Need some positive support and advice

[Leash]

I'm Alicia and I am brand new. Like I literally registered a couple minutes ago . Well anyways I mainly just really need some positive support right now and maybe some advice. I feel like god has been calling me to go to church tonight, but I have really bad social anxiety and hate going places alone. Just thinking about it makes me feel like crying. I know I shouldn't feel that way about church, but I do and can't help it. I used to go about three or four time a week, but that was because I was in youth group and I would go with a really close friend of mine. I graduated highschool last year and had to start going to "big service" and I did for a week or two until my friend moved seven hours away and since then I have gone maybe two or three times in the last 6 months and have almost completely given up on god. So lately I have just been feeling horrible and just really need some support to go. Sorry for writing so much I tried to make it short. I look forward to hearing some of your advice and support. Anything helps.

 

[amadeus2]

I feel like god has been calling me to go to church tonight, but I have really bad social anxiety and hate going places alone.

All of us in this flesh are always in some measure alone. Yes, at times we feel especially lonely, but as one who has been there and done that too many times during my comparitively long years, I do have a bit of experience in being especially lonely. Even a good spouse does not permanently change that. I have been happily married for more than 40 years, but there are some empty places that only God can fill.

Go to church? Yes, by all means, but do not let the going be about what people there will be thinking about you.

Too many people, unfortunately, even in church services are very selfish and have little consideration about where you are, what you are, or what you feel. Then again there are the exceptions to that negative statement. Those are the ones who will really help you, but you will not need to push yourself on them. They will recognize your needs as God recognizes your needs. There are some who love God greatly and those will love you as God loves you...

"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." I John 4:20-21

Just thinking about it makes me feel like crying.

Cry away! Nothing wrong with tears for a woman or for a man. Sometimes it will open up things within us that need to be opened up to allow God to work the work that He desires to work within us. We certainly cannot and should not live by only our emotions, but everything that God created, He created "very good" (Gen 1:31). There is time and place for every emotion that God gave to each of us. Our difficulty is in not being able to turn our hearts over to God so that He can be in charge of us as with walk along our way.

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23

I know I shouldn't feel that way about church, but I do and can't help it. I used to go about three or four time a week, but that was because I was in youth group and I would go with a really close friend of mine. I graduated highschool last year and had to start going to "big service" and I did for a week or two until my friend moved seven hours away and since then I have gone maybe two or three times in the last 6 months and have almost completely given up on god. So lately I have just been feeling horrible and just really need some support to go. Sorry for writing so much I tried to make it short. I look forward to hearing some of your advice and support. Anything helps.

Before you go to church and while you on the way to church, pray. Ask God to help you to be what He wants you to be and to do what He wants you to do. A church service should not be only a social gathering. Having friends is a good thing, but it should never be the first thing anyplace, much less when we are in a place to expecially please God.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt 6:33

 

[Rev T.S.Perkins]

Hello and welcome in Jesus name. Many feel as you do in public let me offer this... As a minister I've stood in the pulpit long enough to see new faces come in and set by themselves in the back row or shadows and as The Lord begins to move on them over time they move up in to the light and wind up on the front row shouting Glory To God ..! It's quite a joy to see it happen ..Child you never go to Church alone ! God is with you always and when you Go to worship the whole triune Sprit goes also ...it dosent matter if you start in it the basement as long as you start , this is a time of fellowship with God tuck up close under His wing and see that God is good...I pray The Lord led you as you seek a new faith in this adult life you're facing and may He use you For His Glory ....Rev

 

[Malkavian10th]

I have really bad social anxiety and hate going places alone.

I can totally relate to this. I myself have great difficulty going places by myself sometimes. All I can say is try to go just once and see how it feels. If it's something you think you can tolerate go again and see how it feels again. Sometimes you have to start small and work your way up. Maybe you can't go every single week. If you have to go just once a month until you feel comfortable I'd say it's better than not going at all. And always remember that you're never alone. God is always standing right beside you ready to help anytime you need it. It might take awhile before you feel totally comfortable attending church every week, but overcoming something like this isn't an overnight process. It takes time and patience and a little faith helps, too. Just don't give up before you try. Instead of looking ahead at how long the journey is look behind you and see just how far you've already gone.

 

[LadyLion]

I have really bad social anxiety and hate going places alone. Just thinking about it makes me feel like crying.

Oh goodness, can I relate! There is no shame in how you feel. Start slow. Is there anyone you feel comfortable with who might go with you? Perhaps you could start with a small group, if that would put you a bit more at ease. Otherwise, poke around here. I just joined myself I'm sure there's some fellowship to be gained.

Try not to beat yourself up. Remind yourself that God is always with you.

 

[jeffsi435]

It sounds like you felt more comfortable when you were with someone else. Maybe you could check with others you know and see where they go?

 

[Eric E Stahl]

Lesah,

If you have Jesus in your heart, you are our sister in Christ and you have come to the right place.

Sunday school classes are smaller and more social then church services. Small group bible studies are another possibility. Prayer breakfasts could help you to get to know people.

Check your computer for local churches.

In a huge church you can hide unnoticed.