Mature Christian needing some insight before losing faith

mediterranea

How long can one possibly wait for the lord in prayer. I'm a Christian of thirty years. It seems that circumstance rarely works in my favor for many things. Things that are beyond my control... financial burden, untimely death, family and/or enemies... etc. I've prayed genuinely for few things. If I live my life by the word, and have an honest and true love for the lord, why does he not vindicate me speedily, why does he not care for me and help with basic and fundamental needs that I cannot help myself with? If I worshipped for prosperity, then I could understand, but if that were the case, then my faith would not have lasted so long.

If he is not going to help me after years of faith, sacrifice and honesty... then wouldn't it be better to live in sin as everyone else does. If he can't follow his word on earth, how can I belief in eternal life and the resurrection when he can't even help a little here on earth. I'm losing my faith. I'm starting to think that maybe there is nothing out there or whatever it is does not care for us... and that's a big leap for a mature Christian.

On the edge,
Jude

theseldomscene · Banned Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 7817

the edge is as good a place as any friend....so it would seem...

for all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of GOD. for which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. for our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen, for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal....2cor4:15-18

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

God Bless you Jude,

Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."

Don't let this happen to you dear brother. There is nothing that is happening to you that is not common to man. We are to hold fast to our profession of faith until the end.

Proverbs 24:10, "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small."

This is truly the day of adversity, but all your years of faith will not fail now. Remember Job and his troubles and how the Lord blessed him in the end.

We are just sojourners here on this earth, this earth is not our home.

Proverbs 28:6, "Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich."

James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

I Cor 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

And Jude, just as TSS said, the edge is as good a place as any, for let it be said, he came out of it all more precious than the gold of Ophir.

In Christ, Judy

MoJo · Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 7:41 pm Post subject:

Hi mediterranea. I'm sorry your first introduction to us is so full of sorrows. I don't know why some people seem to be more severely tested than others. Some of the brothers and sisters I know have had terrible trials and afflictions even to the point of the deaths of their young children. When that happened to a very dear sister, my faith was shaken badly because I think I had some notion that we of the faith would escape the worst of these things. However, the scriptures don't show that as evidenced by the severe trials of the first century Christians and many of the prophets even to the point of death.

It made me think long and hard about what is actually taught concerning affliction.

I can speak with some authority concerning financial woes. We always seemed to be living not just on the edge, but hanging on by our fingernails. I gave some thought to this and concluded that if we are going to be tried, we will be tried on the things we fear. Hardly any point trying us on things we don't fear and being without money was always a big one for me. When I realized how much I feared it and was worrying over it all the time, I remembered what Jesus said about giving no thought to tomorrow and that our Father in heaven knows we have need of these earthly things.

So, I just stopped worrying, Med. Just like that. It took me a little time to get out of the habit of doing it, but I did it by constantly being aware to it and stopping myself in my tracks when I started. Slowly finances started to get better and now we always have enough. Not rich, but enough.

Now I don't fear it. I put my complete trust in the Lord. That's the key, I think; to overcome the things we fear in this life and not be subject to them.

Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

If things are not working for you, maybe you need to rethink how you live your faith. It's something we all have to review constantly and keep in remembrance. I don't know you so I'm just offering general suggestions, so please don't feel I'm judging you in any way. I'd have to know a lot more about you before I could say anything specific to you.

I'll pray for you.

Very Happy

nana · Bear Cub Joined: 01 May 2006 Posts: 625

Mojo,

Lovely advice and full of love. God bless you Mojo for a message from the heart.

I will pray for you also Med.

In Christ, Judy

mediterranea · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:27 am Post subject:

Thank you. I appreciate your kind words and thoughtfulness, not to mention the effort that it took to think and type all of that.

Again... thank you. It was very kind of you.

Jude

Nobby · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Jude, Not much I could add to what's been said above. But something that MoJo said reminded me of an old saying: Very Happy

"Today is the Tomorrow that you worried about Yesterday!"
The sooner we leave everything in God's hands, the sooner we will feel the peace that only the Holy Spirit can give you. I've went thru many of hard times. Disabled & 58. On Oxegn 24 hrs a day. It's is my walk with God that has got my thru all this, with a peace that I could have never had otherwise. Smile

Jude you are in my prayers. Just turn it over to God! He will help you to make the right decisions.
With all my love in Christ,

RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6828 Location: USA

1 Samuel 17

The battles of life often seem overwhelming, leaving you with feelings of hopelessness and despair. It is reassuring at these times to read the account of David’s victory over Goliath to understand that nothing is too big for God.

David was a teenager who already was steeped in the ways of the Lord because of the many nights he invested intimately seeking God while shepherding sheep. David’s willing, obedient servant’s attitude positioned him for the victory that would catapult him into greatness: his father wanted him to run an errand and take supplies to the battlefield, and David obeyed.

But, when David least expected it, God opened a monumental door for him. Notice how David responded in 1 Samuel 17:45-47. He not only felt compelled to fight for what he knew was right but was eager. He made a positive faith confession in the face of daunting odds, and he affirmed the proper motivation.

Finally, David responded as we all should in our Goliath life struggles. He relied on the power of God and not on his own strength. What is the famous line that echoes from this story? The battle is the Lord’s. . . .

Remember how it all started. David had invested countless hours in intimacy with the Lord. His inexhaustible faith and trust in the Lord came because the battle had long previously been fought—on his knees.

MakeShiftWings · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:17 am Post subject:

I can't give you scripture because I am not well versed yet...however I hope that I can give a bit of help.

God dosent give us everything we pray for...if he did it would be a disaster. However maybe you are not looking at the things he is giving you. And maybe just maybe he is wanting you to go in a different path. He isnt going to hinder you with something you want if it is leading you in the wrong direction.

hope that helps a little bit

~MakeShift

Nobby · Posted: Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:26 am Post subject:

Hi mediterranea, I just wanted to add one thing to RevJP's post about David! Smile

David was a man of God, but David made a lot of mistakes, some bad mistake! He always cried out to God for forgivness! God always recieved him back. But we always pay for those mistakes one way or another!

mtimber · Lion King Joined: 01 Sep 2006 Posts: 1216

Hi mediterenea Smile

I will say this gently, in the hope it can help.

Often when trials come the devil tries to get our eyes on ourself.

Because once we take our eyes off of Jesus, we are under His spell.

Where are your eyes fixed right now?

On yourself or Jesus?

Picture in your mind now, Jesus on the Cross.

He was forsaken by all.

Even His Father had to turn from Him because of the sin that was upon Him.

But love kept Him on that cross.

Love for you.

For you personally. He would have died just for you.

Yet when He died He was by Himself and died the loneliest death anyone ever experienced.

Kneel at His feet and ask Him to forgive you for doubting His love.

And thank Him for giving you the faith to get through these dark times, it is there for you, waiting for your acceptance.

Reach through the clouds and take His hand, He is waiting on the other side.

God bless you,

Love Mark

arron25 · Newbie Alert Joined: 11 Nov 2006 Posts: 3 Location: NC

Hello Med,
I believe your faith is looking at the natural. Faith that is seen is not faith. Faith brings upon a result that is not yet seen. Right now I am going through a financial situation that could hinder me if I let it. I don't ponder on what is but what God says is through my faith. My God tells me I am blessed so I am according to my faith not according to what i see. Elijah had a servant named Gahazi and they were surrounded on all four sides by the armies of Syria but the prophet says they that be with us are more than they that be against us. The spiritual realm is faith activated so he prayed to God to open his eyes and he saw the chariots of fire that surrounded everything. When anything is trying to surround you think about the army thats there all the time.

May Gods chariots of fire consume anything attacking your faith.

Silver Surfer

Please don't take these Bible verses as Judging anyone.....but, they are to be looked at very carefully.....
The Bible ALWAYS provides answers...to any spiritual problem.

59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

On the other hand.......
Revelation 14:12 " Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus".

atoz