When you Feel Nihilistic as a Christian

It’s very refreshing to hear someone as young as you are be so open and honest and real, unafraid to show the world what a real Christian looks like. You inspire me, a 78 year old grandmother, to want to spend more time in the Word and know God better.

I actually really needed this. I was feeling this way and asking for the truth. Then I come across this 'random' small video. Thank you much for sharing.

Don't listen to any knockers Brother. You speak with passion and intensity and this makes some people feel uncomfortable.

Kinda off topic (although i do agree that i have been feeling nihilistic recently, thanks for the video :) As a kid I've always thought of trees that they grow upwards because they want to praise the lord with their branches stretched wide up in the sky. And I just find that wonderful. Btw English is not my first language so I'm sorry for any errors.

I can feel your authenticity through the screen Brother and it comforts me to know there are people like you out there who are likeminded to me

This is an incredibly valid opinion in regards to seeing the world as useless, as it is really an in-between from the womb to heaven, but it doesn't mean we cant appreciate the fathers work while were here. Awesome videos man!

Such an important topic! Just met your channel now, right after lunch and I'm enjoying your videos one after the other 🤣 thank you, Orlando! God bless you :)

1. For better or worse, please know you're not alone with this, brother. I often feel the same way. I think at least for me it's somewhat of a comfort to know I'm not the only one let alone the first one struggling with these thoughts and feelings, for it means there might some hope to gain some wisdom from those who have likewise struggled with this and who are winning, or at least who are not entirely losing. They do exist; I've met and known some. 2. Plus, like you, I'm Asian American, and I learned many Asians including Asian Americans struggle with mental health. I think part of the reason for this is because of how we're raised (e.g. Asian parenting, educational pressures) as well as Asian culture in general. For example, I don't know if it's still true today, but I once saw a statistic that Asian nations like Japan and Korea have among the highest if not the highest suicide rates in the world. If so, this suggests mental health issues are a problem. Coupled with the social stigma against mental health in Asian culture, it's a recipe for disaster. 3. I think Ecclesiastes is the perfect biblical book to deal with this. I'd strongly recommend the little book Living Life Backwards which is an exposition of Ecclesiastes by the pastor-scholar David Gibson. It's phenomenal for its pint size and packs a punch. Really edifying to read. 4. I also recommend the work of the late David Powlison and the CCEF in general. They've been so helpful for me. As Powlison once said - I'm paraphrasing him because I can't remember his exact words - those who realize how empty life is or that it's even nihilistic actually have a great insight into life, for it is a truth that few see that the world and we ourselves are indeed broken, that there's something sad about this world and about ourselves. That's a great insight which can be built upon. Most people dont see it or at least don't acknowledge it, but instead prefer to divert themselves with trivialities like entertainment rather than to consider these deeper matters. As Blaise Pascal points out: "Thus man is so unhappy that he wearies himself without cause of weariness by the peculiar state of his temperament, and he is so frivolous that, being full of a thousand essential causes of weariness, the least thing, such as a cue and a ball to strike with it, is enough to divert him." We'd rather entertain ourselves so long as we can forget about the most fundamental questions of life and death. Yet the fact that you don't ignore it but face it head on is itself a positive sign in a similar way to how recognizing the problem is the first to step to figuring out a solution or at least if one even exists. 5. As the writer of Ecclesiastes saw, what is crooked cannot be made straight. That's part of the curse of living in a fallen world. Ecclesiastes is in this respect a commentary on Genesis 3, a commentary on life after the Fall, life in a post-lapsarian and a post-diluvian world, life under sun. But the Christian's great hope is though we live life under the sun, we also live life hidden in the Son. Someday the Son will make all things right again, fix all broken things, straighten that which is crooked. Our great hope is Romans 8. Romans 8 is Paul's reflection on the "vanity" in Ecclesiastes. Indeed, the Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint uses the same Greek word for "vanity" in Ecclesiastes as Paul uses in Romans 8:20, which is one reason why biblical scholars see the connection between Ecclesiastes and Romans 8 (the KJV even translates it as "vanity" in Romans 8:20, but most modern translatios go with something else like "futility" or "frustration"). And the ending of Romans 8 is of course full of hope and promise. 😊

I asked for purpose with a contrite heart because I still got suicidal thoughts even being in nursing school and after being baptized, he lead me down the path of discernment to become a sister/nun or whatever he wills. I no longer fear or feel alone and found community and God.

Keep on my friend!! What a powerful massage!! God bless you

i'm loving this... i'm glad i found this channel like wholesome rare salt 🧂

As someone who struggles with showing emotion in most situations, I just want to say there’s absolutely nothing wrong getting emotional, ESPECIALLY about the goodness of God. I, too, tend to be nihilistic about the world on a nearly daily basis. I appreciate your video and your channel. This message is edifying. Keep doing the Lord’s work, brother

You are sooooo cool and so authentic, thank you❤️❤️❤️❤️

I have watched most of your videos between yesterday and today. I really appreciate what you have to say. Thank you!

the emptiness of pleasures pushes you to wisdom (if you are honest with yourself) and then with wisdom you can understand and enjoy pleasures

I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your honesty. I pray that millions and millions of young people along with every person who needs to hear this message will watch it and be blessed by it. Thanks for keeping it short and to the point. Keep honoring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with your videos.

Praying for you brother! we are all in this race friend! Let us all stay in the word of God! It took me 8 long years to learn what God has been teaching you now. I went and did things my way, never asking God, never praying and never reading. At 19 I was running my own ways and following my own teachings. It was through pain and suffering I learned to submit and humble myself! I pray you never go through what I had to go through to learn Jesus's ways. I am blessed by the work God is doing through you! I love you and hope to hear more about your journey. Be blessed❤

Your videos are truly redirecting my life… Thank you for listening to God. 🕊️ He is already changing lives through your channel.

God bless you. The Lord has been speaking to you on many things that have been on my heart. Thanks for serving the Lord. Appreciate this!!!

I dont feel like nothing matters but living here on this dying sin soaked planet is pretty soul crushing😢. Come Lord Jesus....