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Hi everyone,
I've been a Christian for about 11 years and like any marriage, my relationship with Christ has had its ups and downs. I chose marriage as a description because the Bible says in Isaiah 54:5 " For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; " .
Recently I had been feeling depressed and I stopped talking to God regularly. When I did talk to Him it was out of a sort of compulsive routine. I felt like He didn't care about my needs so I started a kind of silent rebellion; you know... doing things I knew were wrong in order to please myself. I was in one of those moments when a friend of mine sent a text to my phone which read: "For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1Samuel 12:22,24"
Right then I knew that God was reaching out to me even though I was rebelling; but it still didn't soothe my resentment. God sent me messages at church as well including a sermon entitled 'who are you?' which spoke about Simon Peter and how he denied Christ, but then Jesus sent him a personal message to let him know that he (Jesus) was alive. This, to let him know that even though he was following Jesus from afar off at the time, Jesus still loved and accepted him. (Jesus still loved and accepted me)
I began yielding again to Christ even though I hadn't fully let go of the feelings I was having; until another friend of mine sent me an e-mail that spoke directly to the issues I was having. She didn't know what was going on in my head because I don't discuss my personal life with her. She wouldn't have been able to read my body language or choice of words, since I mostly communicate with her via mail. So the mail could only have been God- inspired. It read:
... the Lord ... is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14 Did you know that God gets jealous? Not in a green-eyed monster kind of way, but of anything that takes His place in your life, especially the lie that convinces you your happiness depends on another person. When you look to somebody other than God for your security, purpose, self-worth and contentment, all the things He gladly provides, He's jealous. So don't do it! Know that being alone with God can be amazing. Yes, it's hard if all your mates are paired up and gazing lovingly in each other's eyes. But actually, being single has its bonuses too.
Maybe you're not hooked up right now because God really wants to talk to you, and doesn't want you being distracted. Maybe God wants you to get intimate with Him, to trust Him, to tell Him your secrets, and let Him be there for you. Joshua was alone when God gave him the plan for conquering Jericho. John was alone on an island when Heaven opened and he wrote the book of Revelation. When you're not sure who you are in God, it's easy to get swept away in the life of other people, and find your value and fulfillment there. But what happens if that relationship breaks down? God is the only one who will never let you go. With God as your rock, you can enjoy being you. So let Him tell you who you are; He knows you better than anyone.
After reading the mail I finally gave up the resentment and started a renewed relationship with Christ. My friends, Jesus does love you in a personal and very real kind of way and He cares about every single thing that affects you. Always believe and never forget that. God bless
I've been a Christian for about 11 years and like any marriage, my relationship with Christ has had its ups and downs. I chose marriage as a description because the Bible says in Isaiah 54:5 " For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; " .
Recently I had been feeling depressed and I stopped talking to God regularly. When I did talk to Him it was out of a sort of compulsive routine. I felt like He didn't care about my needs so I started a kind of silent rebellion; you know... doing things I knew were wrong in order to please myself. I was in one of those moments when a friend of mine sent a text to my phone which read: "For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people. Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1Samuel 12:22,24"
Right then I knew that God was reaching out to me even though I was rebelling; but it still didn't soothe my resentment. God sent me messages at church as well including a sermon entitled 'who are you?' which spoke about Simon Peter and how he denied Christ, but then Jesus sent him a personal message to let him know that he (Jesus) was alive. This, to let him know that even though he was following Jesus from afar off at the time, Jesus still loved and accepted him. (Jesus still loved and accepted me)
I began yielding again to Christ even though I hadn't fully let go of the feelings I was having; until another friend of mine sent me an e-mail that spoke directly to the issues I was having. She didn't know what was going on in my head because I don't discuss my personal life with her. She wouldn't have been able to read my body language or choice of words, since I mostly communicate with her via mail. So the mail could only have been God- inspired. It read:
... the Lord ... is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14 Did you know that God gets jealous? Not in a green-eyed monster kind of way, but of anything that takes His place in your life, especially the lie that convinces you your happiness depends on another person. When you look to somebody other than God for your security, purpose, self-worth and contentment, all the things He gladly provides, He's jealous. So don't do it! Know that being alone with God can be amazing. Yes, it's hard if all your mates are paired up and gazing lovingly in each other's eyes. But actually, being single has its bonuses too.
Maybe you're not hooked up right now because God really wants to talk to you, and doesn't want you being distracted. Maybe God wants you to get intimate with Him, to trust Him, to tell Him your secrets, and let Him be there for you. Joshua was alone when God gave him the plan for conquering Jericho. John was alone on an island when Heaven opened and he wrote the book of Revelation. When you're not sure who you are in God, it's easy to get swept away in the life of other people, and find your value and fulfillment there. But what happens if that relationship breaks down? God is the only one who will never let you go. With God as your rock, you can enjoy being you. So let Him tell you who you are; He knows you better than anyone.
After reading the mail I finally gave up the resentment and started a renewed relationship with Christ. My friends, Jesus does love you in a personal and very real kind of way and He cares about every single thing that affects you. Always believe and never forget that. God bless
