reading the Bible has me scared of God's will for me

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namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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I believe that what you are expressing is something that a lot of us have in common. It is perhaps the greatest reason why Christians are more and more hesitant to take a stand for the gospel. It is a spirit of fear that prevents us from letting go of our worldly comforts. "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control(2 Tim 1:7)." If following God puts us at odds with the world, we will experience tribulation in this life, and many of us will suffer greatly. John 16:33 says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

If you are afraid that God's will is that you will suffer, it is not. God's will is that you will have peace in Him alone, and even when we suffer, we who are called by his name will endure it together, strengthening one another, knowing that Christ suffered on our behalf, and as long as our identity is in Him, His suffering is our suffering, and not only suffering, but also His peace, joy, etc., His very life is in us and if that means temporary suffering in this life, I look forward to the eternal weight of glory that awaits.

R.J. Aldridge said:

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In many threads, I keep seeing this (.) alone, as a response to an earlier post. I must have missed something because I am not privy to its purpose, used that way. Can you enlighten me?

namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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Think about the terrible end God has for those who reject Jesus. They have no hope.
We do well to be in a constant state of repentance and faith as we hope for the glorious appearing of the Lord. Our blessed hope.

Not all Christians have suffered terribly. The Lords will be done though.

Mark Quayle said:

In many threads, I keep seeing this (.) alone, as a response to an earlier post. I must have missed something because I am not privy to its purpose, used that way. Can you enlighten me?

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It serves as a "deletion" of a post, most commonly with double-posts or as a way to retract a statement.

namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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Let's go into Revelation 3: 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Jesus warned us that the road to salvation is straight and narrow and that only a few of us will find it. Many are traveling down the wrong road, which leads to destruction. This is because many of us have heard about salvation but few of us want to do what is necessary to get salvation (many are called but few are chosen). (Matthew 7:13, 14).

A man asked Jesus this very question, "...What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?", and Jesus replied, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:16-19). This includes the Sabbath day on the seventh day of the week (Saturday) Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:3-8)

In the scriptures its written in Proverbs 4: 1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, And attend to know understanding. 2 For I give you good doctrine, Forsake ye not my law. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding:
Forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: Love her, and she shall keep thee.
7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:

namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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Try praying the Our Father, namers.

Leave your future, soul, and life to Him. Don’t over-think the future; that’s God’s job, as it were. Just follow Christ, know that He loves you, and keep your heart focused on Him.

Ezana said:

It serves as a "deletion" of a post, most commonly with double-posts or as a way to retract a statement.

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Hah! Well, that's sort of an encouragement and a disappointment! I had taken it sometimes contextually to say, "I would like to say something here, but I'd better not." Kind of like I used to use the 'laugh' rating sarcastically until I heard it was against the rules to do so.

namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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What is it, specifically, you are afraid of? For Peter and Paul both their deaths were not the end, but a means by which they came to share in Christ's glory. God does not send suffering for the sole purpose of torturing us, but because through suffering we are joined with Christ all the more. God's plans are not malicious, even the suffering He places us under is for our good. So what is it you fear?

namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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Proverbs 9:10.

namers said:

I fear what terrible end God has for me. I know that he had plans that Paul suffered "I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” which is Acts 9:16 and Peter being killed so that he glorifies him John 21:19 "Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”. Phil 1:29 even says he sends suffering. Now I'm constantly feeling dread over what plans God will do concerning me and it's making me more anxious and anxious everyday. I don't know what to do and I've prayed and prayed but I just fear God's will. I don't feel any love just fear

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Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying, Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you.

1 Corinthians 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

Jeremiah 15:20 And I will make you to this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you: for I am with you to save you and to deliver you, said the LORD.

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Have faith in God dear friend. He will look after you and not allow you to go through anything you are not able to bear..


(source)

namers said:

Is there not a way you can be joined by Jesus without suffering?

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There is no way to live this life without trouble. It sounds to me like you are afraid of mere change more than degree of trouble. Like you are afraid of the unknown. You already have some trouble/suffering, but you have learned to get by for now; but you don't want what you are not familiar with.

(To me this is a bit like the notion that God must not change one's will without their consent. He made us without consulting us! —why should he not change us without our consent?)

He is gentle and kind, but he is the ONE about whom all this exists. This is not about you. If he wants to use you for suffering, apprehension is natural, but the joy of being used by him surpasses understanding. You cannot keep yourself safe, anyway—it is impractical to hold onto yourself concerning things you can't control—God is the one who controls this, and he is good. Make yourself familiar with him and his ways, and learn that he is more trustworthy than you yourself are.

When I was a preschool child (missionary kid in the tropics), left all alone while my huge family was all gone from the house to school etc, there were sometimes awful thunderstorms, lightning hitting so close that the flash and sound were simultaneous, and deafening downpour on the tin roof of our ceiling-less house. I was always terrified, until one day I realized that it was God himself doing this and enjoying himself in it, and not mere danger happening. Thereafter, I found myself enjoying these storms, and I have loved extreme weather ever since.

Don't be afraid of what God controls. You belong to him.

namers said:

This doesn't make make me feel any better. You're basically saying that even though God potentially makes me suffer because he can that I should force my feelings and be in joy and happy over that. And since he's "gentle" I should be happy about the gentle suffering coming my way (isn't that an oxymoron? eh whatever). And should I find him trustworthy in causing suffering? Since as you said he needs no permission causing it.

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I don't mean to complicate this unnecessarily. I am saying that his choices concerning you are better than yours. You, in seeking comfort/familiarity, will choose what is not good for you, while he will give you what is good for both him and you.

But you cannot control what is coming anyway, so your apprehension, while understandable and not even condemned by him (or so I think) as sinful, is impractical.

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

namers said:

Ultimately you’re telling me that I’m seeking comfort and that’s bad but God doing something terrible towards me is for my better good but I just don’t want that good is and might never know?

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No. Seeking comfort is good, particularly if it is seeking comfort in Christ. Blindly wishing for self-protection that you cannot give yourself, i.e. to be self-determining, is useless.

namers said:

Is there not a way you can be joined by Jesus without suffering?

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We are to be crucified with Christ (this is our loving, fair, just disciplining for our sins). As our Love grows for Christ we can be even more empathetic with Him while He was on the cross. Loving discipline has lots of wondeful benefits and the fact Christ goes through our disciplning with Him builds a stronger relationship.

namers said:

Is there not a way you can be joined by Jesus without suffering?

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There are many ways to join with Christ, but suffering is the manner in which Christ joins with us. It is in sharing His sufferings that we come to share in His life, and join with one another. Enduring the suffering leads to great joy, and the suffering lasts only a little while. And He will not tempt us more than we can handle, alotting each the suffering He knows they can tolerate.