| Author | Message | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 17 Registered: 7-2007  |
I am finding that although I feel quite convinced/convicted that leaving the SDA church was the right thing to do I am still a bit scared about it all (that probably sounds quite silly). I was just reading some of the mailbox letters on the LAM website. Some of them are so encouraging but when I get to the ones from disgruntled SDAs I get those niggling doubts and what ifs creeping back in and making me a bit afraid. Last weekend I had a bit of an email debate with the friend who introduced me to the church (about why I was doing my own thing instead of what God wanted and why I had abandoned the Sabbath etc). After several emails back and forth I was left with a throbbing head, palpitations and really not knowing what I thought. It's depressing in a way, when I was in the SDA church I spent the whole time thinking there was no way I was going to be saved because I wasn't good enough. Now that I'm out of there, I'm still living in a kind of fear. Does that make the slightest bit of sense? | ||
| Bigal Registered user Username: Bigal Post Number: 102 Registered: 9-2006  |
Yes, It makes sense to me. I had the same doubts and fears as you describe. As time passes and I study into the Word and keep my focus on Jesus, those doubts and fears grow ever weaker. You quoted your friend who asked you "why you were doing your own thing instead of what God wanted." Have you really abandoned the Sabbath, that is His rest? Are you not now in a more peaceful rest in Jesus our ultimate Sabbath rest? Again time and God will heal all wounds, even ones like our spiritual abuses we endured under Adventism. Hope this helps, Alan | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1075 Registered: 8-2004  |
Yep it does! Doesn't sound a bit silly. The battle between darkness and light is a real battle, and darkness does not leave the field without lashing out and trying to drag you with it. The strength of deception is its power to fog up our understanding so that we do not perceive reality. When our brains have believed deception to be truth that fog can roll in again from time to time. It is such an immaterial thing that it may take on different shapes - which slither away each time we try to pin them down - but it is the same fog. And it has the same remedy. Cast all your cares on Jesus. He is Reality Itself, and He cares for you. He will not trick you. He will not abandon you. He will not forsake you. He will not change. . . and that means that the way people are saved has not changed. We are still saved by His grace through faith in Him, the Lamb of God NOT by anything we can do or any theological construct we can build. | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 166 Registered: 4-2005 |
I think we all go through that--we have been so convinced that SDA was the "truth" and it is hard to give it up--what if we are wrong? But pray read the Bible, we can cast all our burdens upon Him,God knows you want to find real truth from the Bible and He will honor that. I would read Hebrews and Romans, God sent Paul to the Gentiles, that's us, and the law was not binding on us. and the Jews who were converted, and believed Jesus was the Messiah had to give it up, I imagine they went through something like what we go through--they did have the truth for that time and when Jesus came everything changed. They had to learn what the Messiah really meant, not political dominance as they expected, but salvation and giving up their cherished rituals. We have to re-learn so much--we have a lot in common with them!It takes courage to face that and act on it but God will be with you and lead into more truth from His word! Just say a prayer when you have doubts and open the Bible and there it is!! | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 825 Registered: 11-2005 |
Maggiethecat, same here. I went through the same experience. State of the dead, Sabbath, etc. Seventh-day Adventism is very structured, with Ellen White's view being the only one that is "right". And when we leave Adventism's security there is no instant replacement "system" that provides us with that kind of "security". I last attended an SDA church about a year ago. (I have been attending a Baptist fellowship for a little over a year after searching around at other churchs.) Now I find my security in Jesus. There is no comparison! You will be in our prayers. Your brother in Christ, Gilbert | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 691 Registered: 5-2007 |
Maggiethecat, I can relate. I look at it this way: Even IF I am wrong and the Adventists are right(which is unlikely IMHO) it's a wash anyway, because Adventism basically teaches salvation is impossible. I'd rather have the hope in Christ I have since leaving Adventism and even if I were wrong and the Adventists were right(which I seriously doubt) it's a wash anyway because Ellen set the bar so high she herself couldn't even be saved by her standards. I'd rather have the hope I have now. It's much better. | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 896 Registered: 1-2003 |
I agree Reb. And fear is not of God. When fear creeps in...you can know it is Satan trying to tear your peace in Christ away. Say a quick prayer to rebuke the fear and replace it with the peace Jesus left us with in John 14:27. | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 191 Registered: 2-2003 |
Maggiethecat, I, too can relate. Here are some promises to cling to: For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15 I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:5 | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 474 Registered: 12-2004 |
For years I thought it was me, my lack of goodness, my poor Bible study habits, my failure to keep the Sabbath correctly or diligently enough, my impure thoughts, my inability to get enthused about ingathering, or the next Revelation seminar. It finally took a personal crisis for me to seek out why I just didn't measure up to what I felt were the expectations of what it took to be a "good" Adventist. I realized actually fairly quickly, that it wasn't me, it was a faulty system that made me feel incapable of being acceptable to God. There was no way I was ever going to be good enough. What I found outside of Adventism was Grace. Not Grace + Sabbath, not Grace+works, not Grace+ my effort, just Grace. Do I live a lawless life with my new found freedom and understanding. Have I turned into a thief or a murderer. No way. My life living in Grace has become more in harmony I believe with the will of God. I am less judgmental, I am more accepting, I am willing to consider and grow. I was never scared to leave the Adventist church. Once I seriously studied what Adventism taught, and then what I found in Scripture it became a no-brainer for me. All those things that had made me feel inadequate, and unworthy fell away as I accepted Christ's Gift with an "unveiled" understanding. They say the Truth shall set you free. Well for me that has been the case. There is no going back, there is no fear of having made a mistake by leaving, there is no guilt or niggling doubts. What there is to replace that, is security in Christ and a blessed assurance. It is like going from a chronic state of spiritual hypothyroidism to a sense of spiritual wholeness. My prayers are with you as you to seek God's will, Randy | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 504 Registered: 8-2006 |
Amen, Randy! Maggiethecat, what you are feeling is perfectly normal. You are coming out of a cultic system and those who come out of other cults have exactly the same feelings as we (I did too!) have when we first leave Adventism. Are you fellowshipping with Christians who love the Lord, know His word, believe in His free gift of salvation by grace alone through faith? God's perfect love casts out all our fear. You and I and all the others here had fear of not making it in the SDA system of beliefs. It's a false gospel and it leads only to fear. God has saved you, Maggie, because you have believed and trusted in Jesus. He is capable of handling all your fears. Give them to him. Colleen said (to paraphrase) that she and Richard asked them to remove the spirit of Adventism from them and fill the void with the Spirit of God. I would suggest that to you. I have done it myself. This is a spiritual battle, as Mary has said, and Adventism is a spiritual stronghold. I have been out of the SDA church since 1998. I remember the fears of thinking I had made a mistake, had done the wrong thing, and the terrible uneasiness the first time I didn't "keep" the Sabbath as I had when being an Adventist. Now, I find more joy, security of salvation and closeness to Jesus than I ever had as an Adventist. I will pray for you as well that this spiritual stronghold will be broken by God's mighty power. Susan | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 776 Registered: 6-2006  |
Maggiethecat, I'm a never-been, but at one time I was scared that maybe my SDA in-laws were right about the church. I was too afraid to even ask God if it was the true church, and when I finally got the nerve to ask, he pointed me in the direction of Pastor Mark's site, (www.exadventist.org) and then the FAF. Praise God. Don't be afraid to share your fears with the Lord. He loves you and wants you to spend your time and worries and brain cels on HIM!! In love,  Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6832 Registered: 12-2003  |
Maggiethecat, We had those same fears and confusions and doubts, sometimes extremely intense. As Susan said, Richard finally prayed for our family that God would remove the spirit of Adventism and replace it with the Holy Spirit in the places in our hearts where the spirit of Adventism had been. It was amazing how all my "backwards glances" and fears about what people would think just left after that. God is faithful. When those doubts come, go back to the promises you know are true in the Bible. Go back to Galatians, to Romans 8, to 2 Corinthians 3:7-the end. And pray. Ask God to plant you deeply in truth and to protect you from deception. Ask Him to hold you in reality. He is faithful. Praying for you... Colleen | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 199 Registered: 5-2007  |
Maggiethecat, I have had much the same experience and would like to share one of the things that help make this fear go away in my own life. It was in the form of an awake nightmare. It began when I was very young and sitting in front of my grandparents home in Angwin, California on a warm summer night. Looking up at the stars it came to me that nothing was really real and if I thought about it long enough everything would be sucked into a ball of nothingness. No God, no universe, no me….endless, timeless nothing. Many years later, when I turned my life over to the Lord's control, this fear went away. When it dawned on me the thoughts were gone, it became another confirmation that SDA teachings were false and my new understanding of the love of God was the right one. This didn't happen overnight and there were other things involved including much Bible study. May the Lord bless you and comfort you, Phil | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thank you all so much for your kind words, you really can't know how much I appreciate them and this site. The logical part of my brain knows that God is in charge and I'm doing the right thing. I am enjoying reading my bible now, something I NEVER experienced in the SDA church. Now I actually have to make myself stop reading so I don't read into all hours of the night. I don't know why I couldn't do that while I was in the SDA church, I just couldn't. Similarly although I dutifully paid for and received the lesson book each quarter I just couldn't bring myself to do the lesson. I think I could count on one hand the number of times I actually did the lesson. Anyway, I'm rambling a bit now. I am yet to find a 'new' church. Being somewhat of an introvert doesn't help there, I'm a bit of a 'slink in a few minutes late, sit up the back and then first out the door' type person. My daughter goes to the local Lutheran school and the people there are wonderful, it's a very Christ centred school. I have attended a few Sunday services and I must say I feel very moved whenever I am even in the church, I just sit there and feel like I want to cry. Sorry, rambling again. Thank you again for all your wise words. Maree | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4321 Registered: 3-2004  |
God pulled me out of the SDA church so slowly, over more than 30 years. I have to admit, I have not felt lots of what some of you have gone through. God showed me, when I was not going to church or paying tithe that He cared for me. He kept me working in a good paying job, even though I did not pay tithe. He carried me through my chronic fatigue. I am so thankful I did not like to hear EGW quoted in church and even got up and walked out when she was. In all this God was preparing me to leave adventism. Thank you God. You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 6848 Registered: 12-2003 |
Maree, if you have had good experiences at the local Lutheran church, by all means go back. God will bless you when you meet with other Christ-followers, and there is something really profound about sharing worship with others who also honor Jesus. Ask Him to guide you and to let you know where He wants you to "land". Colleen | ||
| Patriar Registered user Username: Patriar Post Number: 416 Registered: 3-2005 |
Maree: I don't believe in mantras, but I tell you what, when that fog rolled over me I would repeat Romans 8:1: "Therefore there is NOW NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus." That is my favorite verse in all of Scripture because even now when I can't articulate a good argument for someone who throws something at me, I ALWAYS go back to Romans 8:1. Romans 8:1 AND Sabbathkeeping in regards to salvation cannot logically both be true. Either Christ saves me and holds me or keeping the Sabbath saves me. I know the fears you're talking about. Keep journeying into Truth. Learning about the deception quickly makes us fearful that we're deceived or will be easily deceived again. Learning the Truth about God and His Word in contrast, brings comfort and rest. Patria | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 21 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thank you all again. Patria, I'm going to write that verse down now so I don't forget it. My absolute favourite bible verse has always been Matthew 11:28-30. Interestingly it has taken on a whole new meaning since I have left the SDA church. Maree | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 176 Registered: 8-2005  |
I guess I am blessed because my choice to leave was VERY easy! To date I have no regrets at all, maybe regretting I didn't do it sooner. Maree, is the cat in your avatar yours? We have a female Russian Blue, sweet little gal, very timid but a great cat, as are all the others. | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 22 Registered: 7-2007 |
Yes 91steps she's ours, her name is Maggie. She's a blue British Shorthair and an absolute nut case. Very very tolerant and affectionate but off the planet crazy at times. She keeps us amused anyway! | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 180 Registered: 8-2005 |
Our RB, Simba, is very meek and quiet. Except for when she was a kitten, her nickmane was "The Toe Monsters" because we could not lay in bed and move or feet for feat of her pouncing on them and clawing them. Same when we walked past the bed, a little gray paw would shoot out from under the dust ruffle and snag our feet. She is the matriarch of our cat clan, the others have to pay homeage to her. | ||
| Sabra Registered user Username: Sabra Post Number: 460 Registered: 10-2001  |
Maggie, I don't check in here too often, but in my first 2 or 3 years out of adventism all I did was debate online with Adventists and Messianics and I learned at least that topic of my bible very well and if you ever need anything, have questions, need a scripture, please e-mail me and I will be glad to look up biblical answers to any doubts or questions you have. kennethfloss@aol.com or stone412@comcast.net Blessings, Sabra | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 31 Registered: 7-2007 |
Thank you Sabra. Maree | ||
| Lori Registered user Username: Lori Post Number: 71 Registered: 11-1999 |
Maree, Your story of fear is all too familiar to me as well. The embers of Adventism remain. The minuscule breeze of "what if I'm wrong" stirs them to life. Further fueled by the winds of doubt the embers develop into the flames of fear which seek to bind us. What if you are wrong? What if the Sabbath really is the day of worship? Then you have sinned. The issue here is not what your sin is but rather do you pay the penalty for that sin or has your penalty already been paid. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ then you will never be condemned for any sin. "Therefore there is NOW NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus." Salvation is not about a day it's about the person of Jesus Christ! Lori | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4345 Registered: 3-2004 |
Thank you Lori, for reminding us that salvation is not about a day, it's about the person of Jesus Christ!!! He is so awesome. Diana | ||
| Maggiethecat Registered user Username: Maggiethecat Post Number: 32 Registered: 7-2007 |
I hope you don't mind Lori but I actually copied down what you wrote so I can refer back to it, it makes so much sense and is so true (hey maybe I'll even try it on my SDA friend next time she tries to convince me I'm wrong - and there'll definitely be a next time, and just see what she says). Thanks Maree | ||
| Lori Registered user Username: Lori Post Number: 72 Registered: 11-1999 |
Maree, I'm glad that something I wrote could help you. This forum was a God send for me when I found it 8 years ago. It was not only a confirmation for what I had already figured out it also abated the feelings of alone-ness. Everything lifted up Christ Jesus and in doing so it built up my confidence in him and put "me" aside. Salvation by Grace through Jesus Christ is FREEDOM. As believers we are SECURE IN CHRIST. We have the freedom to flourish or fail at the Christian way of life. The U.S. is a great analogy. We have freedom. We have the opportunity to succeed or fail. It's up to us; it's dependent on the decisions we make. Some choose to follow the steps to wonderful success in business; others choose to make decisions that set them up for one failure after another and many others fall somewhere in between. Just as our choices in life determine our success. So do our choices in the Christian way of life. Each choice we make either opens the way for more and better choices or it closes more and more doors until we have little or no good choices to make. That's freedom. Either way, success or failure at life, we are U.S. citizens. Either way, success of failure at the Christian way of life, we are still a believer, a child of God in Christ Jesus. That's freedom. "It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Gal. 5:1 That's real freedom!! We can be free or we can make choices that burden us with the yoke of slavery. What are you going to do with your freedom in Jesus Christ??!!!! Lori |
