Why don't I feel any different?
Some people feel great joy when they trust Jesus. Others feel relief, or anxiety, or not much at all. All of those are normal. What God has done does not depend on how strongly you feel it.
When you trusted Christ, God forgave you, declared you right with him because of Jesus, welcomed you as his child, and gave you new life by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:4-9; John 1:12-13). Those things are true on a flat Tuesday morning as much as on the day you believed.
Feelings are real, but they are not reliable judges of your standing with God. Bring them to him honestly. Over time, change usually shows up in quieter ways: more honesty, quicker repentance, a new love for God’s Word, care for people you used to ignore. Ask a mature disciple what they have noticed in you.
Read more: chapter 1, What has happened to me · chapter 7, Assurance when you struggle
Still have a question?
Write it down and bring it to a pastor or a mature disciple at your church. You were never meant to figure this out alone.
Other questions
- I sinned again. Am I still saved?
- Do I have to be baptized?
- Where should I start reading the Bible?
- I don't know how to pray. What do I say?
- Do I really need to go to church?
- What if I have doubts?
- How do I tell my family and friends?
- What about habits I can't seem to break?
- If God loves me, why is life still hard?