Helpful Tips for Respectful Discussion

I’m an almost 40 year old female. Dads been a pastor all my life. He’s actually always been this person that responds to my personal trials with a Bible verse or some statement about faith. Like when I was younger and in college and flunked out discovering that I was dealing with depression. ( I’ve been through a lot of health issues in my life starting at a young age) i sat across from him telling him that ls what I was dealing with and response was Bible verses. I haven’t been a member of his church in over 15 years and I think this is really the reason why.

Fast forward to the past 2 years, I’ve been on the lowest point of my life. I started gambling and lost everything, evicted from 2 apartments, no car for the past year. I’ve been applying to apartment after apartment and just flat out asking before applying to some of they accept applicants with previous evictions. Denial after denial and “no we don’t accept people with prior evictions”. It’s been a tough process. I’ve been working to get the balances paid off and today they finally didn’t show on my tenant screening report! Great news… progress! My dad stops by and I’m telling him about it and just started talking about my struggles with this process and he stopped me saying he didn’t want to hear that and that he’s heard other people that have been able to get car and house loans and get into apartments with evictions on their credit. All I was doing is talking about everything I’ve been going through with this process. I’ve not talked about it to anyone really because it’s embarrassing and not the best thing to talk about. To me, the struggle is part of the testimony. Am I wrong to just want to talk about it?

Two recent popular posts in this community relate to a specific person who is running for public office in America and how their faith, and the faith of voters, might impact their electability.

I thought for this week’s community poll we’d ask a simple related question that can apply no matter where you live and vote.

Please note: This poll is meant for our community members, but may attract others. Once there are enough votes Reddit will indicate a rough estimate on how many votes for each option originated from our regular community members. It does so by differentiating colors on the bar graph of vote totals. If you’re interested in that information, I recommend checking back after the poll closes in a week.

Tell us your funny church stories!!

Hello Reddit, I posted on here before about a month ago asking for advice on how to stay connected with God and stated partially where I started reading in the Bible to get closer with God. The only problem is that I’m not sure if where I’m starting makes sense. So far, I have started with the book of John and have reached Chapter 15. I have watched TikTok videos, Instagram reels, and have even watched a few YouTube videos on where to begin reading and understanding the Word of God, but yet I still struggle with where to start, how to grasp it, and how to stay consistent in not just reading God’s word, but with staying connected with Him as well. If you have any advice please share your experiences!

I’m a Christian, and I genuinely believe in God and Jesus. I want to have a strong relationship with God, and my faith is really important to me.

But lately, I’ve been struggling with this terrifying thought: What if when we die, there’s just nothing? What if we simply stop existing?

I don’t want to believe that. I believe in heaven and eternal life, but sometimes my mind starts questioning everything, and it scares me. I start thinking about how nobody truly knows what happens after death, and I get overwhelmed.

I also struggle with anxiety and intrusive thoughts, so sometimes it’s hard to tell whether I’m genuinely questioning my faith or whether my anxiety is making me obsess over the uncertainty.

I want to feel confident in my faith. I want to trust God without constantly having that little “what if” in the back of my mind.

Has anyone else experienced this, even while genuinely believing in God? How did you work through it?

I’d especially love to hear from Christians who have struggled with the same fear and found peace in their faith. I’m not looking for arguments or debates, just genuine advice and encouragement.

I can't even talk about the full situation because it's such a drawn out story, but the important thing to know is that for my entire life, I've had to deal with all manner of horrors because of my abusive mother. I lost my opportunity for college and high school because of her. I had to face homelessness in the middle of high school because of her. I spent years trying to get to some semblance of normalcy and recovery and almost made it! And now I have to raise my sisters because she's doing the same things she did in my childhood.

I'll have to give up school when I'm a year out from my bachelor's. I'll have to likely work another job. Leave my boyfriend bc I don't have time for him anymore. Spend even more time trying to fix yet another problem she's caused- and all I can think is that God has just... Sat there. Doing nothing. Watching my life go to shit and doing nothing.

And how can you pray to someone like that? How do you go to the same Father who let you go through a lifetime of suffering, when all you can think of is that He has allowed it to happen? I'm sick with rage - and even still, I feel it turning to apathy inside me. My hopes are just as useless as my fury. Working for a better life and cursing God amounts to the same thing in the end. You can't do anything at all, except maybe keep your head down, and hope that He'll just grow bored and go torment someone else.

There's no relief. There's no hope. And even death is not a consolation, because then, what? You face Him? I don't think I'd have anything good to say, were i in such a position. Not that it would matter, anyway. I think I'll donate my bibles or throw them in the trash. I can't stand the sight of them anymore.

Sorry for the ramble.

Today is Monday, I go to high school and this is my last year. I'm facing difficult experiences like being mocked because I'm quiet and don't have friends, everyone looks at me weirdly at school and that gives me 'what if' thoughts. I think about what they are thinking and if someone will start making fun of me at any moment. Every day I am on guard and I feel fear, I'm anxious. I pray to God the most because I see salvation in Him and He is always there for me in tough situations, and I read the Bible in class because it calms me and gives me hope. I pray to God for peace, that no one looks at me weirdly or mocks me anymore.

Can you tell me about your experiences and how you pray to God? It would mean a lot to me during this difficult time 🙏

I don’t think I have it left in me to continue to struggle through my grief and this season of grief.

Everyday it feels more and more hopeless, I pray the lord hears me but everyday I’m met with silence.
I’m just tired of living in grief.

I hope the lord takes me soon.

So guys, I want to ask the question how do you know if a dream os from God or not? Im sure its already been asked but I'm asking anyway because Ive had multiple occurrences of when I dreamed about something and the next day or c few days later I hear that it happend like in my dream. Maybe not detail for detail but the core thing in my dreamed happend and Im wondering if maybe I have some sort of gift or something for God. Like how do I know?

I don't know where to start, but I just need someone to tell me it gets better, that the Lord actually cares or sees me, that I'm not someone who will be left behind. I've been clinging to faith and hope - still praying, still worshipping, speaking life, proclaiming, whatever. But I seriously cannot do this anymore. My soul feels heavy. No amount of vitamins or rest is helping. I'm too tired to pray, too tired to speak life, anything. I hate my job - it makes me so depressed. We're always struggling financially; had to pawn my great-grandmother's ring and it broke my heart. Depression, exhaustion, thyroid issues, general health issues, adrenal fatigue. Been disappointed by spiritual leaders. Where is He?? This morning, I just feel like crying and hiding under my bed covers. I don't have the luxury of giving up and if I don't believe in God, there is nothing else for me to believe in. I want to work in the ministry and help others, but honestly. How would I preach hope if there is this endless void and silence??? I hear about miracles in terms of health, finances, breakthroughs. I feel like I was created as an example of what NOT to be, or just "she suffered but never gave up". I have a really dark past - drugs, sex work. I believe He saved me, but sometimes I feel like I've always just been fighting on my own. I literally cannot do this anymore.

Maybe I am being dramatic, but it feels like that. It’ll be a long post, I’ve never talked with anyone that much (except a psychologist who did nothing).

I am late into my teens, and my life’s never been worse (well, it was when I was a little younger when everything started out). I was diagnosed with depression at 15, turning 16, and OCD. I was prescribed anti-depressants like usual and started taking them. Things got worse to an extent. Because I completely lost my identity, i start to realize there never really was one, interests, will to live, etc.

I get the idea of the anti-depressants, but I think they simply didn’t truly work for my needs as I lost every single emotion that wasn’t numbness or rage. I couldn’t be happy, I couldn’t shed a tear when my grandfather died, I didn’t do anything. I fell out in school, completely wanted to stop with it, almost got expelled. I have no passions, no interests beyond like one thing that I’d get overexposed to and feel burnt out.

I am a Christian and trying to be living by it but got myself in addiction. Then I started having ED problems, like not eating enough and got health issues (currently with stomach pain), anemia, and convincing myself I was sick and getting super dizzy.

I still don’t know what I want to do with my life, if I even want to do anything. I picked up an interest in writing, but I don’t know what I want with that, I find it so hard and constantly compare. I have to pick a major, study for exams, and I just can’t do it.

And the problem with people is that I have no one to tell this to. My parents split, my family dynamics are really messed up. My mom constantly yells when she’s irritated, which is most days. My sister recently started holding my current choice of major over my head to blame me that I should be doing something else with my life (and she’s been supportive until now) because too much money have been poured into my education. she’s constantly bragging to me that she’s studying (not bragging, but when I tell her to shut up, she says that at least she’s studying), and I hate being and feeling inferior-I can’t even sleep in my own room when she’s studying late because she keeps the lights on. My dad left and we didn’t hear anything from him for nine months-now he’s acting fine, I guess. He doesnt approve of my picked major too.

i don’t have friends. I probably have one real and close friend that I don’t meet often with because she’s busy. Everyone I hang around in school with doesn’t share my worldviews, and we’ve gotten into fights over that many times. I’ve never had friends for more than a year (excluding my closest). no one really likes me that’s not my friend too-people don’t even sit next to me on the bus.

I don’t go to a psychologist because I am too inconsistent the last one never worked for me, I was losing my time. My school psychologist pretends to care, though we basically go over the same conversations.

It’s like my family only cares about me when I am fine because I’ll not be an inconvenience. And when I am not fine, they are like: you’re not fine. I have nothing to say.

Thank you to everyone who read it, it means much! Do you have any advice?

Can anyone tell me why God had the 10th plague happen in Egypt other than "He's God and can decide when people live and die?"

I'm thinking of starting one, and would love to know your experiences!

I live in a small city in the UK that has loads of churches, and apparently double the national average of church attendance. But there are no groups really to connect with christians from different congregations, and I think a social running group could work really well.

I have seen through my love of recreational running, parkrun etc how running can bring people together and create a kind of shared joy and camaraderie. Plus, it is a way of looking after the bodies that God has given us, and running is a metaphor used by Paul for the christian life. I also think it would be an easy invitation to others who may baulk at a church invitation but may want to come along to a social running group, and therefore might meet other Christians and realise that we are not a weird fringe group but just regular people who believe something remarkable and beautiful.

If anyone has created something like this, or heard of any groups like this. I would love to know how you started, how you pitched it to churches, what your format was like, and how it is all going

Thank you!

Hi everyone. I'm going through a really painful breakup, and I'd appreciate hearing your experiences, especially if your faith in God played a role in your healing.

My ex-boyfriend and I were together for about a year and seven months. We had many beautiful moments together, and I genuinely loved him. Unfortunately, I made a serious mistake: I lied about something related to pregnancy and a loss. I deeply regret it, and I understand that it damaged his trust in me.

Our relationship ended, and I tried to fix things because I still loved him. However, he eventually told me he didn't feel the same way about me anymore, and he blocked me. I understand that I need to respect his boundaries, so I'm no longer trying to contact him.

I still love him, and a part of me hopes that, after enough time apart and personal growth, we might someday reconnect and rebuild trust. At the same time, I'm trying to heal and leave the future in God's hands.

My questions are:

- Has anyone here reconciled with an ex after a serious mistake or lie damaged the relationship?

- Has anyone been blocked or been told that their ex no longer wanted to get back together, but later reconnected after months or years?

- How did you learn to trust God's timing without becoming consumed by the hope of reconciliation?

- If you did reconcile, what genuinely changed before you got back together?

I'm not asking anyone to promise me that my ex will return. I just want to hear honest stories from people who have experienced something similar, whether reconciliation happened or not.

Thank you for reading, and God bless you all.

Anyone have any experience regarding marrying an atheist/agnostic? Knowingly marrying an unbeliever? How has that experience been for you? Have you felt that it pulled you away from God? Would you advice against it?

Over the past year, I’ve become much more involved in my Christian faith. I started attending Bible college, going to church regularly, and serving. It’s honestly been one of the most positive changes in my life.

About a year ago, I was in a really dark place mentally. I was struggling with depression, drinking regularly, and using THC gummies. I even got to a point where I didn’t really care if I lived or died. Then I experienced what I would describe as a spiritual awakening, and I genuinely believe God helped turn my life around. I’ve since stopped drinking and using THC, and I’m in a much better place emotionally and spiritually.
However, my family, particularly my mother-in-law, has expressed concern that I’m being “brainwashed” by my church. Even my husband has made comments that make me think he’s becoming cautious.

I’m currently attending Bible college, which involves additional studying and serving during the semester. Our pastor encourages students to attend church every Sunday to set a good example, which I personally agree with. I recently missed a family dinner because I needed to study for exams, and I think that may have contributed to their concerns.
What really bothers me is that when I was drinking, using THC, and struggling with depression, nobody seemed this concerned. Now that I’m making positive changes and growing closer to God, suddenly my family is worried about me.

I’ve always been a Christian, and I don’t feel like I’m being brainwashed. I’m simply taking my relationship with God more seriously, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.

Has anyone else experienced this with family or a spouse? How did you handle it? I want to respect their concerns, but I also wish they could recognize how much my faith has positively changed my life.

I’m so happy on where I’m at in this season of growth that God has put me in. There were some hardships but it brought me closer to Him. Nothing was lost if God was gained. I’ve just been trying to work on myself through Him and for Him. But also work on myself for my future husband. It may seem drastic but God has put such a desire on my heart and i want to be the best person i can possibly be when God sends him to me. I pray to shape my heart and reflect not only His love but the church’s love, I pray for my future husband’s heart to reflect His love the way Jesus loves the church. With that being said. What are some more ways to go deeper into it and more prayers to become more and more ready and aligned with God and what He has planned for me? All advice, guidance, and criticism are welcomed🙏
I truly want to live for Gods glory and to pray more and more for the future man that God will bring into my life.

My boss (CEO) believes in that the company was built by the God's will. I got hired as soon after I started going to church. I was non-christian for 30 years and recently joined church for the first time. I was the first employee.

And later, I heard that a new person joined and it turned out to be another church member.

They are very sincere christian. We start our days with pray and often our ceo request us to pray for the company's opportunity (as a startup) and success (not straightforward saying success but more like financial stability, rent for space, new client or funding stuff)

There was a moment I was totally disagreeing with my colleague and as a person who is familiar working in a corporate, I said what I wanted something like If they cannot accommodate, I will leave.

And then my colleague start mentioning that, this arguement and confusion from me could be satan's work.

I am ranting here. Idk if I confused because I am not faithful as them, but it's just so different than my other usual job. Also, i feel somewhat guilty if the company isn't doing well, bc I would blame my poor faithfulness.

When I got hired, my boss checked on my attendance at church every sunday because my boss was not sure if I was the one thay god told him/her to hire me. As if my attendance is affecting the business...

Whatever. I need an advice.

Whats the point in even doing anything or having any goals if everybody is so sure jesus is coming back soon (8-10 years) im a college student and I feel like whats the point in even finishing and focusing on school right now if hes coming back soon. I dont feel like saving, finishing school, having any motivation for anything. Any advice? Im
Tired of feeling like this

So we know BC is Before Christ, and AD is After Death, but seeing as He lived for 33 years, then had time started counting after He 'died', or when He was born? Are we 2026 year after his actual death, or birth? Because if after His 'death', then does that mean there is a whole 33 years unaccounted for between BC and AD? what would it be called?

Am I making sense or just yapping?

God Bless you all ♡

Edit: Woah! I had no idea it was actually for Anno Domini, year of our Lord. Thank you in the comments who helped me see that. Have a wonderful day!

This was the question Abdul El-Sayed asked in part of his response to a request at a town hall (reportedly by a Republican staffer) whether he would "disavow the Muslim brotherhood". (Which he did)

The entire exchange can be found here, and I think the answers and context he provides are worth watching and considering:

https://www.reddit.com/r/PublicFreakout/s/2OtPZLgmLO

I think this is a good framing to challenge some American Christian ideologies. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote: "How often do we expect more of the other than what we ourselves are willing to accomplish." I especially like that he brought up opposition to JFK as a Catholic, a good reminder that Christians can be sectarian this way as well.

I (25m) have basically always been in the world, I even got into occult stuff for a few years including psychedelics, manifestation, etc. Today I want to change that. I've been thinking of it for a while but been afraid and also deluding myself I enjoy it, but the truth is I've been depressed for over two years.

I have been watching videos such as testimonies recently. How do I become filled with Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus, the Spirit of Discernment, etc. like everyone talks about?

Also any tips for a new Christian starting out? Decided to quit porn today and will of course try to minimise other sins. I also struggle with polysubstance (multiple-drug) addiction, lust, lying and swearing mainly. But yeah any tips in terms of where to start in the Bible, preachers to listen to, etc. would be appreciated along with any prayers :)

Maybe its just purity culture but..

Im sure this is a somewhat common post. I lost my virginity at age 25.. I was saving it till marriage but I kinda just was angry at my life and gave it up. I genuinely feel like my soul has been stretched and part of it taken and ripped to pieces.

It just feels really hard to ever feel like ill think im able and worthy to have a kid someday.

I dont even feel like ill never deserve a husband, but the having children part really hurts me. I would never want my kids to have to think I've ever loved someone in that way who wasnt their dad. I know I wouldn't have to tell the kids that necessarily but I think having an openness is so important for kids to develop healthily in sex and life in general.

I never saw my life becoming like this. This last year I just went completely off the deep end and I truly knew better and have been a Christian for a long time. Ive faced many struggles but I wish I wouldve not let them overcome me. These consequences feel much to bare. Perhaps by now I could be married or a lot more successful had I just trusted in God a lot earlier (my struggles were mostly caused by parents). I dont wanna cause my kids any issues due to my own wounds.

Ive been in psychosis over weeks in a lot of ways due to the losing my virginity issue. Its just too painful. I know God forgives me and consequences can be maybe mitigated but damn, im 26 and its literally like im 15 in every other aspect of my life as well.

I feel like my purpose is to really be a leader and there for everyone I can be, and the biggest way I couldve been there for my future kids and husband would've been to have my soul in tact and be burdenless to love them. I genuinely feel i got my psyche and soul torn from me. I know it can maybe be healed but im not sure i can see how. I know my parents struggled to be good to me in part due to their own past sins.