Giving up...I know it's not the answer

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on November 17, 2008 at 12:49pm

Dear Stew,
Thank you so very much for your response, I think one thing: we have come to the conclusion that we all need encouragement. I was just pushed too far...it wasn't the worst thing that ever happened but I felt like it was the last. I am ashamed to admit I said "I give up...I'm done". I just got tired. Thank God for the people on AAG who have been so supportive and kind. I feel very blessed to have found this website, the funny thing about it is I googled something to the effect of "God i've had enough", I can't remember exactly what it was. I have quite a sense of humor so when my children ask me a question or have a problem and I don't know the answer, I say pray, give it go God, then google it. It's always been a joke, however it worked out pretty well. As you have pointed out and I have begun to believe again that all of the pain is for our growth. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers, it is appreciated far more than you will ever know. God Bless You And Keep You Safe.
Debbie

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Permalink Reply by Buddy4ever on November 18, 2008 at 8:27am

As difficult as it may be, Bible say to give thanks in every situation. Have you ever read about the obstacles of the apostle Paul? Have you ever experienced the horrors of war firsthand. So many different, difficult situations. Maybe all these situations are part of having "christ formed in us?" Bible say that we are those that hope in His mercy.

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Permalink Reply by MaryAnn on November 23, 2008 at 5:32pm

Hey Debbie, You have been in my thoughts these past couple of days. How goes the battle? I don't say that with tongue in cheek, but with sincere inquiry. You mentioned, Debbie, that your dream is to find the people who have NO HOPE, and give it to them. God has placed this on your heart, and it is a valiant desire. Our God can use you to bring hope to others, and ultimately point them to Himself as the God of all Hope. Perhaps the best way to walk in this is simply by ministering to the one in front of you, and keeping your focus on Jesus, rather than on the 40-year battle. God will reveal each step. As Carla pointed out, God only gives revelations step-by-step, not in advance. Don't worry! Everything is going to be okay, because you are an overcomer!

I read somewhere that in reality, earth has just two types of people: hopeless moral failures who cling to humanity’s only Saviour, and hopeless moral failures who try to face eternity on their own.

To abandon faith in oneself and put all one’s faith in Christ’s goodness is like stepping into a spacecraft. For even the nicest people to trust their own goodness is like them hoping they can reach the heavens by jumping high.

Your path to forgiveness is the same as anyone else’s. Each of us has been monstrously evil. Self-righteous people despise this truth, but what offends the proud, comforts those who are overwhelmed by their own sin. This truth initially seems so devastating that most people spend their entire lives running from it. Those who dare face the truth head-on, however, eventually discover that it is actually one of the most exciting of truths. The truth that every one of us deserves hell is the great leveler. That of itself is a great relief to the humble. It is a failure to comprehend that we are all equally defiled that keeps millions of people blackmailed into keeping guilty secrets – often from those who love them the most. They end up staggering through life feeling sickeningly alone and unloved and terrified that if ever their dirty secret were discovered they would be rejected and despised. Like a gangrenous wound slowly killing someone because he is too riddled with shame even to admit he needs medical help, so is a guilty past until we make the liberating discovery that we have nothing to hide from each other because we are all equally defiled. Spiritually, people aware of the hideousness of their sins are light years ahead of everyone else. Those who think themselves good are so deluded by their own pride that they are to be pitied. The humble know they have been abominably wicked, but if they accept Biblical truth (as you do), they know they are not alone. Everyone on this planet is in the same appalling predicament, and for each Christ offers the same glorious solution.

Humanity’s depravity throws the holy Lord into a horrific dilemma. The darlings of his heart – that’s you and me – are utterly unacceptable and should be eternally trashed. The Almighty has resolved this seeming impossibility by devising a way in which each of us can be re-made, thus completely undoing the effects of our sin and making us perfect. Surprisingly many people feel they are more evil than other people. Some even take this to the extreme of concluding that they are unforgivable. The fact that any sin, not just “big” sins, will send a person to eternal damnation should reassure such people that we are all in this together. Nevertheless, the Bible truth that we are all in the same appalling predicament is a two-edged sword, cutting not only those who pride themselves in their “clean” living but many of those who are devastated over some of their sins. If “small” sins can condemn us to hell, then our eternity teeters on our willingness to repent not only of the sins we find inexcusable, but also on us repenting of sins we think excusable. For an example of a damnable sin we try to excuse, consider a refusal to pray God’s blessing upon those who have shamefully treated us. The despicable brutes who have hurt us are as worthy of hell as we are. (Remember, our sins tortured to death the Innocent Son of God.) For forgiveness, we must act like the tax collector, in mourning our sins. But since “small” sins are just as deadly as the ones that disturb us, for us to escape hell all our sins must be forgiven. It is therefore essential that we regret not only the sins we loathe but the sins we love.

Distinguishing between “big” sins and “small” sins is largely a human invention devised by guilt-ridden sinners desperate to feel superior to certain other sinners. The same Jesus who was so gentle with those who regretted their sin was furious with hypocrites. To expect God’s forgiveness while we refuse to forgive someone is to tell God, “Do what I say, not what I do.” What could be more hypocritical? Despite all our protests, anyone we refuse to forgive is actually no more worthy of hell, and no less forgivable, than we are. One sin we must want to be freed from is the sin of refusing to be as forgiving of others, (including ourselves), as we want God to be forgiving of us.

Matthew 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Luke 6:36-38 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your amazing love for Debbie, and for who You are, not based on what Debbie has or has not done, but because of who You are. It is easy for You to love Debbie, Lord, because You are just like that…the Omnipotent Lord, for whom nothing is impossible. Thank You Lord, that as Debbie surrenders to You…You will transform her, and make her radiant with holy perfection and unsurpassable purity, honoured and admired throughout the universes for her uniqueness and breathtaking magnificence. We thank You Lord, that this is no idle dream…that You have power beyond our wildest dreams, and incomprehensible love. Thank You that You, Almighty Father, not only have all it takes to make you unimaginably glorious, but that You have an almost overwhelming yearning to do it for her. You are the sculptor who delights in displaying his skill by taking hunks of rock everyone else has dismissed as useless, and turning them into exquisite works of art. Thank You that Debbie is Your jewel, Father, that she is Your treasure, Your joy, and when You finally complete Your masterpiece the entire universe will see what You have always seen in Debbie, and will gasp in awe. In Christ, Debbie is unique, irreplaceable, the perfection of divine artistry, and she makes You proud, God. May Your glory be displayed in Debbie for all eternity, in Jesus’ Name. Amen!

These words are not all my words, but I hope they bless you today.
In Christ,
MaryAnn

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Permalink Reply by Debbie on November 25, 2008 at 12:16am

Dear MaryAnn,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and prayers. Things have been on the difficult side, someone in my life puts me down and it has a bad impact on me. I know it shouldn't and I pray about it all the time, I know I'm too sensitive and this particular situation I have turned over to God. I really need his help with that. On a better note the "GET UP", I took a leap of faith a "got up", I started pursuing a few things for God, I asked for guidance and discernment. If not for you and Carla encouraging me I wouldn't have had the guts to do it, I got an e-mail response from the both "opportunities" today, but I couldn't reply back because I was back to "i'm not good enough". I am glad to be telling you that I did respond back to both of them about an hour ago. I almost didn't do it. And I know God isn't making me feel "less than"...I want what God wants for me, I want to do what God wants me to do, and I want to be where God wants me to be. I get little signs...Well dear it is 2:15 and I'm falling asleep, I just wanted to get back to you and let you know you guys are helping me so much. I will reply more to this tomorrow.
Much Much, Love In Christ
Deb

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Permalink Reply by littlesheep88 on November 25, 2008 at 10:23pm

Giving up is certainly not what God wants for you Debbie. People go through hardships for a reason. I dont believe that God wants to punish you, for everything GOOD comes from heaven. The devil is attacking you, maybe even trying to break you down into giving up, but thank God you haven't given up! And please dont ever think on it. People that go through the hardest trials reap the best rewards. Its all in your endurance, your praise, and prayers that will get you through the hard times. Dont let the devil take your shine girl. Keep pressing forward and never lose sight of God in your hardest trials. They wont last always. He'll keep you in perfect peace if you keep your mind on Him (a popular song I just thought about lol). Giving up is not the answer and never will be sister so keep your chin up, hold your head high and keep the devil under your feet! God Bless!

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Permalink Reply by Carla on November 26, 2008 at 5:07am

Hi littlesheep...What a beautiful encourager you are.

Love in Christ, Carla

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