I am really struggling with my faith. A verse that has always haunted me is James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
I know what it goes on to say about the testing of faith but do we really HAVE to be JOYFUL in times of sadness? As a Christian I feel like I'm bad for being sad because this one lady was like "Well look at what Jesus did for you." I feel hopeless then and very guilty for having FEELINGS!
Even with the promise of heaven I feel hopeless because I just want the sadness and confusion to end now...or at least find some people who won't shame me for having feelings and who will be patient with me and just....won't make me feel bad! I am so fed up with Christians today it makes me sick!
Ok rant over and thank you for listening!
CC is awesome btw. This has been like the only Christian chat site where people are actually nice so thank you for that.
James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."
"Consider it"
To me meaning that it may not be joyful now but count it as joy/a positive because these things can make us stronger in HIM.
Sometimes when things go "well" we can forget about Him, I have in the past, these verses can explain better than I can, especially the 1st Hebrews passage, I have read this so so many times to remind me He is guiding, not always a fun path, bu in the end, may it lead to joy and proper guidance so we may see Him...
Hebrews 12:3-11, "For consider Him Who endured such opposition against Himself from sinners, so that you would not become weary, and faint in your minds. You yourselves have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as unto sons: My son
(or daughter), do not despise the chastening of Yahweh, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom Yahweh loves, He chastens, and scourges every son
(or daughter) whom He receives. If you endure chastening, Yahweh deals with you as with sons
(or daughters); for what son
(or daughter) is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all are partakers, then you are bastards and not sons
(or daughters). Furthermore, we have had fleshly fathers who corrected us, and we gave them reverence;
should we not even more be subject to Father Yahweh, and live? For they truly chastened us for a few days as they thought best; but He, for our profit,
that we might be partakers of His holiness.
Now no chastening seems to be joyful at the present time,
but grievous;
nevertheless, afterward it produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness, that is, for those who have been trained by it."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10, " Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason,
to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties,
for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
Hebrews 12:12-17, "Therefore, strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And follow the straight paths made for your feet, so that the lame may not be turned out of the way, but rather may be healed. Follow peace with all men; and holiness, without which no one will see Yahweh: Searching diligently, so that no one falls short of the honor of Yahweh; so that no root of bitterness grows up to cause trouble--for because of this, many are defiled; So that there is no a, fornicator nor profane person, like Esau, Who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no way for repentance, though with tears sought it out."
