Emotions and tolerance level turned upside down!

[Vickylhr]

Hi all, I would like some advice and guidance from those with more experience (or also to share experiences with someone who finds themself in the same situation). I wholeheartedly and sincerely asked Jesus to come into my heart and life two days ago and since then I have experirnced the following:
- My emotional responses to situations (especially adversities) are extreme to say the least.
- My levels of tolerance and patience seem to be at an all time low.
- There are some moments of feeling optimistic and loving and full of a kind of peace.
- There is a general feeling of nostalgic sadness.
- Basically my inside self seems to have been turned upside down.
I guess my question is whether this is something `normal´ at the onset of a life in Christ? Have some of you experienced the same kind of reactions? Do you have any advice?
Any advice would be great, or even some sharing of like experiences...

[jawsmetroid]

First post after being back for awhile. Sounds like your old self is rebelling against your new self. In other words, just because you become a Christian doesn't mean everything gets perfect right away. In fact, a struggle ensues- you have temptations that weren't there before because you weren't dedicated to Christ before- your old self rebelling against your new self.

Or, you could just have high blood pressure or something. Christianity isn't an experience. It's a life that is connected to God through prayer- communication- to God. It's not about how you feel, it's about what you know, the Bible. Advice? Live for God and don't worry about slipping- simply know that you do wrong and that God forgives you (1 John 1:9- confess is the same as admitting that you've done wrong). Godspeed.

[jawsmetroid]

Oh, and to add: Colossians 3:13, you don't tolerate grievances- you forgive them. Fact controls feeling- not feeling controlling fact.

[LauraLu]

First of all, I'm so glad you have come to the Lord... you will experience an amazing peace and an understanding and love that you have never felt before.

your emotional ups and downs could very well be coincidence. I can't say I relate to this, because I came back to God in the midst of emotional struggle, so it was already present. However, it is most certainly not God who is putting these feelings of intolerance and impatience in your heart. I'd say that it is likely that the Devil is trying to bring you down... he often attacks at the times when you are closest to God to try to steer you away. But it can be a very good thing! the more you depend on God to help you fight Satan's advances, the stronger your faith grows and the closer you get to the Lord! As you learn to lift every burden up to God, he takes away your negative feelings and replaces them with kindness and acceptance and, best of all, trust and love in him.

praying for you! :)

[Pasat_14]

The way I understand might be a bit different to others but oh well.

I've always learnt that the harder you try to get to know God the more the devil will try to stop you. So I feel that the devil is simply getting jealous and attacking weak spots, some that you may have known you never had.
Talk to God about it and tell Him how you feel and how you want His help to overcome this. The Bible says that through God we can do all things and that with His spirit in us we can over come the devil and his ways.

But yeah...most of all persevere in your prayer, coz God will help you! I will pray for you.

Oh and by the way, it's sooooo awesome that you've come to Christ, i love seeing new people being added to His family every day!

God bless you!

[restore]

It is normal,
It is inner spiritual battle. and will go on for a while
but Jesus will win

be strong and u need others to encourage in this journey sometimes, but talk more to Jesus in person, too:)

[longboneslinger]

I know the feeling well. I was saved only last month. It's a roller-coaster ride. Here's an example that may help.
Several weeks ago, I was back-sliding big time. I fell of the path so hard I left skid marks. I was known for a short temper and a foul mouth before Christ and I had started up again. I was cussing like a sailor and getting ready to kick a co-workers tail. I was praying about the cussing daily with little result. Then, one night when I was reading the Bible, it happened. I had just finished one book and usually stop there but instead started on the next. A few pages in I saw the words "fits of anger". I had tunnel vision. The world and even the bible faded out except for those 3 words. The feeling in my heart was chastisement. God knew that the reason I was cussing was because of my temper leading me to "fits of anger". I wasn't praying for help there, just for the cussing. This was His way of teaching me.
Take the problem itself to God. Confess. After all, the first step in solving a problem is admitting there is one. Once you have admitted it to God, it's out in the open. Now He will help you deal with it. I started calm down immediately.
If you can't figure out what the problem is, tell God. That's a problem in itself, after all. Pray for guidance. God is always faithful and His promises are always kept.
I hope that this helped in some small way.
Your friend in Christ,
BoNe

[heymikey80]

It depends on what the Spirit of God is tackling in you first -- and then whether He's struggling with you to overcome it.

I remember the most paradoxical feeling I had when I accepted Christ. As I accepted Him I found myself very confused -- I encountered a huge wave of dark feelings, and I started seeing everything in a very dark, depressing way.

So yes, things don't instantly stabilize when you become a Christian. Some things get harder. It's often why we rush to tell you to get in a church that's alive, that can connect with you well.

Btw, years from then I realized there was a reason. I hadn't had any idea about the sinfulness of people, how extensive it was. I wasn't prepared to be a light among people when I first accepted Christ. So the result, when Christ's light came alive in me -- everything darkened.

That was one confusing experience.

[twistedsketch]

- My emotional responses to situations (especially adversities) are extreme to say the least. In what way?

- My levels of tolerance and patience seem to be at an all time low. This doesn't sound good or normal at all.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

Pray to grow in these things. We are not instantly perfect once we become Christians. When we are born again, we are spiritual newborns. We need to grow strong and wise spiritually. You haven't failed at Christianity, you just need to grow.

- There are some moments of feeling optimistic and loving and full of a kind of peace. Sounds normal.

- There is a general feeling of nostalgic sadness. May or may not be normal. Do you miss some old sins?

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24

That is something all Christians need to learn to do and work at doing.