How Do You React When God Tells You Hard Things (or Allows Difficult Things to Happen?)

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

Several years ago, I was praying one night, and believed God was telling me, "Changes are coming to your life." I was 99.9% sure it was Him because of the way the thought stayed on my mind.

I thought it meant that I was going to meet someone and get married.

Rather, later that year, someone I loved very much unexpectedly fell ill and died a few weeks later. I do believe, however, that even though this person never again woke up, they cold still hear, and so I spent all my spare time at the hospital trying not to waste God's grace in the chance to express how much I loved this person.

Their death indeed brought a ripple of changes, and as with any such situation, some were for the good, and others brought additional sorrows.

This past weekend, while I was chopping onions and trying not to let the sting burn my eyes, I believe God told me, "I am going to allow things in your life that are going to make you uncomfortable." Once again, I'm 99.9% sure it was Him, because of how the thought has lingered on my mind. I also believe He is telling me that whatever happens, it is because He wants me to grow through it.

Naturally, my first thought was, "Who is going to die this time?" But of course, God might have completely different things in mind.

I can admit to feeling a bit uneasy.

I know some would say it's because I have weak faith, or not enough faith, or that it's from the devil.

But I personally think this is something that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior also has to accept as a regular part of the Christian life. We're all told God has a wonderful plan for our life, and He indeed works out all things for the good of those who love Him. But I don't hear much said about when God tells us hard things, and that it's crucial to growing our personal relationship with Him.

After sharing all of this with my small group, a good friend mentioned Joseph's dreams in Egypt, and how God sometimes warns us of trouble so that we can prepare (saving throughout 7 years of plenty to get through 7 years of famine.)

During my Bible reading and discussion with friends, I've told God that I hope I'll learn the lessons He wants me to learn and won't fight Him like I have in the past. I try to look back at how other difficult things have turned out, the things I learned, and, despite the hardships, the good God worked out through them.

I remind myself constantly that He is in control and everything that happens is for His glory. But it's an imperfect walk, with many zigs and zags, because of course, I'm still human.

What about you?

* How do you react when God tells you hard things, or allows difficult things to happen? How often does God tell you a trial is coming vs. just letting it happen without warning?

* What is your immediate reaction? Prayer, praise, fear, anger, sharing with others, or closing up, etc? I believe God understands our entire range of motions and helps us through all of them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're not the best or most ideal.

* What have you learned from past times when God told you about tough things/allowed them to happen that helps you prepare for future hardships?

* What advice do you give to others who have heard difficult things from God and are going through them?


I'm looking forward to hearing how other Christians walk out their faith through the inevitable "growth spurts" God knows we need.

 

[Lynx]

Sometimes you have to remember that it's not always necessarily your fault. The people around you are human too. God may tell you something unpleasant is coming because it has been caused by somebody you know being human.

I'm reminded of when God told Jeremiah "Look, stop praying for Israel. Just don't talk to me about them anymore. I'm not listening." Jeremiah had a heavy load. God had determined to tear down Israel because of their rebellion, God knew for certain they would not listen to Jeremiah, but God sent Jeremiah to warn them of destruction anyway to make sure they had a fair chance. After God told Jeremiah do not pray for them anymore, Jeremiah knew for certain also that they would not listen to him. But he had to go deliver the message anyway, because God wanted to make sure they had every chance, even though both God and Jeremiah knew they would turn it down.

One time this preacher I know of was driving home and God told him to stop at a certain house, knock on the door and tell them Jesus loves them. The preacher did so, and the man who answered the door cussed him out.

The preacher continued on his way home, very confused. He asked God why he would have him stop there, if the guy was only going to cuss him out and slam the door. God replied, "that was his chance. I had to give him one opportunity, even though I knew he would turn it down."

 

[Lynx]

Short version: sometimes we have to go through some unpleasant things just because God wants to be very fair to everyone.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

Hey Everyone,

Several years ago, I was praying one night, and believed God was telling me, "Changes are coming to your life." I was 99.9% sure it was Him because of the way the thought stayed on my mind.

I thought it meant that I was going to meet someone and get married.

Rather, later that year, someone I loved very much unexpectedly fell ill and died a few weeks later. I do believe, however, that even though this person never again woke up, they cold still hear, and so I spent all my spare time at the hospital trying not to waste God's grace in the chance to express how much I loved this person.

Their death indeed brought a ripple of changes, and as with any such situation, some were for the good, and others brought additional sorrows.

This past weekend, while I was chopping onions and trying not to let the sting burn my eyes, I believe God told me, "I am going to allow things in your life that are going to make you uncomfortable." Once again, I'm 99.9% sure it was Him, because of how the thought has lingered on my mind. I also believe He is telling me that whatever happens, it is because He wants me to grow through it.

Naturally, my first thought was, "Who is going to die this time?" But of course, God might have completely different things in mind.

I can admit to feeling a bit uneasy.

I know some would say it's because I have weak faith, or not enough faith, or that it's from the devil.

But I personally think this is something that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior also has to accept as a regular part of the Christian life. We're all told God has a wonderful plan for our life, and He indeed works out all things for the good of those who love Him. But I don't hear much said about when God tells us hard things, and that it's crucial to growing our personal relationship with Him.

After sharing all of this with my small group, a good friend mentioned Joseph's dreams in Egypt, and how God sometimes warns us of trouble so that we can prepare (saving throughout 7 years of plenty to get through 7 years of famine.)

During my Bible reading and discussion with friends, I've told God that I hope I'll learn the lessons He wants me to learn and won't fight Him like I have in the past. I try to look back at how other difficult things have turned out, the things I learned, and, despite the hardships, the good God worked out through them.

I remind myself constantly that He is in control and everything that happens is for His glory. But it's an imperfect walk, with many zigs and zags, because of course, I'm still human.

What about you?

* How do you react when God tells you hard things, or allows difficult things to happen? How often does God tell you a trial is coming vs. just letting it happen without warning?

* What is your immediate reaction? Prayer, praise, fear, anger, sharing with others, or closing up, etc? I believe God understands our entire range of motions and helps us through all of them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're not the best or most ideal.

* What have you learned from past times when God told you about tough things/allowed them to happen that helps you prepare for future hardships?

* What advice do you give to others who have heard difficult things from God and are going through them?


I'm looking forward to hearing how other Christians walk out their faith through the inevitable "growth spurts" God knows we need.

Sometimes we are warned and other times they are unforeseen. I believe there is a difference between what God allows and what God wants.

Does God want children to die in the womb or from cancer? Absolutely not. Does He have the power to stop it? Absolutely, yes. So why not? Why do some live and some die? This is a hard question because it challenges God's sovereignty and questions the idea of a loving God.

Of course, we understand that eternity with Him is God's ultimate goal for all living beings. And maybe if we could comprehend the magnitude and true joy of Heaven we would change our sorrows into joy knowing that death is not a period but a comma.

But it still leaves us on Earth with sorrow and a hole that can never be filled. That child, friend, etc is now in a place we can no longer visit (at least in life).

I have to believe due to the foreknowledge of God and God's love of free will, He has to allow by choice to not intervene in everything either due to knowing the outcome, or the sin of enslavement to force people against their will to comply. So you are left with God's perfect will which is Heaven and what God allows on Earth which is how He operates in a world still reeling from sin, decay, and evil.

Personally, we had two past incidents that changed everything.

1. The only warning I had was events that had caused me to think about the situation before the chance to respond. Once the chance came, God provided a supernatural peace to take in 2 teenage boys from an abusive home.

2. God gave me a warning through a sermon that I must be willing to lose it all. Not sure what it meant until a few weeks later due to a poorly handled situation with one of the teens, we felt it best to leave my childhood church. Everyone I knew, was now seemingly cut off. Most never even reached out to ask what happened. With this event, I handled it with the description of the feeling that I was now in a season of wandering in the wilderness. It was difficult, a lot of hurt, but after 2 years it led to something beautiful.

 

[seoulsearch]

Sometimes you have to remember that it's not always necessarily your fault. The people around you are human too. God may tell you something unpleasant is coming because it has been caused by somebody you know being human.

I'm reminded of when God told Jeremiah "Look, stop praying for Israel. Just don't talk to me about them anymore. I'm not listening." Jeremiah had a heavy load. God had determined to tear down Israel because of their rebellion, God knew for certain they would not listen to Jeremiah, but God sent Jeremiah to warn them of destruction anyway to make sure they had a fair chance. After God told Jeremiah do not pray for them anymore, Jeremiah knew for certain also that they would not listen to him. But he had to go deliver the message anyway, because God wanted to make sure they had every chance, even though both God and Jeremiah knew they would turn it down.

One time this preacher I know of was driving home and God told him to stop at a certain house, knock on the door and tell them Jesus loves them. The preacher did so, and the man who answered the door cussed him out.

The preacher continued on his way home, very confused. He asked God why he would have him stop there, if the guy was only going to cuss him out and slam the door. God replied, "that was his chance. I had to give him one opportunity, even though I knew he would turn it down."

I've always been especially drawn to the story of Jeremiah. God told him the people wouldn't listen to him, would flatter him with lies, and plot his death behind their artificially pasted-on smiles. And yet, Jeremiah obeyed.

It also reminds me of the time in Judges 20:18-23 when God told the Israelites - twice - to go up against the Benjamites in battle, and they had their butts handed to them both times. Turns out, they had some lessons they needed to learn in humbling themselves before God, and this was the way God chose to teach them.

I think there is an automatic assumption in the Christian community that most especially when God tells you to do something, it's going to turn out fantastically, far more successful than you could ever imagine, and with harps, rainbows, and heavenly blessings pouring down everywhere.

In reality, I can't count the number of times myself and others I've known have been sure they heard God over something -- go talk to this person, go start a ministry, go start a business -- and it ended in complete and utter failure (at least, to us.)

Of course, there could be a myriad of things at play -- maybe we didn't really hear from God. Maybe, like the Israelites, we needed total defeat to teach us humility. Maybe it was for the other people who were involved and not us.

One thing is for sure.

When one realizes that God could be telling us something that could very well be leading us into what we would see as direct failure or loss, but does in anyway, trusting that God has a divine purpose in doing so, it sure does expand the meaning of what it takes to "walk in faith."

 

[keepingthingsreal]

I doubt that I will comment further on this thread, but I quickly want to say two things.

First, I truly am sorry that you lost someone who you loved so dearly.

Second, I have probably read thousands of threads over the years on different forums, and this might be the most down-to-earth and best thread that I have ever seen.

I will just be reading from the sidelines.

 

[Tall_Timbers]

Praise. I've learned to thank him for everything, including however I might be feeling about a particular difficulty. I feel certain that everything that happens will be used for my good and the good of the Kingdom.

I'm very thankful to be a child of God. Isn't it wonderful!

 

[RodB651]

What about you?

In this world, we will have trouble. It took me many years to understand that.

One thing I learned many years ago in the machine shop. If you want to get the impurities out of metal, you have to put the heat to it. To make metal shine, you have to rub it with some type of abrasive. I say all that to say to be who we need to be, we got to go through some hard things. I've had my share and I'm sure there are more to come. We will be ok though!

 

[LifelongLearner]

Hey Everyone,

Several years ago, I was praying one night, and believed God was telling me, "Changes are coming to your life." I was 99.9% sure it was Him because of the way the thought stayed on my mind.

I thought it meant that I was going to meet someone and get married.

Rather, later that year, someone I loved very much unexpectedly fell ill and died a few weeks later. I do believe, however, that even though this person never again woke up, they cold still hear, and so I spent all my spare time at the hospital trying not to waste God's grace in the chance to express how much I loved this person.

Their death indeed brought a ripple of changes, and as with any such situation, some were for the good, and others brought additional sorrows.

This past weekend, while I was chopping onions and trying not to let the sting burn my eyes, I believe God told me, "I am going to allow things in your life that are going to make you uncomfortable." Once again, I'm 99.9% sure it was Him, because of how the thought has lingered on my mind. I also believe He is telling me that whatever happens, it is because He wants me to grow through it.

Naturally, my first thought was, "Who is going to die this time?" But of course, God might have completely different things in mind.

I can admit to feeling a bit uneasy.

I know some would say it's because I have weak faith, or not enough faith, or that it's from the devil.

But I personally think this is something that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior also has to accept as a regular part of the Christian life. We're all told God has a wonderful plan for our life, and He indeed works out all things for the good of those who love Him. But I don't hear much said about when God tells us hard things, and that it's crucial to growing our personal relationship with Him.

After sharing all of this with my small group, a good friend mentioned Joseph's dreams in Egypt, and how God sometimes warns us of trouble so that we can prepare (saving throughout 7 years of plenty to get through 7 years of famine.)

During my Bible reading and discussion with friends, I've told God that I hope I'll learn the lessons He wants me to learn and won't fight Him like I have in the past. I try to look back at how other difficult things have turned out, the things I learned, and, despite the hardships, the good God worked out through them.

I remind myself constantly that He is in control and everything that happens is for His glory. But it's an imperfect walk, with many zigs and zags, because of course, I'm still human.

What about you?

* How do you react when God tells you hard things, or allows difficult things to happen? How often does God tell you a trial is coming vs. just letting it happen without warning?

* What is your immediate reaction? Prayer, praise, fear, anger, sharing with others, or closing up, etc? I believe God understands our entire range of motions and helps us through all of them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're not the best or most ideal.

* What have you learned from past times when God told you about tough things/allowed them to happen that helps you prepare for future hardships?

* What advice do you give to others who have heard difficult things from God and are going through them?


I'm looking forward to hearing how other Christians walk out their faith through the inevitable "growth spurts" God knows we need.

Still newish, less than a year in and beginning to feel at home with the steamrollering of my old life. S'pose i had a couple of weeks feeling how wondrously fluffy and new everything felt, until Murphy's law set in.

Most people said it was Satan trying to knock a new believer off their feet, which i too thought likely at first. However, i noticed the tough things i was experiencing seemed to be speeding up my development, which suggests there was another purpose for the events.

Interesting thread seoulsearch, will read more replies to it later and likely have more to say. Blessings and hugs for now.

 

[Kainos]

Hey Everyone,

Several years ago, I was praying one night, and believed God was telling me, "Changes are coming to your life." I was 99.9% sure it was Him because of the way the thought stayed on my mind.

I thought it meant that I was going to meet someone and get married.

Rather, later that year, someone I loved very much unexpectedly fell ill and died a few weeks later. I do believe, however, that even though this person never again woke up, they cold still hear, and so I spent all my spare time at the hospital trying not to waste God's grace in the chance to express how much I loved this person.

Their death indeed brought a ripple of changes, and as with any such situation, some were for the good, and others brought additional sorrows.

This past weekend, while I was chopping onions and trying not to let the sting burn my eyes, I believe God told me, "I am going to allow things in your life that are going to make you uncomfortable." Once again, I'm 99.9% sure it was Him, because of how the thought has lingered on my mind. I also believe He is telling me that whatever happens, it is because He wants me to grow through it.

Naturally, my first thought was, "Who is going to die this time?" But of course, God might have completely different things in mind.

I can admit to feeling a bit uneasy.

I know some would say it's because I have weak faith, or not enough faith, or that it's from the devil.

But I personally think this is something that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior also has to accept as a regular part of the Christian life. We're all told God has a wonderful plan for our life, and He indeed works out all things for the good of those who love Him. But I don't hear much said about when God tells us hard things, and that it's crucial to growing our personal relationship with Him.

After sharing all of this with my small group, a good friend mentioned Joseph's dreams in Egypt, and how God sometimes warns us of trouble so that we can prepare (saving throughout 7 years of plenty to get through 7 years of famine.)

During my Bible reading and discussion with friends, I've told God that I hope I'll learn the lessons He wants me to learn and won't fight Him like I have in the past. I try to look back at how other difficult things have turned out, the things I learned, and, despite the hardships, the good God worked out through them.

I remind myself constantly that He is in control and everything that happens is for His glory. But it's an imperfect walk, with many zigs and zags, because of course, I'm still human.

What about you?

* How do you react when God tells you hard things, or allows difficult things to happen? How often does God tell you a trial is coming vs. just letting it happen without warning?

* What is your immediate reaction? Prayer, praise, fear, anger, sharing with others, or closing up, etc? I believe God understands our entire range of motions and helps us through all of them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're not the best or most ideal.

* What have you learned from past times when God told you about tough things/allowed them to happen that helps you prepare for future hardships?

* What advice do you give to others who have heard difficult things from God and are going through them?


I'm looking forward to hearing how other Christians walk out their faith through the inevitable "growth spurts" God knows we need.

Personal suffering never seems pleasant at the time, but it's an auspicious opportunity for our brothers and sisters in Christ, to help bear our burdens and set their seal on the the royal law, which is love.

Before I had the the comfort of knowing who I was in Christ, I was a closed shop. I would conceal my distress and just get on with things, because that's what a man does.

But as I've grown in grace, I've come to realise that disclosing my suffering has contributed to something more far-reaching than my own self. Because it provides a way for God's children to express their compassion and receive approval from their Father.

In other words, suffering isn't just about my own growth, it's also conducive to the growth of those who would offer their hand to help me.

Suffering has taught me not to be emotionally walled off, because openness encourages an atmosphere of honesty and commitment, and encourages us to view others with a degree of compassion that we wouldn't otherwise arrive at.

Authenticity is not attainable without the willingness to be vulnerable. And I can't thank God enough for bringing me to that understanding through suffering.

 

[seoulsearch]

I really appreciate the things people have been willing to share in this thread. I learn and grow best when hearing from people who are willing to be authentic and real about the things they've been through -- especially the not-very-pretty things -- and I'm always thankful for what others contribute.

I admit, I'm not on the level of people who can say that suffering from God is a blessing and something to rejoice and be thankful for. I KNOW the truth of this in my head, but my heart isn't quite there yet. Rather, I am very much "working out my salvation with fear and trembling," with the emphasis on the fear and trembling.

One of my favorite people in the Bible was Samuel. Talk about God telling someone hard things! At only 7 years old, God told him that He was displeased with Samuel's mentor, Eli, and his sons, and was going to deal with them because of it. Talk about fear and trembling! I would have been utterly terrified to deliver such a message.

But later on in Samuel's life, the Bible says that God "never let any of Samuel's words fall to the ground" and that "everyone in the country knew Samuel was truly a prophet of the Lord." -- 1 Samuel 3:20

I remember getting chills the very first time I read that passage as a kid, and it STILL gives me goosebumps to this day. The fact that Samuel KNEW, HEARD, and OBEYED God so closely always leaves me awestruck with wonder.

And yet, Samuel's own son's, like his mentor Eli before him, did not follow the Lord.

I often wonder what happened (was it like what I saw in Lutheran school, where there was usually one "pastor's kid" or "teacher's kid" who acted up?)

And seeing how hard Samuel mourned over King Saul's falling (to the point where even God had to tell him, "Enough! Stop crying over this guy, because I've chosen someone else!") I often wonder how much Samuel must have cried out to God regarding his own sons -- and I wonder what difficult things God might have told him in response.

 

[LifelongLearner]

Personal suffering never seems pleasant at the time, but it's an auspicious opportunity for our brothers and sisters in Christ, to help bear our burdens and set their seal on the the royal law, which is love.

Before I had the the comfort of knowing who I was in Christ, I was a closed shop. I would conceal my distress and just get on with things, because that's what a man does.

But as I've grown in grace, I've come to realise that disclosing my suffering has contributed to something more far-reaching than my own self. Because it provides a way for God's children to express their compassion and receive approval from their Father.

In other words, suffering isn't just about my own growth, it's also conducive to the growth of those who would offer their hand to help me.

Suffering has taught me not to be emotionally walled off, because openness encourages an atmosphere of honesty and commitment, and encourages us to view others with a degree of compassion that we wouldn't otherwise arrive at.

Authenticity is not attainable without the willingness to be vulnerable. And I can't thank God enough for bringing me to that understanding through suffering.

Have tears in my eyes friend, that's an amazing comment.

 

[LifelongLearner]

I really appreciate the things people have been willing to share in this thread. I learn and grow best when hearing from people who are willing to be authentic and real about the things they've been through -- especially the not-very-pretty things -- and I'm always thankful for what others contribute.

I admit, I'm not on the level of people who can say that suffering from God is a blessing and something to rejoice and be thankful for. I KNOW the truth of this in my head, but my heart isn't quite there yet. Rather, I am very much "working out my salvation with fear and trembling," with the emphasis on the fear and trembling.

One of my favorite people in the Bible was Samuel. Talk about God telling someone hard things! At only 7 years old, God told him that He was displeased with Samuel's mentor, Eli, and his sons, and was going to deal with them because of it. Talk about fear and trembling! I would have been utterly terrified to deliver such a message.

But later on in Samuel's life, the Bible says that God "never let any of Samuel's words fall to the ground" and that "everyone in the country knew Samuel was truly a prophet of the Lord." -- 1 Samuel 3:20

I remember getting chills the very first time I read that passage as a kid, and it STILL gives me goosebumps to this day. The fact that Samuel KNEW, HEARD, and OBEYED God so closely always leaves me awestruck with wonder.

And yet, Samuel's own son's, like his mentor Eli before him, did not follow the Lord.

I often wonder what happened (was it like what I saw in Lutheran school, where there was usually one "pastor's kid" or "teacher's kid" who acted up?)

And seeing how hard Samuel mourned over King Saul's falling (to the point where even God had to tell him, "Enough! Stop crying over this guy, because I've chosen someone else!") I often wonder how much Samuel must have cried out to God regarding his own sons -- and I wonder what difficult things God might have told him in response.

Sure many on this forum, me for sure, appreciate the realistic, thoughtful, very human posts you create. They're a fabulous uplift for people such as me, who feel under the spiritual weather/struggle some at times.

 

[Magenta]

In this world, we will have trouble. It took me many years to understand that.

One thing I learned many years ago in the machine shop. If you want to get the impurities out of metal, you have to put the heat to it. To make metal shine, you have to rub it with some type of abrasive. I say all that to say to be who we need to be, we got to go through some hard things. I've had my share and I'm sure there are more to come. We will be ok though!

Isaiah 48:10 ~ I have tested you in the furnace of affliction

 

[LifelongLearner]

Isaiah 48:10 ~ I have tested you in the furnace of affliction

This post definitely deserves that fabulous panel of yours, you're brilliant at picking seriously relevant scriptures. Have you considered publishing a book of your work?
Lovely to see you friend, roamed the forum some and now have a good idea of what helps float my spiritual boat. Not feeling disappointed/saddened by recent stuff like i was, know you're no stranger to the like yourself. Blessings and hugs from me for now.

Edit: Oops and sorry, clicked on the wrong smiley, sorted it now.

 

[Karlon]

as the book of James teaches in James 1:2,3, & 4- ".......COIUNT IT ALL JOY......."

 

[Sanders]

I doubt that I will comment further on this thread, but I quickly want to say two things.

First, I truly am sorry that you lost someone who you loved so dearly.

Second, I have probably read thousands of threads over the years on different forums, and this might be the most down-to-earth and best thread that I have ever seen.

I will just be reading from the sidelines.

Amen, I would have to agree with you. So honest and refreshing right?

 

[Sanders]

Hey Everyone,

Several years ago, I was praying one night, and believed God was telling me, "Changes are coming to your life." I was 99.9% sure it was Him because of the way the thought stayed on my mind.

I thought it meant that I was going to meet someone and get married.

Rather, later that year, someone I loved very much unexpectedly fell ill and died a few weeks later. I do believe, however, that even though this person never again woke up, they cold still hear, and so I spent all my spare time at the hospital trying not to waste God's grace in the chance to express how much I loved this person.

Their death indeed brought a ripple of changes, and as with any such situation, some were for the good, and others brought additional sorrows.

This past weekend, while I was chopping onions and trying not to let the sting burn my eyes, I believe God told me, "I am going to allow things in your life that are going to make you uncomfortable." Once again, I'm 99.9% sure it was Him, because of how the thought has lingered on my mind. I also believe He is telling me that whatever happens, it is because He wants me to grow through it.

Naturally, my first thought was, "Who is going to die this time?" But of course, God might have completely different things in mind.

I can admit to feeling a bit uneasy.

I know some would say it's because I have weak faith, or not enough faith, or that it's from the devil.

But I personally think this is something that everyone who accepts Jesus as their Savior also has to accept as a regular part of the Christian life. We're all told God has a wonderful plan for our life, and He indeed works out all things for the good of those who love Him. But I don't hear much said about when God tells us hard things, and that it's crucial to growing our personal relationship with Him.

After sharing all of this with my small group, a good friend mentioned Joseph's dreams in Egypt, and how God sometimes warns us of trouble so that we can prepare (saving throughout 7 years of plenty to get through 7 years of famine.)

During my Bible reading and discussion with friends, I've told God that I hope I'll learn the lessons He wants me to learn and won't fight Him like I have in the past. I try to look back at how other difficult things have turned out, the things I learned, and, despite the hardships, the good God worked out through them.

I remind myself constantly that He is in control and everything that happens is for His glory. But it's an imperfect walk, with many zigs and zags, because of course, I'm still human.

What about you?

* How do you react when God tells you hard things, or allows difficult things to happen? How often does God tell you a trial is coming vs. just letting it happen without warning?

* What is your immediate reaction? Prayer, praise, fear, anger, sharing with others, or closing up, etc? I believe God understands our entire range of motions and helps us through all of them, even (and sometimes especially) when they're not the best or most ideal.

* What have you learned from past times when God told you about tough things/allowed them to happen that helps you prepare for future hardships?

* What advice do you give to others who have heard difficult things from God and are going through them?


I'm looking forward to hearing how other Christians walk out their faith through the inevitable "growth spurts" God knows we need.

Hello dear one,
I want to say so many things but for now I say Amen. I know the furnace of trials and I believe as a follower of Christ we are not going to have it easy in this life if we choose to whole heartedly follow the Lord Christ. I am deeply sorry for your loss dear one. I have too lost some dear ones and it has been very painful. God has been the one who was always there for me.

Sanders

 

[seoulsearch]

I doubt that I will comment further on this thread, but I quickly want to say two things.

First, I truly am sorry that you lost someone who you loved so dearly.

Second, I have probably read thousands of threads over the years on different forums, and this might be the most down-to-earth and best thread that I have ever seen.

I will just be reading from the sidelines.

Sure many on this forum, me for sure, appreciate the realistic, thoughtful, very human posts you create. They're a fabulous uplift for people such as me, who feel under the spiritual weather/struggle some at times.

Hello dear one,
I want to say so many things but for now I say Amen. I know the furnace of trials and I believe as a follower of Christ we are not going to have it easy in this life if we choose to whole heartedly follow the Lord Christ. I am deeply sorry for your loss dear one. I have too lost some dear ones and it has been very painful. God has been the one who was always there for me.

Sanders

Thank you so much for the kind words. I greatly appreciate it, especially because I think that trying to bring a touch of humanity to our struggles in faith and relate that to others is part of what God made me to do.

I know all the passages about counting our sufferings as joy and how we should rejoice at any kind of pain we endure for the Lord, but I must confess that I'm not quite there. I greatly admire the people who are, but I can't hide anything from God, and He knows I'm not there yet, nor do I know if I will ever be in this life.

When I hear testimonies about miracles, I'm always glad for God's power and love -- but my heart has a hard time relating to those who have received miracles I see so many others not getting. I heard a sermon last year about someone's cancerous tumor miraculously disappearing and stunning all the doctors, which is wonderful -- but all the people I know with cancer this past year were met with either grotesque surgeries that sounded just as bad or almost worse than the illness itself -- or death. And the families who don't get a miracle are always the ones my heart wants to reach out to the most.

Hearing so much about how we are to rejoice and be glad in all that we suffer for God, as a kid and preteen, I had this image of Jesus happily skipping to the cross, singing and dancing with joy the whole way, because He would be so happy that God had asked Him to suffer and die for His purpose. But as I grew older and started to read the entire Bible for myself as a teen, the account of the crucifixion struck me much differently than the cliched, sanitized perspectives I'd been given as a child.

Jesus wasn't singing and dancing on His way to the cross. While He never failed to show signs of love, compassion, and forgiveness, Christian author Philip Yancey points out that Jesus reacted to His suffering in very much the same way we humans do -- with sorrow and anguish. Jesus wasn't telling God how joyful He was to be able to suffer and die at Gethsemane -- He was asking that it would be taken from Him, or that God would find another way.

And when God gave Him a very hard answer -- No -- He accepted it. But His suffering brought Him to the point of not singing songs of rejoicing or declaring how joyous it was, but rather, He cried out in an anguish we will never fully understand, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"

Something that also amazes me more than anything else is that when Jesus finally arrived at Lazurus's grave, He didn't leap for joy. He didn't tell the people how they should be happy because Lazarus was in heaven, free from pain and sorrow, as I was told at the funeral for my loved one.

Rather, Jesus wept. He didn't just cry for his beloved friend -- He WEPT. I've read accounts claiming that Jesus was crying more over sin and our broken world than about Lazarus's death, but regardless, this was another example of Jesus reacting to pain and suffering in very much the same way we would. Not with gladness or joy, but with a broken heart.

And the astonishing thing is, Jesus not only knew heaven better than anyone and could certainly find joy in knowing his friend would eventually wind up there, but He also knew exactly what He was going to do -- reverse the very action of death right in front of the eyes of the people. He knew that in just a few minutes, He would bring Lazarus back to them. But yet, He didn't scold the people for not rejoicing or declaring that Lazarus was in better place -- rather, He wept.

When I can't rejoice over my suffering like I am told to do, for the good or for the bad, I tell God instead that I am thankful for a Savior who understands our anguish and responded with the same very real feelings we have, and more than we can ever know.

 

[Lynx]

Yeah. It ain't all rainbows and lollipops. In fact it's less than 1/4th rainbows and lollipops.

But it's also not forever. That's the saving grace for me. As long as it doesn't last forever, I can take it. I know there is an end somewhere in the future and I won't have to put up with it anymore.