How do *you* know it's all real?

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danzibr

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First, sorry if this is the wrong place to put this. Seemed the most appropriate, but I’m not a frequent visitor.

Also, note I put the emphasis on you rather than know. I’m interested in the latter though.

To put it all out there, I’ve been having doubts. Not just recently, I’ve always been a doubter. I had no religion until I was in my 20’s, then became Catholic, and I’m still in my 20’s (for a few more days at least). It took me a very long time to believe in God at all, and a bit longer to come to the Church (thanks to my wife).

Now I can say, at least 99% of the time at least, I believe God (the Father) brought existence into being, and it continues to exist by His will. I believe the words in the Bible accurately depict Jesus, and Jesus really is God (the Son).

My doubts are really flaring up when it comes to the afterlife. We have examples of humans who have died and somehow persist after death, and I don’t mean Jesus, I mean like Him talking to Moses and Elijah. “Regular” people like you and me. Anyway, despite knowing this, I still lie in bed at night terrified of death, the fear of oblivion upon dying. I don’t want to not exist.

Long story short, I’d really like some words of encouragement here 😛

Thanks!
 
danzibr said:
Anyway, despite knowing this, I still lie in bed at night terrified of death, the fear of oblivion upon dying. I don’t want to not exist.
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This isn’t what you wanted. I have the exact same problem! At times I have this truly overwhelming terror of ceasing to exist. I think the same about my wife and as much as it terrifies me to think I’ll not exist I end up being really sad at the thought that she won’t. It tends to happen at night and when I go to bed.

For me I think the problem is I tend to be generally anxious and skeptical. I can be obsessive too. I also frequently ruminate. All are things which are going to cause me to sometimes have the thought that this life is all that there is. When I experience that thought I’m not going to like it.

If I step back and think about it through I absolutely believe in two things. I believe in the immaterial world and I believe the universe came into existence. I believe the first because of my experience of self. I know I am a creature with reason and free will. I believe the second because of science. Those two absolute facts are enough for me to challenge those fears of annihilation. The reason being because with the strong confidence in those facts I know there is something more than this life. A purely material thing couldn’t sit there at night and worry that he will cease to exists. My fear turns out to be a proof of God’s existence.
 
danzibr said:
First, sorry if this is the wrong place to put this. Seemed the most appropriate, but I’m not a frequent visitor.

Also, note I put the emphasis on you rather than know. I’m interested in the latter though.

To put it all out there, I’ve been having doubts. Not just recently, I’ve always been a doubter. I had no religion until I was in my 20’s, then became Catholic, and I’m still in my 20’s (for a few more days at least). It took me a very long time to believe in God at all, and a bit longer to come to the Church (thanks to my wife).

Now I can say, at least 99% of the time at least, I believe God (the Father) brought existence into being, and it continues to exist by His will. I believe the words in the Bible accurately depict Jesus, and Jesus really is God (the Son).

My doubts are really flaring up when it comes to the afterlife. We have examples of humans who have died and somehow persist after death, and I don’t mean Jesus, I mean like Him talking to Moses and Elijah. “Regular” people like you and me. Anyway, despite knowing this, I still lie in bed at night terrified of death, the fear of oblivion upon dying. I don’t want to not exist.

Long story short, I’d really like some words of encouragement here 😛

Thanks!
Click to expand...
If you believe in Church teaching, you surely should not be afraid of oblivion, possibly of hell, but not oblivion since there is no such thing according to the Church. That is, the soul is eternal and the body is resurrected in a glorified form. You should not be afraid of hell either since, if you partake of the Sacraments and believe and trust in G-d by following in Jesus’ footsteps and leading a good life, the worst that can happen to you is Purgatory, not hell. Yet, it is only human to have doubts at times since faith is just that: faith, not absolute knowledge. My advice is for you to try to grow in your faith by means of attending Mass, praying, doing good deeds and being kind toward others, going to Confession, and studying the Bible. You may also wish to discuss your fears and doubts with a good priest or spiritual advisor. These behaviors are the surest way to dispel lingering doubts and safeguard against disbelief and despair.
 
Perfectly normal to fear in regard to the afterlife, as God has seen fit to leave it all a mystery.

ICXC NIKA
 
I have a lot of doubts, but I no longer worry about them. I have a willingness to believe, I pray for faith, & am waiting for it to be supplied by God.

A favorite quote: “If you remove your body from the truth, when you are ready, the truth is nowhere to be found. But if you continue to bring your body to the truth, then when you are ready the truth is waiting there for you.” (Reverend Rollo M. Boas)

So I keep showing up & at some point, I will see the truth.
 
We don’t “know”. We trust.
“Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You.”

He and Mary have also sent back enough hints and clues over many centuries and some recent involving my deceased relatives that I don’t lay awake nights over this.

Reading about Padre Pio was interesting to me in this regard, although some of it cheered me up and some of it scared me. Then again he said “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry”.
 
GEddie said:
Perfectly normal to fear in regard to the afterlife, as God has seen fit to leave it all a mystery.
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Thing is, people have gone and come back. Jesus himself died and came back. We hear all their stories and still don’t believe. The experiences get explained away as some sort of brain malfunction or brain death.
 
Our Lord and Teacher promised to give the world a “sign” that would confirm His authenticity. The mysterious “Sign of Jonah” is, in fact, His miraculous image on His burial cloth.
This is now known as the Shroud of Turin. Prior to 944 A.D. it was called the Image of Edessa (made without hands), and prior to 1204 it was known as the Holy Mandylion.*

This miraculous image was subjected to an intensive investigation in 1978, and the scientists were unable to either explain or reproduce it.**
Furthermore a great deal of supporting forensic evidence was obtained such as pollen, blood, and even dirt.

In 1988 a carbon 14 dating test was done on a Shroud sample which yielded the strange result of a date range from 1195 to 1448.
This anomaly has now been explained by Mark Antonacci in collaboration with nuclear physicist Robert Rucker in what they term The Historically Consistent Hypothesis.***

The mysterious image on the Shroud of Turin is the real and miraculous depiction of our Lord Jesus Christ as He lay in death. There is nothing else like it in the whole world and probably never will be.
For anyone who is ever plagued by doubts, I can’t recommend it enough. Well researched books are available as are photographic reproductions of the Shroud.****

*THE SHROUD, Wilson, 2010
**REPORT ON THE SHROUD of TURIN, Heller, 1983
***TEST THE SHROUD, Antonacci, 2015
****Shroud.com
 
Please explore how to bear the fruits of the gifts, by facilitating another to do likewise - like the disciples and the boy with the food, after which Jesus fed the whole Church which then became able to bear witness to the wider world.

The crown we help another get is the only crown we’ll get.
 
The whole point of believing in Christ IS the afterlife.

1 Corinthians 15:12-19New International Version (NIV)
The Resurrection of the Dead

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

That’s God’s Word there. Not mine.

The non-religious more scientific answer: Energy never dies, it is only transformed. Its the transforming part that is unnerving… exactly how and to what do we transform into??? … And how long does it take and is it painful? Will it be better or worse, or the more of the same? Will we know about ourselves afterwards?

Humanitarian answer: Talk with people who have worked hospice or nursing homes or doctors/nurses/aides in hospitals about death. I’m certain that they’ll have stories to share about people on their death beds. Its not uncommon as people may think. This should bring comfort, not fear.

Scripture also says you were bought and paid for at a price… the price of God’s Son dying on the cross for you, freely giving up His life for you. I’ve never known anyone who purchases something worth so much to leave it on the store counter and not bring it home with them.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
Thing is, people have gone and come back. Jesus himself died and came back. We hear all their stories and still don’t believe. The experiences get explained away as some sort of brain malfunction or brain death.
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Most all of the spiritual experience are always explained way as some sort of brain malfunction. :rolleyes: - not rolling eyes at you Tis Bearself as I agree with you, but at humanity in general and their ‘wisdom’… I do believe that is what is meant when Scripture says, " At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”… Matthew 11:25

How can God communicate with His creation? Especially if they are not looking for Him?
 
AnneElizabeth said:
Most all of the spiritual experience are always explained way as some sort of brain malfunction. :rolleyes: - not rolling eyes at you Tis Bearself as I agree with you, but at humanity in general and their ‘wisdom’… I do believe that is what is meant when Scripture says, " At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.”… Matthew 11:25

How can God communicate with His creation? Especially if they are not looking for Him?
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Some may be looking but too closely. It is as if they are viewing a painting up close and, as a result, fail to appreciate the beauty of the painting because they refuse to take a step or two back.
 
I don’t.

It’s Faith. Looking at the fruit of genius and simple believers it helps me see it it is real.

My husband is very intelligent, but he has the Faith of a child. Seeing it live out in his life encourages me.

On another thread, someone hopes for nothingness at death. I’m with you, I want something there, even Purgatory. Well, there will be something there.

What worries me most, is not living well. No, not the “High Life” but for God and Goodness. Using the Talents the Lord has given me before I’m called Home.

Many here have more important and wonderful things to say, all of which has encouraged me. Thank you for posting this thread. But that is just about it for me.
 
danzibr said:
First, sorry if this is the wrong place to put this. Seemed the most appropriate, but I’m not a frequent visitor.

Also, note I put the emphasis on you rather than know. I’m interested in the latter though.

To put it all out there, I’ve been having doubts. Not just recently, I’ve always been a doubter. I had no religion until I was in my 20’s, then became Catholic, and I’m still in my 20’s (for a few more days at least). It took me a very long time to believe in God at all, and a bit longer to come to the Church (thanks to my wife).

Now I can say, at least 99% of the time at least, I believe God (the Father) brought existence into being, and it continues to exist by His will. I believe the words in the Bible accurately depict Jesus, and Jesus really is God (the Son).

My doubts are really flaring up when it comes to the afterlife. We have examples of humans who have died and somehow persist after death, and I don’t mean Jesus, I mean like Him talking to Moses and Elijah. “Regular” people like you and me. Anyway, despite knowing this, I still lie in bed at night terrified of death, the fear of oblivion upon dying. I don’t want to not exist.

Long story short, I’d really like some words of encouragement here 😛

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I think it depends on just how much a person believes that Jesus existed and that he is who he said he was.

I have read where there is more proof that Jesus existed than Julius Ceasur. Whether others think this is correct or not, to me it makes real sense. I rarely think about Julius Ceasur, but there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of JEsus along with millions and millions of other people.

So I do not have a problem with knowing that it’s all real, that Jeus is real, and he is who he says he is.

I guess that is why I know that there is no such thing as oblivion for anyone, good or bad… because Jesus said so.

The one I worry about is that there are two roads, the narrow(hard) and the broad(easy). And that noone knows for certain whether they took the narrow road until judgement day. And that may be a day late or a dollar short. But the Hail Mary prayer is asking Mary to pray for us now and at the hour of our death…the two most important moments of our life.
 
This is now known as the Shroud of Turin. Prior to 944 A.D. it was called the Image of Edessa (made without hands), and prior to 1204 it was known as the Holy Mandylion
Click to expand...
Undead rat the Holy Mandylion refers to Veronica’s Veil. This is the Veil Veronica offered Our Lord during His Passion.
It is in the Vatican. I have a great devotion to The Holy Face.

Danzibar,

I doubted for decades. There was this element there. I don’t anymore.

Pray for Grace . Pray the Rosary at night in bed when you start those thoughts. No matter if you fall asleep. It’s focussing you on God.

I also spend lots of time imagining that last day and the new Jerusalem
, as described in Revelations. It’s quite beautiful.
 
Perhaps you should try fasting. Fasting helps you focus on God because when you feel the hunger pains, you are reminded that you are fasting for Him. Jesus certainly believed that His followers would fast (He mentions fasting in Matthew 6).
 
danzibr said:
First, sorry if this is the wrong place to put this. Seemed the most appropriate, but I’m not a frequent visitor.

Also, note I put the emphasis on you rather than know. I’m interested in the latter though.

To put it all out there, I’ve been having doubts. Not just recently, I’ve always been a doubter. I had no religion until I was in my 20’s, then became Catholic, and I’m still in my 20’s (for a few more days at least). It took me a very long time to believe in God at all, and a bit longer to come to the Church (thanks to my wife).

Now I can say, at least 99% of the time at least, I believe God (the Father) brought existence into being, and it continues to exist by His will. I believe the words in the Bible accurately depict Jesus, and Jesus really is God (the Son).

My doubts are really flaring up when it comes to the afterlife. We have examples of humans who have died and somehow persist after death, and I don’t mean Jesus, I mean like Him talking to Moses and Elijah. “Regular” people like you and me. Anyway, despite knowing this, I still lie in bed at night terrified of death, the fear of oblivion upon dying. I don’t want to not exist.

Long story short, I’d really like some words of encouragement here 😛

Thanks!
Click to expand...
http://www.resizr.com/resized/5e41.jpg
qmbarque.com/2013/11/19/an-astounding-miraculous-photograph-taken-during-eucharistic-adoration/
 
I know it’s all real because Jesus told me so.

I had a situation where I asked Jesus for a very special favor in a very special way … I received the grace of an answer in specifically the way I had asked … it was shocking … also quite exciting … I jumped up and down with excitement knowing that He does hear me when I pray to Him.

For some reason I am still afraid of death … probably because I am sick … but what I do is read a few pages I had written about the above experience I described, and it brings me right back to knowing He is there for me, and He is there for all of us.

God Bless you on your path.
 
Thanks for the responses, all! Some truly helped me.

What I meant isn’t clear, it seems. I was asking for your personal story. Mine sounds a bit silly, but here it is:

When I was going through RCIA a few years ago, in my early 20’s, I had recently started praying. I prayed to become a better person (for one, I wasn’t exactly the best driver). Also at that time I was wondering if God can hear your prayers if you don’t say them aloud.

One morning I was driving to campus, wondering if my prayers were working and I was becoming a better person, and also whether God can hear prayers in your head. My turn was coming up, and I was behind a bus. I thought I could zip around the bus and make it back in time, but no, I’ll stay in my lane. Right then a hubcap shot off the bus. I’m quite certain had I passed, the hubcap would’ve hit my car. I believe that was God telling me He can indeed hear thoughts, and I was indeed improving.
 
I know because of what you might call personal revelation. I left this world and was allowed to be in the presence of God and was later visited by 2 guardian angels who explained to me what happened and why I was returned. There is no point in going into details because I cannot prove this to anyone else, but I know what I directly experienced.

So I have zero doubts about the existence of the spiritual world, spiritual beings, the afterlife, and God. I also know that God is Infinite Love and Peace. I do not know why I was allowed to have these experiences while so many people do not. Perhaps I needed them in order to change my life. I certainly changed my life after that.
 
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