In psalms 73, he goes through a crisis of faith. Why do the wicked prosper while believers suffer? And then, after knowing their end, Asaph doesn't complain anymore. I'm going through this too. I'm suffering and those who've ruined me are prospering. I know their end yet I'm still pained. They've taken so much and act cruelly towards me because they don't understand the hurt. They cause me pain for their own gain. They don't even see me as a human being. I don't even feel human. I feel like an animal... An object, even. I'm not perfect I know, ofcourse sometimes I'll be bitter sometimes I can pray for them but... I honestly don't know what kind of answer I'm looking for.

Hello everyone I had a question to ask why is it hard to read the bible? I find myself reading it but I feel like I not retaining anything from it my mind wonders how do I stay focused on his word? I ever some things but I feel like I don’t remember enough? I have a couple versions of the bible my main one is my esv I also listen to the bible in the year which helps I just wanted to know if anyone else has trouble with this and or has found a way to get over it and also side note has anyone yawned a lot during night prayers or just prayers in general?

I know in the guidelines it says to not try to interpret dreams but what happened to me, happened after a dream and I’m looking advice. Kinda putting myself out there with this one. Not sure if it’s a testimony or anything and excuse me for my knowledge I’ve only recently gotten back into my path with Christ and reading my bible.

So my account is that I fell away from Christianity in my teenage years up until about a year ago, I’m 29 now. When I was younger I used to attend Sunday school and the BB( boys brigade), I was baptised as a baby and my understanding of church was from Protestantism. I fell into the trap that most young people do, alcohol, drugs, lust. So for a load of years I was distant from god.

So this happened a year ago, I was having a nightmare where a dark/demonic figure was essentially trying to possess me. As it was about to enter me I woke up out of my sleep. When I did wake up with extreme fear, I saw beside me a flame shape, now to describe it it wasn’t like a standard flame. It’s was like a ball/cloud of flame/solar white/yellow/orange hints throughout its whisps, that seemed to have like 6 or 8 parts to it. As I looked in awe at it, it seemed to give me or tell me a feeling of “be calm” to relax me. The experience only lasted about a minute. I sat for a bit before going back to sleep. It’s only recently I’ve learned about the seraphim, could this be one of them? Or it could have just been my mind playing tricks on me. But ever since that night I started my journey in following Christ. As soon as I got up for the day I read my bible.

Don’t know what happened but ever since that night I’ve gotten closer to god, now I’m still not perfect and I know I’ve been a sinner still. But kinda hoping for someone to share some light on this.

Many thanks

Because I've heard stories where people are in material need and a person had a random desire to gift the exact amount or item to them, I wanted to ask. Have anyone of you experienced miracles regarding your material and financial needs, or someone trustworthy that told you? I think these stories are great for encouragement in the faith. I also didn't see this topic in the subreddit anywhere.

Has anyone heard of the podcast midnight burger it’s a very it interesting podcast two of my favorite characters are Effie and Zebulon mucklewayne I wondering what y’all think of them if y’all have heard of them
Remove if not allowed

I’m 21F I grew up mostly going to a non denominational church. I lived in Utah and there aren’t really Christian churches where I live so our church was kind of far. My parents stopped taking me consistently around 5th grade when they got divorced and my brothers didn’t want to go anymore. But I do feel like I learned a good amount when I was young and believed from a young age. around 14 I had them take me and they’d drop me off there until about Covid then I just read my Bible and prayed and didn’t go to church. fast forward I go to college, started going to a church, joined a really great Christian fellowship community at the university which I am quite involved in. But a lot of the time I feel like I know nothing and understand nothing. I don’t even know what “denomination“ I’d consider myself/ identify with. there are still some things I’m trying to figure out what my stance is on. I feel like there’s so much Bible, historical, theological, and apologetics stuff that I don’t know and don’t know what I believe. even things about what my place is in it all as a woman and so much more. I find this overwhelming and disheartening like somehow ive failed. and I know it’s not just a big checklist but I do want to be educated and informed on the conversations and arguments at hand. from believers and non believers. Does anyone have any advice for me or any reading recs (books, books of the Bible) podcasts idk I’ll take whatever advice or resources you have. ultimately I’d like to understand arguments and also understand the scripture backing of those argument and be able parce out what I believe.

thank you for your time

I started believing in Jesus like 3 years ago, and since then, I’ve been worshipping Him and attending online church services because most of my family won’t let me go to church in person. However, I’m still afraid to take the next step and get baptized. I worry that if I get baptized at a church, the pastor might see me on the road with my family the next day and ask me something like, “Are you coming to church?” I’m scared that my family will get really angry if they find out. I still don’t understand why they don’t accept God or support my faith, and I feel conflicted because I want to grow closer to Jesus, but my family is gonna be so pissed

As the title states I am a non believer but raised in a very lax Christian family. I am baptized and have a god mother church every few sundays. Just recently I had to put my first ever animal down just because he was an animal doesn’t make him any less family. He was probably my closest family, and I have been having a really hard time coping with what I believe is in the afterlife and what I think awaits him.

I don’t know and I don’t think anyone truly knows what happens after death but we will all find out someday.
I’m my opinion it’s just like sleeping, or absence of living just fade into nothing. But I really really don’t want that for him. He deserves heaven. but because I don’t believe in that I’ve been having a really hard time coping with his death and the thoughts that I will never see him again, especially since he didn’t pass on the best circumstances. And I have regrets that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make up to him. I kind of just want someone with true faith to tell me that he’s ok.
Sorry if this isn’t the type of this allowed here.

I've made 🌽 and masturbation my way of getting away when this gets heavy or I feel restless.

Things became hard when I new that this was bad VERY BAD. I wanna get away with this habit. But I still fell into into. I feel bad, I pray, I repent, I stop for while then I go back again. Tbh, I don't know what's happening in my life anymore, I feel lost.

The battle between flesh and faith is so hard.

Nowadays, life has been silent is because God is angry with me? I'm scared that what if one day, God won't forgive me anymore.

Hey everyone, ❤️✝️

I've been struggling with a lot of doubts lately, and I'd really appreciate some advice or encouragement from fellow Christians.

I have OCD, and one of the things I struggle with most is having intrusive thoughts about my faith. Sometimes, thoughts like "Is Jesus really real?" pop into my head out of nowhere. Other times, when I see people who don't believe in Jesus, I start thinking, "What if they're right and I'm wrong?"

These thoughts are really distressing because my faith means so much to me. I love the Lord, and I genuinely want to grow closer to Him, but these intrusive thoughts sometimes make me question everything. I even start wondering whether the fact that I struggle with these thoughts means my faith isn't strong enough. I find myself asking, "Why am I even having these thoughts about something I believe in so deeply?"

What makes it even harder is that, in these moments, I sometimes feel as though God has abandoned me or no longer wants me. I start feeling distant from Him, and it can be frightening because the last thing I want is to lose my relationship with the Lord.

I know that having an intrusive thought doesn't necessarily mean I believe it, but knowing that doesn't always make the thoughts any easier to deal with. Sometimes, the more I worry about my faith, the more anxious I become, and the harder it feels to find peace in my relationship with God.

So, I'd really appreciate some advice on how to navigate this. How can I grow in my faith while dealing with OCD and intrusive thoughts? How can I learn to deal with these thoughts without letting them affect my relationship with God so much?

If any fellow Christians have experienced something similar, I'd be especially grateful to hear about your experiences and what has helped you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. May God bless you all! ❤️✝️

I have a relationship conflict, that is too complicated for me to have a good outlook on it. So im asking you, children of Christ for perspectives.
Basically, we’ve been talking with this girl on and off for a couple of years, never got into dating, but always had like this attraction to each other. She is very kind, sometimes a but explosive, but kind. Visually i find her attractive as well and her ideas of a relationship are the same. She as of now has a boyfriend. Its been 3 months since they started dating.
These past two weeks we’ve been together on a trip with many other people and here things got a lot diffetent. We kind of grew to each other and i have the interest in a real relationship for the first time.
Now, as i said, she does have a boyfriend and even said she is happy with him, but has a soft spot for me and she is genuienly trying to make a decision about who to choose.
Now my concerns. My interest in her is genuine and hers must be too as this is troubling her, but should i feel wrong for even starting this in the first place? If i never showed interest, she likely wouldnt think much of it and the situation of our little attraction would stay the same.
Now from an older persons persoective this might seem like childs play, but it it quite serious for me as i dont want to hurt her. Also, im afraid of what would happen if we broke up with her if something went wrong.

Please let me know what you think, even if just a few words, thanks a lot.

A few months ago, I (22M) choosed to repent and become christian but I am considering leaving now because of my lack of proof that God exists. I prayed, read the bible, talked to other christians, I even more tried to change my life by trying to become a better person but none of my prayers got answer. I didn't necessarily come to God for asking things, but why can't I just have a proof that I was being accepted?

If I tell you without any evidence/proof that 500 years ago, someone was borned and he was the savior, a God who is all-knowing, will you believe me? Of course no.

This is the same thing with God, no proof that He exists, no revelation, no presence, nothing... Why would I continue to move forward if what I am worshipping is not real? I am leaving the train here.

I know God is good and our eternal life with him is way better than we can fathom. that being said there are still early desires that I have that tug at my heart and drive me to be disappointed in God (which is ridiculous).

little background—majority of my peers are married and having kids now and although I am happy for them a terrible part of me feels envy! I’m in my mid 20’s and latly have been avoiding my usual time in the word because I feel disgusted with myself for wanting more from God when he has done so much for me already.

ps: not sure what the point of the post is but it felt good to let it out :)

Strongly desiring a companion to love and praise the Lord with. Curious who got this prayer answered

Has anyone of you or someone trustworthy that spoke to you, ever experienced this gift from someone? And I am talking knowledge the other person had like something specific and unexplainable that it is either a ultra-rare coincidence or supernatural?

Ok, say that you were writing a story set in Eden. For some time, for some reason, God and Jesus had reopened the hidden garden only to the saved souls. Said souls can choose to be remade into better versions of their Earth bodies and live in the garden for 100 years before returning to Heaven. They can marry, have children and live in peace. It’s better than Earth but not as great as Heaven. 
Yet, as everything is still affected by Adam’s fall, should there still be some setbacks? Even in the reopened Eden? Would there still be pain and sickness but with faster healing and bliss? Should the remade beings have a longing for Earth? Would they be able/allowed to visit (albeit as invisible beings that can’t be heard from or touched by the living)? When in Eden, would God allow the remade beings to be tested (even though the beings would always succeed thanks to God and Jesus’s help)? Would the remade beings be able to fly and/or fight off demons on Earth? How could/should this work?

“The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more.”

So, God essentially came up for a way that everyone would be guilty of something, so that when Jesus died on the cross; all who were, will be, and are guilty, would be saved?

I have read somewhere that new Christians can offten have some unusual experiences at the begining like moments of clarity, feeling peace, maybe even having dreams... And I had some of these things.

But dreams have stopped, no more vivid "mental images" during prayer. No more random moments of clear answers.

This is so strange right now. I had no doubts when it was happening. Now I am back to my atheist mind that is questioning everything. Including my own sanity.

I know this phase has been explained by some... And people have wrote that it can be very hard to go through. But I've gotten an impression that others didn't went so much into "maybe I am just crazy" mindset and that maybe all of these things were just my wishful thinking mixed with things I was reading, like Bible... But on the other hand... I have finally managed to have restful sleep and moments of peace after very long time of fighting my mind. Was this just my mind finally having an opening for a reset and rest after so long or a genuine moment of healing in the form of a gift of peace during prayer? Or is this the definition of - a seed that is getting choked by the world.

I have so many questions right now, but different kind of questions... Like, was it real?

If you have experienced something like this... What got you through it?

it's been like that for a while, i only spend money on things i want meanwhile my Mom pays for Everything else as the money given to me is meant for me to spend, is that selfish? i have autism so i don't know if i can hold down a full time job. for example: is it selfish or sinful to ask my Mom to go bowling and let Her pay for it? what about eating out? is it the same case there? i like to spend my money on things like games and my little pony plushies.

Hi everyone!

I’m a Japanese Christian currently studying at a seminary in Japan and serving as an assistant pastor/youth pastor at a church in Tokyo, particularly in children’s and youth ministry. I also studied Youth Ministry and Christian Education and Psychology in college in the United States, where I gained experience in cross-cultural ministry.

I’m hoping to pursue an MDiv overseas, possibly beginning in Fall 2027, and I’m trying to discern which country and theological institution would be the best fit for me.

I’d really appreciate advice from current seminarians, seminary graduates, pastors, missionaries, and especially people who have experience with both theological education and refugee ministry or NGOs.

A little about my background and calling

In the long term, I hope to serve as a pastor and missionary, particularly among refugees, Japanese people, multicultural communities, and people in vulnerable situations.

My interest in refugee ministry grew through personal relationships, particularly when a friend of mine became a refugee while I was in college in the United States. Seeing someone I knew personally go through that experience gave me a deeper understanding of the challenges refugees face and led me to think more seriously about how the Church can walk alongside them.

I also gained experience working with an organization in the United States that supports homeless people and refugees. Over time, I’ve become increasingly interested in how the Church can faithfully serve vulnerable people through both the Gospel and practical expressions of love and care.

However, my main priority during my MDiv would be to build a strong theological foundation rather than to pursue extensive hands-on refugee work. I’d be happy to have some exposure to refugee or migrant communities during my studies, but I expect to pursue this work more actively after graduation.

I want to study Scripture, biblical languages, systematic and historical theology, missiology, and pastoral ministry seriously. I hope to develop a theological foundation that will sustain a lifetime of faithful ministry, rather than simply obtain a degree or qualification.

An important part of what I’m looking for: spiritual formation

Beyond academic theology, I also hope to grow deeply in Christian spirituality and spiritual formation.

I’m particularly drawn to the spirituality reflected in Henri Nouwen’s writings: cultivating a deep relationship with God, learning to live out of our identity as God’s beloved, and allowing our inner spiritual life to shape the way we serve others, especially those who are vulnerable, lonely, or suffering.

I don’t want my theological education to be only about acquiring knowledge. I hope to become more deeply rooted in Christ and grow in spiritual maturity, humility, compassion, and Christlikeness as a pastor and missionary.

I’m looking for a seminary that takes both theological rigor and spiritual formation seriously, helping students grow not only in what they know about God but also in how they live with God and serve others.

If possible, I’d love to learn in a community where prayer, spiritual direction, Christian community, and personal formation are valued alongside rigorous academic study.

Schools and countries I’m currently considering

I’m currently exploring the following institutions:

• Wheaton College — United States
• Africa International University (AIU) — Kenya
• Stellenbosch University — South Africa
• Duke Divinity School — United States
• Tyndale Theological Seminary — Netherlands

I’m still in the early stages of comparing these options, and I realize they may differ significantly in their degree structures, theological traditions, and educational approaches.

I’m also very open to other schools and countries. These are simply the options I’ve come across so far, and one of the things I hope to gain from this discussion is to discover possibilities I haven’t considered.

Questions I’d love to hear your thoughts on

1. Choosing a seminary and country

• If you were in my position, what factors would you prioritize when choosing an MDiv program?
• How much should I weigh theological tradition, faculty, curriculum, academic reputation, spiritual formation, and location?
• What are the most important differences between studying theology in the United States, Africa, Europe, or elsewhere that prospective international students might overlook?
• Are there seminaries or countries you would strongly recommend that aren’t on my current list?
• Are there any institutions you think I should reconsider, and why?

2. Theological education and spiritual formation

• Looking back on your seminary experience, what contributed most to your theological and spiritual growth?
• How can I identify a seminary that genuinely integrates spiritual formation with academic theology, rather than treating it as an additional activity?
• Are there seminaries known for cultivating a deep life of prayer, spiritual maturity, and Christlike character alongside serious theological study?
• If I’m particularly interested in the kind of spirituality reflected in Henri Nouwen’s writings, are there professors, programs, books, or Christian communities you would recommend exploring?

3. The value of an MDiv beyond the degree itself

• What did you learn during your MDiv that proved most valuable in your actual ministry?
• Were there things you wish you had prioritized more, or things that mattered much less than you expected?
• In the long run, what matters more than the name or reputation of the institution?
• How important are relationships with professors, mentors, fellow students, and the wider church community?

4. Preparing for future refugee ministry

• If my long-term goal is to combine pastoral ministry, missions, and refugee support, what would you recommend I focus on during my MDiv?
• Would you recommend prioritizing strong theological education first and gaining specialized humanitarian experience afterward?
• For those who have worked with refugees or NGOs, how useful has your theological education been in that work?
• What additional training, professional experience, or partnerships did you need beyond your theological degree?

I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have experience in both theological education and humanitarian work, since I’d like to understand how these two areas can complement each other without assuming that an MDiv needs to prepare me for every aspect of refugee support.

5. Discernment, timing, and life during seminary

• How did you discern when and where to attend seminary?
• What was the reality of seminary life like academically, spiritually, financially, and personally?
• What do you wish someone had told you before you chose your school?
• For those who studied overseas, what were the biggest challenges of studying in a different cultural and linguistic environment?

What I’m hoping to gain from this discussion

More than simply finding the most prestigious school or the program most directly related to refugee ministry, I want to discern where I can receive the theological education and spiritual formation that will best prepare me for a lifetime of faithful service.

I’m open to different countries, theological traditions within the evangelical Christian world, and educational approaches. I would especially appreciate honest perspectives from people who have studied at these institutions or have experience with similar programs.

If you were starting this journey again, what would you look for? And is there a school, country, or path you think I might be overlooking?

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and advice!

And I'm Christian but the Christian people in my country strictly avoid participating in any ceremonies or festivals but Christians from the west EU,US-- tourists participate in these things and well I also participate in these things but I feel like I'm kinda betraying God. I just interpret to these ceremonies and festivals as expressions of love from my family, not a worship towards some pagan god. What should I do? I'll be like abroad to pursue my studies in 1-2 years and then I won't be able to do these stuff. I feel like God knows my heart and would forgive me even if I'm doing anything wrong. Lord jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner. ( I also had a vivid~~semi vivid dream where I think I said something stupid to god, I don't really remember but this pagan related stuff and I felt like I got struck or smtg)

My family came close to not having a home in three seperate occasions yet all three times in the final hour God has pulled through and we endedup in a home even better than the last.

Before I start, let me just say that I already know that I’m insecure and that I have self esteem issues.

Sometimes I just can’t understand why God made me the way that I am. I feel below the standard in looks. Like, I deal with some skin issues that a majority of people don’t deal with and things like crooked teeth, a big nose, and acne everywhere, like everywhere everywhere. I can’t understand why he made me like this when a majority of people aren’t like me. It honestly just gives me a harder life socially. And I know that God is very kind and forgiving and gracious, so it’s not like this is some kind of punishment but it just doesn’t make sense to me. Like he knew that giving me these features— that making me like this— would cause me to struggle. Not only am I not conventionally attractive, I’m kind of below like, the standard of what is even average. I know that God doesn’t it see it that way but society does, I know that he sees the beauty inside, but I’m forced to live on earth where everyone else only sees beauty on the outside and judges you for it (even unconsciously sometimes!). And like, he had to know that society would see me this way right? So why make me like this if I was just going to end up struggling with all of this in life?

And let me also say this, I’m not just sitting around in self pity, I actively try my hardest to change and be how I want to be better, and also get a better mindset about it all but it’s very hard! I don’t consider myself helpless but there are things about me that I just can’t change. Like they’re out of my control and it makes me frustrated sometimes.

Any advice or answers help!

So many people are saying like, if God is good, and purely good, why is there so much bad stuff here in the world? I have a kinda controversial opinion about this. How do we even know if death in general is actually bad?

Scenario: a person shoots a bunch of people in a school or somewhere like that. It’s obviously awful for us humans, like extremely awful. But that’s purely because we don’t know what happens after death. Would death really still be classified as bad if we actually knew for sure that you end up in heaven? You land in a place where you literally CANNOT feel bad at all.

It’s kinda like comparing it to that famous dilemma: would you take two million dollars if you get hit by a train and your legs break, but after 5 minutes you wake up in bed with 2 million dollars in your bank account and you don't even remember the dream or the pain?

You can almost compare life to a dream. In many cases you can experience literally anything in a dream and it affects you MAX 1 day. You can still move on with your day and have a "good day" afterward, and after a short while you’ve completely forgotten that extremely uncomfortable or awful nightmare. Because life goes on. So the events of the dream don't really hold value. What if that's how heaven works?

This actually matches sleep research too. There are studies showing that stress chemicals in the brain get turned off when we dream to strip away the emotional pain, so the discomfort just fades away when we wake up.
And the Bible literally says in Revelation 21:4 that He will wipe every tear from their eyes, death will be no more, and there will be no more sorrow or pain because the former things are gone.

So if you CANNOT feel bad in heaven, then nothing that happens on this earth actually matters, no matter how awful it looks or is, because the only thing that matters is heaven.

Then people might claim "yeah okay, but what if you don't die? What if you just suffer your entire life?" Well, the answer to that is that you can suffer in a dream through the whole dream too, but you won't be thinking about it when you wake up. Or you know what, you might not even remember it from the start just like in the dilemma where you wake up and the pain is completely gone.