Thank you for sharing this so honestly. I feel like so many quietly struggle with the fear that if anxiety persists, it must mean their faith is weak. Your story is such an important reminder that spiritual practices and practical mental health support can work together, not against each other.
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Thank you for giving the example of Jonah at Nineveh pointing out how the whole country turned from their “evil ways and violence” (back) to God. I can’t help but notice how it was the king who lead the move to repentance. May that (one day) be the case in our country (USA), but until then, may we all turn to God, whether the king does or not.
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Dear shalom,
You took the words right out of my mouth!
what I’ve found is through my needs God has aligned my heart with the holy spirit and given him glory through fulfilled pray request even in impossible circumstance like the winter I moved to Bend Oregon and after getting my electric bill I prayed for firewood knowing with the worst snow storm in decades there wouldn’t be any chance anyone would be able to cut firewood at that time and it was to late in the season to buy firewood but still I stayed in pray even as I got off work a truck full of firewood drove up beside my truck. He had been working on fixing his truck and praying someone this late in the fire season would still be willing to buy his last load of firewood, a cord and a half asking $75 which was exactly what I had in my pocket and all I could afford after filing reorganizational bankruptcy. God brought about everything including the storm my promotion, need through bankruptcy and raising three kids by myself as well as his truck breaking down and his need to sell late in the season and a worry no one would have a need, but God provided someone with that need.
I most certainly don’t believe in karma but the Bible is clear in Ephesian 6:7-8: 7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
And in Galatians 6:7-10: 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (See also Titus 3:8)
Jesus Christ is God Almighty in the flesh (Isa. 9:6; Rev. 1:8; 22:13, 16; Col. 2:9) And God never changes (Heb 13:8) he always will repay sin with consequences and punishment and He will repay obedience with blessings and rewards. That being said, it is not always in this life that these blessing or consquences are recieved. Many will not be given until the judgement at the end of the age when unjust men are given thier part in the lake of fire and just men enjoy their part as they are granted to enter heaven (Mat. 7:22-23; 25:21, 31-46) . God is the Judge of all the earth (Gen. 18:25 Heb. 12:23) and must recompense all for their works. Romans 2:6 states that God “will render to every man according to his deeds”, similar phrasing appears in Matthew 16:27, Psalm 62:12, and Revelation 20:12–13. But works do not save anyone (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit 3:5) only obedience to the gospel does (Acts 2:36-39; 4:12; 8:14-17; 10:1-6, 34-38; 19:1-7; 2 Thess. 1:7-10).
So though religious, man made views such as: karma, fate, destiny, or whatever one calls it have no biblical ties, the law or principal of sowing and reaping do. Sins will be punished. Faithful obedience will be rewarded.