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Giving up...I know it's not the answer
I'm just wondering if anyone has gotten to the point where giving up would seem to be the logical thing to do? It isn't depression...I'm just tired. One tradgedy after another since I was 14...I'm not bitter or angry. I almost feel like god is trying to punish me. I know that is not true, but I don't know any other way of explaining it. I know giving up is not the answer...
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Permalink Reply by MaryAnn on
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Debbie, I am blessed to be Carla's mom. I was also blessed by your words: ‘Your first step is to declare out loud that you will not allow any outside force to do your thinking - no man and no spirit. Your power is in the Name of Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, and the Word of God. Ask God to give you discernment of the lies of the devil.’
Thanks for sharing this great word! This is fantastic advice that we can all learn from. When we declare out loud, it helps us to be well-balanced. Joyce Meyer has an effective teaching on being well-balanced. She gives a 10-step process to help us change:
1. Decide to get well. It will not happen overnight. Understand that part of healing is painful. Trust God.
2. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Galations 5:19 talks about the sins that will keep us from inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. One of them is idolatry. Joyce explains that self-pity is idolatry as it idolizes the self. Allow Jesus to finish His work in you; don’t ask Him to leave you alone. The Lord says, ‘If you will take care of My business, I will take care of yours.’ Only God can help you.
3. Realize you are not the only one hurting. There’s someone hurting worse than you. 1 Peter 5:9 Say it out loud…‘Someone is hurting more than me.’
4. Sow seed for a harvest into someone else’s life, for what you want in your life. Galatians 6:10 Do good to everyone at every opportunity – especially to those in the family of faith. Aggressively look for someone to help. 1 Thes. 5:15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
5. Take full responsibility for your actions. Stop making excuses. ie: ‘I know I’m grouchy, but I’m just tired.’ There’s no excuse to stay that way. God will heal you if you will let Him into every area of your life.
6. Face the truth! Call it what it is…out loud…‘I have a lousy attitude’. I am the problem, not everybody else. People sometimes are unable to love us and give us what we need, because nobody gave it to them. John 8:31,32 Jesus said to the people who believed in Him… (that’s us)… ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings, And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’ (the truth about me will set me free). How many stay home from an event, when they feel God telling them to go? Psalm 51:6 ‘But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.’ Put this truth into yourself! Sometimes there’s value in telling someone else, so we can receive prayer, by calling it what it is: ie; jealousy etc. James 5:16 ‘Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces wonderful results.
7. Don’t run away when things become difficult, like Moses who fled from Pharaoh after he killed the Egyptian, but God sent him back to Pharaoh to lead His people out of Egypt. Elijah (1 Kings 1:19) fled from Jezebel to the wilderness, sat under a broom tree and prayed to die. The Lord sent angels to strengthen him enough to travel 40 days & 40 nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. It was there that the Lord spoke to him and sent him back the way he came to anoint 3 different people. Also, Jonah ran in the opposite direction of where God told him to go, but a fish swallowed him and dumped him off so he could go to Nineveh where God sent him. If you try to run away, God will send you back. In Ephesians 6, notice that there is no armour to cover your back. This is significant. We are to face the enemy, not to run away from him. Another example in Genesis 16:6-9. Hagar ran away because of poor treatment from Sarai when Hagar became pregnant, but the Lord ordered her to return to her mistress and submit to her authority’.
8. Forgive and totally release. If you have done something dumb, forgive yourself. Some people cannot give back what they took from you, ie: Joyce’s father sexually abused her. He was not able to give her what he did not have. Holding on to the past prevents us from moving forward. God is our vindicator. It is not based on a feeling, but on following God’s steps to cancel the debt and release the person to God. He will give back what’s due, and double. Isaiah 61:7 ‘Instead of shame and dishonour you will enjoy a double share of honour. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. Pray for your enemies. God will change your feelings in time.
9. Stop blaming and move on. Adam blamed God. Eve blamed the serpent. Sarah blamed Abraham that Hagar treated her with contempt. We always look for someone to blame. We must take responsibility for ourselves. If we want to blame someone, blame the devil, and get back at him by going out and helping as many people as you possibly can.
10. Put the Holy Spirit in charge. He knows ‘the timing’ and ‘the way’. He can heal you and leave you without scars. Co-operate with Him. Enjoy the journey. Make up your mind.
1Peter 5:8,9 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
(Give Satan no opening!)
Some of us are too aggressive, and others too timid. Excess is a playground for the devil. When you change, don’t go too far the other way, trading one problem for another. We are multi-dimensional beings, and we don’t have to be weird to be spiritual. There is a ‘stink’ in our lives, like a dirty refrigerator. Nobody knows where it is coming from. Our Counsellor, the Holy Spirit knows. He can, and will reveal where the stink is coming from if we will allow Him to. Some of us have put up barriers because of past hurts, and made vows not to become involved so we won’t get hurt again. We need to give everything to God, and allow the Holy Spirit to take everything apart to find the stink. Don’t live in self-pity and fear. Take hold of what Jesus died to give you.
In John 5:6 Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years, ‘Do you want to get well?’ ‘Are you serious about getting your life in order?’ He will help if you are serious. God is no respector of persons. Not everyone is willing to pay the price.
PRAYER: In Jesus Name I take authority over any curses affecting my life, and I rebuke them. Holy Spirit I give You full permission to take over the reigns of my life and I ask You to overtake me and bless me with the abundant life God has promised in His Word, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
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Permalink Reply by Debbie on
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Dear MaryAnn,
It is so nice to meet you. You have been blessed with a wonderful daughter, she has been a blessing and an inspiration to me. I needed a friend and now I have a sister...I am extremely grateful.
Joyce Meyer...where do I begin? I sent an online prayer request on her website (something I have never done before), back in August. I had seen her on t.v. and she seemed to make so much sense. Since August I'm on my 4th book from her, have a book on cd(The Secret To True Happiness), I also have several cd teachings of hers that I listen to in the car or at home. I'm not living for myself anymore, I'm living for God....I'm trying to find the way and what I'm suppose to be doing here. I have read the ten steps above several times and I am going to read them several more...I have some questions. I couldn't be more serious about getting my life in order (I want to do what i''m suppose to do or there is no sense in being here), I am so confused right now (from some of the above)...I'm missing something or not understanding some of it. Something is hindering my growth, for example #1:Decide to get well...I have decided to get well(then I tell myself "you don't deserve to be well"),#2 Stop feeling sorry for yourself...I don't(and then tell myself "why would you feel sorry for yourself you get everything you deserve and you don't deserve anything good) Just as examples...I need help with this. Please bare with me...I'm not ignorant or stupid, I'm really trying to understand! I am praying for the strength to forgive. I also believe that all of the bad does have a purpose, I wouldn't go back and change ANYTHING. It can and is used for the good of others, and I thank God for those low places because I can't truly "feel" for another human being unless I've been there...those dark places have served me well as far as helping others. I know in my heart, God gives me the words to say and I know this because they are the very words I needed to hear but didn't. I believe I didn't receive them as part of a larger plan. As God as my witness the other day a friend said to me "you really believe everything happens for a reason?" My response "absolutely", he said "well if you can believe that anyone can". But every time I think negatively about myself...I know I am sinning, I DONT want that. "I serve the Lord everyday...I listen to people" How can I stop the thoughts I have about myself?
Much Love,
Debbie
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Hi Debbie, Thanks for your note. May the Lord bless you. It sounds like you are learning things from Joyce Meyer’s teachings. I am a fan too. She has come through so many hurtful and negative experiences in her life, and is an overcomer. God is using her in wonderful ways to help others.
Sorry if I confused you…definitely not my intention. Deciding to get well, is basically choosing to get well, and not let the enemy get a foothold by believing the lies of the enemy… lies like: ‘you get what you deserve’. That’s the voice of the enemy. you do not deserve the things that have happened to you. Also I want to say that forgiving is a choice you make. You decide to forgive. Your feelings will catch up on this. God’s Word is trustworthy and true. Forgiveness is a choice. It is God’s way. We must forgive, so that we will be forgiven.
‘Do you want to get well?’ is a question Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years in John 5:6. Perhaps Jesus was encouraging the man to stop living in self-pity and fear, and take a leap of faith by standing up, picking up his mat, and walking. As the man did this, he was instantly healed. Sometimes we get in the way of a deeper healing that God wants to do in us, because of what is familiar...the thing we have always thought to be true for us. God will take you beyond what has been your reality in the past.
The statement, ‘stop feeling sorry for yourself’ is not an accusation, rather it is meant to be an encouragement. Jesus does not want you to be anxious. His Word says to be anxious for nothing, but in everything give thanks. When you feel down you may find it difficult to give thanks. Take heart – in all things God works for our good if we love Him and are called by Him (Romans 8:28). Thank God, not for your problems, but for the strength He is building in you through the difficult experiences of your life. You can be sure that God’s perfect love will see you through, and then He can use all of your dark valley experiences to help others.
The way to stop thinking negatively about yourself is to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. Put on Jesus Christ. God’s mighty weapons, prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit are powerful and effective. As you stated, you do not want to sin, you want to serve the Lord every day. If the enemy is giving you trouble, you can remind the enemy of who you are in Christ. Here are some things you can pray!
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving me the provision of Your Word, my SWORD! I will not yield to the devil’s schemes, but will hold fast to the Word of God. I will stand on the solid rock, Jesus, my Foundation. I will not be moved by the roar of the enemy, nor by negative circumstances. I will stand valiant and strong, for with God on my side, who can be against me. I encompass my mind with the truth of God’s Word, so I am ready for action. I resist all double-mindedness, and claim that I have the mind of Christ. I shall know the truth and the truth will set me free. I will speak the truth in love today. I put on Your righteousness by faith and ask You Lord, to protect my heart, that I may walk with pure motives. Because my feet are set securely in Your peace, I am ready to move in any direction the Holy Spirit leads me. Keep me in a state of readiness so that I can boldly tread upon enemy territory to set the captives free from Satan’s bondage. I put my trust in You, Lord, choosing to walk by faith, not by sight or circumstances. I will speak words of faith and I will ask in faith without doubting. Your Word is Your power. Thank You, Father, that You are alert and active, watching over Your Word to perform it. It protects me from the evil one because … ‘It is written.” The devil runs in terror from me because I draw near to You and resist him in Jesus’ Name, by lifting up this shield of faith which is anointed with the oil of Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, You are my salvation. You have covered my head in the day of battle; You are my strength and song and You have become my Salvation. Your Word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword; it divides between that which is spiritual or godly, and that which is soulish or of the flesh. Your Word is Your wisdom. The Holy Spirit will give me in the hour of need a mouth of wisdom which none of my opponents will be able to resist or refute. I will stand in the victory that has been won, for the battle is not mine but the Lord’s. In this way, I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Bless you Debbie. In Christ,
MaryAnn
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Dear MaryAnn,
First, I would never think your intention was to confuse me...(I confuse myself,LOL), It was a feeling more like "HELP ME UNDERSTAND". I over analyze everything and I think I confuse myself by making simple things difficult. So there are two things I am working on: the enemy in my head with all of the negative thinking about myself, and I need stop thinking so much...simplify. Like Joyce says "THINK ABOUT WHAT YOURE THINKING ABOUT"...I have to keep reminding myself of that! And yes Bless Her Heart, she has gone through so much...and to turn it around and touch the lives of millions is just amazing.
I have been reading what you wrote and praying the prayer (several times) The part where you said "do you want to get well" My first thought yesterday was "of course I went to get well" then the thought "but you don't deserve it" (as I said) and you pointed out that is the enemy...I understand that, he has been at work in my life for a very long time, and it's time for him to go!! However, after reading several times what you wrote, stand up,take a leap of faith...I'm ashamed to say God has revealed to me that I have alot of fear in this area, the enemy may have put me down in a hole, but I have kept myself there not only because I feel that is what I deserve, but MORE than that...that's what I have known, a painful comfort zone. If your in it you expect the worst and your never disappointed. So do I want to get well, yes however I am afraid, I did not realize that I had fear in this area. I'm going to continue reading what you wrote and pray. By The Grace Of God....I will understand!!!!!
Much Love In Christ
Debbie
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Praise God! He has revealed to you the fear of letting go of the familiar. God’s perfect love casts out all fear.
Debbie, I will try and help you to understand. You said that you need to stop thinking so much, and to simplify. Like Joyce says "THINK ABOUT WHAT YOURE THINKING ABOUT"... As soon as you recognize thoughts of condemnation…and they are easy to recognize… IMMEDIATELY take them captive, so the enemy will have no foothold, and no power over you… Stop giving the enemy power. Rebuke him! He will flee. Forbid the enemy to mess with you!
Hope I'm not beginning to sound like a broken record.
As you stated…what you have known from past experience in your life is painful, yet comfortable/familiar. But wait…God…Praise His Holy Name, has revealed to you, the deep fear at the root of this burden. It has been there for a long time, but no more, in Jesus’ Name. Allow God to bring you out of this dark place. HE wants you to stay in Christ, where you belong. The enemy has been stealing your joy and robbing you of God’s plan for your life. NO MORE…ENOUGH!!! Get lost Satan! Get really angry at the enemy, and forbid him to steal anything more from you.
God is so good and so faithful! With the revelation HE has given you, the enemy can no longer deceive you, without your permission. You can rebuke the enemy, and command him to leave you alone ‘in Jesus Name’. The Lord Jesus will rescue you! HE wants you to fight from the position of victory. You are a much loved daughter of the KING of Kings! Save yourself for God’s use only. You have been set apart to be holy.
PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for Your amazing love for Debbie, and for the revelation that You have given her. Thank You Lord, for Your amazing grace on Debbie and we bless what You are doing in her right now. Thank You Lord, that You are lifting her up from the dark place where the enemy has held her captive, and You have placed her in Christ, in the heavenlies. Thank You Lord, for exposing ‘fear’, and bringing it to the light. Thank You that Debbie has Your light shining in her heart, yet, she is like a fragile clay pot, containing this great treasure, making it clear that her power is from you Lord, not from herself. Lord, we ask You to help Debbie to fight from the place of victory in Christ. Restore the years the locust has stolen from her. Debbie is covered by the Precious Blood of Jesus. Thank You for the victory, Jesus. We ask You to give Debbie courage to surrender all her cares to You, and to live completely moment-by-moment in Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We praise You Lord for this victory over the enemy, in Jesus Name. Amen.
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MaryAnn,
NO...you don't sound like a broken record, I keep reading these over and over again. I believe I am making some progress...I am going to reply tomorrow. Thank you SO much. I'm working hard at absorbing and understanding everything.
Love
Debbie
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Dear MaryAnn, Carla, Ron,
I have had a rough couple of days. Either everyones prayers are working (even though they are taking me places I would rather not go, which would be the point), or I am losing my mind. I am lost. I received an e-mail yesterday that I showed to my husband, there were too many coincidences in it to be a coincidence. He said to me "this happens to you all of the time, things like this don't happen to everyone, I don't have strange things like this going on all of the time, it's as if God is trying to knock you upside the head. (keep in mind I'm the believer, not him...he's trying, but do you know what i'm saying, he was pointing this out). Then he said "it's like that guy Joyce was talking about by the pool you've heard that twice now" I was listening to a Joyce Meyer cd last weekend and he heard the part about the guy by the pool..., I also rented the movie "The Book of John". So there were the two times, but I said to him "no in the past week I've heard it 3 times", MaryAnn that was in one of your responses. Simply "GET UP"...I am so ashamed, because I'm picturing that being me and what can I say? "I can't, I don't know where to go" or "I can get up, but then what do I do" I have faith, I don't question that, and I have been searching the depths of my heart to find the root of this fear of "getting up". I have thought is there something I havent handed over to God, I have been praying for the help to forgive myself. But other than that I am at peace with everyone, and there is nothing I am clinging to.(ie I have a nice house, car, etc. but if I was told sell your house and to this or that, I would) I should say I'm not clinging to worldly things. My dream is...to find "the" people who have NO HOPE and give it to them...that is what my heart aches to do. I would do what nobody else would want to do. Yes, that's my dream, Am I lost or have I lost my mind?? PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND! I have been studying the "Whole Armour of God", I know I am fighting the enemy, but am I fighting myself also? Like I said these last two days have been very strange, I know I shouldn't be, but I'm scared, I feel like i'm fighting a 40 year battle that I don't know how to win.
Love In Christ
Debbie
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Hi Debbie...We are only Victors in Christ! The enemy sees that you are gaining ground and he's not happy about it. Stay in Christ... Sometimes it's hard for us to trust and have faith even though we know full well it is the right thing to do...We are being pulled in the two different directions.
Like Paul...
Rom 7:15 I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate.
Rom 7:16 I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good.
Rom 7:17 But I can't help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.
Rom 7:18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can't make myself do right. I want to, but I can't.
Rom 7:19 When I want to do good, I don't. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.
Rom 7:20 But if I am doing what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it.
Rom 7:21 It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
Rom 7:22 I love God's law with all my heart.
We all know the right thing to do...but we are in this battle...
Debbie, some people are more sensitive to Spiritual Warfare. I happen to be one of those... :) It causes me to draw closer and closer to the Lord all the time. I must depend on Jesus for everything...otherwise I am a mess. This is a battle that the Lord wins for us... That's where trust and faith comes in.
The Lord is always saying to me "Believe ye that I can do this?, All Power is given unto Me...Go ye therefore. I Will Strengthen thee."...He's saying that to you too!
Stand Strong dear sister. I wish you lived close to me...
By the way, are you in regular fellowship in your neighbourhood? That is very important.
Love in Christ, Carla
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Carla, my friend,
Thank you so much for your response, it means alot that you take the time and that you care. If you are sensitive to Spiritual Warfare, I would have to ask the question are you an extremely sensitive person in everyday life? I have a funny feeling that would say yes! Sometimes I wonder if it's a curse or a blessing, however if I had to choose I would much rather be as sensitive as I am than be hard and cold. You are exactly right it is like being pulled in two different directions, the enemy has me where he wants me. I'm fighting tooth and nail...but I'm tired. I could understand if I was having a hard time with alcohol if I was an alcoholic, or a drug problem, or hate towards someone....but I'm battling to believe in myself? The harder I try the harder it gets, that does make sense...however I did read somewhere "the enemy hides the main point on purpose"! I have had many signs from God in the last few days...some things have happened and others revelations. I pray for discernment while trying to make sense out of it. I can say the Lord has been close the last few days, even though they have been difficult...I have felt his prescense. I know even when I feel alone I'm not...I love Jesus, and the day I meet him face to face, that glorious day, I want him to be proud! Praise the Lord...everyday of my life is a gift! Carla...you have been such a blessing to me, I think that you probably already know this but If you are ever having a hard time or need a friend.(i'm sure you have alot of people, sometimes it's easier to talk to someone you don't know) but if for some reason you ever need anything or I can do anything for you, I will always be here for you. You know we might not live too far....Ontario is a large area in Canada, but I live 20 miles from one bridge to Canada, and 40 minutes from another one. My son use to race motocross in Easter Ontario Motocross Association, the track he rode at was about an 1 1/2 hours from home...EVERY WEEKEND! He races in New York now but we use to spend every weekend in Canada. I will send you a message and tell you where I live and give you my phone number. That would be unbelievable if you were close. My Dear Sister...it is almost 1:00 am so you won't get this until later in the day, so before hand "Have a Great Day.
Love In Christ
Deb
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Hi Debbie,
God is saying "Be Still and know I AM God!" psalm 46:10
Do you believe in your kids?.....You don't have to answer that, of coarse you do....
Do you believe that God is Your Heavenly Father? You don't have to answer that, of coarse you do!!!!
What would you say to your kids....if they said "Mom, I want to believe in myself, How do I take the first step to do that. I know you believe in me...How can I believe in myself?"
We might respond something like this:
"You are doing just fine. That first step is just walking out...I know you don't know where it will lead, and you may stumble, but you are going to be just fine. Just know that I am here anytime and all the time for you. There will be some tough times, in those times you will learn alot.... I'm right here, I'm always here. and I believe in you and I Love You."
If we would talk like that to our own kids, how much more would God say to us?
God loves us so much that He would die for us....
OH WAIT ....HE DID DIE FOR US!
Always look to the Cross when you doubt what you are worth!
I would love to be able to talk with you...That would be amazing. We could probably also get Ron and Mom on skype at the same time. I haven't asked them that yet! :)
You are doing just fine. None of us is perfect or going to be perfect. But God looks at us and sees Jesus. That's why we need a Saviour!
In Him, Carla -
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Dear Carla,
I receive all kinds of "little signs" all of the time. I know there from God they aren't random things that happen to everyone. As you said we are Victors In Christ and every time I don't act on them I am disobeying God, and end up a Victim of Satan instead of a Victor in Christ. That's very important to me because I In Christ's name REFUSE to be anyones victim. I'm seeing that very clearly now, as I told you in the message the things I'm doing aren't mountain moving, rocket science. Anybody can do it...but I was left with feeling "I'm not good enough to do something so simple" I am glad to tell you I got back to both of them, I've had some rough days, but after reading what you and your mom wrote over and over and praying. I did it. And I am so sorry if i'm making more out of it than it is....because I know it's not a big deal (you'd think I found the cure for cancer)LOL...the way I'm acting. I'm just so use to thinking 'Oh I would love to do that" but never follow through so I am excited. I am looking for scripture to help deal with negative people...do you know of any? God Bless You and thank you.
Love in Christ,
Deb
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Permalink Reply by Stew on
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Dear Debbie,
Don't give up. There is nobody that is trying to punish you, however, the world can feel like that at times. What is really happening is that each new day we have an option to live in Christ. Those are powerful words and Satan would love to wear you down by distraction and difficulty. God uses all things for good and through adversity and difficult times, your true character is formed. If we had everything taken care of and no pain and suffering in our lives, we would not grow. Good things and bad things happen and these are different seasons of our life on earth. Our time here is very short in comparison to eternity. Just a "vapor". Pray and be intentional in your life for Christ. Paul said in Philippians 1: For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. No Paul is not suggesting that people go out and take their lives so that they can end their time on Earth. That is not what God calls us to do and Jesus certainly never said anything like that. Paul does have sympathy for the difficulty that we face. Paul knows the suffering that Jesus did on our behalf and he knows the sweet rewards that await our eternity in Heaven. All the things of this world are not that important, yet we are called to live here and to live here with a character and honor that pleases God.
Don't give up. Have faith in the knowledge that the trials you endure here grow you. We cannot understand the wisdom of our Father in Heaven. We can however trust that his ways are good all the time. I pray that your season will change and that you will feel the joy of our Lord Jesus in your life.
May God bless you.
-Stew
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