What was it that got you to be spiritual minded?

Would you like to share your experience? Are you in the faith you were raised in? Did you become interested in God due to your anxiety, a trauma, depression or just interest?

My story below.

V.

That's something interesting to think about. I was baptized Catholic when I was a baby which doesn't really mean anything to me because it wasn't my decision. I was not raised "religous" and did not go to church as a child. When I was in grade 4, I had a teacher who was Catholic and I just loved him - he was such a wonderful person that I became interested in church and God. If such a great person followed God, then imagine how great God must be! That same year, my mom was dating a man who went to Catholic church and I decided to join him, even though my mom never went. It was not the place for me, but I was still interested in learning about God. A few years later when I was old enough to babysit, the people I babysat for were quite religious and they talked to me about Jesus and brought me to their church. I realized their church was not for me, but I was still interested in God. A couple years later in high school I met a girl who boarded with a family and they were all neat people who went to a Baptist church. At that point I was old enough to realize that God was in my life for good. And again, even though their church was not for me, I felt I had established something that I'd never lose.

I still am pretty unknowledgable when it comes to the Bible but the desire is there to keep learning. I'm lucky to have a couple people to help me out with that.

That's my story in a nutshell. How did you get to be spiritually minded Victoria?

Hi V.

I've been a Christian all of my life, but nothing has brought me closer to God than dealing with this anxiety/depression. When you are at the bottom of the well, the only place you can look is up! I certainly do not believe that God caused my anxiety (or my other chronic illnesses), but I do believe that he can use it to bring me closer to him and to help others. One of my favorite sayings is, "God does not waste suffering." I've also recently read a lot of Christian inspirational books dealing with suffering, emotional pain, hope, etc. that have helped me a lot. Prayer and reading these books sometimes gets me through the day.

Oh, to answer the other questions, I grew up Baptist, married a Catholic, and became a Lutheran!

Dear Girl and Others Interested,
I found it interesting to read your story in a nutshell. Thanks for sharing it with us. I wish you well in your Bible discussions. Acts 17:11. You are doing a right and good thing.
You've got a good heart as seen by your story.

Well, I guess since you asked how I got to be spiritual minded, it's my turn. LOL Can't ask others to tell and not do so myself.

When I was nine years old there were Bible study classes in my school. For the most part the other kids were of a Christian faith. Most of our neighbors were nice families of the Catholic faith with whose children I played with.

My mom was raised by an Aunt who was Catholic in Czechoslovakia since her parents both died of illness when she was a young child. One parent was Catholic and the other Jewish from what she can best recalls.

Mom married a wonderful a man of the Jewish faith. But neither practiced the faith. As a child I never saw the inside of a synagogue or a Catholic Church. Nevertheless, Jews do not believe in Jesus Christ although they believe in the Messiah. That is most interesting in itself since the Messiah and Christ are the same person. Any way back to the topic at hand. LOL

One day (9 yrs. old) I came home from school asking mom why we don't believe in Jesus. Mom couldn't give me the answer because she didn't know. And my mom was always truthful with me. I was very blessed to have a wonderful childhood with loving parents. So, mom asked our Catholic neighbors why they believed in Jesus. They sincerely wanted to answer her but didn't seem to be able to. One handed her the Bible and said she'd find the answer there. However, this dear neighbor didn't know where there was. And you know how big the Bible is.

It was at that time, through my elementary school, that mom met another parent who was just studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. Mom got so excited when she heard she was studying the Bible although mom didn't know anything of the Witnesses except that she recieved a magazine from them years earlier that she found very interesting.

Mom invited her for coffee so they could talk. This woman was shy and concerned as she herself was a new student of the Bible. So, she brought the one teaching her the Bible with her. The one she brought was married to a man that studied to be a Rabbi prior to becoming a Witness (thus did not become a Rabbi). He was also a lyric writer of a couple of popular songs at the time. His wife was able to show mom scripturely why, as a Jew, she could believe in Jesus. She was shown many scriptures which included Isaiah 53.

Needless to say, she was able to answer all mom's questions from the Bible. Therefore, mom could accurately answer mine. So, that's how we became Witnesses.

I got baptised at 12 as a result of studying the Bible and sharing in teaching it likewise. Matthew 28:19, 20. I was never forced just lovingly directed. The choice was mine and still is. My husband was of the same faith when I married him as are my children.

Regarding spirituality and anxiety:
I have been able to draw comfort from the scriptures as I built my faith and hope in a better future.

I have been able to draw comfort from the scriptures from individuals who faithfully edured trials. I thus learned that God is loving and does not cause the trial although he may allow it temporally. I see it as an opportunity to show him that I love him in spite of circumstances.

I find relief from the scriptures reading that God understands our limitations, be they physical or emotional, and asks for no more than what we can do with our circumstances as long as our
lives and beliefs are in harmony with his Word.
I've learned that he is merciful even if one would slip and repentedly come back.

My life is filled with so many precious memories and experiences as a Witness that could fill a book. A time or two I would become spiritually low/weak. But it was then when either my husband or a friend would lift me up and remind me why things are happening in these times we are living in. --Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 They would encourage me to keep the faith and my integrity. And perhaps because of knowing me they believed in me. Thus they helped me to believe in myself regarding keeping the faith. Therefore, although imperfect, I have never left my dedicated relationship with God and his high standards of morality or deviated from my scriptural beliefs.

Oops, my story is a little bigger than a nut shell. More like a coconut!

Thanks for asking.

I look forward to hear from others their experiences as well.

Victoria

quote:

Originally posted by Victoria:
[qb]
Oops, my story is a little bigger than a nut shell. More like a coconut!

Thanks for asking.

I look forward to hear from others their experiences as well.

Victoria[/qb]

LOL! A coconut is great. Thanks for telling us your story.

Hi Suz,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to this post. As I wrote my own experience you can see that we think along the same lines when it comes to our appreciation for God and spiritual inspiration. I whole heartedly commend you for this. And you included in your answer prayer which is an outstanding way to express our anxiety and thanks to God. You remind me of Philippians 4:6-7 which says "not to be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication".

I am so very sorry to read of your suffering with a chronic illness. As you may know from the scriptures there will be a time when "no resident will say: 'I am sick.'" --Isaiah 33:24. Perhaps it is this hope that keeps you going. And if I can be of any encouragement by providing you additional verses please ask.

You yourself are inspiring as you have a positive outlook in spite of your illness.

With gratitude,
Victoria

quote:

Originally posted by Victoria:
[qb]What was it that got you to be spiritual minded?

Would you like to share your experience? Are you in the faith you were raised in? Did you become interested in God due to your anxiety, a trauma, depression or just interest?

My story below.

V.[/qb]

Victoria,
Another great topic. I never grew up going to church. I prayed a little pray at night, but didn't think I was really talking to anyone. Or it didn't feel like I was talking to anyone at the time! I figured I was a good kid, so I would go to heaven or wherever you go when you are good.

Anyway, when I was 18 or 19, I met a good friend of mine during a summer job I had. She started lighting the fire... I started going to her Bible studies, and then our job stopped and I didn't put any more effort into it. I went off to college and while living in the dorms, started going to Bible studies in our hall. This helped me even more, but I still wasn't convinced. Then, I met another good friend when I turned 20 and went through this weekend retreat thing...which got me moving again a little bit more. I started kind of reading more about the Bible and praying more...but still not understanding much. When I was 22 I had a really bad panic attack, and that's when I went to God. One of my good friends (another one) and I met to do Bible studies. My anxiety and panic was so bad at that point. I thought I was going to die. My friend told me about being saved. So I figured I was going to die, so why not become saved. So I did it. I told God that I would follow His word.

I started reading the Bible more and praying for His help in getting over this aweful condition. The following spring I got the program. I went through a terrible depression which I won't get into, but it was pretty bad. I prayed that He help me get out of it. (No meds, no doctors.) He did. (I am getting teary eyed now.) It took weeks to get out of my depression, but He was there...right there the whole time.

What's funny is that I told one of my friends who I have known since 2nd grade that I became saved and she said that she had been praying for me to find God since we were little. Still gives me goosebumps!

Anyway, I am 24 now, and I try to attend church regularly and read the Bible. I am not perfect in this, in that I feel awkward about going to church. I mean, I have never belonged to a church. I don't know what I should do. I don't even know the stories that everyone else should know. Granted I know more than I did, since I have read from the Bible, but I'm pretty stupid when it comes to this stuff. I wish I had friends down here who could help, but I am at a loss in what I should do. I'm not one to go up to people and start a converstaion at church because I feel stupid in that I don't know too much about it. I just try to read the Bible when I have time and I pray. Giving thanks to Him for when I did not know Him, for He has always been with me!

Since all of this, I have relied on God for many things and He's been right there. His answers not always coming right after asking, but answering me in His own time. Anyway, sorry this is so long LOL I just thought I would share.

Thanks V,
Take care!
Cindy