I’ve been feeling really good for a few months. Got my walk with God back on track and better than ever in the past. Felt I had some amazing breakthroughs with the thought processes that went on in my head. Been able to get out of the negative self talk/hatered. Had a friend online really encouraging me,we met in regards to a hobby and she got me back to reading my Bible and talking to God. Two days ago she basically chewed me out. Basically in her eyes haven’t progressed fast enough in my walk, in growing, in changing, I’m unteachable abs on and on. She has blocked my email and phone number. I’ve been abandoned by the one Christian I knew. I’ve cried so much these couple of days. In the process of moving. Most of my house is in boxes. My husband isn’t a believer, no one around me is. It’s funny. Was about to email her with some great breakthroughs I had the other day and I got an email so long and hurtful I still haven’t been able to read it all. I feel lost, hurt, like I’m sinking. No one to share joys in the Lord with. I mention God to my husband and he rolls his eyes(she also basically said I was ashamed of God because I don’t praise I front of my husband... because he finds it foolish) I feel silly reaching out here. I’m praying and talking to God just really struggling. Tears streaming as I type this. Thankfully I know God is still working in me. I have a long way to go but wow, I’ve come so far. And not just this time. Yes I’ve fallen a lot but He hasn’t give up on me. I refuse to let someone else hurting me so much pull me from Him. I just feel so sad and don’t need my depression taking over. My anxiety, my ocd, depression has been very much settled. Prayers please.
Some years ago, I found myself in the midst of a VERY trying, potentially devastating time, emotionally / spiritually.
Immediately, I turned to the following passages and determined right then and there that their truth would be my focus THROUGHOUT and UNTIL said "tribulations" resulted in working the following patience, etc., these passages assert said "tribulations" can eventually work in, in the Believer who maintains his or her focus THROUGHOUT, on the following..
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 5:4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
Just meditate on that - determine to make it your focus - especially in the very moment of your darkest hour - determine to focus on the absolute fact in Christ that the worst that can come your way pales in comparison to the fact that while you were yet a sinner, Christ died for you!
In this way, and by that, you find victory despite your dark hour and until said hour has passed.
And you then have the "experience" at living out such dark moments those passages assert can be yours.
In fact, read through Romans thru Philemon on this issue; there is much wisdom on it in those thirteen letters.
Here is another one of many...
2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
See that - your victory DURING such dark moments depends upon what you DECIDE TO focus on DURING such dark moments.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 4:10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 1:30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
In other words, we go through what we go through on this fallen planet, because God is not yet through with what He is doing on this Earth to the glory of His Son.
The world might see that as an evidence that there is no God, and all is therefore a lost cause, but YOU are NOT of the world anymore.
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Seeming delay then ends up a privilege to suffer through with Christ, to His glory before men.
There is also its reward...
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Your focus then?
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 6:18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Just a matter of one's DETERMINED focus.
The basis of it all?
None other than - Rom. 5:6-8.
