Ever Felt Like....

[Cindy]

I am praying for you, little brother.
Remember, people will let you down, but Jesus, always, ALWAYS, lifts you UP!

[Sam]

In his book "When God Doesn't Make Sense" Dr. James Dobson mentions something called "the betrayal barrier." This is when we go through a period when it seems that God has let us down. Over the years I've been through several of those places.

Several years ago I attended a church that taught that tithing was a requirement for Christians living under the New Covenant. I struggled financially and believed that if I gave God His 10 percent first, He would meet all my needs. I did not want to "rob God" and fall under His curse so I tithed first, even when it meant less for my family and meant that creditors did not get paid. I wound up filing bankruptcy and losing my house. I really felt betrayed.

The Apostle Paul said that there were times he was "perplexed" (2 Corinthians 4:8). Some times there is just no answer, and when we plead for some kind of explanation we just hear God's silence.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by BeenThinkin

Jermyn... my prayers are with you. Please be careful! You are very vulnerable right now. All you need is several different answers from several different individuals who mean well and you can be further confused. I have no direct advice, just be prayerful, careful and don't lose your faith in God. The only thing I might add is He is still God and I think we sometimes leave too much up to Him, to do for us.

Keep the Faith my brother!

Been Thinkin

Jermyn, I think this is good advice BT is giving.

Remember, your faith is not really yours but originates from God Himself. It is not temporal or even material. Your (God's) faith did not fail you... perhaps you misunderstood the will of God in this - but who among us has not had similar experience? The Lord may be holding you close even when material goods are out of reach for a season.

I would suggest you consider seeing a financial advisor. You might even find the service available at no charge to you. Starting over financially is no great shame. Most millionaires had lost it all at least once in the past.

Praying for you.

Steve

[Cindy]

I sent you a PM, Jermyn. I hope it helps.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

It was in faith that I made certain decisions that flew in the face of my own sensibilities-- but listening to sermons and using scriptures to back up my actions, believing God would fix this better if I let Him handle it instead of me doing what I knew I could do.


This is so frustrating and disappointing.


I'm done seeking to be spiritual and making dumb decisions that go against my sensibilities in the vein of faith.

He created me. He gave me a mind.

I should have made better decisions.

But I thought I was making the best decision by seeking to be closer to Him and by listening to Him for guidance and obeying Him out of sincerity.

It's just that I did this for me and Him, believing He would be pleased.

He isn't, and neither am I.



I'm reminded of Israel at the Red Sea and the Egyptians behind them.

That's how I feel right now-- I don't even know what kind of miracle can happen.

Neither do I think I should expect one.


Guys, you don't know-- but I am really, really in some deep poo.

I think that you wanted to be closer to God and I think that you will have that...

There's actually alot of great lessons in your story...

You offered your house to God. He took it and may not give it back. That's a great lesson in itself. Don't offer God something that you really don't want him to take.

You said you felt God say this: "What are you worrying about? You still have your house-- aren't I able to take care fo this too?" There are a few different ways I could explain what you heard but it really doesn't matter how we might explain it away. The bottom line is that you learned you could not trust that mystical inner voice that tells you not to worry. In fact, I think most people think mystical experiences like listening to that inner voice is the only way to be spiritual. It's not. Being spiritual often has very little to do with that type of stuff. Being spiritual is not even about the feel good emotions. Emotions come and emotions go. Spirituality should not. Spirituality can be about using the head God gave you and getting close to God can be accomplished through a great many mediums. Family, Friends Work... these are all places that we can find more of God in. God doesn't only reside in the church building. He is all in all.

[Mirth1981]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I think that you wanted to be closer to God and I think that you will have that...

There's actually alot of great lessons in your story...

You offered your house to God. He took it and may not give it back. That's a great lesson in itself. Don't offer God something that you really don't want him to take.

You said you felt God say this: "What are you worrying about? You still have your house-- aren't I able to take care fo this too?" There are a few different ways I could explain what you heard but it really doesn't matter how we might explain it away. The bottom line is that you learned you could not trust that mystical inner voice that tells you not to worry. In fact, I think most people think mystical experiences like listening to that inner voice is the only way to be spiritual. It's not. Being spiritual often has very little to do with that type of stuff. Being spiritual is not even about the feel good emotions. Emotions come and emotions go. Spirituality should not. Spirituality can be about using the head God gave you and getting close to God can be accomplished through a great many mediums. Family, Friends Work... these are all places that we can find more of God in. God doesn't only reside in the church building. He is all in all.

Good post.

[MawMaw]

You are in my prayers Jermyn. Most, if not all of us, have been in dire straits before and felt that God had left us all alone. He will never leave us. There are so many things that we are learning as we live this thing called life. It has never been promised to be the proverbial bed of roses. We will have trials to face and overcome until we are called Home. Then oh what a day, what a day that is going to be!

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I think that you wanted to be closer to God and I think that you will have that...

There's actually alot of great lessons in your story...

You offered your house to God. He took it and may not give it back. That's a great lesson in itself. Don't offer God something that you really don't want him to take.

You said you felt God say this: "What are you worrying about? You still have your house-- aren't I able to take care fo this too?" There are a few different ways I could explain what you heard but it really doesn't matter how we might explain it away. The bottom line is that you learned you could not trust that mystical inner voice that tells you not to worry. In fact, I think most people think mystical experiences like listening to that inner voice is the only way to be spiritual. It's not. Being spiritual often has very little to do with that type of stuff. Being spiritual is not even about the feel good emotions. Emotions come and emotions go. Spirituality should not. Spirituality can be about using the head God gave you and getting close to God can be accomplished through a great many mediums. Family, Friends Work... these are all places that we can find more of God in. God doesn't only reside in the church building. He is all in all.

I remember when I was a Christian and was trying to listen to that inside voice, I often would wonder whether it was God or whether it was Satan trying to trick me...

[BeenThinkin]

Jermyn..... I know this is probably an over used example in life. But, I wonder how Job felt. Don't you think there were moments, even though he may not have expressed it, that he probably questioned how this could be happening to a man with his credentials?

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

But, don't forget the conclusion......

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Job 42:12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

Blessings...
Been Thinkin

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I remember when I was a Christian and was trying to listen to that inside voice, I often would wonder whether it was God or whether it was Satan trying to trick me...

?? When you were a Christian?

The fact is our feelings are predictably unreliable. It is most always wise to second guess what you "feel" is the will of God at any given time.

Much better to add scripture, prayerful study and wise counsel to a decision.