honestly? im terrified. by the_underdog - C28 Christian Forum Discussion

alright. so it seems the Lord has changed direction in my life. and with that, i love because it is more for my passions than anything else He has ever set before me. He is leading me towards Christian psychologist/counselor. here's the thing.

i plan on getting a phd. 10 years of schooling if not 12. and im soo cool with that, however, there in lies my problem. my faith is wavering. everytime i learn something, everytime i talk to a psychologist, or a counselor, or a psychotherapist they make me question my beliefs. and while some doubting is good and eye opening, i feel this has gone far beyond good. i can see myself not believing in Him. i can see the secular side of the world, and i can see it being ok. i understand the secular side of the world. honestly, thats terrifying me. i am glad i can relate to many different people on many different levels, but that also means that i can see the other side and understand it.

do you guys know any good books like Case for Christ, or any other good informational books (other than the Bible) that i can read and build my faith up again?

18 replies on this topic

Stephanie - 9/26/10 @ 2:58 PM

Im thinking about christian counseling as well. Are you worried that through your schooling you will be convinced of the worlds veiwpoint, or are you feeling that you are unable to go into it at all because you have doubts?

I'm asking because I recently started feeling like I God may be changing the direction of my life to this path as well, but I also started being attacked with doubts about my own salvations and faith and stuff like that. Part of me feels like its just an attack because going into Christian counseling, at least for me, would involve going to theological seminary. Like the enemy doesnt want me to be grounded in theology so hes attacking me trying to discourage me from going. So I guess I'm just wondering if that is how you are feeling too?

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O.0 - 9/26/10 @ 3:02 PM

Hey Underdog! I'm almost done with my first psychology class, and yes, it seems very convincing, the secular side. But a VERY (....veryyyyy.....!!!!) good book to read, to help you in the secular world of psychology is:

"The Rebuilding of Psychology"
An Integration of Psychology and Christianity
by Gary R. Collins

SO GOOD, I can't even describe how essential this book is to Christian Psychologists!!!!! Especially if you're taking non-Christian psychology, which is pretty much what you have to take because a Christian perspective on Psychology hasn't exactly been developed. At least not a full thing, only certain areas of psychology have been taken into the Christian perspective. But anyway, READ THE BOOK!!! You won't regret it!!! I'm putting tons of exclamations points cause IT REALLY IS A FANTASTIC BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will open your eyes!!! lol Hope it helps :)

Amy - 9/26/10 @ 3:10 PM

Iliff school of theology in Colorado has a joint program with The Univeristy Denver's School of Social Work. Know it's not 100% what you are looking for but if you want to talk Iliff I'm about to go sit in on a class. My life is headed a similar direction and I'm a bit spooked, honestly. I wonder if I'm in over my head.

O.0 - 9/26/10 @ 3:49 PM

I think learning Psychology is a WONDERFUL thing though, because when you take psychology you have to dabble in a lot of different sciences and you get a close up look at how intricate our being was created and how it functions! It's AMAZING and I'm really thankful I'm taking this stuff!! It helps you better understand why you do what you do, and it's really concrete stuff but you'd never imagine that because we don't feel that way about it when we think about it. What blows my mind is that my brain is doing all these things yet it doesn't know how it's doing it while it's doing it! It's just crazy :D

Alyssa Faith Mark. Rep - 9/26/10 @ 4:05 PM

I know what ur feelin. I was actually going to be a drug and alcohol counseler. but God directed me to the media arts instead.

Mark - 9/26/10 @ 4:47 PM

@ All of yall

I just want to say that we don not battle against flesh and blood but powers and principalities of this world! Where is the first place satan and his demons attack anyone? IN THEIR MINDS! Trying to help heal someone from their mental prison is going into battle head-on!

I commend any and all of you who are doing so! Maybe you will have to help me one day! I would sure like to know there is someone who knows Christ helping me! For real! q:j*

CraigSnedeker - 9/26/10 @ 4:54 PM

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. - Prov 3:5

If talking with people make you doubt your faith, I suggest not talking with them. If God wants you to counsel.. by all means do it. Trust trust trust ;-)

the_underdog - 9/26/10 @ 6:08 PM

thanks guys!!! seriously! i understand how you feel (those of you heading into it) and i never thought of it that way, with Satan attcking our minds. seriosuly i needed this thanks!!!

PutHisBloodOnIt - 9/26/10 @ 6:21 PM

Every time you have a doubt, rely on basic Christian apologetics. Ask yourself a question that you are doubting and then look for the answer using christian apologetics. Always remember our faith is backed up by Science and historical facts. It is impossible to prove Christianity wrong, and yet we can prove that every other religion is wrong and can easily find flaws. So when I always have doubts I always refer back to basic chritian apologetics.

KingsKid - 9/27/10 @ 7:54 AM

There are lots of good books to read that will help you. My sister is reading this one right now that she says is really good. "A Reasonable Faith" by Tony Campolo. It has lots of answers to questions people ask.

Thirst - 9/27/10 @ 11:22 AM

I plan on going into psychology as well (among other things) and if they question my beliefs, I'll question their beliefs. Can God create a rock big enough that He can't lift it? Does it matter, because if you're wrong you are well and truly going to regret being an athiest.

They attack you with logic? Throw them off balance with some logic of your own, and question them about the failures that are the theories for evolution and carbon dating.

This may not seem veyr turn the other cheeckish, but it depends on your intent. If it's to answer their slaps with gentle reminders that they have just as many logic flaws, and therefore no right to attack you, then it should be all good. Just leave revenge in His hands.

joseBloodBought - 9/27/10 @ 11:55 AM

you wont find a better book than the bible. i must say.

Lex - 9/27/10 @ 1:35 PM

I am actually thinking about going down that road of Christian Psychology myself :)

If it is one thing I understand about psychology is this:
Logic is key. Everything falls under some sort of logical foundation.

Here is some logic for you I have in my Bible:

Have you ever heard of Blaise Pascal? He was a seventeenth century mathematician and physicist, was known for his faith and for his understanding of probability theory. And he had something of which still today is called "Pascal's Wager".

Here is his famous wager:

"Who then will condemn Christians for being unable to give rational grounds for their belief...They declare that it is folly, stultitiam, in expounding it to the world, and then you complain that they do not prove it...

"Let us examine this point, and let us say: 'Either God is or He is not.' But to which view shall we be inclined? Reason cannot decide this question. Infinite chaos separates us. At the far end of this infinite distance a coin is being spun which come down heads or tails. How will you wager? Reason cannot make you choose either, reason cannot prove either wrong.

"Do not then condemn as wrong those who have made a choice, for you know nothing about it! 'No, but I will condemn them not for having made this particular choice, for, although the one who calls heads and the other one are equally at fault, that fact is that they are both at fault: the right thing is not to wager at all.'

"Yes, but you MUST wager. There is NO CHOICE, you are ALREADY COMMITTED. Which will you choose then? Let us see: since a choice must be made, let us see which offers you the least interest.

Lex - 9/27/10 @ 1:47 PM

"You have two things to lose: the true and the good; and two things to stake: your reason and your will, your knowledge and your happiness: and your nature has to things to avoid: error and wretchedness. Since you must necessarily choose, your reason is no more affronted by choosing one rather than the other. That is one point cleared up.

"But your happiness? Let us weigh up the gain and the loss involved in calling heads that God exists. Let us assess the two cases: if you WIN you win EVERYTHING, if you LOSE you lose NOTHING. Do not hesitate then; wager that He does exist! That is wonderful. Yes, I must wager, but perhaps I am wagering too much. Let us see: since there is an equal chance of gain and loss, if you stood to win only two lives for one you could still wager, but supposing you stood to win three?

"I tell you that you will gain even in this life, and that at every step you take along this road you will see that your gain is so certain and your risk so negligible that in the end you will realize that you have wagered on something certain and infinite FOR WHICH YOU HAVE PAID NOTHING."

Lex - 9/27/10 @ 1:49 PM

I know that that was a mouthful, but it goes to show that even logic cannot be used against God, for how can it? He created it the logical foundation for logic :)

I hope that gave you hope Sister Wildchild ;)

You chose the right side of the coin, don't doubt yourself. What do you have to lose?

mae - 9/28/10 @ 8:18 PM

Like you, I enjoy learning and going to school. I am currently a psychology major and God has recently given me confirmation on what it is that He wants me to be doing with my major. So I do plan on furthering my education and going to graduate school. There are things in this field of study that I do not agree with, but they are things I do have to learn about.

In Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

From this God says that do not conform to the world's ways and their way of thinking. Being exposed to these things, you can see how the enemy tries to lure you into being of the world. Seeing that you are already looking for ways to renew and strengthen your faith in God, is a good thing! It shows that God is already working in you to become stronger in Christ. Praise the LORD for that! God reveals things to you that He wants you to learn from in order to build character and strengthen your faith. He has MORE than the world can offer, so I encourage you to keep on seeking the kingdom and GOD will guide, protect&provide for you.

I'm the same, I don't like reading the Bible sometimes so I read Christian novels and such. However, reading the Bible is better because God can bless you with knowledge and wisdom you need to keep in faith. It helps to also pray before you do and ask God to show you what to read. But of course, if you're heart's not in it then don't after all, God did say to serve wholeheartedly. I'll keep you in prayer and I hope all goes well!

Mash 94 - 10/1/10 @ 1:21 PM

Hey, a GREAT book to read would definitely be "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. That book changed my life! I'll be praying for you!

Lex - 10/1/10 @ 2:56 PM

Francis Chan is awesome :D