I am a new orthodox and i'm worried

Unknown

Hello everyone

I was baptised in Coptic Orthodox church in Holland a few weeks ago. Last week I married in church. I'm very happy to be baptised and to be a part of the orthodox church and believe, but I am very worried that I never will become a good christian.

I have the feeling that I have to confess much too often. Right now I want to confess because I did something very bad and stupid yesterday. But I am afraid of what our priest might think of me, when I come to confess again. I feel so weak and bad and I just can't seem to do anything right. And I am afraid that one day I will ruin it all and God will say I've had enough with you, and it will be too late for me. I forget about God so often and just live my life without thinking of Him and just say my prayers automatically, or not at all. I want to feel love for God but most of the time I just don't, I only think of myself.

I have been raised in a calvinistic protestant church, where people believe out of fear instead of love, maybe it's because of my background that I am so afraid and worried.

What can I do to have more faith, love, and trust in God? Please pray for me and my weakness.

Ilse

minatasgeel

First, repentance & confession, treat them as one concept to truly serve their purpose, is a never-ending process in our lives. Priest is their to hear you and to guide while Christ is also there to “Forgive and Forget.”

That’s what happens the sin is forgiven and forgotten. The priest cannot hold what was forgotten on you, ever.


Now you relationship with God is supposed to be based on love.
Excuse me to say, what the reasons are for you to becoming Orthodox??!!

Was one of the main reason is marriage??.....that might have been the problem.

Also maybe you needed more time before you getting baptized and fully being the part of the Body. I am not denying any of the priests authority or anyone else.….it’s just that, the love to Jesus should be there before doing anything. Now from there, things develop. But the LOVE is always there. It increases by coming closer to the body and increases faster when you are not in the Body yet. Because you become more eager to have THIS that you been always looking for. (not meaning that this applies to You Roberto)

Now your best chance is to study the Holy Bible more in the spiritual sense. Also prayer and fasting are very important stay attached to God.

Unknown

No, marriage was not the main reason. I attended church for a couple of years now and I really want to be a part of the Church of Christ. And I do love God, but it's so easy to forget all of that in daily life. Maybe it's also that I'm not all used to this new life yet. Maybe it's just a matter of a growing process.

But thanks a lot for your words. You're right, a priest is there to forgive and forget, and it shouldn't be so important to me what he thinks about me.

Please pray for me.

Amoussa01

There is nothing wrong with confessing often. In fact, many of our saints are known for it-for their steadfastness in both repentance and confesssion. One thing you need to realize is that repentance needs to come first, in all cases. Otherwise you will not benefit from the confession. It is very important that you sit alone and reflect on your sin and realize that you offended God; then it is time for confession. God will NEVER EVER say "I have had enough of you." These are bad thoughts that distant you from God and confession so get rid of them! The way you show love is through action, not just words. So you say "I love you God" than you need to show it. Examples would be praying, reading the Bible, helping in church, donating, etc. I also want to say that its good to take some time out of your schedule and sit alone and pray and be with God. I hope this message helps...

God Bless you and welcome to the faith!
Tony

PopeKyrillos

Was St. Isidore hesitant to take St. Moses as a monk after all his sinful acts? Adultery, Murder, Fornication, Stealing were all things that he did. Think of yourself as Saint Moses and your father of confession as Saint Isidore. What did Saint Isidore do with St. Moses? He took him into the monastery, taught him Christianity, then baptized him. St. Moses soon after becoming a monk was tempted numerous times to return to his evil life. He went to his father of confession SEVEN TIMES in ONE NIGHT and St. Isidore never thought anything bad about him once. In fact, if anything, your Father of Confession will think better of you the more you confess. We commonly assume that priests will judge us for our sins and think bad of us for what we did. Actually, they think differently. Pope Kyrillos the 6th used to tell newly ordained priests that instead of thinking badly about a person during confession, think of how good and pure the person is becoming while they're confessing. He also told them to think of how much that person has made God happier. So assuming the priest is a good person, he will think positive things of you like how pure you now are and how happy you've made God because of your repentance. Don't ever let this put you down! Remember that everyone is a sinner including your father of confession, all priests, deacons, monks, bishops and even the pope are all sinners. Even if your priest is bad (not saying he is) and thinks negatively of you, think of how much happier God will become when you confess and hopefully, the eternal life that you'll enjoy if you continue in this good path.

PK

ophadece

[coptic]e;be Roberto=a=b=g>
`mmon ouon `precbuteroc etnairi `nhyt `mmok ie jemariki nemak - alla `n;ok arihomologoin oumys `ncop eknasasni e`p,w ebol `nte neknobi[/coptic]
There is no priest who will criticise you or rebuke you - but do confess many times in order to win the forgiveness of your sins
[coptic]ce hiten ]omologi`a etetennsasni vai ouoh arimeu`i je ni`precbeturoc hanpragmateutyc e;be `Vnou] ne - `mpersholh `mmok
[/coptic]Yes it is through the confession that we win that and remember that priests are God's representatives - don't fear
[coptic]V] efecmou erok - oujai qen `P=[=c[/coptic]
God bless you - peace in the Lord

Unknown

Pray about it and read the Bible. Think of God as a friend and that you are coming to him for guidance, don't forget that he is God. But try to just talk with God, not always that routine prayer. Also try to live the Bible, i know it is easier said then done but i heard something great by abouna Daowd Lam3y. He said when you read the Bible and cross something that you can do or don't do you say "Ok God I will do it" don't just read it, live it. And at the end of the day check yourself and try to find your falls, and learn from them. God be with you, and pray for me.

godislove260

Hello Ilse,

first of all, welcome to the Coptic Orthodox Church, we're glad to have you as a member of the Body of Christ. Please don't worry about confessing often, the priest you confess with is himself a sinner who needs confession, he won't judge you, but help you to get over your problems.. Remember that in confession you talk to God in the presence of a priest.
The devil tries to convince people that they are such terrible sinners that God won't accept them which is completely not true, because heaven rejoices more for one sinner who repented than for 99 good men who don't need repentance. Keep in mind that such thoughts of dispair are from the devil who wants you to give up and stop praying.
When you repent and confess, it pleases God, and when He sees that your honest in your quest for goodness, He will help you.. He will never refuse you or cast you outside, God is soooo kind and loving... Next to your personal prayers and those of the Agpeya, don't forget to read the Bible often, because God's word is the weapon with which you can defeit the devil...

May God bless you
Please pray for me and my weakness

Unknown

Thank you all so much for your words. I felt really bad yesterday, now I feel better, I prayed a lot and i see that you're right, that thaughts like i had are no good.

God bless you all. And God bless the makers of this website. It's really great to talk to other christians from all over the world.

Please pray for me, that I may grow in faith.

andrew8345

Welcome to the Coptic Orthodox Church roberto123. About your problem with sinning and being away from God and feeling bad about it...welcome to the club man. You are not alone, but the worst thing you can do is let the devil play tricks on you. He will deceive you and tell you that you are unworthy and that you confess too often about the same things and that you do not pray from your heart and God will never forgive a sinner like you and etc. But do not be fooled. God is merciful to those who are humble and love him. Stay strong in the faith and read the Bible daily and ask for God's grace and you will conquer any problem.

Pray for me and may God help you.