Christian Talk
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Why aren't things working out better for me?

4 posters

Go down

Why aren't things working out better for me? Empty Why aren't things working out better for me?

Post  ChristianLady Wed 26 Mar 2008, 9:00 pm

I was in a conversation with someone the other day who was brought up to believe in the Bible literally. She was a person who had suffered deeply and experienced much loss. She felt an anger toward God and was plagued by questions such as…"If there is a God, then why have so many bad things happened to me? I thought if you followed God, bad things weren't supposed to happen to you so much. If bad things are going to happen anyway, what help is it to believe in and follow God?"

She was stuck in circular thinking that comes, in part, from reading literally passages such as Deuteronomy 11:13-19: "If you will only heed his every commandment…then he will give the rain…" And if you disobey, "…then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain…then you will perish quickly…"

If…then. Religion reduced to a transaction. Essentially it is a self-interested transaction. If I do right by God, then God will take care of me and prevent drought and other bad things. But when bad things happen, then it must be somebody's fault. The nearest place to look for blame is probably the one who is suffering. Therefore victimize the victim.

"What good is believing in God?" she asked me, wanting to put down the anger that is a byproduct of her suffering. We talked.

[/b]I believe that life with God does go better, truly, than life without God. But not in the sense that we get a pass on suffering, tragedy and misfortune.[/b] Christians say that when we look at Christ, we see the face of God. The picture we see declares that God is with us in suffering, tragedy and misfortune. And it says that such things will not be the last word. God brings resurrection. But Jesus did not experience resurrection until he had died. It is that way for us sometimes as well.

When we choose to accept the relationship that God offers us, it can change our experience of life, including its suffering. And here is the offer— God loves us and God is with us. God loves us unconditionally even before we have responded to God. God is with us so we can live with a new energy of presence and confidence, even in the times of suffering. The worst that can happen can be united with the cross. It is given meaning and hope, even though it may not disappear.

So in some sense, things do go better when we believe in and follow God. But "going better" doesn't mean that we won't experience drought and bad things. And when bad things happen, it doesn't mean someone has to be blamed, especially not the one who is suffering. If the cross can happen to Jesus, then tragedy and injustice can happen to us as well. Experiencing our lives through a relationship with Jesus can change its meaning.

That's what Paul continually talked about. If you are living "in Christ," he says, you are "a new creation." It involves dying to that old way of living. The old way includes believing that we make a project out of our lives—the righteous earning righteousness, deserving blessing; the sinner earning condemnation and misfortune. Paul has died to that way of thinking.

Now he experiences everything "in Christ." God loves us and God is with us. Therefore, whatever happens is new. When good things happen, rejoice that God has given us more than we can deserve. When bad things happen, rejoice that God has let you share in Christ's sufferings. It is Christ's sufferings which are healing the world. That is reconciliation, says Paul.—

Article By: The Rev. Lowell Grisham
ChristianLady
ChristianLady
Christian Talk Member

Mood : I feel Blessed
Female

Number of posts : 238
Age : 53
Location : USA
Registration date : 2007-07-16
Points : 30616
Reputation : 11
Country : Why aren't things working out better for me? RedCross-1

Warning : Why aren't things working out better for me? 110

Back to top Go down

Why aren't things working out better for me? Empty Re: Why aren't things working out better for me?

Post  tom2 Fri 28 Mar 2008, 3:48 am

yes. remember the apostles were beaten,jailed,generally tortured, and eventually put to death for their faith.jesus said that many would be arrested and put to death.he also promised omly spiritual eternal life after death,if we believe in him.he never promised a rose garden,were life in the flesh would somehow become a picnic.christian get diseases,have money problems,all the wordly trials and tribulations.it,s how we face them,through jesus that counts.
avatar
tom2
Christian Talk Member

Mood : I feel Blessed
Male

Number of posts : 43
Age : 74
Location : pa
Registration date : 2008-02-24
Points : 29386
Reputation : 1
Country : Why aren't things working out better for me? RedCross-1

Warning : Why aren't things working out better for me? 110

Back to top Go down

Why aren't things working out better for me? Empty Re: Why aren't things working out better for me?

Post  Waqar Daniel Fri 28 Mar 2008, 2:51 pm

When sickness and disease, or when we find ourselves in trouble, we make Jesus remember His promises, then our prayers sound like this
Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times
of trouble? (Psalm 10:1)
The whole point is that, do we also remember Jesus when we enjoy health and prosperity?

However, I do believe that God can make life a rose garden for us.
The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it (Proverbs 10:22)
God bless you all
Waqar Daniel
Waqar Daniel
Administrator

Mood : I feel Blessed
Male

Number of posts : 2778
Age : 53
Location : The Kingdom of Heavenly Father
Profession : Consultant
Hobbies : Long drives, Gospel music, Bible study
Marital Status : Married
Registration date : 2007-06-25
Points : 32473
Reputation : 42
Country : Why aren't things working out better for me? RedCross-1

Warning : Why aren't things working out better for me? 110

https://christian-talk.forumotion.com

Back to top Go down

Why aren't things working out better for me? Empty Why aren't things working out better for me?

Post  Irv Everett Fri 28 Mar 2008, 5:23 pm

Why aren’t things working out better for me?



The Bible says: We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2 Corinthians 4:8-9.

And we know that God is not a respecter of person; Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of person with God;

But, God does understand who we are and what we are going through. Remember what Jesus said in the garden:

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but thine, be done.

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.


For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin; Hebrews 4:15.

For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted; Hebrews 2:18

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Hebrews 5:8

Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Bad things happen to good people; good things happen to bad people and visa versa; but we can not afford to waver in our faith; we are not promised tomorrow much less the next moment. The only answer to the question that I have is: seek God.
Irv Everett
Irv Everett
VIP

Mood : I feel Blessed
Male

Number of posts : 305
Age : 65
Location : Birmingham, Alabama USA
Profession : I'm a child of the KING
Hobbies : Loving my wife, son and grandbabies; Praising the Lord for HIS mercy and grace!
Marital Status : Married
Registration date : 2007-12-31
Points : 29813
Reputation : 38
Country : Why aren't things working out better for me? RedCross-1

Warning : Why aren't things working out better for me? 110

Back to top Go down

Why aren't things working out better for me? Empty Re: Why aren't things working out better for me?

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum