Story of God's faithfulness for those who struggle against "unwanted thoughts"

[kaykay637]

While I don't recommend trying this at home, I felt the Lord would have me share this story on here about one of my former pastors. I think it puts some perspective on some of the OCD which revolves around "accidentally blaspheming" and accidentally "renouncing Christ." "Need to cancel thoughts" etc.

Again this is a true story about a former pastor we had. He and his wife lost a baby daughter. She was stillborn. He became very angry at God as a result of this. (He was already a pastor at this time.) He said he would go out in his backyard and shake his fist at God and say to God whatever angry things he could think of to God. He said one specific thing he would say was something like this, "God, why don't you just strike me down and take me to hell right now? Because there's one thing I know I'm gonna like about hell---YOU won't be there!!!

Whoa! That's pretty potent to say to God, no?! Anyway, he said it aggravated him at the time even more, but he felt like God just said back to him in his spirit something like, "Son, you're going to be alright."

Anyway, he got out of the pastorate (obviously!) and went into sales. He had a great personality and was wonderful at it. He was very successful and made tons of money, but within about year if I recall correctly, he had an emotional/nervous breakdown. Fact was, he found he just couldn't live without God after knowing Him. He hit total bottom and was committed to a psychiatric hospital. He repented and admitted to God that he needed him, in fact, had to have Him.

God graciously restored him, even restored him to ministry. And, his wife became pregnant again and gave birth to twins.

Today this man has been in the ministry many years. He is a wonderful preacher and one of the most insightful, sensitive counselors there is around. (I think as a result of this experience.)

Just wanted to share this story with you guys because I think it so obviously illustrates God's love, faithfulness and knowledge of our hearts.

God bless and may you realize God's love and faithfulness to you too today.

 

[babegirl111]

That was a beautiful story! GOD ALWAYS HELPS US THROUGH TOUGH TIMES AND I KNOW I COULD NEVER LIVE WITHOUT HIM! THANKS AND GOD BLESS!

 

[OptimisticSmile]

that was beautiful. God knows who will suffer, in what ways , and in how they will respond in the suffering. Indeed his word is true when he says he chastenes those he loves. I dont think its a punishing type chastening but a teaching chastening. My OCD struggle, (chastening), occured at a time that I was living for the Lord more than ever. He fogives us knowing the response we will give him in his time of chastening. He knows mans natural tendency to shake our fists at him but yet he looks past it to see his humbled people finding a cradle in his arms. I have no doubt that his response to this pastor was one of comforting softness.

 

[DruryGirl]

Beautiful. I for one shamefully admit I have had my rage-outs at God, only to be so fearful afterward. This story is a real blessing. Thanks.