How to deal with those "What if" thoughts?

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Very occassionally I will get those What If feelings. What If all those Atheists you see in the media and in your college science department and who jump out of nowhere whenever anybody says anything remotely religious are correct in there may be nothing after we die. It is a scary thought. I do believe in God, and wich you build my faith even more. When you guys get those feelings or thoughts, how do you best deal with them? I admit I am an imperfect human.
 
Just remember that they have those same “What if” thoughts as well. 😉
 
Very occassionally I will get those What If feelings. What If all those Atheists you see in the media and in your college science department and who jump out of nowhere whenever anybody says anything remotely religious are correct in there may be nothing after we die. It is a scary thought. I do believe in God, and wich you build my faith even more. When you guys get those feelings or thoughts, how do you best deal with them? I admit I am an imperfect human.
🙂 There are only two people who ever existed that could claim perfection, Jesus and Mary. Other that those two all of us deal with the imperfections of sin and doubt. Personally, I am a classic case of the “what ifs”. I deal with a generalized anxiety disorder and so this is a daily struggle. When i get the "what ifs’ about the existence of God I always move the the rational position. It is when the warm fuzzy feeling of faith wanes that I have to look at all of what’s around me and just know that it couldn’t create itself as much as those atheists would wish to attest. Yes, I too have spoken with and read the thoughts of many atheists. But there is always a void in their theories. An unspoken emptiness is always the foundation for their non-belief. They stand on the platform of “proof” and yet they cannot regress past certain known points. Then all they can say is that since they don’t know thay can’t be so silly as to insert God in the void because they cannot “prove” His existence.

So what if they are right? Well then we must take the leap of faith that something came from nothing. We would have to know that we are nothing more than a snapshot in the stream of evolution and that stream has no destination. We would have to throw out any kind of objective truth since there is no basis for such a truth. Everything is relative based on individual experience and subjectivity. We would have to succomb to the fact that there really is no purpose to our existence other than the immediate here and now. Even if we make life wonderful for our kids and so on what happens when the world ends? Nothing. So the end doesn’t justify the means. Our life is a means to just exist and enjoy the day whereby we cannot even give thanks since there is no one really to thank.

Now, what if there really is a God? We now have a Creator, objective truth by which all moral decisions can be measured, purpose to our lives and the hope that our love for one another is a small token of thanks to the One who gave us our life.

I am huge with the “what ifs” but then we have to put things in perspective and say what we observe as certain. It’s not easy. It’s the hardest thing that I have to tackle each day but it can be done. May God bless you and keep you. I’m out of work right now and the biggie is “what if” there are no more jobs… but I can tackle that one, even if just for today… teachccd 🙂
 
Very occassionally I will get those What If feelings. What If all those Atheists you see in the media and in your college science department and who jump out of nowhere whenever anybody says anything remotely religious are correct in there may be nothing after we die. It is a scary thought. I do believe in God, and wich you build my faith even more. When you guys get those feelings or thoughts, how do you best deal with them? I admit I am an imperfect human.
This is where you should read Pascal’s wager.

The real question is: what if the atheists are wrong?

If you have faith and you are wrong, but live your life well according to that faith, what have you lost? Nothing really, you’ve lived a good life and will remembered well by your peers and loved ones.

But what if you are an atheist and you are wrong? The result is eternal damnation. Which side would you rather bet on?

To be true it’s not a perfect reason to believe in God. The perfect reason is to love Him. But it’s a start and hopefully you will come to love Him as you get to know Him better.

And ask yourself: is it better to face life with hope, or hopelessness?
 
Very occassionally I will get those What If feelings. What If all those Atheists you see in the media and in your college science department and who jump out of nowhere whenever anybody says anything remotely religious are correct in there may be nothing after we die. It is a scary thought. I do believe in God, and wich you build my faith even more. When you guys get those feelings or thoughts, how do you best deal with them? I admit I am an imperfect human.
Like myself, and all children who are confused or frightened, go to your Mother and She will protect you and take your concerns to the Father.
Contact: QUEENSHIP Publishing Company, PO Box 220, Goleta, GA. 93116 or www.queenship.org and purchase a small pamphlet/book entitled In The End My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph which is a “Consecration Preparation” to surrender your heart into the Mother Mary’s heart.
It consists of 33 days of prayers, very short, but very powerful meditations, through which you voluntarily consecrate your heart to Her.
By ourselves, we are no match for the confusion and attacks of satan, we all need Mother Mary.
 
Like myself, and all children who are confused or frightened, go to your Mother and She will protect you and take your concerns to the Father.
Contact: QUEENSHIP Publishing Company, PO Box 220, Goleta, GA. 93116 or www.queenship.org and purchase a small pamphlet/book entitled In The End My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph which is a “Consecration Preparation” to surrender your heart into the Mother Mary’s heart.
It consists of 33 days of prayers, very short, but very powerful meditations, through which you voluntarily consecrate your heart to Her.
By ourselves, we are no match for the confusion and attacks of satan, we all need Mother Mary.
I agree! Those who entrust themselves to Mary will receive a particular protection and guidance from Her. It does not happen overnight, but with constant prayer one can be sure
that the Heavenly Mother will always watch over them and prevent them from errors.

Anna
 
The What IF’s… Hmmm !!!
That one comes up on ocassion. & I always answer to {myself} that why would anyone ever want to take the chance in NOT BELIEVING in GOD ? It doesn’t cost you a dime or any other materialistic contributions… It’s free as your own Free will is… The guide lines where spelled out for everyone… ( My opinion) Don’t even take that chance with your soul & life… Man! The dividens will be astranomical…👍 The Devil plants those “What IF’s” in your mind… It’s his dirty little tricks to start you thinking…

The Chops…
 
Very occassionally I will get those What If feelings. What If all those Atheists you see in the media and in your college science department and who jump out of nowhere whenever anybody says anything remotely religious are correct in there may be nothing after we die. It is a scary thought. I do believe in God, and wich you build my faith even more. When you guys get those feelings or thoughts, how do you best deal with them? I admit I am an imperfect human.
I believe we all have those “what ifs”. I do. But I know where those thoughts come from. Satan. He tries hard to plant them in our minds.

One thing that we as Catholics have is modern miracles to look to. Apparitions of Mary pointing us to her Son. Miraculous cures…totally unexplained.

BTW…we are all imperfect humans. That’s why we need Jesus. 👍
 
to borrow and idea from Josef Pieper

sometimes we must simply stand as martyrs before our own thoughts that happen to us.
holding fast to our profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
 
At the end of the day, I know I have faith and I know I believe in God, and that I am a good person. I also know I can be stronger.
 
Very occassionally I will get those What If feelings. What If all those Atheists you see in the media and in your college science department and who jump out of nowhere whenever anybody says anything remotely religious are correct in there may be nothing after we die. It is a scary thought. I do believe in God, and wich you build my faith even more. When you guys get those feelings or thoughts, how do you best deal with them? I admit I am an imperfect human.
Why is it frightening if atheists are correct? Ask yourself this, really. If there is no existence after death… what? Maybe it’s sad, and with that I could agree - but mostly it’s just confusing. Atheists like to berate believers for “wishful thinking” (which is a false equivocation anyway i.e. wishes and beliefs are quite different), and accuse us of beliefs motivated by irrational fear… don’t confirm their error. These kinds of feelings will dissipate with genuine reasoning. Pray, and think!

Nothing after death is not scary, it’s nonsense.
 
I would think that a person who has "What if"thoughts has a very healthy,open and a robust mind!!! One of the dangers that a person with a narrow mind has, is that they would never ask “what if”.A "what if"questioning person can have the capacity to walk in other peoples shoes."what if I was poor,a cripple,blind,a refugee,a soldier,a criminal,a Jew,Muslim,drug addict,alchoholic,a sex addict,bulimic,tall,short,a woman-yuk–the list could be endless–this could apply to ideas.
What if"the world ends tomorrow,I die tonight,taken over by China,mugged in the street etc.I would entertain a “what if” question for say a little while using that thought that was mentioned as an example–what if there is not God?(1)there would be no reason or purpose for my existance(1)it is dog eat dog-the strongest wins(3)my sufferings are meaningless-life is a joke(4)might as well eat,drink and make merry-for tomorrow I die!!–once you run out of the logical conclusions to this—then start "What if there is a God?(1) I can know,love and serve Him here on earth and be happy with Him forever in Heaven.(2)there is a meaning and a purpose in my life(3)I was created by God,not an accident,He made me because He loves me.(4)I know this because Jesus died for me.(5)I can start Heaven on earth receiving Jesus in Holy Communion—alright I got in one extra number here ,as I am a believer!!!
Then make a prayer-- Lord,I believe,help my unbelief!! My Lord and My God!!
The only bad 'What if"thoughts that we should not entertain are of course sinful actions.
 
Just to be a smart alek, If the atheist is right, you’ll never know. It’s not like he’ll get the last laugh or something.
 
What if there is no God, huh? :rolleyes:

Then I’m going to die the happiest, giddiest, most joyful and full idiot who ever walked the Earth. My life will be a testament to the foolishness of love and laughter and forgivenss and hope. All will say, “What a moron! But what a peaceful one!” 🙂

Don’t worry about the What If’s. They’re part of a normally functioning brain.

Read Mother Teresa’s “Come Be My Light” and ask yourself why someone who went through what she did would still believe. That’s should clear things up a bit. 😉
 
What if there is no God, huh? :rolleyes:

Then I’m going to die the happiest, giddiest, most joyful and full idiot who ever walked the Earth. My life will be a testament to the foolishness of love and laughter and forgivenss and hope. All will say, “What a moron! But what a peaceful one!” 🙂

Don’t worry about the What If’s. They’re part of a normally functioning brain.

Read Mother Teresa’s “Come Be My Light” and ask yourself why someone who went through what she did would still believe. That’s should clear things up a bit. 😉
What if there was no God? Well, for one thing, there’d be no atheists. 😃
 
Good Book SophiaLector “Read Mother Teresa’s “Come Be My Light” and ask yourself why someone who went through what she did would still believe. That’s should clear things up a bit. ;)” quote.
What blew me way is when Bl.Mother Teresa vowed NOT TO REFUSE GOD ANYTHING!!!
Blessed Mother Teresa of Culcutta please help me to do the same(but not yet!!!)
 
Why would anyone ever want to take the chance in NOT BELIEVING in GOD ?
Well why not believe in all the Pagan gods as well, or any god throughout history. This is the best evidence people have, is “why take the chance.”
I believe we all have those “what ifs”. I do. But I know where those thoughts come from. Satan. He tries hard to plant them in our minds.

One thing that we as Catholics have is modern miracles to look to. Apparitions of Mary pointing us to her Son. Miraculous cures…totally unexplained.

BTW…we are all imperfect humans. That’s why we need Jesus. 👍
And other apple-pie statements…
Read Mother Teresa’s “Come Be My Light” and ask yourself why someone who went through what she did would still believe.
On second though, don’t. The explanation is a scientific one: people are tenacious supporters of ideas they’ve read and fancy. What was Mother Teresa suppose to do when she descended into spiritual dryness? Become a bank clerk? People hold beliefs because they are attatched to them, not necessarily because they appeal to our reason.

Let me tell you a little bit about my “What ifs” as a believer. I found myself asking “what if” so often that i decided to investigate. And I think that anyone who does a real thorough and honest investigation will be able to confirm the atheist standpoint. If you want to make an informed decision about “what if,” don’t simply read the little larks about “well then there wouldn’t be atheists if God didn’t exist!” and be satisfied. Surely you know there’s no solace in such reasoning. Look to disconfirming evidence; if you haven’t bought into any of the atheist literature after giving it a thorough read, then continue blithely in whatever Religion you desire. But I always urge people to give the opposing side a chance. I think if you end up losing your faith, you’ll be pleasently surprised at how liberating it is to be completely free-thinking - unbound by any obscure dogma. I was surprised, in any event.

The fear of no afterlife is a fear engendered by religion itself. There can be no fear of what will not be perceived in death. It will be peaceful, to be sure.

If ever you wonder “what if,” give an honest look into it. Be satisfied with Truth, whatever the shape of it make take.
 
If ever you wonder “what if,” give an honest look into it. Be satisfied with Truth, whatever the shape of it make take.
HA! That’s totally dishonest, Voice of Reason. You should have stated what you’re really pushing, “Be satisfied with Atheiem, whatever shape it may take.” You clearly cannot stand that anyone would be Catholic, well-educated, and at peace with Divine Wisdom.

Sorry you find us idiots so threatening. We’re really just here to love you. 😉
 

But I always urge people to give the opposing side a chance. I think if you end up losing your faith, you’ll be pleasently surprised at how liberating it is to be completely free-thinking - unbound by any obscure dogma. I was surprised, in any event.

The fear of no afterlife is a fear engendered by religion itself. There can be no fear of what will not be perceived in death. It will be peaceful, to be sure.

.
Voice of [Un]reason, here it is not the place to sell such ideas. Disbelief in God and in the afterlife only brings despair and the sense of uselessness and absurdity of life. The only logical consequence is suicide. Atheists live with anguish inside, they do not even know
what inner peace is.
Readers of this thread, do not buy it.

Anna
 
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