Reflecting on this past year, I have seen God's work everywhere, including this forum 
. It took a mighty struggle with the "unpardonable sin" and other blasphemous thoughts triggered by ocd and my sin nature to first destroy my idea about God and what His plans are for me and then to teach me to surrender to His plan, which He is revealing to me by His Grace.
This and other struggles are by no means over.
The apostle Paul tells us about rejoicing in our afflictions. Struggle seems to be inherent if not necessary for change, in nature, sociology, and faith.
When people struggle or grieve, they seem to be reduced to their essence, a people in need of God. Do you recall how full the churches were after 9/11? On the other hand, the more "comfortable" people become, the more we tend to forget God and pursue our own desires. Churches in the West are struggling, having been made irrelevant by a society distracted by consuming comfort, status, materials, etc. Meanwhile, churches in Africa are flourishing.
While we should be careful not to define ourselves by our afflictions, perhaps we should find some joy, knowing that God has given us a reason to reach out to Him. Remember Jesus' words to the "Religious", "Who needs a physician, but the sick?"
Have your struggles resulted in change, growth, and increased faith?
. It took a mighty struggle with the "unpardonable sin" and other blasphemous thoughts triggered by ocd and my sin nature to first destroy my idea about God and what His plans are for me and then to teach me to surrender to His plan, which He is revealing to me by His Grace.This and other struggles are by no means over.
The apostle Paul tells us about rejoicing in our afflictions. Struggle seems to be inherent if not necessary for change, in nature, sociology, and faith.
When people struggle or grieve, they seem to be reduced to their essence, a people in need of God. Do you recall how full the churches were after 9/11? On the other hand, the more "comfortable" people become, the more we tend to forget God and pursue our own desires. Churches in the West are struggling, having been made irrelevant by a society distracted by consuming comfort, status, materials, etc. Meanwhile, churches in Africa are flourishing.
While we should be careful not to define ourselves by our afflictions, perhaps we should find some joy, knowing that God has given us a reason to reach out to Him. Remember Jesus' words to the "Religious", "Who needs a physician, but the sick?"
Have your struggles resulted in change, growth, and increased faith?
