I feel almost unable to explain how I feel, but here goes. Whenever I hear, read or think about the rapture, I'm not excited, more like panicked. I guess I'm guestioning my faith, and my salvation. Thoughts of being left behind with my dad, who is, as far as I know, unsaved. Thoughts of being stuck here...maybe I'm not making much sense...I guess really, I'm just looking for some guidence, both from God and other Christians...
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Feeling Lost, Scared, and Struggling...
- Thread starter Sammac09
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Deba
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want (period)
Satan would like nothing more than to talk you out of you salvation. He is the father of lies. You are saved.
None of us know if we will be raptured. That will only happen when Jesus returns to earth. And no one - not even Jesus know when that will be.
The best place to take questions of faith is to God. Ask Him and believe He will answer. He uses the Bible,His Holy Spirit, nature, people (christians, children, unbelievers), circumstances to talk with you. Learn to hear His voice. Think about that-you can communicate with the creator of the universe. He will teach you. Don't rationalize Him away.
Think about fear for a moment. When you are afraid can you think well? Have you ever watched a scary movie and gotten afraid? Even knowing that it's a movie and can't physically hurt you? Fear does not have to be real for your body and emotions to react to it. Think about tyrants-they rule by fear. Don't give in to the fear. YOU ARE BEING LIED TO.
Courage is defined as action in the face of fear. Be courageous. Try doing a Bible study on courage and fear or better yet - fear not. Debra
None of us know if we will be raptured. That will only happen when Jesus returns to earth. And no one - not even Jesus know when that will be.
The best place to take questions of faith is to God. Ask Him and believe He will answer. He uses the Bible,His Holy Spirit, nature, people (christians, children, unbelievers), circumstances to talk with you. Learn to hear His voice. Think about that-you can communicate with the creator of the universe. He will teach you. Don't rationalize Him away.
Think about fear for a moment. When you are afraid can you think well? Have you ever watched a scary movie and gotten afraid? Even knowing that it's a movie and can't physically hurt you? Fear does not have to be real for your body and emotions to react to it. Think about tyrants-they rule by fear. Don't give in to the fear. YOU ARE BEING LIED TO.
Courage is defined as action in the face of fear. Be courageous. Try doing a Bible study on courage and fear or better yet - fear not. Debra
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TheGuide
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I would like to share with you some experiences I've had with family and friends who would not receive the message of the Lord from me. Since they made it clear that they didn't want to hear it, I tried to be as best as an example of a Christian that I could (I was younger so I wasn't always successful, but I was much better than I had been).
Most importantly, I started praying to God that he send people that they would listen to about Jesus and the message he brought to all. Not only did I pray this prayer, I got other people praying too. Believing fully that God would answer our prayers, I was quite comfortable in letting go. After all, I couldn't save any body, so I put their salvation in the hands of Someone who could. All who I prayed for (that are still in my life for me to see) are now on fire for the Lord.
The Lord commands us not to worry, so do what you can to step off of it. Also, have your church, Christian friends and prayer groups pray for your father, and don't be discouraged if you happen to see a turn for the worse. God will work with whatever happens. You just remain faithful and obsorbed in God's word.
God bless you,
The Guide
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TrinityLives
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I think it is perfectly natural for God's ppl to be frightened by what we believe to be the unknown.
That being said, when I was frightened about the thought I of rapture I read more and more about it. After all knowledge is power. John gave us hope in the first Chapter of Revelation. He wrote the book to give God's ppl hope. I actually annoy my husband with my hope ( which I believe he is now working on, he is saved).
It is sad to think that many will be left to perish, some of them our loved ones. To me its like when tragedies hit you wish you could save them but its too late. Thats why ministry is so important and the way you minister to others even more so.
Everyone has a chance to hear God's word, He told us so and especially in today's world there is no reason to not know.....
Those who choose not to follow will perish there is no nice way to sugar coat that. All we can do is pray. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus will return "like a thief in the night" for us.
I feel that even if I have to be tortured in the flesh it will all be worth it because in a blink of an eye I will be with Him.
So don't let the enemy grab you by fear, rebuke that thought and open your bible ( thats what I do) read, pray and repeat. Pray that God will reveal these things to you so you can find comfort in knowing .....
Hugs and Prayers
That being said, when I was frightened about the thought I of rapture I read more and more about it. After all knowledge is power. John gave us hope in the first Chapter of Revelation. He wrote the book to give God's ppl hope. I actually annoy my husband with my hope ( which I believe he is now working on, he is saved).
It is sad to think that many will be left to perish, some of them our loved ones. To me its like when tragedies hit you wish you could save them but its too late. Thats why ministry is so important and the way you minister to others even more so.
Everyone has a chance to hear God's word, He told us so and especially in today's world there is no reason to not know.....
Those who choose not to follow will perish there is no nice way to sugar coat that. All we can do is pray. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus will return "like a thief in the night" for us.
I feel that even if I have to be tortured in the flesh it will all be worth it because in a blink of an eye I will be with Him.
So don't let the enemy grab you by fear, rebuke that thought and open your bible ( thats what I do) read, pray and repeat. Pray that God will reveal these things to you so you can find comfort in knowing .....
Hugs and Prayers
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Thank you all for the wonderful advice, I really appricate it 
I've been reading my bible a lot more recently and usually feel comforted and happy after reading, and then later these little nagging doubts....and it's a lot worse when I'm alone. I'm also reading the book "One Year with Jesus" and am really enjoying it. I hate it that I'm doubting these things but...As of right now, I'm not attending any church-my mom is looking for a good one to go to...My grandfather was the preacher in our old one. He is what my mother thinks pushed my dad just a little further from the Lord...There are some good signs though, from him. My brother is four and curious, he questions things about God and says some of the cutest things, it may be showing my dad something. I'm hoping things get better soon, I'm going to continue with my reading and praying. There are four main people in my life that I pray for every night, I'm just unsure of how to reach out to them...
I've been reading my bible a lot more recently and usually feel comforted and happy after reading, and then later these little nagging doubts....and it's a lot worse when I'm alone. I'm also reading the book "One Year with Jesus" and am really enjoying it. I hate it that I'm doubting these things but...As of right now, I'm not attending any church-my mom is looking for a good one to go to...My grandfather was the preacher in our old one. He is what my mother thinks pushed my dad just a little further from the Lord...There are some good signs though, from him. My brother is four and curious, he questions things about God and says some of the cutest things, it may be showing my dad something. I'm hoping things get better soon, I'm going to continue with my reading and praying. There are four main people in my life that I pray for every night, I'm just unsure of how to reach out to them...
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TrinityLives
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"There are four main people in my life that I pray for every night, I'm just unsure of how to reach out to them.."
The first step is prayer like your doing , then I would just let the light shine in you. If they see your changes ( which just happen when you have accepted Christ as your Lord) then they may start question the how's and why's as well.
Take any opportunity to talk about the wonderful things Christ is doing in your life but not so that you seem like a zealot. If they ask be ready to explain your why's
I find this works for me.
The first step is prayer like your doing , then I would just let the light shine in you. If they see your changes ( which just happen when you have accepted Christ as your Lord) then they may start question the how's and why's as well.
Take any opportunity to talk about the wonderful things Christ is doing in your life but not so that you seem like a zealot. If they ask be ready to explain your why's
I find this works for me.
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Thanks again for the advice As far as I know two of them are now attending a church where they feel welcomed and happy. They seemed so excited about it when they were explaining it to me, so.....Made me really happy to see them like that
As far as I know two of them are now attending a church where they feel welcomed and happy. They seemed so excited about it when they were explaining it to me, so.....Made me really happy to see them like that
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MrFreshdew
Ask Jesus 4 Help
good news!Thanks again for the advice
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There is no reason to fear the rapture. (I say that, but I have had struggles with this, too.) I think we just need to realize that God loves us and we don't have to fear. Of course, if we are sinning, we should be afraid. If you think you are not completely right with God, then put forth some more effort to get right in whatever area you need to.
I read a few books that are really encouraging concerning this. The best one, I think, is a book called My Descent into Death by Howard Storm. He died, saw Jesus, and came back to tell about it. I think what happened to him would be comforting to anyone who is struggling with fear about the rapture.
Remember that "Perfect love casts out fear." If we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, I don't think we will have a problem with fear.
Hope this helps!
I read a few books that are really encouraging concerning this. The best one, I think, is a book called My Descent into Death by Howard Storm. He died, saw Jesus, and came back to tell about it. I think what happened to him would be comforting to anyone who is struggling with fear about the rapture.
Remember that "Perfect love casts out fear." If we love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, I don't think we will have a problem with fear.
Hope this helps!
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