Only an Observation

Relationships
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This is just an observation and I don’t make any judgements from it nor have I formed an opinion about it.

I don’t frequent forums and I am surprised by myself when I joined this one. I have Christian friends and I have a church community. I know that ‘in this world you will have trouble’ and I’ve had trouble in the past.

That being said, the one main thing I have seen since joining this forum is the amount of grief and hardship there is in God’s people. I feel like I was living under a rock before coming here.

But it’s not only in here! My friends are experiencing that season of suffering too. Serious physical ailments, depression and stressful situations. It seems like I am surrounded by it and so many are having their faith tested.

It’s not that I expected everything to be hunky dory once a person came to Christ. Jesus tells us that much. I can’t think of a single individual in the Bible who didn’t have some trouble, so why should I expect it now? I don’t expect it, but this level really seems significant to me.

I have to wonder, and when the shoe might drop for me, has also crossed my mind. There’s so much. Cancer, stress and worry, incarceration, loneliness, all forms of sickness, mental health, low self worth, depression, futility, persecution and the list goes on.

What happened to the joy found in Christ? Where is the power for living? Why does it seem so different than the early church who sang hymns on their way to meet their death?

I’m not looking for an answer. I know our trials refine us, but it seems to me that trials have increased and what’s meant to refine us is wearing us down.

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I think it’s really common for people to seek out community when they’re going through something, so that would be my guess as to what happens here.

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Be assured Christ brings joy, people will always go through hardships, that is part of life, but with Christ and community, those struggles and burdens become easier to bear.

With that said, I personally am extremly grateful, this community came at a time I really needed the support and answers.

just remember
struggles come and go God is forever.

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Thanks. I agree with you both. I’m trying to think if I have a friend right now who is NOT going through something, and I can’t think of one. It just seems so strange. Just the people I know is enough to be strange, but add on what I’m hearing in the forum, and it’s stranger.
I appreciate your answers. Time will tell.

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Christianity is not supposed to be about personal comfort and ease. As Christians mature from the selfishness of the flesh to the selfless love of Christ-likeness, things of this world grow less significant. This world has it’s course set by Satan (Eph2:2). Additionally, the changes God made on the world after the flood (short life, vulnerability to disease, winter, droughts, etc) impose pain on living, but without it our selfish nature would end us up like those before the flood.

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My people and I have been discussing this same thing for weeks. It does seem like everyone is under significant attack. My life, by definition, is supposed to be horrible. I am convinced that a gospel of suffering needs to be preached. The church is Jesus’ body, and we make it up. Evil is winning because the church has lost its direction. Very few places in the Bible is anything good promised in this life. My cellmate and I argue these points constantly. All those closest to Jesus died very awful deaths. Paul said, “we must also share in his suffering.” I may be off base, but it is really hard to share the good news when all the blessings come after death. I hurt deep inside and cry to God daily as Satan makes me pray for a quick end.

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No matter where you live, if you wait long enough, a storm is coming. Snowstorms and Thunderstorms in the north. Tornadoes in the Midwest. Hurricanes and Typhoons. There is a storm brewing somewhere all the time. No matter how perfect the weather is the rest of the time, something is going to happen. So we have created “safe places.” Storm shelters, fortified homes, and safe rooms in homes. Shelters outside for the community. ETC.

Life is the same way. It does not matter where you come from. Who you are. What do you have in the bank? Saved or not. Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, or even Atheist, a storm is coming. Where is your “safe place?”

Mine?

"On God rests my salvation and my glory;
> my mighty rock, my refuge is God." Psalm 62:7

We read this in the Word

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Read that one part again. It says that God will comfort us, be our shelter, and “safe place” during the storm, but why?

" so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Say “So that.” What is the “So that” there for? “So that” is used before the clause that indicates the purpose. Why am I going through this? “So that,” or because. Another way to say it is “Here is the reason.” We started walking this way “so that” we could go to the destination. We read the Bible, “so that” we can learn from and hear from God.

Now that we can understand what this says, we can understand the total truth of the matter. The storm you are going through? It may not be for you, but “so that” YOU may be able to comfort someone else when they are going through a similar storm.

Let’s distill the myths of once saved, you will be healthy, wealthy, and wise. You will coast through life without a care in the world. Nothing bad will ever happen to you. These are lies straight from hell. There is a storm coming. You are either coming out of one, in one now, or are heading straight into one. There is a storm brewing.

Turn to James 1. Read this with me. James 1:2

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”

Count it joy? Why? “So that.” Another way of saying that is “for.”

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Storms, trials, and tribulations will come. How you deal with them is directly related to the severity of the outcome. However, here is something to keep in mind. It may not even be “your storm.” The Storm may NOT be for you. God may be using this storm for another reason. Trust in God.
Peter

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I don’t even know what I’m trying to figure out. Quoting Scripture to a Christians who already knows it doesn’t seem to help.
I look at Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They’ve been stripped and severely beaten with rods. Their feet are fastened in the stocks and they were thrown in prison. They’re bleeding, in pain, exhausted, and probably hungry in this dark inner cell. And what do they do? They are praying and singing hymns while all the other prisoners are listening.

You’re right when you mention the disciples and the horrible deaths they went through. I heard that Peter was crucified up side down because he didn’t feel worthy to die as the Lord did. These men had a faith that shone through every circumstance. And yes, they knew the blessing of what came after death, but it was also something that got them through their suffering.

I don’t know how I will be when my time comes. I know what I hope and I know Who I will be counting on, but I can’t say for sure. I see my friends and those I read about and it seems to me that their faith isn’t helping them through it. Their suffering is all they think about. Telling them about Jesus and what God says is almost like not hearing them and a dismissal of their pain. They already know and what they know doesn’t help them.

But what else is there? And why is it so prevalent right now. I feel like I’m seeing for the first time and I want to remain strong in my faith while my faith is not being challenged.

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Hard times Doesnt mean God isn’t there as the bible says. God is in control. Troubles are challenging and scary. Read His guide book and pray. Do the work you must do but God is not gone, absent, or missing. We don’t know his ways for sure. It could be the one seed you are meant to share with someone or much more. Don’t turn away from your father who loves you ever. Ask him to reveal your lesson or purpose. And sometimes he’s just building our muscles. That’s why I stopped praying for strength but wisdom instead. I used to pray for strength and all I had was challenges. I believe you are gifted as you helped me. Ty

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I’m not offended. I understand what you’re saying but it has nothing to do with what I’m observing. I appreciate your concern though.

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Ok Ty kindly for not taking it the wrong way. I’ll stay out of it. No offence taken.

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No worries @Fallen. You mentioned a real problem but I don’t think it applies here. I’m sure someone needed to hear what you said. I appreciate you!

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My husband of 53 years in a christian marriage has walked out on me leaving me with no choices - cut off all utilities abd closed the joint bank account . Has not spoken to me or our son for a year . Now THIS is hard to bear and i do get very very down at times wondering what the future holds for me at 76 and not in good health . But you know what ? I’m trusting God will open doors for me and at the appropriate time I will get help to move home and find a smaller place that I can call my own and even be a witness . God is our strength and our hope and help in trouble. So to all in this forum … Keep looking upward.
PS. Sometimes it’s hard but He allows that too

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Note to @all, this ad for tthis lighter, BuyLuxBlaze.com, is a scam. Do not buty it. I bought one and it IS butain and it is NOTHING as the AI shows in the video. I contacted them and the4y gave me a full refund. Do not wast you time of money. Oh and that “sale price” of 39.99 became 80 dollars fast.
Peter