“So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery.”- Exodus 6:9
At the time when this verse was written, the children of Israel, God’s chosen people, were slaves in Egypt under Pharaoh’s iron fist.
The Lord had given them the promise that one day they would be freed from slavery and taken to the Promised Land.
However, when they faced opposition and weren’t freed exactly when they thought they’d be, they lost hope of the Lord’s deliverance altogether.
They became so discouraged that they refused to listen to God anymore.
Their hearts became hardened because they chose to magnify their current situation instead of the Lord’s faithfulness.
Similar to the Israelites, as Christians, we too will face opposition.
We too will face times of great suffering.
We too will have certain promises given directly to us from the Lord that we’re still waiting to be fulfilled, and prayers we’ve cried out to Him that have yet to be answered.
But does this mean our God is not good?
Does it mean His eyes are blind to our suffering, His ears deaf to our cries?
Absolutely not.
God is good all the time, and all the time our God is good!
God, Are You Still There?
One thing you can be sure of is that God is working behind the scenes.
The truth is, not only does God hear our prayers, but He also promises to answer them according to His will for our lives.
It means God has reasons for His delays.
Reasons for how and when He chooses to answers our prayers.
And reasons for our seasons of waiting, uncertainty, persecution, opposition and yes even suffering.
What I love about this story, is just how much of God’s mercy, grace, goodness, and faithfulness is displayed in the lives of His children.
Yes, the Israelites lost heart.
Yes, they were discouraged.
But, God kept His promise to them.
He delivered them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
They were blessed beyond their wildest dreams not because they were “good” people, but because they were His chosen people.
Don’t forget how God parted the Red Sea, knocked down the walls of Jericho, and used a shepherd boy named David to defeat the giant Goliath with only a stone and a sling!
Don’t forget how God turned water into wine, opened the eyes of the blind, healed the sick, and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, in this world to die on a cross and rise again for the forgiveness of our sins!
How truly great is our God!
So if God is the same today, yesterday and forever, then is anything too hard for Him?
Is anything impossible for Him?
The answer surely is no.
The same God who was with these men and woman back then is surely the same God who is with us now.
Our God is greater!
Our God is stronger!
Our God is able to do absolutely anything!
God, Are You Going to Keep Your Promise?
God is faithful to His Word.
If God says it will happen then it will, and if He says it won’t happen then it won’t.
The name of our Savior is “Faithful and True”. (Rev. 19:11)
We can trust Him.
God will never deceive us, play tricks on us, lie to us, or lead us on in order to let us down.
Just because we may not see God’s almighty hands at work in our lives, it doesn’t mean He’s not working.
Just because we are still waiting for God to fulfill a promise, it doesn’t mean that He’ll never fulfill it.
And just because God may choose to allow us to experience hardship, it doesn’t mean that He doesn’t care.
It’s during these times that we need to really hold on to the promises He gives us without wavering in our faith.
We need to stop allowing our feelings and emotions to take precedence over the truth of God’s Word.
We need to stop doubting God and to start trusting that He knows what’s best for us.
God, Should I Trust You?
Walking blindly, solely by faith, is sometimes the hardest thing for us to do.
But our God has a perfect track record.
When we look back at what He’s already provided and what He’s already done…
We can rest assured that He will also make a way for whatever it is we’re currently going through.
Remember that the Word of God will never return void.
By trusting in it completely, by trusting in our Jesus with all that is within us, we will find that we really do have hope in this seemingly hopeless world.
So if you’re feeling discouraged and find yourself no longer listening to and trusting in your Father’s still small voice it’s time to stop listening to the lies of the enemy.
Rebuke Satan in Jesus name!
Open up your Bible and allow the Word of God to encourage you.
Allow God’s promises to overwhelm you instead of the cares and concerns of this life.
“Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” – Joshua 21:45
Regardless of how we’re feeling, what our eyes are seeing, or what our finite minds are thinking—our God is faithful.
Our God is good.
He has a specific plan for our lives and is in full and complete control of everything we’re going through.
So when the Lord gives you a promise, when He tells you He’ll do something, walk by faith believing that one day it will come to pass.
Rest assured that you haven’t been overlooked nor have you been forgotten.
Your Heavenly Father will not lie to you.
You can trust Him and take Him completely at His Word.
You are not walking through life all alone.
God goes before you, stands behind you, and is walking alongside you.
You too will enter into the Promised Land, heaven for all eternity, so keep your eyes on your Good Shepherd and follow closely after His lead.
He will give you every single thing you need, every single step of the way.
“Scars and struggles on the way
But with joy our hearts can say
Yes, our hearts can say
Never once did we ever walk alone
Never once did You leave us on our own
You are faithful, God, You are faithful…”
Study Verses: Leviticus 26:12-13, Prov. 3:5-6, 1 Corinthians 2:9
Thanks Sister Amander Cook and the Other/Half: NO! to this weeks Blog. To thank all week about the Blog and scriptures as of 2014 June 02. In the Book of Job 1:5 (C), Thus did Job continually, and through Job 42:15. And also in Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beging:. Also in the year 2000 an Husband and Wife was at Kaiser hospital in the Southbay for an blood transfusion. And as the wife went into shock because the blood was not filtered and as our God allows thing to happened for His Glory. The husband had called CCSB after responding to Gods question can you give Her to Me? YES God cry and with tears and by the the TIME a pastor and his wife arrived at Kaiser Harbor City. The wife after going into shock and returned back to normal. Thanks to the PRAYERS from CCSB. Did Our God come through? YES in about 15 to 20 minutes latter, also the wife was given Back to the husband for His ministry, for another seven years. Even this year has Our God Blessed this couple with 37 years in Annavsary/Birthday for His faithfulness. Whether the person is physical here or in the Air. As Our God does come through in His TIMING, Yes, No, Wait. Still Waiting God, Come Quickly LORD Jesus. <
WOW!!! THAT IS AWESOME!! Thank you so much Walter for sharing what God is doing in your life and in the lives of those around you! It is always so encouraging to hear about God’s wondrous works. =] There have been times in my life as well that God answered my prayer a “yes” immediately! I was talking to a man yesterday who was working at Alpine Village and he said God healed him of stage 4 cancer! He was given only only a couple weeks left to live and he asked everyone to start praying. Sure enough, when he went back in for a check up the doctor said, give glory to God, He has healed you! The cancer is completely gone!
How truly great is our God! =]
I love how you wrote “our God does come through in His timing”. Amen and amen!! =] Sometimes I struggling in the waiting period but you’re so right…our God will come through for us in His perfect timing!
God bless you Walter! Praying God continues to show Himself all powerful on your behalf! =] (Gal. 6:9)
This really helped me, thank you!
Thank you so much Sabrina! =] God bless you!
Thank you for this very helpful, motivational and encouraging message!
Hi Amanda, thank you so much for your sweet comment!! =] God bless you sis!! <3
“Then is anything too hard for Him? Is anything impossible for Him?”
I’m sorry but there is a lot that is impossible for him. I’ll give you two.
1) God cannot lose with honor. When Jacob wrestled with God, God had to resort to “fighting dirty” by wrenching his hip because God cannot afford to be overpowered by Jacob. God couldn’t just let him go. That’s why I gave up on God and wanted nothing to do with him even if he calls me to wrestle with him. God would do any dirty trick in the book to win and even though he is king, he has terrible sportsmanship.
2) God cannot work without glory. When Jesus delayed in resurrecting Lazarus by staying two days, he did it all so people can know his glory at Lazarus’s expense. Otherwise Jesus wouldn’t have hurried if it wouldn’t have given him glory. Many innocent egyptians died during the plague so God can show his glory. It’s almost as if God simply cannot give something good without demanding glory in return. A simple quiet thanks would not suffice. Insecurity if one may call it. A person may be king but does a king need constant shower of glory? Or is it to mask a sense of insecurity again?
JameL: 1) Please see that your anger toward God is misguided. You are missing the typology which is so prevalent in the Old Testament. Here in Genesis 32 we see Jacob, a man who had been “wrestling” with God all his life. He was constantly trying to manipulate (Isaac) and supplant (Esau) to gain advantage without considering God’s plan for his life. James all of us struggle with God to some degree. Jacob literally wrestled with the God-Man, Jesus Christ. Jesus allowed Jacob to struggle with Him until he realized he was fighting with God. At the end, we see that Jacob does come around when he asks his adversary for a blessing. He finally acknowledges God. Our LORD gives him a reminder in the form of a handicapped hip. Every step in Jacob’s walk would be a memory of his encounter with God.
2.) James, God is holy. A reality that us sin prone humans cannot comprehend. God is glorified just by who He is. His desire is to have the spiritual eyes to “see” Him for who He is. Our loving Father in Heaven. Our holy, loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, ever present God who will not tolerate sin. Like Jacob, we all have the free will to glorify ourselves or glorify God. In the case of Lazarus, Jesus delayed in light of the Jewish superstition of that day that said a soul stays near the grave for three days, hoping to return to the body. Therefore, it was accepted that after four days there was absolutely no hope of resuscitation. After Lazarus is resurrected, we see him again having supper with Jesus in John 12:9. So apparently, there were no hard feelings about the delay. As far as the “innocent Egyptians” go, who said they were innocent? I suggest you do your homework before you take a stand against the Creator of the Heavens and the earth.
Bradharte,
1) First of all, Jacob only had to come around when his hip was dislocated. Otherwise, he would have persevered. You remember (if you did your homework) in the Bible, it was said that the angel saw he cannot overpower him so he had to touch his hip. It’s like you find out you cannot beat Mike Tyson so you pulled out an M16. No matter how you look at it, your God simply cannot afford to lose. Lousy sportmanship. Personally I don’t know why he bothered even physically struggling with God. Second of all, I’ll play along with you. Your all-knowing God already knows, way even before Jacob was born, he will manipulate Isaac and Esau so it contradicts your statement that it wasn’t part of God’s plan. It was already there if you believe in that sort. God already planned it out down to the dislocating part which was pretty dirty.
2) Who is to say there weren’t any innocent people? Are you God? Don’t overgeneralize like this as if it is the same saying there were no good Germans during ww2. That’s a slap to Albert Battel and Heinz Drossel. Of course I can also say who is to say Lazarus didn’t have hard feelings inside? Lazarus was human last time I checked in the Bible and capable of human feelings. Where is your evidence that even though he is having supper, he only has happiness for Jesus? You don’t know just like I don’t know for sure if Lazarus was indeed overjoyed or not. The Bible has been translated over and over and interpreted and edited countless of times. I would in turn suggest you to do your homework to see how many times the Bible has been interpreted over centuries or better yet, find the original copy of the Bible and then I will tip my cap. You probably can’t but nevertheless, it still is a show of glory regardless of what Lazarus thinks.
How about this? A doctor doesn’t heal a person but lets him die….wait for two days….and resurrects him. First of all, violation of Hippocratic Oath. Second of all, it’s all a show and doesn’t put the patient first like we believe a doctor should. Yet God does the same thing and you make excuses for him. That’s not love. Do you know what’s God definition of love? Do your homework and then come back to me. Hint: it’s not about putting a person’s own need and wellbeing in front of you. That’s a show a glory. It’s also even worse that God needs to be mindful of superstition. Isn’t Jesus above all superstition?
And it is funny that you mentioned he is a God who will not tolerate sin. But he needs sin. Just like a hero needs a villain. Black needs white. Day needs night. Otherwise he could not show his glory of dying on the cross. If there were no sin (if Eve told the serpent to screw himself), you think God would have allowed it? You know God didn’t know sin would be there? He could have wiped out the earth but lets Noah (still with sin) survive? If there were no sin, how can Jesus die on the cross to show glory? Let me ask you this, would God still sent his son to die on the cross if it wouldn’t bring him glory but only forgiveness to mankind? In other words, solely for the other party but no thoughts about self. Otherwise why else would he need such a powerful display with quakes and resurrection and all? That’s the stand against your so-call Creator of Heavens and the earth.
But does an all-powerful and all-knowing God needs that much glory? If he is so powerful, why does he even need to show off to that degree? Does he need to do it through expenses of others? It’s called insecurity, Bradharte. It’s not humility, Bradharte. No matter how powerful one is, behaviors and actions speak louder than words. He needs sin and he needs people to glorify him. I challenge you to find a case where God does something in the Bible without showing off for glory.
So Bradharte, I suggest YOU do your homework and use your rational brain. It’s there, trust me.
JamesL u so funny!! Don’t forget to eat a slice of humble pie!!
Hello James. God’s heart is for His people, and not against them. You are seeing Him through the lens of biasedness and self righteous. Let go, and let God answer you Himself.
Listen to the sermons by Pastor Joseph Prince, for he is one of the best preachers that Jesus has chosen to reveal His heart, and to give understanding, freedom and wisdom to those who seek Him. Hope you will find the answers you seek and the Lord Himself.
Well stated! God bless!
How can you talk to God this way??? Satan is taking through you!!! Only Satan talks the way you talk!!!! Have mercy on you.
Psalm 73:21-24
“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”
It’s ok. JamesL has some very deep questions for God, along with a strong desire for justice. If he continues to seek understanding, and not just demand recompense, God will show up. This is James’ starting point. JamesL, if you are out there, keep wrestling with God. That’s a great way to come in close contact with Him. Wanna talk?
I have always believed in God, and been faithful no matter what, though I am not saint, I have sinned, but always have kept my faith in God… up to 15 months ago I had a decent job and had a great life, a nice house, a sport car and more than enough money in my life… Sadly all of sudden our company decided to down size … I lost my job, but I thought no problem I will find a job soon.. I prayed and prayed and applied for every job I could find did not get a job, still I was hopeful until I ran completely out of cash, bank took my car, and still I was hopeful, prayed and prayed…and god did not help… now I can not even afford to put food on the table… and bank is pushing to foreclose my house as well… I borrowed money to pay for the basics of my life… so I am struggling to understand how can I keep my faith while I have prayed passionately all the while, asking God to help me, and he not only did not help but made my life more and more difficult. I am so sad and my heart is broken I do not know what else to do. Is God angry of me? Is God testing me? If God would not help me now, how can I have any hope to be saved? Every time I pray, I can not stop crying.. I worked really hard to build a good life for myself, I have cared about others and have done my best to help others when I could… I have always been faithful to God and loved my family friends and my neighbours even those people who did not like me, and I have treated people with respect. What hurts me the most is the fact that I know God is aware of what I am going through, I trust God promise and I know he is the only power in the whole universe, and still he has kept me in this desperate situation for way too long that is beyond my strenght. I am scared of losing my faith compeltely.
Hi Daniel, It breaks my heart to read your post. =[ Please know we will be praying for you. I have no idea why God allowed all of that to happen. But please, take heart and don’t give up on Him. This earth is not your forever home. One day, you will be in heaven for all eternity. Gods ways are not our ways. His plans are not always our plans. But as His kids we have no other choice but to trust Him and never stop believing that things can change. He can change it all around in a second! Many times we think God is punishing us or hates us but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
When I read what happened to you I immediately thought of Joseph, the Apostle Paul and well, all of the prophets and disciples in the Bible. Even King David lived in horrible conditions before he became king. He spent some 15 years homeless and running for his life from Saul. For him, God used that time—the trials and the struggles to mold him into the king He ordained him to be. It was where God prepared him and used his difficult circumstances to draw him close and transform him from a little shepherd boy to the king of Israel.
The same with Joseph in the Bible. It took like 13 years of being in a pit left for dead by his brothers, and then the prison for things he never did to finally be appointed as 2nd in Command in all of Egypt. And Job. That man lost everything and then some! But in the end, he kept the faith and God restored to him so much more than he had before. Even Pastors here on staff have shared about having had great wealth and then loosing it all. If you would like to talk to a Pastor here at the church please don’t hesitate to call 310-352-3333.
But please know that God does love you. He is mindful of you. He will never leave or forsake you and has good things in store for you life. Here is a blog I recently wrote that may encourage you. https://ccsb3.wpenginepowered.com/blog/overcome-suffering
Hang on to Jesus. He will give you the grace and strength you need to never give up and to finish this race.
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:11-13
God bless you Daniel,
Amanda
Hi Amanda, Thanks for your reply, You correctly mentioned Joseph, David and specially Job. The story of Job resonate a lot with I have been going through . I am still not disappointed and have been reminding myself that I am “Job” now, and some how this has been keeping me up.. but I am not a prophet my faith is not as strong as those good sons of God… and when I pray I am both hopeful and fearful… I know God does not want to harm me and he probably is preparing me for something great. Thanks a lot for praying for me… I hope God’s help arrives sooner than I expect. I have experienced before and I know when God decide to act, he moves in so quickly and so powerfully that all the forces of heaven and earth can not oppose him.
Even though I have gone through a lot of suffering, but my love for God has become so intense, much more than any time in my life, even now that I wrote the word “LOVE” my eyes burst into tears. I am sure this is a sign of mutual Love.
God bless you and all of us.
Peace and Love.
Daniel
Remember Daniel, the same Holy Spirit that filled those men and women in the Old Testament, is the same Holy Spirit that gave power to Paul and all the disciples in the New Testament. Check out Ephesians 1:19-20, “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” and also Romans 8:11, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
So yes! You do have the same power that rose Jesus from the dead living inside of you too if you are a born again Christian!! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you, just not in and of yourself. Apart from God’s power that is supernatural, we cannot do anything! But, with God, all things are possible. He has a perfect plan in all of this and may not reveal it to you right now. But one day you will look back on this time and see God’s hand truly was in it. For some reason, He allowed it to happen and will “work all these things together for good”!! (Romans 8:28) We live in a fallen world where bad things happen to good people. All because of sin. Check out this post by Pastor Greg Laurie. And remember, there’s Pastors here at CCSB you can talk to and get prayer from okay!! 310-352-3333.
When We Don’t Know Why
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:6–7
I don’t have neat, tidy little explanations for everything we face in life. If you had come to me when I first began preaching in my late teens and early twenties and asked me why something happened the way it did, I would tell you. But now that I’ve been preaching for a while, I don’t have all those answers. There are things that happen that I cannot explain. But I do know that we can give thanks—not for the hardship but because God is still on the throne. And ultimately, God even can work all things together for good to those of us who love Him. We can give thanks that the word oops is not in God’s vocabulary. We can give thanks that no matter what happens to us on this earth, we still have the hope of Heaven.
The Bible says, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6). We are to give thanks, not for our problems but for the fact that God is still in control. When we get sick, we pray that God will heal us, and many times He does. Yet sometimes He doesn’t. Why? Because there is something on this earth called sin, and we all live under the curse of it. We all have to die sooner or later. It’s a tragedy.But here is the good news. As Christians, we will go to Heaven, no matter what. It may be hard. It may be difficult. But we will go to Heaven, we will see the Lord, and all of our questions will be answered.”
You can go to this link for more info!! https://www.harvest.org/knowgod/frequently-asked-questions.html
God bless you!
Amanda
Hi Daniel,
I can relate to your post from February. Myself – I had a job that I lost about 15 months ago as well. Since then I have been looking for work, going on interviews and praying to God for an offer to come. It is more difficult for me as an older unemployed individual to find work and I have been Praying to God for hope and a future with a decent job. To date, nothing, God is silent in my life. I am a sinner and flawed person who had opportunity in the past and let it slip away, basically taking things for granted. I am at a point in life where I feel my Heart is in the right place and need a chance to rebuild my life and be able to provide for my young teenage, most beautiful Daughter.
Currently I am broke, broken down and afraid I will die before God chooses to answer my Prayers. Everyday for me, are nervous breakdowns and many tears. I truly want to see my Daughter grow up and be successful in life. I Pray, but God stays silent. I have lost a lot of weight and my health is failing me. I do work at a local Walmart unloading trucks to make some monies, however, the bulk goes to a corrupt family court system. I can barely keep up to the physical demands of this. again, I Pray for hope and a future, a decent job that I had in the past within my field, and the opportunity to take care of my Daughter. And again, God is silent at the very lowest point in my life. I have had Prayers answered previously in my life but now when I need it the most, nothing. I have always believed in God and now my faith is shattered and I am angry, but holding on to some hope. I ask the same question you posed, Is God aware of what I am going through? I ask why God is silent especially at the lowest point in my life? Why does the phone continue to ring, not from a job offer, but from creditors? Like you, why is the pain, suffering and unanswered Prayers going on way too long beyond my strength and comprehension?
I appreciate the opportunity to share a bit of my story and hope at this time God has answered your Prayers and life for you has turned back positive.
Thanks.
Hi Mike,
I am sorry I did not see your post till now. It breaks my heart to hear your story, as I completely understand what you are going through. Thanks for your good wishes for me. Unfortunately I am still unemployed, and have been to 2 job interview I was certain that I will get these jobs but sadly God did not want to help me yet and it was really difficult to accept the bitter fact. I have lost everything, absolutely everything but I still have my faith and I have reached to the point that I do not care about anything any longer. I simply said to Lord:
God If this is really what you want, to see me suffer and you enjoy seeing me praying for your help and you instead stay silent and let my life crumble down in front of my eyes while you are aware of what I am going through and how much I need you, then so be it. Enjoy destroying every bits of it. Your love is the only thing no one can take away from me, I will love you for ever no matter what.
This expression of my love to God was such a relief. My life has not got better yet but I have such a peace of mind. God has a reason for everything he does and who knows maybe a week or month or year or decade from now (if I am still alive) I look back and say that disaster was the best thing ever happened to me.
Be patient my brother and do not give up, this will strengthen you way beyond you can imagine. It is not easy at all but trust me, God has ways and means we know not of. He puts us in the furnace of life and turns us into gold. God has a wicked sense of humour and a twisted way of showing his love to some of the chosen people. Be glad that God has chosen you. Stay positive and whenever problems creep into your mind tell them “you do not scare me I have a God who is greater than all of you together.”
I am sure God has not forgotten us, but he is working on something amazing to surprise us.
I feel for you Mike and I hope and pray God will help you in the best and quickest way possible and shower your life with financial abundance and good health.
God bless you.
Peace
Daniel
Hi,
Just to give an update about my story. I finally found a job early in August, and could not believe it. I almost cried of happiness. Even though the pay was almost 30% of what I used to get in my last job, but I was super happy and thankful. I worked for one week and then the employer sent my home because my residence permit expired. They told me to come back after I renewed my residence permit. My application for the renewal of residence permit was rejected and I lost my job as well.
Now I will be deported from the country, and bank will take over all of my possessions.
And here I am left alone, still standing firmly and hoping that the lord prove himself to me. I have been faithful and hopeful all these painfully long days weeks months and years.
I am still naively optimist and expecting the unexpected. Lord you have tested me way beyond my strength. Now I would like to test the truth of your promise. I proved my faith to you for 2 years, day in and day out. In my pains and sorrow I stood in front of you and the only thing I asked you was “Lord You know what I am going through, help me!” I will wait on you 3 more weeks, and see how you treat me. After 3 weeks I will come here and post again, let everyone know.
Peace,
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
I hope and Pray that your life has turned around for the positive and God has answered your Prayers. Many thanks for the kind wishes you have provided for me. My life is still one of daily struggles and I don’t understand why God tests some of us way more than others. Hang in there and I Pray that God is easing your pain and sorrow and He is granting you Favor and Abundance that you deserve!
Mike
Hi Daniel. Hope and pray that your circumstance is changed for a positive. Do you have an update of all is well now? Hod bless you!
I personally have gave up hope I feel like I am just a wicked person and that is why I have been cursed I read his word daily it has gotten where it comes back void, I pray beg cry out to God I have people asking me where is your god I have been on a downhill spiral for three months now I tried to hang on to gods promises but I no longer even have the strength to do that. I have tried to reach out to no prevail where is God? Why would he allow me to feel the way I do Why would he leave me knowing how weak my faith has become? Everyday for three months (almost everyday) something else has been taken. I am scared I will let go of him totally because I just at times feel like his word says for who he has chosen I havent been chosen for much of anything my entire life why would he choose me?
Barbara, I have struggled with submitting everything to God all my life. I am 46. When I grew up we lived in poverty because of my parent’s bad choices, but I was told that it was God who didn’t want us to have anything. I remember getting a box of food with expired items in it from church members, and from that I deduced that God chose to meet our need with leftovers. Why then, would I ever depend on God, when His best plan for my life obviously included lack and hardship—probably, (I reasoned) because God is glorified and honored when His children have scraps, yet still praise Him. I really thought He would keep me in a state of lack because that was the best way for my life to honor Him. After many years of trying to make things work out on my own, without willingly giving my best to Him (for fear He would take it), here is what I know for sure. (1) I can do nothing apart from Him. (2) Nothing has any meaning apart from Him. (3) All things work out for good for those who love God. (This means we win, even when we lose.)
We have a very real and powerful enemy that wants you to doubt that God loves you very much, if at all. This enemy has power (although limited) and he will never miss an opportunity to hurt you, if he can. God did not promise that we would never get hurt, or live in poverty, or have depression, or as a child, eat food from a dumpster which was supposed to go to feed the pigs. We are all sinners, but God is not abandoning you because you are a wicked person, and He is not withholding help because He cannot be bothered. We are living in a sin sick, jacked up world and the truth is—the very worst on earth can happen to God’s children, and it sometimes does. But I know, that I know, that I know—that if you will give your whole mess over to God–He will give you a powerful testimony in return. One that can slap the taste right out of our enemy Satan’s mouth. God did allow me to suffer for many years, but not without bringing something good out of it. And you know what? God cleaned up the messes that I could not, even many years after the fact. I believe that all of us, sooner or later, have to come to the point where we understand that everything belongs to God, and He has the right to take it back. Satan steals, but God can rightfully take back what is His, without explaination–and THAT, my friends, is probably one of the hardest lessons Christians have to learn.
I don’t claim to understand what you are going through, and I hope I don’t sound calloused and cruel. My heart really breaks for you, because I get it. I know what it is to lose my job, my home, my car, my hope. I just want you to know, that you WILL come out on the other side,and not empty handed, either. Determine that you will stick with God to the bitter end, even if He doesn’t answer your prayers in the way you hope He will. One day God will ask you what you have in your hand, and when you look, you’ll see that it’s a streamlined paddle, seasoned with the fires of pain and hardships, and it will have Satan’s name all over it. God will give you an opportunity to swing it–through encouragement, or counseling, or a material blessing. God will allow you to help someone else get through their time of trial, so be ready to swing.
I am praying for you, and God bless you Barbara.
Tonya
Thank you so much Tonya
You are most certainly welcome. I am glad I had something to give.
WOW!!! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing and encouraging us Tonya!
Everything you said is so true! I remember after my parents divorce as a child getting food and Christmas presents donated to us from the church too and I remember feeling so sad about it at the time. As a young child, I wanted God to bring my dad back home. I wanted God to heal our broken family. But looking back now I see how God was providing and with us in the midst of that terrible storm. How it wasn’t His fault my dad chose to have an affair and move out. God was faithful and always came through for us. And He always will come through for us. It may not be in the ways we expect or even want Him to. But He most certainly does work behind the scenes on our behalf, and will work all things together for good.
So be encouraged Barbara.
Don’t give up on God. He will bless you and take care of you. He will turn what the enemy intends for evil around for good. And He will show you that He truly is faithful. I don’t know why God is allowing this difficult season in your life. It isn’t because He loves you less than everyone else. The truth is, He created you for a purpose. Your life has meaning and you are His princess! He fearfully and wonderfully made you in your mother’s womb not by accident, but because He again has a plan for you. In this difficult season you are not alone.
Remember when Joseph was in the pit and in the prison? I bet he felt the same as you do. Where was God and why was He allowing all these trials and hardships. But then God elevated him to the palace. He became 2nd in command of all of Egypt! God had to allow those difficulties to prepare him for the huge blessing and responsibility ahead. Maybe it’s the same for you Barbara. Just like Tonya said. Maybe God is allowing this for just a season, a little while, because it’s preparing you for what’s up ahead down the road. So please don’t lose heart. Know that this too shall pass. Remember, anything that happens to us on earth is as bad as it’s going to get. Because one day we will be in heaven for ever and ever! Keep reading and praying and trusting in God. He will come through for you.
If you ever want to call and pray with one of the pastors here at CCSB the phone number is 310-352-3333. They can even set you up with a free counseling appointment to pray over you and encourage you as well. =] Whenever I’m going through a hard time meeting with one of them always, always makes me feel better and gives me the right perspective. I will be praying for you Barbara, and am here if you ever need to talk. God bless you Tonya as well! Thank you again for sharing your testimony and encouraging us!
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
Until the Whole World Hears,
Amanda
You’re welcome. I love your website; well done. Keep swinging! 😉
Amen!!! Same to you!! =] <3
“I believe that all of us, sooner or later, have to come to the point where we understand that everything belongs to God, and He has the right to take it back. Satan steals, but God can rightfully take back what is His, without explaination–and THAT, my friends, is probably one of the hardest lessons Christians have to learn.
I don’t claim to understand what you are going through, and I hope I don’t sound calloused and cruel. My heart really breaks for you, because I get it. I know what it is to lose my job, my home, my car, my hope. I just want you to know, that you WILL come out on the other side,and not empty handed, either. Determine that you will stick with God to the bitter end, even if He doesn’t answer your prayers in the way you hope He will. One day God will ask you what you have in your hand, and when you look, you’ll see that it’s a streamlined paddle, seasoned with the fires of pain and hardships, and it will have Satan’s name all over it. God will give you an opportunity to swing it–through encouragement, or counseling, or a material blessing. God will allow you to help someone else get through their time of trial, so be ready to swing.”
Very poweful, Tonya. Very powerful indeed.
Can you imagine what God thinks when no matter what, we just believe Him? Oh man!
I have been going through this thing where I think I have crossed the line with God. Not any deep sin you know, just too independent. Everything has always been kind of easy for me… But God. I have been suffering for over a year now with this conviction that I am too hard in heart and conscience for God to reach me. It has been sending me into a spiral of hopelessness. Tonite I cried out to God again, the pain – spiritual loss of hope the psychological loss of hope were real – yet in a moment I realized that this very moment is what God may be waiting for… Trust HIM even in the darkest time of our lives – I have heard it called “The dark night of the soul” where we really get a grasp on God.
I think our biggest fear should not be that we are in the furnace, but that we wont learn what God has to teach us by being in it. IF we could just remember that God is allowing our faith to be tried by fire “which is much more precious than gold that perishes”, we would then embrace God anyway – THAT is what God is looking for because THAT is true saving, trusting faith. We need it! He wants us to have it!
So I say Cry! Cry out to God in the suffering! Cry out in the hurt and trust HIM in the midst of it all!
I hope that doesnt sound weird, but that has helped me because I realized, until that happened, I didnt really have faith at all. It could be one of the most important lessons I have learned in my Christian experience.
God is able to save us to the uttermost…
I got you, Mark. You touched on a crucial point–you didn’t think you had any faith. I hear a lot of teachers and preachers ask their congregations, “why aren’t you living out your faith? Why aren’t you living out your beliefs?” But we are living out our beliefs—that’s the problem. We may know our creeds, we may know what “the Word says”, we even have the prompting of the Holy Spirit to keep our feet on the right path, but who are we listening to? What do we really believe? It can take years for head knowledge to become heart knowledge–if it ever does. I guess that’s where those steps of faith come in. It’s one thing to “know” that water is wet–it’s a whole other level of reality to put your foot in the water.
As one who has dwelt on a mountain long enough, I agree with you that we should fear missing the lesson rather than fearing the furnace! You’d think 40 years in the wilderness would have taught me something sooner. I am sure I would have learned, if I had been honestly asking God for wisdom and understanding, instead of demanding an account from Him. God doesn’t mind us asking “Why?”, but He will not be cross-examined. You keep crying out to God in your suffering, and you will get what you need. I am so glad that God gave you what you were looking for! Finding is reserved for the seekers. (That’s not in Proverbs; it’s from Jim Rohn, ha ha)
God bless you, Mark.
Tonya
How you just blessed me….thank you precious woman
God is good, isn’t He?
Thank you Amanda Estrada and Tonya Wright Thank you so much I really needed this Thank you for all your prayers also It feels great to have someone reach out to me satan has been attacking my mind I am all alone and no job so just sit here at home so I thank you and praise God he has started picking me up but I almost made a mistake because my husband Joseph and me are separated and I keep hearing I have to let him go so I went to attorney yesterday not really feeling right because I thought you know God hates divorce and if there is anything I dont want to do is go against God and I keep getting this to go to a certain church Sunday 2 weeks prior to me going to divorce attorney and the pastor was telling me about him being a drinker and how God turned him around and then I started seeing a ministry about another minister once being a drinker then last Sunday,Sunday before going to divorce attorney I went to a different church that I felt like I was lead to go to and the pastor was preaching Ephesians Chapter 6 about forgiveness and he said that he thought that it pertained to marriage as well then I had spoken to pastors wife about what I was going to do and feeling guilty and she told me not to feel guilty (it was a church that my husband and myself had attended) so I went Tuesday to divorce Attorney all the while crying my eyes out paid for it and said God its in your hands then later that day I just keep getting this strong feeling about how dare I just give up on someone when God never gave up on me then next day I heard a sermon on moody radio about God and divorce and how God had restored so many marriages and the different attitudes we take toward the other long story short I felt like it was God telling me forgive 70X7 because that was brought up so I called attorney and ask her to please hold off I just cant do this, So please stand with me in prayer for Joseph Barbett salvation and drinking and Myself for my faults because you know what I am NOT a saint and that he would restore our marriage better then it has ever been before
Aww thank you so much for sharing Barbara. I will be praying!! <3
I needed to read this today. It spoke to everything that I’m going through. Thank you.
Hi Jocelyn! Thank you so much for your reply. =] God bless you! Jeremiah 29:11
I’m so glad for Exodus 6 because I get really tired of pastors telling us we’re not going to make it if we get discouraged and lose heart. Thank you God I can’t stop your plans for me!
Amen Ann! God’s plans for you are not to harm you! But to give you hope and a future. =] =] Jeremiah 29:11 God bless you!
I here all this GOD is with me for dare almost over 30 years I haven’t seen a change yet how long does it take for a answer.I have talked to pastors been to church I have been calling prayed over and still my life isn’t coming getting any better so what now.I have given up on faith.I guess the people that is praying for me there prayer and isn’t strong enough
Hi Jeanette,
may I ask what change you are looking for? I don’t mean to get too personal or seem disrespectful, but I am just wondering what you have been praying for over the last 30 years. I certainly may not have the answer but I know what it’s like to wait for one.
Hi Jeanette,
I am so sorry you’ve lost hope in God answering your prayer. I want to encourage you to never stop praying. Maybe what you’re praying for isn’t God’s perfect will for you. Or, maybe it’s just not God’s perfect timing. There’s a story in the Bible about Daniel. Well, Daniel was praying and praying and nothing happened right away. Then we see the bigger picture!
Check out what it says,
“Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels,[d] came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.” – Daniel 10:10-14
So you see…just because you can’t see God’s hand at work in your prayer life doesn’t mean He’s not working or will never answer. You have to keep praying and waiting for God to bring it to pass…again…if and only if it is God’s will to do so. Sometimes God answers us a no or not yet.
So please, don’t lose faith in God. This earth is not your forever home. Your situation could very well change overnight…or it may never change this side of heaven. The key to Christianity is not getting everything you want…but finding contentment in trusting in God with all of your heart and knowing 100% that when you die you will spend all eternity with Him in heaven.
Praying for you Jeanette. May God bless you with the desires of your heart!!!
Proverbs 3:5-6 for you!!
Amanda
Everyone is all on their own in getting what you want…..Sometimes it is just bad luck……
Ecclesiastes deals with this. It says “Time and chance happens to them all” but a better translation is “time and happenings happen to them all”. Not all of the “happenings” are good occurrences, but God’s promise to those who love Him is this: ALL things work out for good for those who love Him AND ARE CALLED according to His purposes.
Bottom line: This promise is only for Believers, and that is not politically correct, but if you are looking for Truth instead of a pat on the head—here it is. That is a crucial truth to grasp because if you are a Believer, then you can realize that even though the world is full of injustice and your good plans have been ruined, God is still in control. He can and He will make a bad happening turn into a good ending. This means we win even when we lose. Oh, it still feels like losing! We won’t always see the good that God will bring about because it may occur after our lifetime, or in another place, but Believers can know without a doubt that God will not lose a single sparrow to Satan–God will not give up one grain of sand of His creation to the Enemy. The only thing that can be forfeited is the human soul that chooses to reject God–that is why the above promise is only for Believers.
So, in this life Believers will lose jobs, homes, dreams, and loved ones. There are times when we will be perplexed, and hurt, and suffer injustice. But praise God!! We are a family of Believers and one of God’s purposes for us is to care for and pray for one another and meet the needs of our brothers and sisters. When we fail to do these things, it isn’t God’s fault.
On the day that God restores everything back to a state of perfection, we will understand. Until then, do not lose hope and do not give up, because we are on a battlefield and God will place us where we need to be (not necessarily where we would like to be)!
Satan knows all this–that is one reason why he attacks with such ferocity. He hears the ticking of the clock.
I’ve been without my car for over 13 months and I’m getting tired of waiting. Went through 12 month nursing school in 20 months, while I watch people cheat and sometimes didn’t even bring a book to class at 41 years of age being Single for almost 17 years I’m wondering will life get better I guess I have to wait and see something my parents use to tell me when they couldn’t afford something I wanted I feel regardless gods got all the power we have to wait whether we need it or not it’s good to have family and friends but I don’t because God pushed them out my life all I have is my two daughters always alone always sitting in the house nothing to do nobody to talk to I don’t doubt god can do I’m just tired of waiting on things I need
Praying for you, LaQuinta. Sounds like you’ve been on hold for a while. I know this is going to sound counter intuitive, but is there any way you and your daughters can reach out to someone else and sow a seed in their life? Visit a house bound elderly neighbor, rake their yard or just sit and listen to them. It doesn’t need to be a gift of money. Find some way to bless someone, and do it quickly. This is the best practical advice I know how to give–and I wish I had done it years ago. Whatever else you do, every morning when you wake up, speak blessings over your life and your two daughters–confess out loud that because of what Jesus did, you are the righteousness of Christ. You are the head and not the tail. This is not some bogus prosperity teaching in which you change your circumstances in 5 easy steps, but remember: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
May God bless you.
Right Am going through a lot frustration with no permanent job and elder parent to take care and no one in particular among family members having secure and well paid job.. life is hard on us sometimes sleepless night and wake with heavy heart in the morning thinking what should I do for better and secure life. Have been trying a job but things not working my favour .it’s like the more I pursuit with passion and determination the far this job gets away from me. High ups and bureaucrats just trying not having me this job as they favour their candidate ..it’s been 7 months running and everyday seems like a day with tears and frustration in my eyes , sometimes I lost faith and doubt but still believe and didnt gave up hoping Lord will deliver me from this mess just like he deliver Israelis from slaveries and into the promise land.. people please pray for me (if anyone happen to see this post )..i hope to share my good news soon.. thank you god bless.
I see you. I am praying for you Jamir, and I hope with all my heart God opens doors for you soon. Who knows what that door will look like–it may be something totally unexpected. 12 years ago we were homeless and living in a friend’s camper. I was working part time at night and trying to watch my two very small children during the day while my husband worked. No money, no sleep, no life to speak of. That was one of the hardest seasons of my life and it didn’t get better for a long time. I remember literally screaming aloud at God to get me out of there. I learned a lot through that experience, but maybe one of the best things was learning to pray with real empathy for others. You might have a long road ahead of you yet, but you’ll get there.
LIFE IS EXTREMELY USELESS, NO HOPE AT ALL. Even if l look back 100 times, l see no hope, instead what l see is disappointment, misery, abuse, etc l grew up feeling inferior, frustrated, helpless, hopeless, etc l AM REALLY TIRED OF THIS LIFE OOOOOH!!!
Hi Lilian, I was extremely tired of my useless life too. I know those feelings only too well. By the time we walked in on my mom’s staged suicide attempt ( I was 8 or 9 ) I had nothing but contempt for her. It was probably good that I was already so hardened because there was worse yet to come. It took me a long, long time before I learned that I could actually leave all that mess with Jesus and receive a new life. I thought I had to figure it all out, pinpoint what went wrong and make changes somehow. I think I believed that God expected me to work it out. Hmmm. Well, long story short, I had to stop looking back because I’m not headed in that direction. I don’t deny what happened or block it from memory, but I know that I cannot give or find meaning to what took place. I don’t have to have all the answers to have closure, and I sure can’t wait for an explanation or an apology before I let it go. That ain’t happening! Nothing in this life has meaning without Christ; He designed it and He has the blueprints. When life is so cruel and unfair, you will get angry at God, and He can handle that, but I encourage you not to stay angry at Him. We have an enemy who sets us up for failure, but what Satan intends for evil, God will use for good. It may not look like it today, but you are someone else’s blessing and answer to prayer.
Praying for you Lilian.
Lilian,
I understand your feeling of hopelessness. It can be overwhelming. I lost my son about 5 weeks ago to suicide. Less than 3 weeks later, my wife (his step-mom) decided to separate from me. I am currently out of my home right after the loss of my son and I may be faced with unwanted divorce. I lost my first wife of 31 years to cancer. Life at times can seem so hopeless. Why continue? Why not do what my son did and give up? Believe me, these past couple of months it’s crossed my mind. But no matter how distraught I get, no matter how overwhelmed I feel, no matter how hopeless it seems…remember God is in control. Have faith and pray. He is then only one who can turn things around in the blink of an eye. He loves you. He loves me. We just have to hold onto that and focus on him and not our circumstances. He is the answer and He will never give up on you. Pray, read the Bible, seek prayer from others, talk to someone even a prayer line. Let the pain out and give it all to God. What we can not handle, He can easily handle. What we can not see, He can easily see. He’s there, just don’t stop believing that. Your story just helped me to see that and I hope these humble words help you to see it too. I will be praying for you. May God Bless you.
Lilian
I am here… I hear you.
I get tired of this life too. You are important and loved, even if you don’t feel it.
Sometimes we cannot trust our feelings.
God loves you and so do I.
I have been a christian all my life…and in the past few years have come closer o God and trhying to understand Him and what is wanted from me. Ny crisis of faith is not getting any better…it scares me.Maybe this makes no sense, but I hought thatwhen Jeshua died on the cross for our sins…forever ..for everthing we ask forgiveness for.I know feel as if I don’t meet ever jot and tittle of ‘things”..I have no hope of being healed. I have had severe, severs pain from many conditions for almost 2o years,I talk to God, I’m not really hearing from him but from people on these forums. I amm sure, it I have on doubt about my healing..I am done for.If Yeshua shed his blood for us and said It is finished! What isn’t finished?I read words and teaaching everyday on f book form welll taught and well educated and respected in the ” christian world”
Every day, every dya , I hear God is preparing a wonderful thing, it’s coming soon, it’s just around the corner don’t lose hope. I received all of them and thanked Godl. With the healing, I see nothing and the situation has worsened. I know, as a Christian, I shoudln’t have these feelings, but , honestly, I do not think I can bear anymore. Why? Why? I need an answer andI cannot tke anymoe It’s coming..oh watch out, God knows what you need and he will do it. I think I’m at my end.
needed ti add. I can’t walk, sit stand anthing for more that a few minutes. and the thing that breaks my heart ti tht hugghing is one of the worst things I can do to assure more pain. I cannnnn’t holdand hhug my children, my children, my friends. Surely, God cannot wan t this.
God loves you and so do I
Aw thank you so much Sharifa. God bless you! =]
I saw this through a Google search. I have to say, I have been on a God-sized mission for 17 years now and it seems so petulant to disparage the Israelites for growing bitter at God that he delayed in delivering them. Excuse me for saying, but they were in slavery for 400 years. Who wouldn’t take this approach after being “enslaved”(literally) with generation after generation. They did that so that they could survive their reality that they were enslaved. The “hope” (if you will) was poison and a false belief to think they would be actually delivered, given what they were living through. This delay seems to cast them as they were so unbelieving and weak. Well, America is not even 400 years old and if we had every generation of American enslaved since the beginning, there is none on this blog that would believe we would all be delivered. The ones that would believe would be cast in the same box as the people right now that considered weirdo outcasts in our socieity. It would be a simple “just look around dude, there is no deliver” type belief. They would have to “see it” to believe it.
I know. I have spent 17 years on a mission and when I fully committed to it nothing but hardship has ensured. Death, betrayals, desertion, heartache, near poverty, debt, pain & misery, loss and more loss. For the last 10 years especially, it has been greiving. The belief-o-meter is really really low, perhaps it may need a shot of new mercury b/c it isn’t registering. Does this mean I am so weak? I say bury your dead and let’s me question you on a future date about God’s promises in your life. I say while everyone are reading stories of such weak belief about a enslaved population of 400 years, let’s see if it is different in 2017? Should I continue believing? Of course, but eventually things have to work. If they didn’t have Moses deliver in the desert, Gideon, Joseph, David, or Jesus, there would be no bible. Eventually, he has to fullfill his very drug out promise, all the while belittling the “enslaved” that they are so weak on their belief. Total bunk.
Get off you but God and do something or just maybe your are doing something. I dunno, you are what you are, you do what you do. I dunno, like totally Dude, you’re gonna purdy-much do what’er you want to Bro. B/c your the big Dude in charge. Well, dont’ miss your TV programs or forget to rain down wrath on a society..
It’s only been 17 years Bro. I mean like totally. Like at the rate your moving, your none existant.
Make sure to remember that I had “weak faith”, be sure and don’t forget that one. I’ll make sure and bring the BBQ sauce!
Thanks Bro! I feel the love. “I’m lovin it!”
I am 51. I have had the privilege and honor of walking with the Lord God Almighty since I was sixteen. My father was an emergency room surgeon who I watched go blind, have his leg severed and then go insane.
The scriptures are more than words, it is God’s own thought revealed to us. However I have some dismal news for Christians.
God will let you suffer while he blesses those unbelievers around you
. And He will ensure that after you have tithed and given everything you have to the poor , you will have nothing. Your house, your husband, your children, your job, and dont forget your joy will be taken. No reason why. No backsliding. After a decade of prayer and loss, I dont trust Him anymore. He may never reward or speak to you.
Hagar? Why did Hagar have to be cast out after Sarah enslaved her? I am powerless to challenge God. That is how He Rolls.
I truly wish I knew why “God will let you suffer while he blesses those unbelievers around you” as you have stated.
I know that I am a sinner and flawed individual who has been suffering and struggling daily for too long. I have been reaching out to God praying for the strength and courage to make the right decisions in life and be able to take care of my young teenage Daughter. Praying for hope and a future. God, however, remains silent to this day. I have taken out my anger towards Him for which I will Pray once again for forgiveness.
I am still holding on to hope while I am still alive!!
Thank u so much this really helped me so much!!
Praise God Brittany!! God bless you! =]
If we have landed up on this page,it’s because we have been searching for answers in one way or another. Answers to our unanswered prayers.I have read many of your comments and my heart just breaks because it is very difficult to understand why our prayers aren’t answered,giving that we are God’s children and we are not seeking riches,just the normal basics in life. A home,A job and to be able to support our family and give to those who are in need without asking for repayment.I myself,have questioned God about prayers going unanswered and why some people do have their prayers answered and give testimony of them,which I love to hear.Mike and Daniel,when I read your comments,I started questioning God again because I can’t comprehend the silence and no help. It gets to a point I know,that one begins to ask if we have done something wrong that we didn’t confess of or whatever….It takes me back to the scriptures where Jesus said…If your son asks you for bread,will you give him a stone? I have thought about this a lot because when our children need help,we help them no matter what and if we don’t have the means,we find the means,one way or another…But…God’s ways are not our ways and our ways are not His ways….So,we have to pray for strength to keep our eyes on Him and not our situation,which is easier said than done,I know,but give up? NEVER! I refuse to give satan any victory!!!Remember,his time is running out and he wants to damage all God’s children,he doesn’t care about the unsaved,it’s us he is trying to demoralize.PLEASE,HANG IN THERE…even if it’s by your tippy tip fingers…I am too….Jesus is coming back for us,we are only passing through here on earth.One day we will understand everythin……. God Bless you all….Maranatha!
2
Its been almost 40 years of God not answering some critical and crucial prayers, of not fulfilling promises.
The best years of my life, wasted.
Those posting here, besides myself, appear to be very young, compared to me.
I am familiar with Calvary Chapel in Carson. Its been decades.
IF you will read the Old Testament, the whole thing, you will find a God that is…. well…. read it.
Jesus was supposed to, “fix that,”…. without fixing it.
Mark Twain:
“…a God who could make good children as easily as bad, yet preferred to make bad ones; who could have made every one of them happy, yet never made a single happy one; who made them prize their bitter life, yet stingily cut it short; who gave his angels eternal happiness unearned, yet required his other children to earn it; who gave his angels painless lives, yet cursed his other children with biting miseries and maladies of mind and body; who mouths justice, and invented hell–mouths mercy, and invented hell–mouths Golden Rules and forgiveness multiplied by seventy times seven, and invented hell; who mouths morals to other people, and has none himself; who frowns upon crimes, yet commits them all; who created man without invitation, then tries to shuffle the responsibility for man’s acts upon man, instead of honorably placing it where it belongs, upon himself; and finally, with altogether divine obtuseness, invites his poor abused slave to worship him!”
Well said, Mr. Twain.
Look. I’ve been patient. God is what God is. God will do what God wants to do. There need not be any rhyme or reason to us if that’s how God wants it to be. God can decimate our lives if that’s what God wants to do.
God has stated He brings good and evil. Look it up.
God has asked for an angel to go be a lying spirit. Look it up.
All things are from God, through God, to God, and for God. Look it up. That means evil, kiddies, all the rotten, nasty things that people go through…. that they suffer, that they endure, that destroys their lives, and ultimately…. them.
Look it up.
There are some very immature people on this page.
Those hooked into working for a church will not have the money tribulations, deprivations, to the extent that others will.
As I have stated…. I am aware of Calvary Chapel.
At this stage of life, I know well that I have thrown in with a psycopathic, sociopathic God. This is not projection. This is not Satan using me as a mouthpiece. It is fact.
God is the Ultimate Lawyer. With every promise made He leaves a loophole. And the onus is always on us when He refuses to, “come through.” Yet it is He who made us as we are.
Many are the prayers that many, many have prayed to have sinful natures taken away and replaced by something better. And many, many have been the refusals, with a, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
Wake up, kids, wake up.
At least be honest about it.
We are the creations of a Psychopath. A Sociopath. And we are at Its, “Mercy.”
Ducky… just ducky, isn’t it?
If I attempted to detail all that has transpired in my life it would be a book.
God has always given me just enough to survive. To keep on living and suffering.
I guess that’s so He can save my tears in a bottle.
You did know that He saves your tears in a bottle, didn’t you? Look it up.
He must have quite the cosmic wine cellar, quite the collection of sufferers’ tears in bottles.
Sick. Just Plain Sick.
Am I writing this to destroy your faith?
No.
I am writing it in the interest of truth and honesty. In fidelity.
After all, I am still in God, and God in me.
Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God.
There is no doubt about that.
A good God? Ha!
And yet, there is no other…. my experiences have proven that to me.
Maybe others will have the loooooooong haul such as I have in terms of extreme suffering and deprivation. I don’t say, had, because I’m still having it, still having to live the Book of Job.
Perhaps someone reading this will enter into such, unwillingly and through no fault of their own, and need the witness of someone who went before….
And be strong. Buck it up. Persevere. Endure. And make it.
Honesty is the best policy, and there just is not enough of it in religiosity circles, which accounts for too many shipwrecks due to unreasonable and false expectations.
I also have had a life of pain and wondering alot of times why things havent changed mine started as a little girl I am now 55 and have carried that pain throughout my life it has caused me to be alone all alone I dont even have friends and yes there are many times I have said to God your word tells me its not good for man to be alone yet here I sit. I have heard that it is to make me get closer to God I have worked all my life and yes barely making it but to be honest my hope my faith (maybe just the size of a mustard seed) is in him I have nothing else but to try to hold on . do you have any idea what it feels like to give your all all the time and for that just be slapped in the face even by your own children well I do. So believe me when I say I understand where you are coming from. But one thing also is our free will and the fact that we choose our behavior and for that there is consequences. Yes my mind is all messed up sometimes I believe I have PTSD just from my own life tramas and yes I have knelt down before God and told him I cant do this on my own I need his devine healing and yet I feel I havent gotten it yet. and there are days I tell him please just take me home the pain is so debilitating but all I have is God to somehow someway show me the way what am I missing? And there are days that I just want to give up on God but for some reason I just cant so hold on my friend the day may come that God will show us what we are missing
Just an addendum…..
I have been faithful.
I have been used by God to heal two people with terminal cancers, given 3 to 6 months tops by doctors.
Cancers gone. Banished.
Have been used to get a young man out of a wheelchair, put there by brain aneurysm surgery, doomed by the docs to forever be in it…. and God got him up and out… through me.
There have been other things, wonderful things, too many to recount here.
They were for others. Through me. An instrument, a tool, of God.
I have been faithful with my talents and gifts.
But for me…… the dregs, the crumbs of crumbs. Nearly 40 years of broken promises…. for at this point, they are broken to me, because the best years are gone. I am heading to 70 with broken down physical body problems that go with that and a mind, soul, and spirit ravaged by God’s refusal to keep His Word to me.
If God comes through it will be very little very late…. Too late, in my book.
Trashed the very best years, helped others in magnificent ways through me, and I am left with an old body, falling apart, and misery upon misery.
God can be unfair in our terms if that’s what God wants to be.
I can’t do anything about it.
Only…. Continue.
I still pray for others and have a heart for their afflictions. Sometimes I am used to make a difference in their lives. To this day.
Where’s mine? On the, “other side?”
It is the appearance, the demeanor, of a deceptive, lousy God to promise something, “Good,” for me there, when there were promises for me of, “Good,” here which have not been kept. As said, a few years shy of 40 years now.
Gotta’ call it for what it is.
A couple more things,
For those who think that God has forgotten them…… You can be sure that He hasn’t.
Remember the fact that God collects, saves your tears in a bottle, mentioned in my first post?
That means that God is very involved with your sufferings. To the point that He is there for the, “collection.”
This changes much in the view of the dynamics of God and our travails in terms of ignoring or forgetting our plights.
He is extremely well aware.
Make of that what you will.
I guess the biggest reason that I have posted is that what has gone on with me did not, has not, is not going on, in a vacuum.
There are entities, a vast multitude of entities, watching this.
Angels of God, loyal to God.
Fallen angels.
And humans enough.
Perhaps God will be piqued to move on my behalf for the sake of His Pride.
After all, He is Bigly on being the Best. Everything he does is the Biggest and Best.
Sound familiar?
Is it any wonder that the world is what it is, run by what runs it? Hmmmmmm?
Perhaps God will take responsibility for my plight, the ongoing, chronic condition, and move to save….. Face.
It’s worth a shot.
God is such a manipulator. I might as well try playing as well. Maybe I’ve stumbled across a cosmic lawyer’s trick with this tack.
I had the Ultimate Teacher.
You can pray as well.
After 51 years of repenting for every wrong thought action attitude, praying, worshiping, bible studies, praying for the sick, improving every attitude, thought, word spoken, feeling and action. Quickly overcoming one of the most physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually abusive childhoods mental health pros had ever encountered and becoming a positive, productive, self supporting, contributing, caring, helping member of society (to the amazement of the mental health professionals, people as severely abused from age zero to adulthood rarely keep from becoming suicides, murderers, druggies/alcoholics, mental institute residences). I took NO drugs, ( Except some prescrip meds that all made more problems for me instead of healing me), NO alcohol, NO smoking etc etc etc. Constantly and consistently building faith by keeping the word of god coming in my ears, eyes, mind and out of my mouth etc etc Watched very little TV because it bothered/offended me when people would use Gods/Jesus name in vain, ridicule them and all the sin etc. Did Thousands of hours of Quiet contemplative prayer and much more. I applied everything I learned through Bible studies and heard preachers teach. If I thought I heard God telling me something to stop or start doing/thinking etc. I changed as fast as I could. Even did the rebuke, cast out evil spirits spiritual warfare approach. Ate very healthy, exercised, stress reducing actions, self care and self help therapy, best doctors dentists hygiene lifestyle etc on the planet.
Another words I did all possible instead of just sitting back expecting God to do it all and fix everything. Finally I have come to the conclusion God does not exist or if he does he refuses to help! During the 51 years, physical problem after physical problem just kept on, coming at me. And every problem is chronic and permanently damaging. No doctor, medicine, regime, effort, faith, prayer, love etc. stopped, reversed, prevented, undid even one problem. God ignores people and does not care that we suffer. I spent 2 decades with unquestioning, undoubting, no matter what happens, I had faith. Period. Still received absolutely zero relief and help from God. He fixes, stops, prevents and reverses absolutely nothing. I never could understand why a Heavenly Loving Father NEVER loved ME.
Don t say it is my attitude. I had multiple decades of good attitude through it all.
Although it did finally deeply wound and hurt me as much or more then what my parents did to me. Millions of ignored prayers as you suffer deeply and do all you can (my friends said “I do everything right”) wounds and hurts people until they just give up. And yes there was a long period of time where I stopped trying and just turned it over to God and relaxed and got out of his way and quit trying to help him so much… just let Him do it for me with me doing nothing but being in Peace and faithfully waiting on God. I got nothing. But more physical problems.
Just noticed this blog as I was researching some of the common Christian explanations for the problems and pain and suffering. Kudos to those folks who were brave enough to tell their stories of the realities of their lives, to those who believe that God controls all and helps all. It is disconcerting, to say the least, to read the all-too-common empty platitudes and words ‘of comfort’ given to those who are suffering from real-time problems in this real world. I have yet to hear any Christian person, teacher, preacher or author give even one reasonable and decent answer to the problem of why there is so much unfairness, unjustness and just plain horrific and gratuitous pain and suffering in this world. The promises found throughout the bible of God providing real, tangible help (in the bible stories) never are found in this real world of ours. I know, I know … Christians convince themselves that God IS working out in some invisible and mysterious sort of way. But not in any way that is evidence-based. Just in ways based on lots of wishful thinking and confirmation-biased-bible soundbites.
The last writer, ‘Homeschoolie,’ was right on the money. Nothing got better in his life until HE did the hard work of making it better. If he had ONLY prayed absolutely nothing would have changed. Funny how God ‘answers prayers’ only after humans have intervened and made things happen! I am open to hearing any reasonable arguments or explanations that might convince me that your God is real and that he is a personal god …. you know, actively involved in the lives of his ‘children’ on this planet. Until then I remain, evermore, an atheist. BTW I have read the bible, front to back, 4x over the last 25 years and have memorized large sections of the NT – You see I was a devoted Christian from age 26 to 53. I ‘ministered’ in 3rd world countries, taught adult classes in my church, etc….. The problem with truly knowing your bible inside and out is that this knowledge raises way more questions than the bible – or any Christian – has answers for. Only by blindly burying your head in the sand and repetitively hearing the same mantra ‘God is good, all the time, no matter what’ can you continue to believe that his actions are good today – and my question then is WHAT actions? Show me some actions that are more than hidden and secret ones that nobody ever seems to be able to use as evidence. Funny that. Convenient for Christians. Total failure for any who are not thus indoctrinated.
Hi Kat, thank you so much for your comment. I’m so sorry you feel God isn’t real and doesn’t truly answer prayers. It’s easy to try and put God in our own little box…and see Him more as a genie in a bottle than our creator. Many times, we want things we shouldn’t have…because they will do us more harm than good. That’s the assurance we have as Christians…that our heavenly father truly does know what’s best. Is it always blue skies and green lights? Of course not. There are indeed miracles and answered prayers…but also season of difficulty and tragedy. I have had all of it. When I first surrendered my life to God, in a split second He literally and supernaturally delivered me from my addiction to drugs, alcohol, pornography, cigarettes, and suicidal thoughts. I tried 12 step programs…rehab…and quitting on my own and couldn’t. I can honestly say it was the almighty and real power of God that broke those chains in again, a mere second when I called out to Him. Does He show His power like that to every single person…I don’t know. But I do know I am not the only one it has happened to. Another prayer He’s answered is me getting married, buying our own house, and my husband adopting my son (who I was a single mom to for 7 years). Those were distinct prayers I prayed for since I had gotten saved. About 5 years. Was the waiting time easy? NO! It was hard! I would cry myself to sleep, questioned if it would ever happen to me..etc…but at God’s perfect timing, when I least expected it…He did the miracle and worked it all out. Even paying for our wedding and the down payment for our house! ALL miracles. Unexplainable. Not logical or rational! Totally and only possible with the almighty and miraculous power of God. So you see…I have first hand experience with God on a personal level. That’s what you need. You need to pray for God to reveal Himself to you in a powerful way. Will He do miracles in your life? I guarantee it.
First and foremost…you will be given salvation. Something we ALL don’t deserve because we ALL have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. We all deserve hell. But because God is good and does love us He sent His Son Jesus Christ to literally die on the cross in our place. He didn’t have to endure such pain and suffering. But He endured it all for us. So one day you and me could spend all eternity in heaven with Him. That’s the key here Kat. Sure, life here on earth sometimes totally sucks! Bad things happen to good people and things happen to both Christians and non-Christians alike that aren’t always again…blue skies and green lights. But that’s when you have to pause and remember this life is NOT your forever home. One day we all will die. Maybe in 80 years or maybe before your 1st birthday. Therefore the key isn’t to store up treasures here on earth…it’s to store up treasures in heaven…where you will be forever and ever and ever. You can either allow your troubles and difficulties to drive you closer to God…or, in your case…further and further away from Him. Think of a 3 year old shopping with his mom at Ralphs. And for fun, let’s just say he has a peanut allergy. (like my own son) Now his mom knows he can’t eat Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…she knows it will actually hurt him not be an enjoyable experience like he thinks. He asks, she says no. So the son falls on the floor having a huge tantrum because mom isn’t given him what he wants. But the mom loves him so much she knows again, it’s not in the best interest of the child to get that candy. Now think of this in relation to God. There have been so many prayers I prayed…that I look back on now and think wow thank you God you didn’t give me what I had wanted! Why? because something I wanted….was in all reality not good for me. And, the prayers He has answered…were literally at the exact time I needed them. Sure I wanted to get married 5 years ago…but again, looking back…there was no way I was ready for it! And thank God He made me wait for HIS perfect timing. So you see…that’s again the blessing we have as believers…it’s not about our emotions…they fluctuate like crazy every single day. It’s about the evidence and facts and goodness of God and salvation and knowing our lives are in His hands. Full surrender means we bend to His will not demand and throw a tantrum when He doesn’t bend to ours. One of my favorite verses is “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart”. (Ps. 37:4). I have had this come true for me time and time again. Many times after waiting and praying and waiting and praying. Trust me, I’ve had bad attitudes and tantrums lol but as you grow and mature in the Lord, those happen less and less. =]
You have to get to a point in your walk with God that you truly rest in Him. You trust His sovereignty and grow in your faith. Faith, mind you, that is a gift from God. And comes from hearing (reading) the word of God. And seeing the hand of God at work in your life behind the scenes. He is creating a beautiful masterpiece with your life that brings glory and honor to Him. Until the day you are taken home to heaven and ALL of your tears and sorrows and pain will forever be wiped away. Satan in the temporary ruler of this fallen, broken world. But he wont rule and reign forever. Jesus Christ is coming back again. Another hope we have as believers. And when Jesus comes…there will be judgement. And justice! Whoever doesn’t repent and turn to Jesus will be held accountable. Right now God is being patient…because He wills that NONE perish but all come to repentance. But has given us all a free will. It’s our choice. Just look at creation…or the human body alone! Or the universe! There is so much evidence of a creator. So the question for you Kat then becomes…will you allow God’s grace and mercy to wash away all of your sins…or, will you refuse to accept His free gift of salvation and pray the price for them yourself? God loves you and does have a distinct plan for your life. But it’s up to you to humble yourself before Him…and allow Him to have His way in you. I promise you…”it’s the goodness of God that leads man to repentance” (Romans 2:4). And, “How great is the goodness God has stored up for those who fear Him. He lavishes it on those who come to Him for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” (Ps. 31:19) Pray for God to show you if He’s real or not!! Pray for God to give you the faith to believe! He did it for me, Kat and I promise you…He will do it for you too if you simply ask Him to.
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
“For God so loved Kat, that He gave His One and only Son, that if Kat would only believe in Him, Kat would not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 with your name lol) =] =] =]
“God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” – Ephesians 2:8-9
Praying for you. =]
<3 Amanda
Kat, a good reference for you would be Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest Christian Fellowship. He has a book titled, “Hope For Hurting Hearts”. His son died in a motorcycle accident and he shared how God got him through it. It could have driven anyone away from God…but he shares how he’s actually drawn closer to Him and rests in the promise and assurance that he will see his son Christopher again in heaven one day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOrVq_TyweI
https://greg.harvest.org/an-interview-about-my-son-christophers-passing/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD152RR9GzQ
I hear what you’re saying, Amanda. And I admire your strong convictions. What I think a belief in God, or any God, represents, is hope. This is what people cling to and they call it God. The reason men want a God is because we know how little control we have in this world, and we want to believe someone is out there who IS in control and calling the shots, because to believe in things happening randomly is just too darned scary. So, people find things in their lives that fulfilled something they wanted or needed, and say “God did it”. But what about all the things you wanted or needed that you didn’t get? Then people say, “God didn’t WANT me to have that then”. This is too pat, too neat, too much like childhood magical thinking. What is also illogical is that God would deliver one person from drug and alcohol abuse, or sex addiction, or cancer, etc……but let someone else’s 3 year old child die of cancer. When this happens, believers say, “Well, God’s ways are higher than our ways” or “God works in mysterious ways” or “God must have needed that child in heaven”. I mean, really? God’s going to answer someone’s pray for a new Cadillac, but He’s not going to save someone’s child from dying horribly burned in a fire? Again, what happens is some people feel they NEED to believe in a God, because the things that happen in this world are sometimes so horrible that we can’t comprehend it and people hate to believe things just randomly happen for no reason. But that’s actually the only thing that DOES make sense. We see horrible things everyday, and the truth is, there’s no rhyme or reason to it. What I DO believe in, is the power of love and of ACTION. Instead of praying for someone, DO something for them. I’ve taken in people who needed a home, fed people, etc…I’m not tooting my own horn here, I’m making a point. Yes, many Christians do great things and take action to help people. But so do atheists. Doing good and being an atheist aren’t mutually exclusive. WE have the power to change the world, our own lives and the lives of others, through what we DO (or DON’T do, as is true many times). Those who believe in God are simply and understandably trying to make sense out of what makes no sense. There’s a fundamental need to try to understand things. But if there WERE a fair, loving and just God, we wouldn’t see one person skipping through life, seemingly unscathed by trauma and evil, yet little children suffering what no child should ever have to suffer. THAT makes no sense whatsoever.