sure what I can do - I seem to have a lack of dedication!

Any thoughts or sharings of similar experiences gratefully received.

You are definately not alone!! i think most people can relate to that Em, most people (myself included) found, or still find, themselves drifting closer to an answer or faith, and then drifting away again. It's like being on a swing trying to reach for something!! You get that little bit closer and then the swing swings away again!

The answers arent simple...first off it's important to look at what's keeping you from reaching Him. These could be;

- Questions you still have about Him
- Past hurt about something
- Distractions that take up time you could spend looking
- A lack of knowledge of how to actually reach Him

The first one can be dealt with partially on this website and in One, but dont forget we'll always have questions or things we dont get! Wait for the last week to hear about this!!

The second one is tough. If there's something going on you want to talk through, I suggest finding the friend who brought you to One and talking it over with them, maybe letting them pray for you a bit.

The third one only you can deal with!! We're not talking about ditching the TV and living like a monk...it's more like just making time to give God a try...maybe 10 minutes of trying to read a book in the bible each day and 5 minutes of trying to pray...something like that. Only by actually trying out the faith will you know if it works or not!

The last one isnt really appropriate because you're on the right track...you're searching, you're learning stuff, so you're in the right place!!!

Everything starts off slow - very rarely does God blast down and say "HEY EM, I'M GOD" unfortunately...it's usually a slow process of coming to know Him - the important thing is that you're in the right place and on the right track to find Him - keep coming along to the weeks and see what happens!!!

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"For me, to live is Christ - to die is gain" Philippians 1 v 21

Hi Em,

Good question and one I've heard before. I pretty much agree with what Matt said, but I'd like to add one more thing.

No matter how many questions you get answered, and no matter how well you think you've got the whole "Christian" thing sussed - you are unlikely to "think" yourself into a relationship with God. Ultimately, no matter how much you know, there is always that last step of faith required. That's the way God intended it - he wants us to CHOOSE a relationship with him, not find out that it's a watertight case and so become a Christian by default. There will come a point when you reach the end of your understanding, and you just need to give your life to Him with faith that he'll be there and it'll be the right decision. It's scary - but SO worth it.

God bless you as you search and get closer to Him, Em - just keep looking and asking those questions!