Which inspires you more?

[bluegreysky]

If you are going through a hard time where you're on the fence about your faith,
and you go to church and hear people make their testimonies,
which kind of life story inspires you more?

The ones where someone managed to have a nice, happy, sheltered life in church surrounded by christian family and friends and nothing "bad" ever happened to them to slow their journey down

or the ones who were at the bottom, into all kinds of bad situations and in with people who weren't good for them doing things that they shouldn't,
and then God brought them back to him and they got their life set back on track again

Just wondering...

 

[ephraimanesti]

If you are going through a hard time where you're on the fence about your faith,
and you go to church and hear people make their testimonies,
which kind of life story inspires you more?

The ones where someone managed to have a nice, happy, sheltered life in church surrounded by christian family and friends and nothing "bad" ever happened to them to slow their journey down

or the ones who were at the bottom, into all kinds of bad situations and in with people who weren't good for them doing things that they shouldn't,
and then God brought them back to him and they got their life set back on track again

Just wondering...

MY SISTER,

i voted for the latter cause dat wuz me! i can't relate well to the former because i have never experienced it.

ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim

 

[Schnee]

.

 

[reigningfish]

I think everybody admires the person who hit bottom and was redeemed by God, but I don't think we should discount a person who was sheltered, came to God through believing parents, and has continued to live a a good Christian life.

God calls people from all different walks of life (including decent walks), and God knows how to use all of us for His glory.

I do, though, feel like people who have been redeemed from horrible circumstances are able to minister to others in ways that someone who hasn't had it hard cannot.

So, I'll vote for number two.

 

[LilLamb219]

I don't look to anyone else to strengthen my faith but only to our triune God! It was Christ Jesus who died in my place on that cross and forgave my sins so that I could have eternal life. Looking to sinful people is not helpful to me.

 

[elizabetta_bella]

Overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles to find Grace makes for a more "entertaining" story. However, a life lived in a steadfast faith can be just as inspiring.

I voted for number 2 in the poll, just because I can personally relate better to someone who's been through some struggles or dark days, than someone who hasn't.

 

[FatherHaveMercy]

I voted for number 2 because I have been really low in life myself and god changed and is still changing that in me. so when i see or hear other people's stories on god making changes in their life it inspires me so much.

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

Number 2 is a winner because it is real life. Who has lived a clean life and stayed on track, except the Lord Jesus Christ?

 

[sjdean]

I went for number two because a similar thing happened to me and religion found me. I first met the Mormons who gave me a copy of the Book of Mormon. As much as I wanted to go to their church, the more I was pushed back. But it gave me faith. It gave me a knowledge of Christ. It gave me the first inkling.

I haven't come across that situation before since.

It was like God found me rather than me finding God.

Quite (un)real.

 

[Peripatetic]

We all like a good story, so the dramatic turn-arounds are usually more compelling. I wonder though... if you checked back with them in 20 years, would they still be as close to God? Sometimes Christians who hit rock bottom, then swoop way up to the heights can flame out and lose this fire, especially if they expect it to stay just as "hot". It's like a marriage... if you expect to be as passionate after 40 years as the night of your honeymoon, you're probably going to be disappointed. A long term Christian needs to be prepared for ups and downs.

There's something to be said for the loyal, long-time believer who pays his/her dues and remains consistently grounded in a strong belief system. Some of the wisest people I know are elderly people who fit that description.

 

[heron]

I know in my head that the drastic stories are great, and effective. Inspiring, hope-building.

But they also can make me quietly angry inside, because I am expected to believe and completely trust someone who has public attention for their statement.

Who is to say that they weren't just doing it to sell a book, gain followers for a ministry, add something to their resume, or to get the girl. I am too skeptical for my own good.

So in honesty, I think I respect the tortoises of faith. Not that they have more of God's favor, but that they are reliable and trustworthy by nature. Sometimes God works that slowly and steadily in a person's life. I don't think "sheltered" pertains to very many people in this world, even though it might seem that way. Some people are just quieter about what they're going through.

-All personal preference, not my declaration of one being better than another.