And that God will do whatever He has to do to save as many souls as possible. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. Having a safe community while I was in process helped me keep going, even at my lowest points. Type in your email address and a copy will be sent right to your inbox. United Church of God Pastor. What is God accomplishing in my suffering and in your suffering? Dont hang up, I cry softly into the phone. But because he loves us so much, he will not spare us anything to get out of us what he hates. And he said, "Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice!" So yes, God wants you happy. As Psalm 34:18 (NLT) says, The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.. Some Christian counselors have the option of a sliding scale for payment based on income. Why does God allow suffering? God is always working in our affliction. I am nothing. But my favorite act of serving God is revealing his truth in written format. He finally got professional help for his depression a few years ago and is now thriving. But God! Why am I suffering so much - YouTube You should be allowed to serve when you are able, trusting God to provide you with opportunities to share your faith even when youre depressed. Suffering Is a Universal Experience Hope means the most when it comes, stumbling, out of the dark places. I know when I am honest with myself and look back over times of great suffering, I see Him everywhere. It's all free! The location of the pain and type of pain you experience in your body was put their by God so you can know what is wrong with you and what you need to do to take care of yourself. Theres always a reason for the emotional pain you feel, and you have to figure out what that reason is so you can bring it to the Lord. God May Be Allowing You to Suffer Emotionally So You Will Admit Your Need for Healing in a Certain Area of Your Heart and to Prevent You from Repeating Past Mistakes. If you're looking for the best Christian jobs and careers, check out Cru's ministry job openings for full- and part-time missionaries and professionals. If you have a pain in your leg, this means something is wrong with your leg. In either case, the emotional pain we experience can always be used by God for the same reason. I mean, maybe he should have said, Count it a little joy, or maybe, Someway, down the line, joy will come from it. But why this massive Count it all joy? ( Job 2:10 ). Why Does God Allow Suffering? - meaning of life (1 Peter 4:12). And spurned the counsel of the Most High. I wish I had done those things. Is God Punishing Me? - Groundwork Bible Study Helping students know Jesus, grow in their faith and go to the world to tell others. AGW Ministries is meant to be an online blessing to you. "Are you not a deliverer? So, some sickness is not from God, but from Satan. And he gets the glory. If youre depressed, tell someone. Lets make the best of it. Lets rise above it. Lets be heroic. Lets have some mind over matter here. Thats not the point. If you do not feel like talking, watch a movie together or listen to music. When a church or a Christian goes through times of darkness and trial, its because he loves us so much that he will spare us nothing to get out of us what he really hates namely, sin. What Does It Mean to Turn the Other Cheek According to the Bible? Christians can still benefit from secular counseling. Empathy is powerful. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) Suffering happens on macro and micro levels. Why Am I Suffering? Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.. Nevertheless, we can conclude some purposes on this side of final redemption. Hope abounds (Romans 15:13). Im going to talk about why Christians suffer and how they can rise above it. As his tale unfolded, I could understand why. This is especially true when people are seeking treatment or have depression that is well controlled. Even in these instances, God is still in control. When I was asked to explain the tragedy of the fire at the MGM Grand Hotel, I had to say, "There's a mystery to tragedies like this. Depression is misunderstood by many, and it often carries a stigma. God May Be Allowing This Emotional Suffering in Your Life Because He Wants a Deeper Relationship with You Why is there so much suffering in life? When it happens, its because the Spirit of glory and of God has come upon you and enabled you (1 Peter 4:14). We see this in Jesus interaction with two sisters named Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38-42 (NLT): As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. I needed God in a way I never had before. Read about individuals who have been transformed by faith. If God Wants Me to Be Happy, Why Do I Have So Much Suffering? Have someone who attends the same church come by and pick you up on their way to church. Richard Baxter, a 17th century Puritan, wrote a magnificent book entitled The Saints Everlasting Rest, Or a Treatise of the Blessed State of the Saints, in Their Enjoyment of God in Glory. Reason 2: Christ's Suffering. Why? 1. Why do the voices of despair sound so much louder than yours?". One of the hardest things about depression is that it takes away your ability to feel hopeful. Some people may need to step back from certain roles during times of deep depression, but others who struggle with depression are perfectly capable of serving and even leading in ministry activities. Suffering is the result of . He was also in prison, and Boris had become a Christian. My husbands coming home early. He loves me too much. by Don Henson Why doesn't God protect us from all the troubles we face? So one reason God allows us to suffer emotionally is so we will be better equipped to help others in their times of need as well. The ultimate friend we find in our pain is Jesus Himself. With the release of the new Star Wars film, a die-hard fan reflects on why this story tugs on our hearts. I began noticing that I felt exactly like it looked outside gray and miserable. The day is coming for every believer when God will call us to depart from this sin-soaked world into the ravishing delights of a paradise with him (Psalm 16:11). We hope it will remind you that you are not alone as a Christian experiencing depression. She came to Him and asked, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Live in another country building relationships and ministries with eternal impact. Our growth in Christ can seem so slow and the road so long, but we can take comfort knowing that God himself is maturing us. We see this in John 9:1-3 (New Living Translation). Once your heart is filled and thrilled with God's love, the "who" of salvation will begin to overshadow the "why" of suffering. I just could not go through the motions anymore. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. In it, Solomon, a king of Israel and son of King David, talks about the ways he sought fulfillment and meaning in life. Jared Mulvihill is a curriculum developer for. Doesn't He care? The Holy Spirit is the presence of God Himself, living and active in the life of everyone who trusts in Jesus. Partnering with urban churches to meet physical and spiritual needs. . For me, honesty is extremely important in my relationships with others. Even if you are confident of Gods care in the midst of your suffering, it can still be difficult to navigate Christian community. "Why will you not lift me out of this pit?" Reality: When people share their mental health concerns, those should be respected and kept in confidence. The idea that depression is not real is a very dangerous misconception that prevents many people from getting help. At one point he asks, Why do the people of God suffer so much in this life?. I have read a lot about the Divine Mercy and I recite the Chaplet every day. Experiencing depression can give people compassion or perspective in a way that actually makes them excellent leaders. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world., Pain is often one of Gods most powerful tools in the purifying process. Weekly Updates on our Latest Posts. We hope the content we have created on this page will help you find hope and the help you need. He is author of. Hi, I'm Mark Ballenger and I'm so happy you've come to ApplyGodsWord.com. Because Ive placed my faith in Jesus and Hes paid for all my sin and brokenness on the cross, He will never walk away from me. The reality is that God will probably give you many opportunities to serve and minister at a time when your depression is not at its worst. Were all imperfect; everybodys imperfect. Reality: God loves you however much you do to serve Him. The Christian community should never be a place where people feel they need to hide and cover up what they are really going through. Our weariness will one day give way to unthinkable refreshment precisely because this life is filled with such deep suffering and pain. Even if it is not my own, it seems many others have so much suffering. I felt like I was dying inside. It enables us to comfort others and know how to pray for them. Radical dependence on God is crucial not only for surviving depression but also for ministry and leadership. That might sound incredible, but to the Christian worldview, it is vital. A doctor who just numbed your broken leg so you didnt feel the pain rather than putting a cast on it would not be a very good doctor. Unless youve gone through depression, it is difficult to comprehend how terrible it is. Suffering is a universal experience, so church leaders need to be well-equipped to care for people who are going through hardship. I (Elizabeth) remember, during one of my lowest times, having an overwhelming feeling that nothing would ever be good again. I see my suffering through the lens of eternity. Why are you hurting emotionally? Yet God is truly sovereign, wise, and good. Doing what? There is always a purpose to our suffering. Whether it be illness, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, family turmoil and strained relationships, tragedies and natural disasters, or generalized anxiety brought on by a society that seems to be trying to consume the world and everything and everyone in it through fear. Finding healing is not easy, and it takes time. The hardship often kindles his desire to return to his home. I was edgy and emotional and anxious. The past twelve years have been an extended season of trials and sorrows for my family and me. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Why Would God Let Me Suffer? (4 Reasons from 1 Peter) - Crosswalk Tell her to help me!, Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. "Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked" ( Psalm 84:10 ). It was not because of his sins or his parents sins, Jesus answered. The problem is that being alone with your thoughts is probably the most dangerous thing you can do when youre really depressed. . Shutterstock.com We all face suffering in some way, shape or form. Jesus never promised us an easy life, and I find hope in that. When youre depressed, the last thing you usually want to do is be around people. Why do people worship a god who inflicts suffering as a test of - Quora Suffering has many faces. As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. Why Does God Allow Suffering? | Cru Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. View our top Cru resources in more than 20 languages. God wants your relationship with Him to be authentic. For the believer, no tear is wastefully shed, no cry is worthlessly expressed, and no pain is futilely suffered. If you do not feel like you can muster the initiative to get yourself out and go somewhere on your own, ask a friend to help. He reigns. Not only is this unhelpful, its unbiblical. You can use your story to serve others who are in the midst of suffering. He wept for us. And on the cross, He experienced separation from God in its fullness. And my friends don't want to have anything to do with me. How we seek to journey together with everyone towards a relationship with Jesus. Equipping families with practical approaches to parenting and marriage. It is according to the will of God when we suffer; God wills it even when Satan may be the immediate cause of it. Our minds hurt when our bodies hurt, and vice versa. You cant do it, but God can. I close my eyes, turn toward the back of the couch and curl my knees up to my chest. Youll see how it has a point: Let those who suffer according to Gods will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator (1 Peter 4:19). He is a loving God who wants the best for each of us. Depression plays tricks with your thoughts and emotions. A believers affliction can at times reveal the idols of the heart. Counter the lies running through your head with the truth in the Bible. Variation: You are letting God and your church down if you are too depressed to serve or minister. I (Elizabeth) remember sharing about my depression with a friend. 29 2006 Not long ago I received a most poignant letter from a man named "Mr. Weaver," who poured out his heart on a subject that touches all of us at one time or another: the mystery of innocent suffering.
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