When God doesn't make sense

[desolateangel83]

I just mentioned to lifeflowson that lately my faith has been slipping. It started with another anxiety relapse this weekend. I read the scriptures over and over again, and I hummed "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" every chance I could. Nothing could take the worry away. Then I got to thinking about these past seven years of being a Christian. "Was it all

Comments

[nobleprolet]

Hi Travis! (It's me, Daniel, I came back to the net

[desolateangel83]

Hey Daniel, welcome back!

[catholic_heart]

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make is in thinking that faith means that we are perfect and unwavering in our certainty at all times. To me, real faith is going into the desert like you are right now, even slipping and falling at times while we're there and we're under attack, and still finding a way to surrender to God. The greatest prayer can often be the very simple, "God, what the hell? But I surrender to you." This is a very intense desert indeed that you are experiencing. My advice is that even in the midst of uncertainty and doubt, continue to act according to your faith, even if your understanding is not there. Continue to do what you know a Christian is supposed to do, and continue to offer God the simple prayer of surrender

[catholic_heart]

Also, if I may make a suggestion. Spend some time reading and reflecting on the story from Mark 4:35-41, Jesus calms the storm at sea. Read over it a few times, and when you do, think of this. The waters were stormy and the disciples were in great fear. Yet all the while it was Christ who was sleeping in the boat, and who was yet still in full command of their safety. Right now it appears to you that God is sleeping. But He is still in command of your heart, and when He is sleeping it may appear that He is actually gone, but in reality He is not, but rather simply allowing you to experience the storm, so as to better strengthen your faith in Him.

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Rom 5:3-5)

[imp_or]

I'll add my 2 centavos 'cause I ain't seen this thought yet.

I came to a place where I decided that if God wanted me to be good then he would have to supply the power because I don't have it. I told God about this and lo and behold a cigarette habit that I wasn't even interested in quitting slipped out of my life with no struggle, no effort. I'm saying that God knows we havn't got what it takes, I think he's just waiting for us to reach our arms up and say "Daddy, (Abba) I'm tired, carry me."

[catholic_heart]

I had the identical experience regarding quitting smoking. I made no thought whatever of quitting. It just so happened that a week or so after my conversion experience I happened to realize I wasn't smoking anymore. It's been over three years now, smoke free. Neat how that works sometimes =)

[lifeflowson]

Dude, thank your lucky stars for that, because that is rare and beautiful and I'm jealous and want to pinch you.

I want a cigarette so bad its not even funny. Oh woe is me :P

[catholic_heart]

Oh, I know. I had tried many times before then, always in vain. It's hard, I know, but hang in there! Getting through the first month will be the hardest (I'm saying this as someone who had once quit intentionally for a year and a half before going back, and then quitting again). After the first 30 days, then the real battle is those times when you convince yourself that you can smoke socially, once in a while. That will be your biggest battle after you make it through the grueling first 30 days

[bojojoti]

Life is stressful, whether you are a Christian or not. The seven years you've been a Christian would have been stressful and painful with or without Christ.

So, you face the stress and pain with Christ or without Him.

Know that the guilt for "every little thing I've done" isn't something you need to bear. God is good and faithful to forgive. There is no condemnation to his children when we ask for forgiveness. King David was a murderer and adulterer, but God considered him the apple of His eye. Not that David "got away" with his wrong deeds--there are natural consequences to be paid for sin. David endured murder and sexual sin in his family (amazing how his sin was perpetrated through his offspring), but His heart was right with God, and God loved and protected Him.