All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
Blinded by hope for eternity?
Hello everyone, this is my first time posting on here and I have a question for the community..
I'm going through a difficult time in my life right now, and have lately found myself questioning the purpose of life, to counter my depression I've been focusing on hope for the future and the gift of eternal life which brings me to my problem..
I've filled my self with so much hope for heaven that all I can think about is doing what ever it is God want's of my life and then moving on to heaven and the next life as quickly as possible, life in our fallen world is depressive and difficult and all I have is hope for the future. I don't see the purpose for living in this world beyond doing what God wants of me.
I can't see any experience or pleasure in this world that can't be experienced in heaven and the next life. What does this world have that I can hold hope for that will encourage me to keep struggling?
It seems wrong to just focus on doing what God wants as soon as possible and moving into the next life with as little time spent in this world. What are some thoughts and helpful tips that I can use to stop being blinded into just focusing on the reward of eternal life and watch where I put my feet in the present?
I feel like; as I am now, I might miss the reason and purpose God put me on earth!
Sorry if this comes off confusing, I can try and elaborate more if needed.
Views: 159
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Dear Stacey,
Thank you for sharing this with me.
I am risking going off on a rabbit trail here, I know that you are very seeped in 'New Age' philosophies.. What 'New Age' teachings are you reading?
Thank you for bearing with me.
~Carla
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Permalink Reply by Ezra Medcalf on
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Thank you so much for this Stacey, it really cheered me up! :)
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Permalink Reply by Stacey Osana Arquines on
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This is good news I am glad :) yayerz :) Push on my friend even when the going gets tough keep ur head up life can be rough but the ride is smooth with Jesus Christ our Lord Savior and the Heavenly Father, Lord God by the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay Strong and remain in love with GOD.
I am here to help. :)
Abundant Blessings to you my friend,
<3 Stacey :)
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Permalink Reply by andrew on
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Hey Bro, my name is Andy from Scotland, and i want to just encourage you. You keep hoping! HOPE in the coming of our Lord certainly helps the heart, and certainly helps counter depression. I was addicted to herion for many years and fell into depression also. My HOPE kept me in the fight. So if the HOPE of the future and the HOPE of HEAVEN is what keeps you going......Well you just keep HOPING BROTHER!!! ...... LlITTLE POSITIVE THOUGHT FOR YOU! .... It's not what the world has....It's what the world lacks....LOVE & SUPPORT. I might not know you Ezra, but i send you my support. You are never alone. I just try and keep it real bro, And to me my faith is in a fight every single day.... Sooo i dress myslf in his armour and do whatever it takes to SURVIVE. I learnt that if the only thing I do in this life is survive and tell people how much God loves them....HEAVEN WILL SING. Your life holds that Precious Purpose. I HOPE & PRAY you take something from this. God hold you and uplift you in the name of Jesus
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Permalink Reply by Bill Evans on
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Ezra - Like you, there are many a night that I pray that the Lord takes me in my sleep. I am ready. I'm getting to that age when everything still connected either hurts or doesn't work well anymore.
But...for this one thing - I am not my own anymore. I have been purchased (redeemed) at great cost. I was dead (in my sins) but now am alive in the Lord. Who am I...who is anyone to question what new directions or purposes our Lord has in store for me...for them? The way I look at it - he who buys the groceries gets to select the meal. :) My life is now at His complete disposal, for whatever purposes or direction He choses, and for as long as He determines. I do have to remind myself occasionally that my reward in paradise is forever...the time remaining for me to get there is really inconsequential.
And what about this 'purpose' that God has for me?? I admit I can't discern it - at least not in a comprehensive way. I will sometimes get glimpses of instances where my personal involvement seem to have been of some benefit to someone. But these are not exactly what one would call 'Mother Theresa moments' at all...just small touches here & there. No, I believe it's the mercy of the Lord that hides these deeper things from us - the eternal consequences on people's souls that have occured as a result of our letting God use our lives in His service. And it all begins with the gradual turning of our focus from our personal concerns to those of God's. For many of us, that process takes... just about a lifetime. :)
God bless!
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Permalink Reply by Larry on
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Ezra i have felt the same as you and i prayed and asked the Lord for guidance. I believe we are here to do the Lords work, to help build up his Kingdom and do our part. But i also see that this life is a gift to us also. This PRESENT moment is a gift to enjoy. Enjoy the the touch of someone you love, enjoy the perfect picture he paints for us each day, the beautiful smell of rain, the incredible view from a mountain top, anything good God has given us to enjoy. I try to tell my Father thank you for every good thing i enjoy throughout the day and know he is blessing me in this life. It helps to put me at ease and know that everything is going just as he has planned for me. I love to give praise to my Father and enjoy his creation. Ezra i know you will find peace and comfort in the Lord. Pray and ask for it. Amen
Yes thank you Father God and thank you Lord for this great website for us to fellowship and give encouragement to one another. As i need it everyday thank you Father.
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I just want to say thank you all so much for the support and kindness, your words are an inspiration and help me struggle against the depression, I'm still praying for guidance, and putting my trust in God!
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Permalink Reply by stephanie M. Alexander on
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To dream and desire and long for the will of God in your life is beautiful!!! ohhhh what a marvelous marvelous thing to think of to dream of to love!!! If only we all had that desire.... Be sure to thnk about your rush to get into heaven, and meet him, because at his appointed time my dear you will meet your King JESUS.... while you are here on this earth remember that GOD filled you with the good things and the good desires of your heart, write down what you are passionale about and cry out to GOD, about what job you can do to fullfill his purpose. I am a case worker and I work for the homeless, and although I dont get to preach the word of GOD everyday... I get to serve his people...So to love him and focus on him and to long for him and his plan for you after life is beautiful...but focus on now. Depression is a trick of the enemy!!!! The devil is a LIAR... NO TRUTH IS IN HIM!!!! Do everything that challenges depression excercise, write, be around people who pour into you NOT take from you!!!! Brother you have it going on your desire it to please GOD, there is nothing wrong with that...
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Ezra,
You say that you're not serving God except by living a Christian life. Isn't that eaxactly what Jesus wants us to do ?
I can't speak for others but since I came to Christ my life has grown in many different ways, and always moving (very very slowly...) toward the modle that Jesus provided for us.
God will and undoubtedly already does talk to you in many ways, listen to the text of the sermon each |Sunday, listen for the message that isn't obvious Remeber the old joke about the man who was trapped on his roof in a flood, when a boat came bya nd offered him a ride to safety he said "No Thanks the Lord will save me". the water kept rising and by now it was up to his waist when another rescue boat came by and pleaded with the man to allow himself to be rescued, again he answered " No problem, you can rescue someone else who needs it, The lord will save me"
Time went n an the water rose to the mans neck, when a rescue helicopter came by, and shouted to tye man to climb aboard. Yet again he answered that the Lord would save him.
Eventually the water closed over the mans head and he drowned.
At the Gates of Heaven he asked St Peter why God hadn't saved him, and the answer?
"The Lord sent two boats and a helicopter, but you weren't listening to him..."
I have many many times found messages in answer to my prayers in the most obscure places, often staring me in the face, and yelling at me to 'climb aboard'...
The Lord has a purpose for you and it will be revelaed, perhaps a slice at a time, at his pace not ours. I often find that Gods message comes just at the last minute of some evolving crisis, but always in time..
Have faith and live the faith.
In Gods Love
Paul
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Naturally I understand that living a Christian life is the first thing that God wants me to do, what I meant when I said I don't feel that he's using me is that I don't feel I'm expanding or helping his plans outside of my own life, I'm not one who is satisfied just to live for myself, in short: I acknowledge through Christ I'm saved, what's the next step? if that was all he had for me planned, then he would presumably call me home for having fulfilled his plan, see what I mean?
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Hi Ezra,
I realize your comment was directed towards Paul... But I just wanted to share this scripture to answer your question 'What's the next step?"...
Mic 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, [fn] And to walk humbly [fn] with your God?
Proverbs 3:5,6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.
We don't know what is in store for us tomorrow..but God does! Continue to surrender, pray continually and walk in faith. That's the next step.. moment by moment!
Isaiah 40:28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
Isa 40:29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Isa 40:30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Isa 40:31 Yet those who wait [fn] for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount [fn] up with wings [fn] like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
It's hard to wait on the Lord, because our Love for Him is great, and our desire for to live for Him ...and do things for HIm....supercedes our abilities and readiness. God knows exactly where each one of us is....and He'll let us know...'Who', 'What', 'Where', 'When' and 'How.' ;) Until then, rest assured He is preparing you Ezra for what He has in store.
Blessings, Carla
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Thank you Carla, that is very insightful, I'll keep that in mind and in my prayers, I wish it was easier to be at peace, but I will wait for him to use me at the best time for the best purpose!
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