What to do when God lets you down?

[Michlow]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So confusion and loneliness can reign for extended periods of time. People have been conditioned to think that everything can change with one good "prayin' through!" at a pentecostal alter. And then when it doesn't, welllllllll there must be something really really wrong in your life!

Though it's funny, because even though those years were horrible. I wouldn't have what I do now without having experienced them. (My Husband and Daughter), so it kind of makes it worth it. I don't necessarily think it means that I HAD to go through them the way I did (Like I mentioned, I think God gave me some direction for quite some time before I heard it), but I wouldn't change it, because it made me who I am, and brought me to where I am.

Hopefully that makes sense! I am out of practice at this!

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

So confusion and loneliness can reign for extended periods of time. People have been conditioned to think that everything can change with one good "prayin' through!" at a pentecostal alter. And then when it doesn't, welllllllll there must be something really really wrong in your life!

Right. While God can and sometimes does preform instantaneous deliverance, it is certainly not always that way. When this becomes the expectation for everyone, good, well-intentioned people can cause harm to brothers and sisters who are in continuous struggle to overcome.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Michlow

Though it's funny, because even though those years were horrible. I wouldn't have what I do now without having experienced them. (My Husband and Daughter), so it kind of makes it worth it. I don't necessarily think it means that I HAD to go through them the way I did (Like I mentioned, I think God gave me some direction for quite some time before I heard it), but I wouldn't change it, because it made me who I am, and brought me to where I am.

Hopefully that makes sense! I am out of practice at this!

Bingo! God is continually preparing you and it usually doesn't happen over night, but often takes a good portion of ones lifetime.

Looking way way back I KNOW now that had God granted me certain things I had been praying for (continuously) in my late teens and much of my 20's, it would have ended in nothing but heartbreak. Of course "I" thought I was ready but looking back, I wasn't even close.

[Bro. Robbins]

I'm not sure if this will help out at all or not, but wanted to provide a link to a post regarding us as vessels.... it's a lesson I'm learning anew each and every day. Hope it helps.

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...ad.php?t=39012

I will say this... there have been times that God's answer or response has disappointed me, but that's not really Him letting me down. And to be honest, the reason the answer or response let me down was because my expectations weren't realistic. Maybe they were based on what I thought I needed, but not what He thought I needed. Or maybe it was because I was walking in the emotional feelings of my flesh, and not by what I knew the Word said about the situation. Or maybe because I had a desired outcome, within a desire time, but God was saying... you have to wait.

I will say, that God has been faithful to me.... and I have to remember the lesson of the vessel.

Not sure it will make a difference for you, but I will be praying for you this week. That there will be a realization for you that God is very near, and His Word is true.... and He's very present in your situation.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Bingo! God is continually preparing you and it usually doesn't happen over night, but often takes a good portion of ones lifetime.

Yep. I would say that a good portion of my life was taken over by major depression. What I experienced was that many in the church system lose patience with a brother or sister in depression.

However, God did not lose patience with me. He was always right on time with His *treatment* for me. (The great physician) I did not always feel God through my sufferings, but then there were times when it felt like the God wrapped His big ol arms around me and comforted me through days when I did not think I would make it through.

I learned that just because I did not always feel Him, it did not mean He wasn't here for me. And yes, I learned a lot of things I would not have otherwise learned through this terrible long experience.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Hope deferred make the heart sick. God has not let you down He has said no up to this point. God is not the butler nor the waitress we give our orders to. We serve Him He does not serve us He already did that in the incarnation not doing that today.

I'm not saying He's a butler, butcher or candlestick maker either. I'm just saying how I honestly feel. Others may not be willing to say that. I'm willing to say it because I'ce reached a point where I am hurting.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

Bingo! God is continually preparing you and it usually doesn't happen over night, but often takes a good portion of ones lifetime.

Looking way way back I KNOW now that had God granted me certain things I had been praying for (continuously) in my late teens and much of my 20's, it would have ended in nothing but heartbreak. Of course "I" thought I was ready but looking back, I wasn't even close.

I wonder if God has said yes and taken the long way around so I'd lose almost everything. That makes sense... I know from your messages here you went through some deep stuff. Hopefully I can come through it with at least a smile left.

[Jack Shephard]

Originally Posted by AreYouReady?

Yep. I would say that a good portion of my life was taken over by major depression. What I experienced was that many in the church system lose patience with a brother or sister in depression.

However, God did not lose patience with me. He was always right on time with His *treatment* for me. (The great physician) I did not always feel God through my sufferings, but then there were times when it felt like the God wrapped His big ol arms around me and comforted me through days when I did not think I would make it through.

I learned that just because I did not always feel Him, it did not mean He wasn't here for me. And yes, I learned a lot of things I would not have otherwise learned through this terrible long experience.

I've heard similar statements all my life, not discounting what you went through. I've sIs these things before too. Idk that it's exactly that way, but idk it isn't either. I will say that He is everywhere but He's not always with us cause we can leave Him. I'm not leaving Him, but my heart is hurt, very bad. Years or worthless religiosity has cut me to the bone.

[AreYouReady?]

Originally Posted by Jack Shephard

I've heard similar statements all my life, not discounting what you went through. I've sIs these things before too. Idk that it's exactly that way, but idk it isn't either. I will say that He is everywhere but He's not always with us cause we can leave Him. I'm not leaving Him, but my heart is hurt, very bad. Years or worthless religiosity has cut me to the bone.

Religiousity....

I spent probably half my life hurting in some form or another. Had no mercy from the Catholic church as a child.

I found God in a UPC church and had to leave UPC to save my relationship with God because of maltreatment. Sound like an oxymoron?

I went there looking for God. Got baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Ghost only for the people to try to whittle it away with their legalistic remarks and holier than thou attitude. I felt like the bottom rung on a 20 foot ladder.

I feel that you certainly have heard this countless times. I know I had. But what I have said about God being there for me all took place after I left the UPC organized church system and did not attend any church.


So I do understand the feeling of being cut to the bone through religiosity. It will have to be God placing me back in any organized church system because I am through with playing church and who looks the holiness.

Almost like mirror mirror on the wall...who's the holiest of us all? mindset.

[Jack Shephard]

Hurt sucks.