Want to stand strong in worst of times

Hello,

I think I need a cyberhug, or something. I rededicated my life to Christ 13 years ago and have been growing slowly but steadily. I am now leading a large women's Bible study, and ever since the first week (I'm into 10 weeks now), things have been getting increasingly crazy around here. One of my children confessed has confessed to being gay; another is dating someone who has been arrested and is trying to get away from this person but seems fearful to do so; and I am in the midst of what may be a difficult health crisis. I get tremendous joy from teaching, and the ladies are challenged and growing ... but I am feeling spiritually "spent." I don't have joy in much other than the class right now. I want to stand strong for Christ in these trials, but since these things have converged upon me all at the same time, I am distracted and just plain grieving. I cry out to the Lord to help me endure, and I know better than to bank on my feelings over the facts that He is sovereign in all things, no matter how bad they may look, but I am suffering. It's so bad that I often question my salvation, even though there has been fruit produced over the years and continues to be. I feel (see, there's that word!) that He has removed His face from me, and I am sinking in fear. Maybe I'm depressed -- I know I'm exhausted in every way. Can anyone send an encouraging word my way today? Thank you.

Maybe it will help to know that there are others who are going through the same experiences and feeling the same stress and discouragement. It's been a really rough year for me and there are times when I feel that I just can't take much more. But then I find that I can carry on, and I do carry on, and what helps me is to focus on the promises of God and realize that this world is temporary. We aren't going to be here forever and when we get to heaven we won't remember the pain we went through. I believe that many Christians are experiencing a lot trials and testing because God is getting us ready to stand strong in this world. The battle is a spiritual battle and we have to be prepared by God to endure when things get overwhelming. When I feel completely alone and discouraged I find that I must turn everything over to God. I just can't fix things myself. So maybe the trials are really a blessing in that they send us to our knees and force us to depend on God and God alone. God says to cast all our cares on Him...and that is what we have to learn to do.

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Actually those feelings force serious prayer and bring results. God definitely listens to people in pain, when they believe He cares about that pain.

I have found this to be an inviolable truism through the years.

There is nothing - nothing - wrong with feelings. Your feelings have nothing to do with God turning His Face from you, however. You are going through a difficult time. You maybe are wondering if God is not punishing you. But difficult times teach us. They are important for growth.

Direct your feelings into prayer. There is no doubt in prayer. And consider this: God is the only One in charge.

Feelings mean that you have a living heart. It is thinking where the problems arise -- thinking the wrong thing.

You should be feeling vastly upset at these decisions of your children.

The world asks for us to become cold hearted. Don't.

Love is not all about joy. Love hurts very often.


On prayer: remember all the time you think with a sorrow heart, realize God does see your thinking and that, too, is as prayer.

Thank you both for sharing such encouraging truth with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

sushi lover i would advice you to give those problems to the lord cause if you try to figure out why these things are happening to you,you will end up with a lot of frustation and dissapointment,plea the blood of jesus over each of your problems and tribulations and let god take care of them cause he is in control,no matter how bad it looks and how painful it is he is still in control,the name of jesus is above all names,his name is above all sicknesses,homosexuality,sadness and everything that has a name,be patient and wait on the lord you will be highly rewarded by god if u endure,god bless you.

Is it possible that your enjoyment of church related activities has taken time from your family?

John
NZ

Hi -- good question but no, this is a para-church ministry in which I serve one morning a week while the kids are in school.

Your strength is in the Lord. You said: I want to be strong for the Lord. But strenght is what HE gives. He is the strong one. You are the weak one. Rest in Him: find time alone, just you and God. Think of Him. (not of all your troubles, that will not bring you rest) But think of Him. Of His beauty, His character, His love. Read psalms slowly and prayerfully, as though communing with God (which is what you'll be doing). We get rejuvenated by being in His presence. He is with you. Imagine that He is standing right beside you (because He is). Listen to your heart (He might be speaking to you through your thoughts or feelings). This is going to be your quiet time. This is where to find strength.

Suffering is part of life. Just wait it out. Know that it will end. One time I was going through a struggle and God has sent this song my way. It's called "Stand" It shows that God shows up when it's time for it to end. And that He has a purpose and a plan from what we are going through.

ROM 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(suffering also serve for our good. Remember that it's out of His love that He leads you through them. He is working on you. Preparing you for something. Trust Him. Lean on Him. Leave your burden at His feet. Cry on His shoulder. When a child goes through chemotherapy, a mother cannot do more than just comfort the child. That's what Jesus does too. Sometimes we go through things and He can only offer comfort because we have to go through this thing otherwise. So He is there, offering comfort, which you can find in the quietness of His presence.

Oh it's hard for you to understand
All the mysteries in my plan
And why things work out the way they do
Whey there are rooms we must go through
You must always keep one thing in mind
I am working all the time
To bring about my perfect plan
so I am asking you to still

Trust in Me, whatever may come
It's my job to see you through
Trust in Me whatever may come your way

There are times to laugh and times to cry
and times to say goodbye
my heart is saddened at your loss
my own son was taken by the cross
but as hard as these things seem to be
you must leave them here with me
See all things are at my command
so just reach out your hand
Trust in me



"STAND"

What do you do) when you've done all you can
And it seems like it's never enough
And what do you say when your friends turn away
And you're all alone
Tell me what do you give when you've given your all
And it seems like you can't make it through
Well you just stand, when there's nothing left to do
You just stand, watch the Lord see you through
Yes after you've done all you can, you just stand
Tell me how do you handle the guilt of your past
Tell me how do you deal with the shame
And how can you smile while your heart has been broken
And filled with pain filled with pain
Tell me what do you give when you've given your all
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just stand when there's nothing left to do
You just stand watch the Lord see you through
Yes after you've done all you can, you just stand
(Stand) and be sure (and be sure)
Be not entangled in that bondage again, you just stand
(Stand) and endure (and endure)
For God has a purpose yes God has a plan, tell me
(What do you do) When you've done all you can
And it seems like you can't make it through
Child you just...stand (stand) you just stand (stand) stand (stand)
Don't you dare give up (you just)
Through the storm (stand)
Stand through the rain (stand)
Through the hurt (stand)
Yeah through the pain (you just)
Don't you bow (stand) and dont you bend (stand)
Don't give up (stand) no dont give in (you just)
Hold on (stand) , just be strong (stand)
God will step in (stand), it won't be long no no no(you just)
After you've done all you can (after you've done all you can)
After you've done all you can (after you've done all you can)
After you've gone through the hurt (after you've done all you can)
After you've gone through the pain oh my (after you've done all you can)
After you've gone through the storm (after you've done all you can)
After you've gone through the rain (after you've done all you can)
Prayed and cried x 4
After you've done all you can....you just ... stand

And also read this: (How to come close to God and to feel His love)

http://bible101.freeforums.org/how-t...love-t192.html

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God is the Love of my life

Thanks for that.

God is not capricious. Our salvation is not on an on-again-off-again basis. We are adopted into God's very life as His children. We are family - period. You aren't the mum of your children only when they are good are you? So it is with us and God.

John
NZ

Hugs out to you. Angels on your family.

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"give me a kiss to build a dream on and my imagination will thrive upon that kiss... sweetheart I ask no more than this... a kiss to build a dream on"