unable to find peace

[joey_downunder]

There are a lot of people like yourself, struggling to believe that God wants them and then getting even sadder when they compare themselves with christians who APPEAR to be hearing from God all the time. Don't fall for appearances.
Sola Sisters: False Teachings About Hearing Audible Words From God Taking Even Deeper Root in Today's Church

Do you trust that the Bible is true and that God always keeps His promises? Pyromaniacs: The Patience of Job

 

[drag3049]

What I don't understand is why I can't seem to find people who are like me. I know there are those who are not Christians, and live how they please in sex and drugs. On the other end of the scale, there are those who are super on fire for God. Now, would you consider me lukewarm because Im not on fire? I wish there were people who are Christians, but are smuggling with their faith just like me, but I can't seem to find them. Am I just some odd ball who really isn't a Christian at all cuz Im not "on fire" like everyone else?

 

[anonym00s]

What I don't understand is why I can't seem to find people who are like me. I know there are those who are not Christians, and live how they please in sex and drugs. On the other end of the scale, there are those who are super on fire for God. Now, would you consider me lukewarm because Im not on fire? I wish there were people who are Christians, but are smuggling with their faith just like me, but I can't seem to find them. Am I just some odd ball who really isn't a Christian at all cuz Im not "on fire" like everyone else?

Are you implying that good works is what makes a person a better Christian, and hence somehow "more saved"?

Are you saying that a lack of good works is what makes you not a Christian, meaning that people become Chrsitians by good works?

 

[joey_downunder]

What I don't understand is why I can't seem to find people who are like me. I know there are those who are not Christians, and live how they please in sex and drugs. On the other end of the scale, there are those who are super on fire for God. Now, would you consider me lukewarm because Im not on fire? I wish there were people who are Christians, but are smuggling with their faith just like me, but I can't seem to find them. Am I just some odd ball who really isn't a Christian at all cuz Im not "on fire" like everyone else?

All of us must be online like yourself, feeling intimidated by people who are obviously on fire for God then.
People can care deeply about things and/ or people and not show it much because they are very reserved. Other people let everybody know just where they stand because they are very open people.
Now think logically - how likely is it that a lukewarm christian (who really doesn't care about their faith one way or the other) will be contributing to a christian forum?

 

[drag3049]

Yeah probably not very likely at all. I just wana know that God is pleased with me and that I don't have to act like every other christian out there. One thing thing that irritates me is some of the gifts of the spirit. I haven't exactly grown up constantly practicing those thing, so it's a little new to me. When I attended YWAM, that was one thing that had more emphasis

Anyway, one thing that bothers me about the gifts of the spirit is how Christians treat it. I believe that it's biblical because its in the bible. It's almost as if its the cool hip thing in the christian world to speak in tongues, or prophesy as it is in the secular world to get stoned or get laid. Maybe I'm making it look worse than it really is, but seeing other Christians doing these things makes them seem so high and mighty while I'm just this lousy faithless christian who has to has no desire to obtain a gift like they did.

That's kind of how I see the on fire Christians to be honest. So one question:

What would you have to say me if I said I really don't desire to have any gift of the spirit?

 

[joey_downunder]

I would say that you are realising that is not your calling or strength and you are struggling to find your role in the body of Christ. Not everyone can be the mouth or clappy hands or dancing feet etc.

It is the hidden organs that keep us alive you know. The heart is absolutely essential but so are all the other organs. A lot of organs don't appear to do anything on the surface but they have to be there to keep everything in balance.

Think of the pancreas, just lying there deep within the abdomen keeping still, hidden beneath all the other organs. Imagine of that pancreas got an identity crisis and somehow managed to get to the surface and tried to be a hand. It would fail completely. No bones, no thick skin etc.

What other organ could regulate the blood sugar levels with the pancreas no longer fulfilling its natural function? The person would eventually die of diabetes if it was left untreated. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 - ESVBible.org

 

[JCFantasy23]

Its really frustrating when i am unable to find the peace that surpasses all understanding. how must i acquire that? i have lived my life as a Christian since i was six, and i truely believe i am saved. however, it is really frustrating when i am always worried about something. i find that the only remedy for worry is a distraction. if my mind has room to worry, I worry. if i engage my mind on something that requires more mental attention such as video games, tv, or reading im able to get my mind off of them. ok, but there are times when i won't be able to do all of those things and therefore, will end out worrying again. I have tried giving these things to God, but am unable to find peace. honestly, i almost would rather waste my time on mindless entertainment than pray. i don't know why, but when i pray, the worry doesn't improve and something gets worse because praying about it is also thinking about it. I love God and i want to put him first, but its really hard something.

I think this is a burden that many Christians face, and one of the least discussed and acknowledged common burdens!

It takes time on your personal walk with God to ease anxiety and lean on Him more. It is not an overnight process. And, because of upbringing, chemical makeup, past ways of dealing with issues, personal viewpoints of environment and experience, etc., not everyone will reach this plateau at the same time. We may be united as Christians, but are not the same people. God is molding us, but we are not the same clays, so to speak.

And sometimes too much anxiety can be a chemical imbalance as well. Have you consulting a doctor on too much anxiety? Sometimes anxiety medications can work wonders if it's beyond a personality habit.

 

[wintermile]

So one question:

What would you have to say me if I said I really don't desire to have any gift of the spirit?

I will comment that each direct question you ask, CF members may offer responses.

Some delve into studies. For instance the Book of Isaiah is massive and listening to the works of others elaborate on the Book of Isaiah is a spiritual experience.


Do you talk to Yeshua about these spiritual gifts?

Divine Wisdom I Corinthians 12:8

Extradordinary Faith 12:9

Special Teaching Gifts 12:28; Romans 12:7

Supernatural Ability to Help 12:28

The Gift of Exhortation Romans 12:8

The Ability to Give with Liberality Romans 12:8

Divine Power to Show Mercy Romans 12:8​

Do you talk to Yeshua about these spiritual responsibilities?

To Live Wisely Romans 16:19; Ephesians. 5:15; Colossians. 4:5

To Walk by Faith II Corinthians 5:7

and Abound in Faith II Cornithians 8:7

to Take Up the Shield of Faith Ephesians. 6:16

and Pursue Faith I Timothy 6:12; II Timothy 2:22

To Teach Others the Truths of Jehovah-Adonai Matthew. 28:20; II Timothy 2:2, 24

To Serve One Another in Love Galations. 5:13

and to Minister to Others Romans 12:7

To Exhort One Another Daily Hebrews 3:13

To Give "not grudgingly or of necessity" but cheerfully II Corinthians 9:7

To be Merciful Luke 6:36; James 2:13
​

The collection of scriptural references came from an outline in my bible.


I have not studied spiritual gifts in depth. In depth, have you studied self denial? Thomas Watson did.

http://www.biblebb.com/files/TW/tw-denial.htm​

I pray to Yeshua that I may respect His creation. There are many non-believers more talented than my-'dull'-self. He states "no one can snatch us out of His hand--out of our Father's hand". Often I pray He brings our two worlds together that He may reveal His spiritual truths.


I am not sure what kind of gamer you are. Hope a little Jeremy Soule will bring you some peace.

Jeremy Soule - First Light - Guild Wars Soundtrack - YouTube

 

[xBladesx]

A verse that comes to mind is Isaiah 26 vs 3
You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you

I've also felt the way you do. Remember as a Christian you are still a human being with feelings.
It's not a sin to any feel negative feelings. Take the story of Job as an example.
He lost everything and started to feel angry and depressed at his situtation but still never sinned.

What I found helps and got me through many times is always put The Lord first.
Always be mindful of Him and never forget Him through everything you go through
Also leave everything up to Him and He will be faithful to see you through.

As far as good works are concerned, They do not determine you salvation (or entry into Heaven) but do determine your reward once you get in.
Also good works are the evidence of the Holy Spirit in our life.

We all have a calling and gifts the Lord has given us and need to use them as best we can for Him
Don't ever think what you have is not important or too small, and don't fear failure.
That's how we learn.

Also if you mess up (we all do), contrary to the lies of the devil, It does not make us lose our salvation.
When/if you fail and mess up take it to The Lord and make right with Him with all your heart.
and The Word says He is faithful and just to forgive us and wash away our sin as if we never committed it in the first place
Then pick yourself up, forgive yourself (it is hard sometimes) and move on

As far as The Lord being pleased with you, I believe he is. You attitude alone says your heart is in the right place and that is what pleases Him

 

[RunnintheRace]

I have been there too brother. I think it is because I tend to hang on to my sins and beat myself up for long periods of time instead of leaving it behind after I ask forgiveness through Jesus. I'm not proud of that and I think it is wrong and probably dangerous to do. I guess I'm subconsciously trying to show the Lord how sorry I am in not laying my sins at his feet so easily. Really, no good ever comes of it, and after wrestling with it and realizing that I can't make it any better, I give it to Him. I'm hard-headed but getting better.

However, when I've done enough fretting about it and completely put my faith in Jesus that my sins are forgiven (through prayer) my fears about my relationship with GOD are gone. That's when the peace (comforter) comes in and removes all fear.

One thing I've learned is that we must have faith in what Jesus did for us and accept it before we can have peace with GOD. Once we do what the Bible says and come to the Father and repent, we have to STAND on that with determined faith/trust regardless of how we feel. In the past I have wanted to have peace and assurance before standing in faith, but it doesn't work like that.

It's good that you are concerned about your relationship with the Father, the Bible says it is His goodness that leads us to repentance. Don't run from Him, run to Him.

That's about as honest as I can be about my own walk. You are not alone brother, just keep running the race.