Question:  Hello Greg,

            I don’t have anything specific to ask you, as my question is very general.  A few years back it seems as if my life was on target.  Although I have not attended church on the weekend, I did read the Bible and quite enjoyed the Plain Truth magazine and various other articles.  Well, to make a long story short, things changed slowly but drastically.  I got very hurt in an unsuccessful relationship that has made me a bitter man, without the same promise in life.  I still believe in God and Christianity, however I do not have the same feeling and closeness I held before.  I look at life with pessimism.  I do not feel I am doing any “good” and probably lead a life without Christian values.  I have not done anything bad, but I don’t feel as if I have done anything good either.  In the back of my mind I know I want to get that same feeling back with God and my overall life.  However, I cannot seem to find it.  I also feel embarrassed by trying to go back to God.  In other words, I feel as if he is looking down at me.  Excuse the lengthy letter, but as I said, it is very general and non-specific.  Any advice?

            Thanks for your time,

            Constantine

Answer:  Dear Constantine,

            Thanks for your question and for the chance to be able to help.  Here are some things you need to keep in mind:

1.      God is not upset with you.  You need not be embarrassed about going back to God.  God has seen it all, heard it all, and knows it all.  Nothing we can say or do will surprise him!  God loves you today just as much as he did yesterday and as much as he did years ago.  He will never love you more than he does right now.  His love for you is not based upon what you do, or what you fail to do.  He, of course, loves to see you do the right thing, but his love is not based upon your performance.  If it were, God would not love any human being—at all!  God does not look down on you—read John 3:16-17 again, “for God so loved the world… vs.17, “he did not send his Son to condemn the world…”  Read Romans 8:1, “there is NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus…”

2.      God specializes in those who are hurt, disenfranchised, discouraged, and despairing.  It’s what he does best.  Jesus came to save those who needed a physician, those who were and are poor--both physically and spiritually--those who are in spiritual and/or physical prison.  He comforts, encourages, and uplifts.  Read Psalm 23 to remind yourself of the relationship that Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of our souls offers to us.

3.      God will not force his love on you.  He will not insist that you stop being bitter, upset, down on the world, and down on yourself.  He is there.  All you need to do is ask.  A simple prayer, no special words or phrases-- just words from your heart.

4.      We would be happy to send you some free literature—you may, of course, read some of the Plain Truth articles here online free of charge if you do not currently receive it.  Let us know how we can be of further help.  

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht