Forget religion! How to be real with God

We often hear the phrase What Would Jesus Do and we try to act as we think He wants us to but living like Jesus and trying to be a Christian is not easy. So we end up struggling and feeling unnecessarily guilty.

If you are trying to approach God because you love Him and want to know Him more, don't you think He knows the real you so why beat yourself up when it really is not needed.

So forget thinking this way and read on!

Jesus loves you and accepts you whatever you do. He understands that you are a child compared to Him, so He knows that you will: try, forget to try, muck it all up, feel like a failure and feel like you are doing it all wrong compared to everyone else around you.

Every person on earth is different. Every person’s walk with God is individual too.

Time spent with God is never wasted

Jesus knows your to do list; your deadlines*. To spend time with God means you read His word in the bible, or you pray or you simply sit and consider things in your mind. The bible is the word of God but it is very hard to grasp straight off for there is much depth in His words. It is like eating a chocolate cake, some days you are starving you eat much - the icing as well; other days you just pick the icing off or you dig out the creamy centre and just eat that!

Sometimes we can not take in God’s word in big chunks because we will have stress happening in our lives - life on earth is tough - on these days it is better to just read the cream. Try one proverb or one parable (story) that Jesus told, it is enough. You can gorge on the bible or you can consider a few words. Gorging makes you sick and tired but a healthy bite of Gods word can satisfy you for then you will find you think it through later.

If you find you can not remember everything you read in the bible that’s normal too, it has been happening like that to me for years but over time suddenly you realise that you have learnt much. Remember your teacher is God, so let Him teach you at His pace for He knows what you are ready to retain.

If you do not understand ask Jesus for help, it’s that simple.

Oh one more thing, if the Christians around you answer your questions in religious language that you can not understand, remember that they are trying to explain what they are still struggling to understand too!

Prayer is like a conversation

A good friend is hard to find for they are so concerned with self needs that all they want to do is tell you about their own problems, so you end up frustrated and feeling like you were not listened to or cared for.

A conversation with Jesus often seems one way for at the time, usually, you do not receive an answer. Tell Jesus what’s on your mind, and tell Him in the normal everyday language that you use.

Remember Jesus hung around with coarse fisherman and whores when He walked on earth so tell Him your needs in your own words, your expression of language will not shock Him! Jesus is able to hear and understand all things.

Be real with Him.

Imagine that Jesus is sitting in the room with you, then spill the beans until you are done. You will feel better and Jesus will listen patiently.

God does speak to His children but it is in many ways, it could be a voice in your mind, or through a Christian friend, or through His words in the bible, or through a sermon, or through your memory of a time when everything seemed to work out for the best despite the circumstance. Remember your experience with God is as individual as you.

Jesus is always with you for He sent the Holy Spirit to live within your heart but it takes time to feel Him. Knowledge of His presence grows over time until inside you just know. This knowledge of Him turns over time into peace. Peace is not a warm cosy feeling that all is well, it is the certainty that God lives with you and understands you.

Stop struggling in your own ability to understand everything at once.

God bless to you, ej x

*your tasks seem to be finished in less time after you have spent time Jesus first!