Confused and Frustrated

[jacobandsearching]

I am writing this thread as and effort to bring some resolution to myself. I am struggling greatly in figuring out what God wants me to do. I am not hearing him clearly and and it seems that I am not able to connect with God like I used to. I have lost something and I can't seem to get it back. There seems to be some kind of barrier that I can't break through. I feel discourage quite often. Sometimes I feel like my dreams are never going to come true. Sometimes I feel like I have been wasting my time believing that I can be successful in ministry (I am a minister, mostly inactive currently)

Another issue I have is my emotions. I can't cry. Half the time I don't even know what I am feeling. I am so frustrated inside but I try to hide from my wife but I know she can tell. I think she has given up on trying to figure me out. I feel sometimes like I am just spinning around and around and I can't get off.

I am trying to figure out what type of job is right for me, which book I should write, what to focus on and what to let go. Who I should try to make better friends with and who I shouldn't talk to that much. What ministry to listen to more, etc.

I am so tired of mainstream christianity. People are so wishy washy. "Just smile and think positive and everything will be better", don't worry about repenting of your sins - just be positive.

I have never felt so confused in all my life. I think it has something to do with me trying to start a church only to fail.

 

[drummerboyas157]

Man I can relate, I havent heard any clear direction from God in a while, but know he is Soverign. The best thing to do is take the focus off of what you are so confused on (i am not saying dont think about it at all) and place it on who God is. The truth is what God wants you to do is love him fully. Your first calling is to God thats your 95% focus and the 5% is your ministry. I have had to put this into practice lately becuse I am so worried on doing what I think God has called me to that I worry to much and push the one who deserves all worship behind me thinking when I get my ministry THEN I will be ok with him again. That is NOT the case without having your life completly abadoned to him your ministry will suck since the ministry should be all about making him known. I would recommend the book The knowledge of the holy by AW Tozer and I would say to read the bible every day to just catch glimpses of God. Dont forget as a Christian God puts you though seasons, some you hear God great and others you dont, some are to humble you, while some prosper you. and yes repent of your sins if you have not kept the first commandment love the lord your God with all you heart mind soul and strenght then repent and let me say I find my self far away from that very often. But focus on God everything else will fall away as you do it comming before him humbly for we are nothing and he is All though Jesus we can come!

 

[If Not For Grace]

Good news this is the year of "7". (Completion). Many times what we have to do is WAIT..Perhaps God is positioning someone else (who might have a bit of rebellious spirit) to come in contact with you that will help you in the direction you will go.

Jesus waited on the Woman at the Well. Have patience and peace be still. Fast yes, Fast and Pray and you will receive the direction, even if you so have to wait a bit.

 

[LoG]

Another issue I have is my emotions. I can't cry. Half the time I don't even know what I am feeling. I am so frustrated inside but I try to hide from my wife but I know she can tell. I think she has given up on trying to figure me out. I feel sometimes like I am just spinning around and around and I can't get off.

The most effective ministries are through those who have experienced the challenges of the human condition and worked through them.
If you are truly dissatisfied with the "Just smile and think positive and everything will be better" types of cliche's, and think repentance is the answer, the place to start is with oneself. When one realizes that negative emotions are brought on by negative thinking, one starts to get to the root causes of the problem. Fear, insecurity, pride, ego, resentment etc. are the beams in our eyes that need removal before we can have effective ministries. Acknowledging, repenting and making amends to those we have hurt through our unloving attitudes will usually bring us back into His presence. It certainly is not the easier, softer way but it has the greatest results.

Low times as you are experiencing now have the potential for the greatest gain in one's own spiritual life. So much so in fact, that it is the time we need to be thanking Him for the trial He uses to refine us.

God bless you and keep you.

 

[qrabbit]

jacobandsearching ---

some excellent thoughts. You sound like a very
passionate and sympathetic man of God. This is
a very good thing.

please allow me to offer the following advice on hearing
from God:

First, be faithful. To God, your wife and your conscious.

Secondly, on hearing God. What is God's plan for you ?
Ask yourself this: What doors have been opened for
you in your life ? What doors have been closed ?

So you tried to start a church and it failed. No big deal.
How old are you ? It was a great life experience;
a great learning opportunity. If you are still young,
I'm thinking under 35, chances are you still have
a lot of growing up to do anyways. God wants you
to be an effective minister, this much we know.
However, you may have to go through many more
trials before you are that vessel ready for the Master's
use. Remember the story of King David; and how many
trials he went through before he became king.

For now, I say, look for those open doors. Pray that
God opens your eyes, pray that you remain faithful
and steadfast and go through those open doors. If
the only door that is open to you is a construction
job, then take it. God will still call you to be a
Christian and a Witness to all you meet. You are
still the Salt of the Earth no matter where you end up.

Keep us informed.
Best regards and lots of grace,
qrabbit.

 

[Johnnz]

Failure can sure dent us big time. The good thing about failure is that we needed to. Then we have opportunity to discover new things about God and our relationship with him.

Go to this web site. Somewhere there you will find a downloadable article entitled "The Secret". You might find that helpful. The site is
www.perichoresis.org

Bless you
John
NZ

 

[Fascination]

I am writing this thread as and effort to bring some resolution to myself. I am struggling greatly in figuring out what God wants me to do. I am not hearing him clearly and and it seems that I am not able to connect with God like I used to. I have lost something and I can't seem to get it back. There seems to be some kind of barrier that I can't break through. I feel discourage quite often. Sometimes I feel like my dreams are never going to come true. Sometimes I feel like I have been wasting my time believing that I can be successful in ministry (I am a minister, mostly inactive currently)

Another issue I have is my emotions. I can't cry. Half the time I don't even know what I am feeling. I am so frustrated inside but I try to hide from my wife but I know she can tell. I think she has given up on trying to figure me out. I feel sometimes like I am just spinning around and around and I can't get off.

I am trying to figure out what type of job is right for me, which book I should write, what to focus on and what to let go. Who I should try to make better friends with and who I shouldn't talk to that much. What ministry to listen to more, etc.

I am so tired of mainstream christianity. People are so wishy washy. "Just smile and think positive and everything will be better", don't worry about repenting of your sins - just be positive.

I have never felt so confused in all my life. I think it has something to do with me trying to start a church only to fail.

What do you think would clear the confusion up for you? What do you think it would take?

Just wanted you to know that sometime or another, we have all been there, or at least I have.

 

[giftofmusic]

hows it going.....praying for you............