I'm glad you have found the conversation helpful.

Just so you know (and I assume you do know), discouragement and doubts are a common part of everyone's life. We all go through waves or stages of happiness and discouragement, confidence and doubts. Life just has a way of bumping us around.

We also can't always be on a growth track. It just can't be progress all the time. That's not realistic.

Discouragement and doubt don't necessarily mean that you've done something wrong. They just mean you're normal. But they are also indicators to motivate us to make some slight course corrections in our lives, and for that we're glad for them. I hope it's somewhat comforting for you to know you're normal like everyone else. Though we always strive to learn and grow, it's never a steady climb.

I have really enjoyed The Chosen! It’s really helped to make Jesus and his disciples relatable. Jesus was obviously a sinless man, but He walked the Earth and felt the same emotions we feel.. and the disciples are just as we are, sinful and fallible.

I have very much enjoyed our conversation and I truly appreciate your insight. I suppose I’ve just been feeling a bit discouraged that I’ve had doubts pop up; it’s made me feel that I’m not growing as I should or that I’ve done something wrong altogether to cause my doubts - if that makes any sense.

Thanks for writing back.

> it’s very reasonable to believe that we can be as close to God as we’d like to be

A cliche went around while I was growing up: If God doesn't feel close to you, guess who moved? The idea behind it is that God is always after a close and deep relationship with us. If we are not experiencing that, it's because of something is us, not because of something He is doing.

> I think we (myself) fail to put time and effort into the relationship.

It's much like any human relationship—it does take time and effort. When we first have a boyfriend or girlfriend, the relationship flows so automatically. But as the relationship continues, it takes time and effort to keep making it exciting and fresh. Instead of the impulsiveness of a new relationship, it takes thought and, well, work. It's the same with marriage. Even the same at a job.

Some people say that one of the hardest things in the world is maintaining a good relationship. Life is full of hurts, difficulties, and busyness. Keeping a relationship strong and healthy is not easy.

It's no different with God, and especially since we can't see Him or actually hear His voice.

> Any helpful advice for cultivating a strong relationship with God?

It's really different for everyone, just like any relationship. I don't know if you've heard about "love languages." Some people show love (and feel love) by touch, others by words, others by gifts, others by time spent, etc. Everybody's different.

I can tell you some of works for me, but each person has to walk their own path, y'know?

1. I find that praying works for me better at night than during the day. My mind is more clear, the phone doesn't ring, I don't get texts, and I can put the schedule of the day behind me. I pray while I'm falling asleep, I pray if I stir during the night, and I pray as soon as I wake up in the morning before I drag my raggy body out of bed. I also like to pray while I take a shower. I also pray off and on through the day as things come into mind. It all keeps me close to God.

2. I like to have a verse of the day that I just run through my head all day long, and let thoughts come to me because of it. I get my verse of the day through my Bible app. Whatever they put out, I use to meditate on and mull over all day long. It keeps my head in the game, so to speak, and God often speaks to me through His word.

3. I'm a musician, and so music is often running through my head anyway. There are Christian songs that speak to me more than others, and they are the ones that stay in my head.

4. Sometimes I try to be intentional. Jesus seemed to find thoughts about God wherever He went. He'd pass a vineyard and say, "I am the vine, and God is the vineyard keeper." Or He'd pass a farmer planting His crop and say, "That's like the kingdom of God." Same when He was in a store (a pearl of great price) or at work (the kingdom of God is like laborers). As I go through the day, I intentionally try to bring to mind, "What does this _________________ make me think about God?" or something like that. There are God signs all around us.

> Heaven

The Bible always paints Heaven in ideal terms: the very best and perfect of everything. It is hard to grasp, but it excites my heart, I tell ya. Imagine such a place. Life as it should be. God in plain sight. People treating each other as we should. All the corruption of sin gone. Wow.

But the greatest thrill is Jesus. When I read about Him in the Gospels, He's an amazing person. So loving, caring, truthful, insightful, and wise. I want to sit at His feet as Mary did (Luke 10.39-42). I want to hear Him talk, absorb all of what He says, just BE in His presence. You know how we talk about people "rub off" on you? I want Jesus to rub off on me. I can't wait to see Him. Though I care about the rest of Heaven (anxious to leave my sinful self and everyone's else's behind, and excited to see creation as it is meant to be, etc.), as great as it, I'm most excited to be with Jesus. What an experience.

Have you watched the series called "The Chosen"? A few people don't like it because there is so much in it that's not in the Bible, but I loved it. It made the disciples and Jesus SO real. Like Paul says in Philippians 3.7-14, "I want to know Him..." That's what makes my heart beat faster.

I think it’s very reasonable to believe that we can be as close to God as we’d like to be.. but I think we (myself) fail to put time and effort into the relationship. Any helpful advice for cultivating a strong relationship with God?

As for Heaven, perhaps it’s hard for me to imagine because I’m thinking too worldly? If something is too good to be true here on Earth it usually is.

I thank you so much for your insight! Even through my difficulties and doubts, I’ve still felt led to stay true to the faith and keep following, so I have found comfort in that.

Yes, sometimes God is very hard to see and hear. Sometimes. There are a few possible explanations.

1. We are told in the Bible that our own thoughts, perspectives, anxieties, circumstances, or biases can hinder us from seeing God properly. We who are married or who also have children know how this can be the case. We get our minds set a certain way and we don't hear what people are saying or see what is really going on. We sometimes have to get to a place of true awareness or openness to perceive properly.

2. God sometimes does hide in the shadows to see what the strength of our faith and commitment truly are. It is only in the days of spiritual darkness that our mettle is revealed. Gn. 22.12 is an example. If we were never put to the test, we'd never know if we were just following God because of the benefits to us. The only way to tell if your commitment is real is if your foundations are stripped away (like happened to Job) and you still remain faithful.

We follow God because He's there and His message to us is true. Many days are hard days. Life is difficult. I don't desert the faith because I have a hard time perceiving God. I stay true because I know it's true, no matter what things look like to me.

Let's talk more.

My belief is there’s only one God and he is the creator of all, all knowing, omnipresent, and unchanging.. but sometimes I struggle believing he’s there.. which I can’t understand because I believe strongly in Jesus who was fully God, but fully man as well.

> I struggle sometimes with a Sovereign God.

It's impossible for me to know, since we haven't talked much and you haven't had a chance to explain, but your struggle may be with how you understand and perceive sovereignty. We would have to discuss that.

> sometimes I struggle with Heaven

Well, let's talk about it. I'm all ears.

> I’ve tried to not let my doubts fester

Some doubts can be a very good thing. They push us to ask questions and seek answers.

So let's talk about your thoughts about God's sovereignty and Heaven.

I’ve really been unable to pinpoint exactly what my doubt is, and I think that’s part of my concern.. it sort of seems to bounce from one thing to another.. I know that the ONLY way to Heaven and the only way to be able to approach God is to believe in his Son and trust in Him. I believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.. I believe he was born of a virgin and he was crucified, buried, and rose again on the third day for me.. for everyone, because we were all born sinners and we needed a Savior, and only Jesus Christ could pay the debt for us. I’ve never struggled with believing in Christ.. or the Bible for that matter (even the things that seem unbelievable, I believe). I have strong beliefs in some things, and then others I really struggle with. I believe very much in Jesus, but I struggle sometimes with a Sovereign God. I believe that Hell is a real place, but sometimes I struggle with Heaven. I’ve tried to not let my doubts fester, and if they do pop up I find myself searching through scripture for answers and praying about it.. which does help, but I feel like they pop up so much it might not be a normal part of growing, if that makes any sense at all. Nonetheless, I’ll keep following, serving, and praying. I just feel concerned that my faith isn’t genuine, saving faith since I wrestle with so doubt. Any advice would be appreciated!

jimwalton wrote:You know, I talk to a lot of people who seem to think that doubts are a bad thing, but I have a different viewpoint. I think doubt is what motivates me to find out more. It helps me to push deeper, to search harder, and to learn. Doubt, to me, is a very important part of my relationship with God. I have to be confident in what I believe, and doubt pushes me to know whether I am or not. Just my take.

1000% YES. I find it imperative to seek out answers to doubt. This to me is simply what we call 'hungering for God' or for His word or whatever another Christian phrase you want to call it. I believe some have been taught to think that doubt is bad. But doubt is actually really really good. But the important part is what you do with that doubt. Do you let it fester? Do you ignore it? Do you settle on a so-so answer or illogical conclusion to let it pass? Or do you try your best to seek out the evidence, logic, and reason to come to the best conclusion possible? It's one of the most important elements of faith and the human experience overall. Im glad some people here are asking the questions to help with those doubts. It's always a welcome thing IMO