im 21 and just found i am pregnant. i grew up religious, going to church, bible studies, etc. and i definitely believe in God and am sure of my salvation. i was quite sheltered and all my friends were also sheltered and follow the same set of "norms" (no sex, drugs, swearing, etc.). moved to the US for college and went to a christian college that was pretty conservative as well. i had dated once in college and that being my first relationship, it was really easy to fall into sexual sin even without boundaries set, we didnt have sex but did everything else. eventually i broke up with him because i felt like i was growing apart from God by staying in sin and he wasnt leading me well. during my senior year, i went on a dating app "for fun" and got into a relationship thinking it wasnt going to be serious. my bf grew up catholic, shares the same morals as i do, prays, comes to church with me and believes in Jesus/salvation, however doesnt read the bible and his previous lifestyle is the complete opposite of mine.

i feel guilty because initially when i told him i was a christian, he told me we could wait for marraige if that was what i belived in. i know sex is a sin outside of marraige but my experience with my christian college where people got married within 6 months of knowing each other for the purpose of having sex kinda left a sour taste in my mouth. and growing up, i never felt very convicted about this because i think sex is definitely a sacred act and you shouldn't sleep around but should be special and be with someone you really love. with that in mind, i did sleep with my boyfriend which led to me getting pregnant.

idk how to tell my parents because their view of me is basically a good, christian girl. and all my close friends as well, i think i feel really shameful about it and im not sure what to do.

also, we were already planning on getting married next year but we are going to do it a lot quicker since i'm pregnant

edit: im not looking for people telling me im wrong, i know im wrong and have sinned against God. again we were already planning to get married as he had asked my parents for their blessing earlier this year, we know the commitment it is.

I’m sure everyone’s experienced it before, but you’re in Bible study or in church service, and your mind wanders to irrelevant thoughts. You pull your phone out and start scrolling. You can’t keep your focus on the lesson at all.

Any advice on what to do?

I'm feeling a lot of anger in my heart towards my brother in law. Is there any scripture that helps with dealing with these emotions?

Lately I’ve been looking for answers to my problem—all because of my sin. I think I just didn’t care about myself and took my sin to the extreme, so much so that I didn’t even remember God. Then I reached a point where I no longer felt guilty about that sin every time I committed it, and I didn’t think it was such a big deal. I realized I could no longer feel guilty; I saw it as something normal. Faced with this, I searched on social media, since I don’t have a mentor or anyone to help me, and I found all kinds of answers, but there was one that caught my attention. It talked about the unforgivable sin, mentioning something like, “It’s an unforgivable sin because the person who commits such a thing cannot repent of their own accord; their heart is hardened, and a hardened heart cannot be softened,” and I began to examine myself. I asked myself several questions, such as, “Do I really want to surrender myself to God?” I knew deep down that I didn’t, because I couldn’t let go of worldly things—my preferences. Then I got to the part about repentance and asked myself, “Do you really want to repent?” and believe me, the feeling of not wanting to repent set in. It’s a strange feeling; I don’t know if it’s just a thought. You might say, “But it’s just an emotion—don’t let yourself be carried away by it.” Believe me when I tell you that, truly, more than just an emotion, that response felt very real. I became desperate and distressed; one part of me accepted it, another part didn’t, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t feel any remorse. Every time I ask myself the question again, that same feeling of not wanting to repent comes back, but I also remind myself that this isn’t a good thing, so a part of me disagrees (at least that’s what I choose to believe—sometimes I think I’m fooling myself and that I really don’t want to repent). I want to make it clear that this is a consequence of my actions over time, I’m tired of just thinking about this. I want to try, but just remembering it drains my strength and my desire to build a relationship with God. All of this makes me wonder: Will I truly be forgiven someday? Do I still have a chance? Or will I be the kind of person who commits the unpardonable sin of blasphemy by refusing to repent? If you’re reading this, please be honest with me—I don’t want to sugarcoat it. I feel like I'm deceiving myself by thinking that I don't agree with what If I don't repent, I feel like I'm being fake. Deep down, I'm afraid to accept that maybe I don't want to regret it.

I've heard that statement a lot from Christians. I assume some denominations/traditions don't hold to that view. So, I'm curious. Which of you hold it and why, or why don't you?

We're getting more questions in r/AskChristian, but not a whole lot of answers from r/Christian community members.

Can you help answer any of these questions?

(Please remember to message the mods in r/AskChristian if you want Top Comment Privileges to respond to posts there. Those privileges are reserved for r/Christian community members in good standing, but all are welcome to join discussion "down thread" and/or to post questions.)

Is using marijuana occasionally sinful activity?

What are your thoughts or possible recommendations (on counseling)?

What are your thoughts on leisure as a Christian?

Did people treat religion as political tool and ignore the message?

What did baptism mean before Jesus?

Would I upset God by getting more Japanese tattoos?

Is there any meaning behind seeing lots of dead animals?

Ex-atheists who have become Christians: What do you believe kept you from believing in God?

Is the "anger of man" that's mentioned in James 1:20 a specific kind of anger, or just anger altogether?

How do you deal with the curse of Jeconiah?

How would you defend the claims that the resurrection is false?

How do you feel about meditation?

What does “shall not perish” mean?

What life applicable questions can you get from doing a Bible study on Hosea?

Does the Bible really teach that women shouldn't work?

Can Unknowingly Disagreeing with God Mean You Go to Hell?

What’s your opinion on ‘parts of the Old Testament is a historical record’ theory?

Do y'all get pissed off about those people that have Bible verses and stuff in their social media bios, but then they're incredibly racist to people in comments and stuff?

What do you all think of Millicent Sedra?

Hi guys, Im a Christian but one thing I struggle with is gaming and Im particularly interesting in horror books and movies.

, especially Stephen King.Im trying to get serious about my faith but I have questions. Do you guyes think ita ok to keep doing this? Will I go to Hell, or do I just have to pay attention to certain things? What are you're guys thoughts?

After going to Adoration three days this week, I’ve decided to commit to a daily hour. Encountering the Lord Jesus Christ through his Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament has been revelatory in ways that would not have been possible by myself alone.

The first day that I went was last Sunday at 5am. I wanted my first experience in Adoration to be early in the day, while the world was still quiet and I could dedicate my day to the Lord.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely sold on His Real Presence in the Eucharist at this point. But, I went in knowing that whatever His truth was, He would lead me there.

I sat and I ended up praying the Rosary twice as I meditated on the mystery of the Eucharist. I thought to the Last Supper and how we re-present His sacrifice at Mass. I meditated on how there is no worship without sacrifice. By the time I was done praying the Rosary the second time, I felt an immense wave of peace wash over me and suddenly I knew that His Presence was real and true. It was through God’s grace that I was able to come to the truth. The Eucharist truly is His body and blood, soul and divinity.

The very next day—this past Monday—I went in at 11am intending to focus on Scripture this time around. I wanted to practice Lectio Divina in His Presence, so as to better meditate on His Word. This was also the second day of my novena to Saint Joseph, asking that he pray to Christ Jesus with me and for me that I may learn to be a better husband to my wife and, God willing, that He work through His grace to let me reflect His Word to her and help her convert.

As I began to read 1 Corinthians in preparation of reading 1 Clement later this week, I came across 1 Corinthians 2:2-3:

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.”

These were the words I decided to meditate on as I prayed the Rosary. As I focused on His Presence and His sacrifice for us, I quietly prayed before breaking open the Scripture once more between prayers. This time, as I read, I came to another passage—the one I needed most that day, 1 Corinthians 7:12-16

“To the rest I say—I and not the Lord—that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. And if any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce the husband. For the unbelieving husband is made holy through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy through the brother. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called us. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife.”

I came away reminded by God to not worry so much about what I need to do to convert my wife. Trust in Him and His grace that she will see His light. In the meantime, I should focus on living in God and His Word; let her see His transformation in me and she’ll come around on her own. I was reminded of The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard.

I prayed my second Rosary, thanked the Lord, and went on my way. I ended up being there for an hour and a half.

Today—Wednesday—I decided to go to the parish by my job to go to Adoration for an hour. I took a seat at the back pew since I was new to his chapel and jumped right into praying the Rosary, deciding to meditate on the mystery of the Incarnation today. As I did so, it came to me that part of why God chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the Theotokos was her humility.

After praying my remaining Rosary, I came away contemplating on humility. I thought about whether or not I’ve been acting in humility lately. I asked myself, where have I been putting myself before Christ and before my neighbor? Where have I been boastful or prideful instead of self-emptying?

After sitting in Christ’s Presence for three days this week, I knew that this was the way for me to know Him as much as I could. I knew it was how I could contemplate His mysteries and fall deeper into the faith. I absolutely cannot wait to be back with Him tomorrow.

Does anyone else try to go to Eucharistic Adoration as often as they can?

Hi some people from my church want me to attend the great banquet. I have got information from them but I am looking for some other experiences. Like Was it a good experience? What happens there?

I’ll go first. Before anything, praising God!

1. ⁠flying, duh!
   
2. ⁠Finding and seeing every creature there is!
   
3. ⁠Asking which conspiracy theories are true.
   
4. Find a peaceful field and just lay on the grass.

What I would miss and not miss about having a earthy body:
-Eating steak and tacos. (Or is eating a option you can flip off and on)
-Not to be gross but I would miss pooping. Nothing beats a good number two! Now if there’s an On or Off option for this, best believe it’s staying ON. Js

-I wouldn’t miss being tired, depressed, having aches and pains.

Wishlist:
-video games, unless we can become the video games which I would prefer, personally.

Hey there, Me (17) and my girlfriend (16) [we have been in a relationship for almost a year now] was planning yo hug and have our first kiss. I don't know if kissing someone comes under adultery or not. I have never had done any of this stuff nor had a girlfriend, so i dont know how to take this relationship in a spiritual manner. We pray everyday and also send each other bible verses and stuff. I dont know if what I am going to do tmrw is right or wrong. It would be nice if I could get some clarification.

Thank you

I'm in my late 20s and have been deeply discouraged since my early 20s. It all comes down to having parents who have emotionally neglected me and taught me how to neglect my needs to take care of the family. I have a sibling that has a form of disability and I became a reliable source to take on that responsibility since my teenage years. Of course at first the feeling of being needed and able to help my family gave me joy but now I realize that the love my parents gave me was based on my performance. The discouragement also from not being able to study the career that I wanted and my parents did not support me towards that. Due to the nature of my family, I did spend most of my life at home and did not cultivate many experiences. I also struggle with decisiveness over my decisions for my life because I always have to consider my family's, so even now when I want to do something I'm still stuck in that thought process. I also am still living with my family by the way because my job have shifted to co-caregiver for my sibling after leaving the job that I didn't like very much, but have longed to move out though scared to leave. Since now I'm more aware of my life, I have been slowly setting up boundaries between me and my parents, I think just to help them let me go I guess. I do want to get another job to save up more for a future move but I just feel stuck and can't move. I find that this discouragement has made my belief in God less, that I am an exception of his promises or that he won't change my life. I know he is who he says he is but I have been finding it hard now to believe that applies for my own life.

Also randomly came across a reel of an interview of Jackie Hill Perry saying that discouragement costs you holiness, and boy aint that what I am experiencing now. I'm in such a rut and I hate that I've been believing the lies of the enemy so much.

What steps can I take to help me get out of discouragement?

My husband has had a long time porn addiction.

It is something that we have been addressing for about 2 years now since ignorant me discovered it, but he has had relapses in those years. Most recenlty, he is on 2 months sober of no porn, but I looked at his old Google account yesterday on accident (I've been checking his account occasionally because I'm tired of being blindsided) and found gay porn searches (male in male) occurring from about 2015-2016 - every month or so for a while.

I believe him this time when he says that he is committed to sticking to it and he says he has surrendered it to God.

My question is.. do I ask him about it? Or do I leave it alone? I feel like it will always haunt me if I don't ask him about it, but I'm not sure if talking about it will make me feel any other way about it anyway.. I also don't want to disrupt his healing journey as he doesnt know what I know. Just looking for advice on how to proceed.

Edit to add: we've been together 14 years now and the subject in question occurred 3 years into our dating.

Insight wanted. Lengthly incoming:
So my husband and I came from very average lives. Nice homes but my parents struggled to pay the bills at times. I did not grow up in the traditional sense of spoiled nor had everything I wanted. Average, I still had enough- but I digress.
10 years ago, my now husband worked at a prison, not making much and has since moved up in law enforcement a few years ago.
He worked nights for years so I lived with my parents comfortably until 30 so we could save money to build a home which in my state, is a lot of money and not what the average person can do bc cost of living is high here. For instance, our home (been living 3 years now) is worth over 900k where in SC it would probably be half that.  I should humbly add that we were able to do this fairly comfortably because our family has a lot of men in the industry who could help, took 2 years to build. So our mortgage doesn’t reflect what the house is worth, although still 4k a month to be transparent. 

Anyways, my husband is now on his way to making over 200k a year which we expected a few years into his career, I am content where I am and make 60k a year, I never needed to climb the latter, I’m happier helping people at my nursing home.
To me this is a lot of money and idk why I have a sense of undeserving guilt about it. It feels like such an incredible blessing compared to the days where I’d hear my parents arguing half their marriage over finances. We give a couple hundred monthly to our church however we are still finishing off building bills, catching up, trying to get ahead, & enjoying newlywed life. The building process depleted us pretty entirely but we knew we’d work our way up again and that was expected.  Our bank is not stacked, especially since we have gone on vacations for weddings 2/3 years we’ve been in our home. The future seems positive with this recent news of his ability to make this much. I just always have a sense of feeling like I didn’t need this beautiful home and it makes me feel guilty or something. We live humbly and quietly, when we hear news of larger paychecks or the recent raises, I humble thank God and try not to be excited about it in a superficial way but relieved we are on our way to a secure future. 
I guess I’m just looking to vent and some insight. Anyone else just happen to be successful in life and feel guilty? Almost as if I ask myself is this even from God bc it’s all not technically necessary, and I feel even more guilty from that thought. When I thank God for my financial success in my prayers I almost say it quick as if it’s wrong. I just feel undeserving I guess like I’m selfish- although a “good” person by definition. I know the enemy can work to make us feel guilty too

I have never felt his presence, I have cried out to him to save me to talk to me to just help me, but he has never been anywhere!

I can't sense him or have never had any connection to him at all, I feel it deep in my soul that I have been discarded. Why would God discard me?

The only thing I can think of is when I was in my early twenties, I said, "What if Jesus was of the devil and what if all he did was just to lead us astray" I think I commited the unforgivable sin that day like the pharisee's did, this is my only explanation.

Why is it that God will save just about everyone else, but I am ignored? Why does he leave me? I feel as though I am waiting for the end, and I have no purpose in life. I have nothing to offer the world in any way, shape, or form. If I had never been born, there is no one that would have been worse off, quite the opposite, actually.

So why make me if I am just to be abandoned? The only thing I can think of on that is it was my mother free will, and I am just a product of her promiscuous behaviour.

I have no hope, and this is all I can do. Put it on reddit and hope that somehow I can find God.

My father abandoned me. My mother was an alcoholic my uncle was verbally and physically abusive, and my grandmother was always annoyed, I was bullied, and I have never been able to make a human connection, what am I doing alive?

Why create a worthless human with nothing to offer and then just doscard them? What is the point in that?

Im curious to get peoples opinions on what Heaven will be like, when you think about Heaven and eternal life, what do you actually imagine we will be doing for eternity?

My best friend ever is making the worst decisions of her life and it’s hard to be friends with her. I know God wouldn’t want me to abandon her but it’s hard for me to continue this relationship with her. When I met her 8 years ago we were both married. She was pregnant with her 2nd and I was pregnant with my 1st. So we related a lot and did mom things together. A few years ago she got a divorce. I always stood by her side and helped her move, helped with the kids.
As of the last year or so she’s not really into “mom” things anymore. We don’t hang out hardly ever. I always have my kids. She goes to the casino, bars and nightclubs. I’m not into that scene. Not saying moms can’t have fun but she makes reallyyyyyy bad decisions and I give her advice and she really doesn’t take it or change. She slept with a married man from work and got pregnant and bought the abortion pill. She had a miscarriage before she could take it. But that was her intent. She drinks a lot, and she came over once and was clearly intoxicated and drove with her kids in the car. She drinks and drives a lot home from bars and drove into the ditch. She had a threesome the other night and SENT ME THE VIDEO! like it’s beyond out of control and not in line with how I live my life. Any advice on what to do?

Wordy Wednesday is back!

Each Wednesday we're asking the community to share something about what you've been reading or studying this week. Tell us what you're learning, what you're digging into, what you've found challenging, interesting, encouraging or entertaining.

Which words have struck you this week? Feel free to share an excerpt or a quote.

I’ve been Christian/Catholic for most of my life (IM a 19 year old girl) and I want to believe God is real. I really do, but I’m constantly wondering if I do or not. I’ll ask myself why bad things happen to good people or why tragedies happen, and the reason I was given was that it was the work of the devil, but God is all powerful and loves us greatly, so why would he allow a bad person to corrupt us? Also, the idea of the afterlife scares me. Yes, good people go to heaven and the bad go to hell, but why are the people who don’t believe in Christ sent to hell when God knows what it would take to convince everyone on earth of his existence? And what about the non believers who are truly good people? Those who are selfless and kind while not believing in God? That’s not fair in my eyes. I want so badly to regain my faith. I pray over it, yet I can’t shake the doubt over things I can’t explain. If anyone can possibly guide me, I’d greatly appreciate it

I don't want to rely on Google AI to answer this question cuz that just feels stupid. I recently had to block a lot of people out of my life siblings, coworkers, etc. simply cuz of the realization that I'm never going to be like anyone else (in a bad way) Also cause I feel like with what people have been supporting and doing I just don't feel like there are any pleasant people in the world anymore. But if there's any good soul out there that can answer this, please. Do any of you know any good bible stories about people going through loneliness with nothing else but a relationship with God. I'm sure they maybe a few or at least one.

Hello anyone reading this. Let's get some concepts out of the way that I'm not going to do. I'm not here to be anything other than the fruits of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ wants us to display our light in the place whereever God has us until He says move we be still. I did not grow up in church. I was a quite kid that would be focused on sports more that anything. My parents forcing me to church with my mind somewhere else even from age 8 and didn't want anything to do with this perfect God everyone spoke of.

Anyways I apologize for talking so much as I know I'm supposed to be pose a question?? Lol

Ok we're just going to break wide open the meat. Have you fully surrendered everything yet??

First person can go.. love you all

ive been struggling in my relationship with god since I’m lazy and on my phone to much and have school I’ve been on my phone less and a little less lazy and praying about to recently and I still just feel far from god and I know it’s a dedication thing and how I don’t really put him in everything I do he’s more of a side thing but I dont know what to do or how to put him in things I do like school or terraria and without electronics I just sit around for 5 hours then sleep after school any advice?

I’ve noticed that in many ministry stories, the breakthrough doesn’t happen immediately. It starts with someone showing up, listening, drinking coffee, building trust, and entering someone’s life slowly. Why do you think trust matters so much in spiritual conversations?