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Just because you don't have something good doesn't mean God doesn't want you to have it. Jesus words to his disciples before he died even included the exhortation "In the world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world". Especially in America we have this idea that the Bible promises the Christian life will be full of ease and comfort and God is magically going to make everything work out and go well for us. It doesn't and one of the things that currently nags at me is the sheer number of believers around the world for whom choosing to follow Christ involves great personal risk and sacrifice, yet knowing all that they still found something so compelling in the gospel that they thought (and still think) following Christ was worth it. Most of the time I can't articulate that value any more than a fish can articulate to a desert creature the value of water, but I'd like to know it and I do know it's there.
I'm sure your expectations of God have been disappointed, but when I was facing a similar disappointment I had to get really honest with myself and look at the Bible and realize that for most of our Bible "heroes" faith didn't bring them an easy or peaceful life (go ahead read Hebrews 11: 35-39), but I find encouragement because knowing the end of their stories helps me believe that God may have greatness and a big impact ahead for my life as well, even if I currently feel enslaved or exiled or ignored or unjustly attacked.
I'm sure your expectations of God have been disappointed, but when I was facing a similar disappointment I had to get really honest with myself and look at the Bible and realize that for most of our Bible "heroes" faith didn't bring them an easy or peaceful life (go ahead read Hebrews 11: 35-39), but I find encouragement because knowing the end of their stories helps me believe that God may have greatness and a big impact ahead for my life as well, even if I currently feel enslaved or exiled or ignored or unjustly attacked.
S
Susanna
Guest
What a great way of thinking. Thanks for writing this.
I have many times been thinking about what God wants with my life. I feel like I have disappointed Him so many times. But grace will prevail.
Sometimes I wish I could work for God the remaining years of my life, but then again there’s this voice in my head saying I shouldn’t. How would I do that? What would people say? Just laying my worldly life down and saying “yes!” to the Lord? I have lived a life that in actions is so opposed to the Word. I’m not proud of the things I’ve done.
Many times I’m on the verge of just stop cold turkey what I’m doing and start a new life in the Lord. Yet I always find excuses for not doing it. The time is not now, I keep telling myself, but the time is now. Not tomorrow, not next year. Now.
I will go to church and confess my sins. Then I will take it from there.
Since coming back to Jesus, I have been at all the extremes of existence. I have been homeless and have had my dream home. I also have had to give it all away four times. But none of that matters because I am fixed on doing my Father's work and not on what I have.
That is the beauty of service to our Lord. We know we have already won the race. I'll hear another's testimony and think "God hasn't dealt with me that way." Most of us then would condemn that testimony, but it may very well be God doing something quite different. That is why I don't shoot down another's doctrine unless it is harmful to the Christian ideal.
The point is, God works with us all differently according to what He needs from us. Some might stay wealthy simply to fund others. Scripture tells us that where our treasure is, there will be our hearts also (see Matt. 6:21). Whatever we have, in life, we learn to be content. God takes care of the big things and it is His work not ours.
That is the beauty of service to our Lord. We know we have already won the race. I'll hear another's testimony and think "God hasn't dealt with me that way." Most of us then would condemn that testimony, but it may very well be God doing something quite different. That is why I don't shoot down another's doctrine unless it is harmful to the Christian ideal.
The point is, God works with us all differently according to what He needs from us. Some might stay wealthy simply to fund others. Scripture tells us that where our treasure is, there will be our hearts also (see Matt. 6:21). Whatever we have, in life, we learn to be content. God takes care of the big things and it is His work not ours.
Since coming back to Jesus, I have been at all the extremes of existence. I have been homeless and have had my dream home. I also have had to give it all away four times. But none of that matters because I am fixed on doing my Father's work and not on what I have.
That is the beauty of service to our Lord. We know we have already won the race. I'll hear another's testimony and think "God hasn't dealt with me that way." Most of us then would condemn that testimony, but it may very well be God doing something quite different. That is why I don't shoot down another's doctrine unless it is harmful to the Christian ideal.
The point is, God works with us all differently according to what He needs from us. Some might stay wealthy simply to fund others. Scripture tells us that where our treasure is, there will be our hearts also (see Matt. 6:21). Whatever we have, in life, we learn to be content. God takes care of the big things and it is His work not ours.
I ended up homeless years ago. I spent 5 years being homeless before deciding to move back in with my father. And that decision hit my fast and hard.
Six months after moving I ended up on emergency kidney dialysis. And the past 10 years I've struggled with various health issues.
Had i not become homeless i would have stayed where i was. And where i was would not have been good for me while sick.
While I won't say I'm thrilled with many of my circumstances I'm grateful I moved when I did or things would've been worse. Sometimes your bad circumstances may be the better of two options.
Also I'm wondering what reality vs the bible conflict you're having. The bible never promises an easy life. In fact quite the opposite is true. Look at Jesus and the 12 Apoatles. All murdered or imprisoned. Paul spent years in and out of prison. All throughout the bible people that follow God suffered. So what in the bible is contradicting with your reality?
Nobody has it easy. Life is difficult. Ask a friend or family member about their problems and you will realize quickly, that we are all in the same boat. I think the trick in life is, you can make your life more difficult, if you choose not to trust God.
One thought that helped me get passed it all is, this life is only temporary, and quite short if you think of time as infinite.
Here is a video I share with people that are going through difficult times, hope it helps.
One thought that helped me get passed it all is, this life is only temporary, and quite short if you think of time as infinite.
Here is a video I share with people that are going through difficult times, hope it helps.
Found this one just now also. Encouragement. Everyone goes through dark days, it's part of life. I just don't see any other way, but trusting God. If you care about truth, Jesus is truth. If you care about what's right, Jesus kept every Commandment. If you care about love, Jesus loves the world. If you care about peace, the Holy Spirit will give you peace. If you care about life, Jesus conquered death. Just keeping fighting and when you are done fighting, let Jesus restore your strength.
S