Biblical strategies for fighting the hardening of the heart

[KingFisher97]

Hello all. I have been walking with the Lord for about four years now, however this last year of my life has been full of unemployment, a failing marriage, spiritual deception, disappointments and shortcomings, and a lack of fruitbearing all of which have fervently been a part of my prayer life yet have gone unanswered. I’ve begun to see the injustice in the world and the evil we live in and have begun to ask “where is God in all of this”, “how can God be just and allow this”? I delighted in Gods salvation long ago but now I feel like God has fled the scene and is absent in my life and in the world. I find myself, mainly because my unanswered prayers, drifting away from God and being pulled by the power of the Prince of the Air. I know who I am compared to God and have no right to ask the sovereign God of the universe why He has not answered my prayer because I am not God, He is, but at the same time, I pray for righteous things and God has not granted me that which is righteous. I find myself becoming angry and bitter towards God and my joy and love for Him has begun to fade quickly over the last few months. I feel my heart becoming hardened and turning away from Him (which I realize is horrible considering the will of God is just in itself regardless of my desire and perception of justice) . However, I think of Hebrews 6 where the author says (paraphrased) how can we who have once tasted such an amazing salvation turn away from it? This one thought in my soul is what gives me hope that God has not entirely given me up to a debased mind. What are some Biblical strategies to combat and fight this hardening of the heart? I know that John Piper and a few of the reformers believed that God can harden then soften the heart of the believer even after being saved but I wish to return to the glory and majesty of God and to worship and magnify His name even when I have nothing like Job. What is your advice?

 

[( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)]

God hardens or softens a heart only in response to how he/she responds to Him beforehand. My advice is nothing you already don't know.

I wish to return to the glory and majesty of God and to worship and magnify His name even when I have nothing like Job.

 

[xaris]

You may not like this but here goes...

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. (Heb 2:1)

 

[Aussie Pete]

Hello all. I have been walking with the Lord for about four years now, however this last year of my life has been full of unemployment, a failing marriage, spiritual deception, disappointments and shortcomings, and a lack of fruitbearing all of which have fervently been a part of my prayer life yet have gone unanswered. I’ve begun to see the injustice in the world and the evil we live in and have begun to ask “where is God in all of this”, “how can God be just and allow this”? I delighted in Gods salvation long ago but now I feel like God has fled the scene and is absent in my life and in the world. I find myself, mainly because my unanswered prayers, drifting away from God and being pulled by the power of the Prince of the Air. I know who I am compared to God and have no right to ask the sovereign God of the universe why He has not answered my prayer because I am not God, He is, but at the same time, I pray for righteous things and God has not granted me that which is righteous. I find myself becoming angry and bitter towards God and my joy and love for Him has begun to fade quickly over the last few months. I feel my heart becoming hardened and turning away from Him (which I realize is horrible considering the will of God is just in itself regardless of my desire and perception of justice) . However, I think of Hebrews 6 where the author says (paraphrased) how can we who have once tasted such an amazing salvation turn away from it? This one thought in my soul is what gives me hope that God has not entirely given me up to a debased mind. What are some Biblical strategies to combat and fight this hardening of the heart? I know that John Piper and a few of the reformers believed that God can harden then soften the heart of the believer even after being saved but I wish to return to the glory and majesty of God and to worship and magnify His name even when I have nothing like Job. What is your advice?

Start with something very simple. "I am wrong. God is right". Confess your sin and declare that the precious blood of Christ has paid the price.

There is always a reason for everything that goes wrong in our lives. Invariably, we somehow open the door to an attack from Satan. Just over 3 weeks ago, I was in hospital, in excruciating pain and seriously ill. The Lord never left me during that time and I was blessed in many ways. When I began to recover (I was in for 8 days), I asked the Lord why I suffered. He showed me why.

You do have the right to ask God why you are suffering. You are His child, bought with the precious blood of Lord Jesus, who loved you enough to die for you. No, complaining about God will get you nowhere. Paul sought freedom from the thorn in the flesh, and God answered him. You may not like the answer, but at least you will know.

God has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. Start declaring truth, whether you feel like it or not or whether it seems like God is listening or not. I can assure that God hears any prayer prayed in Jesus name. At first, all I could say in hospital was "Lord have mercy". I think the whole ward heard me. God answered that prayer and the prayers of my friends. He knows what you are going through. If nothing else, ask Him for help. He will help because He is faithful even if we are not.

 

[tturt]

Agree with Aussie Pete - "Start with something very simple. "I am wrong. God is right". Confess your sin and declare that the precious blood of Christ has paid the price."

Encourage - no urge you - to watch "Marriage Today" Those televised programs are on Daystar.

Plus their website marriagetoday.com/category/tv-episodes/ has probably 60 free episodes including "What a man really needs" and 'What a woman really needs" by Jimmy Evan's ministries. All teachings are Biblically based. Plus there's books, videos, etc. He was recently interviewed on Joni: Table Table for 4 sessions about his book "The Four Laws of Love." Think those can still be viewed.

There's hundreds on youtube.

 

[bèlla]

Encourage - no urge you - to watch "Marriage Today" Those televised programs are on Daystar.

Jimmy and Karen are great. I used to watch them. Good suggestion.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

 

[1213]

...I’ve begun to see the injustice in the world and the evil we live in and have begun to ask “where is God in all of this”, “how can God be just and allow this”?

By what the Bible tells, everything was good, when God created. Then people rejected God, because they wanted to know good and evil like God knows. That is why people were expelled to this first death. I think this is like Matrix in that movie. We can experience also evil and learn to know what it truly means (to be without God). Luckily this is only a temporary lesson that is not even meant to last forever. Evil and bad things are obviously not nice, but we should not worry about earthly things. Soul is what is important and only God can destroy it, body can be replaced.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matt. 10:28-31

I think God is good, because He gave us this lesson and freedom.

...God of the universe why He has not answered my prayer because I am not God, He is, but at the same time, I pray for righteous things and God has not granted me that which is righteous...

If we are truly speaking of Bible God, I believe God always answers, but sometimes people just don’t hear and don’t like the answer.

...What is your advice?

I tell you, don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.
Luke 12:22-31

In my opinion, when things look bad, it is often because person is too focused on himself and his own desires. It can be helpful to look what can you do to others to make their life better. And also, to think, what is God’s will.

 

[Joined2krist]

My advice for you to mediate on the Psalms. The authors went through similar emotions, ups and downs of life but they often realized God's hand in their situations and praised Him for his continuous goodness. Hope this helps you strengthen your relationship with Him

 

[yellowMan]

few things come to mind on this:
1) 2 cor starting in chapter 4 and forward
2) Ecclesiastes
3) get in the Word and surround yourself with people who value it

 

[garee]

Hello all. I have been walking with the Lord for about four years now, however this last year of my life has been full of unemployment, a failing marriage, spiritual deception, disappointments and shortcomings, and a lack of fruitbearing all of which have fervently been a part of my prayer life yet have gone unanswered. I’ve begun to see the injustice in the world and the evil we live in and have begun to ask “where is God in all of this”, “how can God be just and allow this”? I delighted in Gods salvation long ago but now I feel like God has fled the scene and is absent in my life and in the world. I find myself, mainly because my unanswered prayers, drifting away from God and being pulled by the power of the Prince of the Air. I know who I am compared to God and have no right to ask the sovereign God of the universe why He has not answered my prayer because I am not God, He is, but at the same time, I pray for righteous things and God has not granted me that which is righteous. I find myself becoming angry and bitter towards God and my joy and love for Him has begun to fade quickly over the last few months. I feel my heart becoming hardened and turning away from Him (which I realize is horrible considering the will of God is just in itself regardless of my desire and perception of justice) . However, I think of Hebrews 6 where the author says (paraphrased) how can we who have once tasted such an amazing salvation turn away from it? This one thought in my soul is what gives me hope that God has not entirely given me up to a debased mind. What are some Biblical strategies to combat and fight this hardening of the heart? I know that John Piper and a few of the reformers believed that God can harden then soften the heart of the believer even after being saved but I wish to return to the glory and majesty of God and to worship and magnify His name even when I have nothing like Job. What is your advice?

Job was strengthened by the faith that comes from hearing God that worked in him. Not by any power of his own self.

I would offer remember when the Son of man, Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane was sufferings unto death in so much of saying father why has thou forsaken me crying out for power to finish the demonstration the father responded sending him a message to strengthen Jesus to finish the work of the two working as one.

That part of the two part three day demonstration of a living suffering sacrifice eliminated the strength he could of had from the disciples. It would seem the father put them to sleep in order to fulfill the promise to Isaiah 53 .Again two working together as one God.

Jesus the Son of man appeared to get angry at the Father and looked for fault in men seen . Three time the father refused to wake them and have their strength in prayer. then he woke them up to perform the second demonstration the cross.

When angry with God its natural to look to faults in mankind.

 

[Unqualified]

Pray. God does do the spiritual things. Go volunteer in a soup kitchen for meals for you and your family. Be tender hearted towards those others that need it. They are like you but maybe don’t have the Lord. Don’t hold the Lord completely responsible for no job, a lot of other factors. Remember he won’t do it all.
Read Bible, Fellowship, go to church, make contacts, helpful people. Keep persevering even when you don’t feel like it. Don’t cut your self off.

the lord commands us to not be bitter toward our wives. So it would be wise to extend that to Him. So try and obey and put up a bitter fight to your flesh so that it doesn’t get its way.