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TheOmegaMan19

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Speaking my mind is something I'm pretty good at (for better or for worse) - and admitting that I'm not just imperfect, but at times a train-wreck is easy for me to do. Its therapeutic for me. So here it goes..

I'm currently a student in the occupational therapy assistant program at my local college. This has to be the single most difficult thing that I have ever done. I read and write daily from 4pm-12am with small breaks here and there, and there are never moments where I am caught up, or not falling behind.

With that said, initially, I did well at keeping the Sabbath. But as the program became more intense, I started to let it slip for the sake of surviving. I even quit my job to keep the 7th day holy, but it didn't make a difference. These Allied Health programs are very psychotic, but luckily, I will be finished by the end of the summer. My wife currently works 50+ hours a week as a nurse, while I remain home with the kids. We are living on noodles most of the time, despite her good income.

I'm doing fairly well in the classes, but I'm trying hard to pull up a D grade in one of the courses. I guess I'm just mentally worn out...my patience is not what it was when I became a Christian...I become easily irritated and angry. There is no leisure time for me, and more often than not lately, I feel like my spiritual throat is being strangled.

I understand that the Bible stresses simplicity for the Christian, and I see why. The mind is not meant for overload, and knowledge does indeed bringeth sorrow. But I chose this career path to take care of my family and become financially independent.

I miss my Sabbath, and I feel like I loused up. Family have accommodated me, to enable me to finish my academics. My wife is killing herself to carry us all, and despite the changes I made to allow me to keep the Sabbath, I'm always frantically trying to stay afloat.

We're almost there, and I understand this is a temporary part of my life, but I shouldn't sense this earthliness in me. I know what conversion is - I experienced it. This feels like regression. Perhaps I'm beating myself up too much, but I recognize this and I don't like it.

I am in no way blaming my academics for this. At the end of the day, I chose to do this, so its on me. I reckon that I'm a tad letdown of how I've responded to stress.

I'm not in a dark place, so don't worry. This is just me venting, because it helps me. Not consistently keeping the Sabbath has been rough. Oh me of little faith.

Thanks for reading if you've made it this far!
 

reddogs

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Well let me give you a little story to strengthen your faith if I can.

There once was a Christian man who tried to be upright and just, and do what God asked of him and God smiled on him and life was good. But suddenly things just seemed to go against him, it seems as if Satan lined up events and situations to take his life apart. He was blessed with many things including money and family and felt like he could not be happier with his life, but then with surprising suddenness things took a turn. Death came into the picture and he lost his parents and many of his family, fortune took away its smile and he lost all his money, his job, his health and soon was to loose his humble abode.

He felt all was lost, so turned to the only thing constant in his life, he prayed to God with all his strength and heart, and asked that if it was his time to die, so be it. But if God still had a purpose for him to at least give time to serve as best as he could others to the glory of God.

God hasn't finished yet, but slowly has restored health, humble abode and those things needed so that I can share Gods love with Him and my fellowman. Take it in prayer to God and He will show you His will and purpose for you.

God Bless
Red
 
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E.T.Elijah

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Omega -

I have been where you are and can appreciate your feelings. Just know that God is bigger than the problems of this life and He will work it out. Since I have learned of the Sabbath I have hit both high and low. I have gone from keeping it fervently (legalistically) to not keeping it at all and now I am able truly rest in Him during His time. It has been a long road, but without the ups and downs I would not be able to appreciate it like I do. I pray that the Lord will open up an avenue to calm your spirit and allow you and your family it do what is in your hearts. Life has a way of swallowing up our good intentions and keeping us so focused on it that we lose sight of the real joy. Take a deep breath and have a blessed Sabbath day!
 
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TheOmegaMan19

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Thanks for the words of wisdom, guys! Sometimes its helpful when I talk about things with other Christians, even if it has already been in prayer. One year ago, I almost decided to get my CDL and be an OTR trucker but this opportunity opened up and I took it because it would pay more and I'd be home.

When you know you aren't in harmony with something, it really begins to discourage you everywhere else. I can tell you for a fact that demonic forces are taking jabs at me - putting negative thoughts into my head, and littering my mind with strange dreams. They've turned up the heat on me while I'm having a slump. I guess it makes sense in their case.

Please keep me and my family in prayer. I know it will help, even if not immediately. Satan isn't more powerful than Christ.

There's one thing I see in common with you two and myself... We've seen the dragon enter after our conversions, to tear our lives into tatters. I just have to remind myself that struggling with tribulation is a challenge that will sometimes cause low points. I keep telling myself that its about getting back up and gaining strength from the experience. Refinement.
 
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reddogs

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Its quite a experience, the refining fire. It forces a Christian to choose to take it to God, or bundle it up inside with self and let Satan and his forces of doubt and despair gnaw at and bring you to the brink ...
 
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TheOmegaMan19

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Its quite a experience, the refining fire. It forces a Christian to choose to take it to God, or bundle it up inside with self and let Satan and his forces of doubt and despair gnaw at and bring you to the brink ...

Exactly. One of the most obvious lessons that I've learned in life is that baptism is not our Christian graduation - it's the beginning of Character Refinement-101
 
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reddogs

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Exactly. One of the most obvious lessons that I've learned in life is that baptism is not our Christian graduation - it's the beginning of Character Refinement-101
You seem to be wise beyond your years....

By chance you would not be the Omega man at Theology Online forums?
 
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TheOmegaMan19

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You seem to be wise beyond your years....

By chance you would not be the Omega man at Theology Online forums?

No, I'm not. But I use the same tag on Youtube. A few years ago, I was listening to the James Earl Jones KJV Bible on my ipod, and I heard him read "I am the Alpha and the Omega..the beginning and the end.." from Revelation.

I liked the word, and though I'm not claiming to be THE Omega, I am a man, and omega means "end." So when I put it all together, I'm "a man at the end(times)." So, it stuck. Kind of a lame story, but HEY, atleast I don't have to stop and think of clever nicknames when I join sites or forums now

But, no.. I've never even visited that website.
 
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