Do you like being a Christian?

[ChristineES]

At first these seem like strange questions, but if you think about them...

So do you like being a Christian? If so, then why?

Do you rejoice whenever you are persecuted?

Do you feel guilty when you don't feel loving toward a brother (or sister) Christian?

Do you always feel as if there is more you should be doing as a Christian?

If you are not a Christian, do you like not being a Christian?(I don't want the non believers to feel left out :wink: )

And finally, do you ever feel angry at God? Does something happen that is unpleasant is which you blame God for not stopping?

 

[lovely]

Hi Christine,

1.) I like being a believer now, but when I was younger I remember thinking (praying), "Why do you require so much of me, and not others?" I was young in age, and lacking in belief a great deal. The Lord, in His mercy, has helped my unbelief. Now, I just trust God, and I can't help but adore Him, and His beautiful/perfect plan. I love Him.

2.) I am still learning to do this in an immediate way, but when I obey Him in this instantly it is ALWAYS a blessing to my soul. I try to make a habit of praying, "Though He afflicts me, yet will I praise Him.", but I still have to take captive other thoughts. I am thankful, ultimately, that my heart has been crushed, and broken, to the point that I just want to be given over to His Will so that I can be used for His Plan of Redemption for man, and for whatever purpose He utilizes me in for His eternal glory. I sometimes fail to die to my 'self' right off the bat, but I am striving toward instant obedience in my thoughts. I am thankful for my broken-ness ultimately, no matter what the cost, and no matter what direction He takes me, because I know my purpose is to serve Him in the depths of me...like I will when He comes back for eternity both body, and soul...that will be nice. :D

3.) I am not sure guilty is the word, but repentant when the Holy Spirit reveals my heart to me, and then I do apologize for it. I know that I am often hard of heart, and I can't hear during those times...like the disciples here 8:14-21 I know I am not condemned, and so I am able to walk boldly in the knowledge that God is faithful, and His love is in me. It's my desire to not be unloving ever, but when I fail I just try to confess it and make it right. I think that is love, to ask for forgiveness, and to be forgiving.

4.) I don't always feel this way, but I do when God deals with me on time wasters, or direction of my home and all that encapsulates. I long to do more for Him, but I don't want to be led by my own feelings on the matter...otherwise I might do something in disobedience. It's my prayer that God keep me from presumption and deception...like Eve. I know to wait for the leading of my husband, and the Holy Spirit. (If only I would always do that. :-? ) I know there are certain things that the Bible teaches that I am to obey and do, but I trust my husband, and God, to frame them for me, and our children.

5.) N/A

6.) I blamed God for things before, and I am still ashamed for being so dishonoring towards Him. It still grieves my heart, and God sometimes shows me my sin in rememberance when I head that direction now. When He does, It does strike me, and I am so ashamed. I am very thankful that He deals with me this way. I never want to be angry with God ever again, I hope I never am. He is so loving toward us, and never does anything that we should not be thankful to Him. Really, just the memory of my audacity, and self-righteousnes, pricks me to stinging tears. I pray that I never feel as if I deserve one thing, but recognize that all in this life (even those painful things) is a gift from Him (ESPECIALLY those painful things)...and especially my salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus. This is how I serve Him, and others, and deny myself...it is a blessing of His abiding love in me, and unthankfulness should not be growing there. I pray that He roots such things out of me.

Thanks Christine, it was a blessing to think about these things this morning. The Lord bless you.

 

[Stakes Is High]

So do you like being a Christian? If so, then why?

Very much so. In the words of St. Peter in John 6, "To whom else shall we go, Lord? You have the words of everlasting life." I like being Christian because God became man, and is the center of human history.

Do you rejoice whenever you are persecuted?

In a sense, yes. That doesn't mean it's FUN or that I like it, but it is a recognition that all things are allowed by God for my holiness.

Do you feel guilty when you don't feel loving toward a brother (or sister) Christian?

Absolutely. There's an old saying from St. Ephraem the Syrian: "Be kind, because every man is fighting his own battle."

Do you always feel as if there is more you should be doing as a Christian?

Definitely. We can never do too much for the Most Holy Trinity.

And finally, do you ever feel angry at God? Does something happen that is unpleasant is which you blame God for not stopping?

Not so much angry, but I do get sorrowful at the hardships of life. But, I know that Our Lord shared those sorrows with me in the garden of Gethsemane, and he is always helping us to carry our cross.

 

[ChristineES]

Great answers, both of you. I enjoyed very much reading your answers.

 

[ChristineES]

I guess I should give answers to my questions:

So do you like being a Christian? If so, then why? I love being a Christian. It isn't always easy, since the world seems to follow a different set of values than Religious folks do. Being a Christian has brought happiness in my life that I did not before, it brought me purpose when I had none before. I am not always "miss cheerful" but deep down I have a fundemental happiness.

Do you rejoice whenever you are persecuted? It is hard to. It is very hard not to be accepted, but I manage to. I would rather please God than any man.

Do you feel guilty when you don't feel loving toward a brother (or sister) Christian? Yes. I sometimes catch myself not feeling so loving towards someone and I have to repent. It does not happen often, thank God.

Do you always feel as if there is more you should be doing as a Christian?Always! Being a mother, wife, student, etc takes a lot of time. I feel guilty at having to make time for God's work. I can do this by making God a part of my parenting and whatever.

If you are not a Christian, do you like not being a Christian?(I don't want the non believers to feel left out )N/A

And finally, do you ever feel angry at God? Does something happen that is unpleasant is which you blame God for not stopping? I hate to admit it but I have. I always have repented when such a thing occured. I feel truly horrible when I do this, and I always say it will never happen again. It was at its strongest when I found out my oldest child had autism.

Thanks for those who answered.

 

[Quath]

If you are not a Christian, do you like not being a Christian?(I don't want the non believers to feel left out :wink: )

Heh. Most didn't apply, but it is nice to be included.

I like not being a Christian. I feel I can appreciate life in a different way. I understand myself a lot better now and I find things easier to understand without faith.

 

[Atonement]

Heading down the road I was going was a lost path. It was not until I found the Lord that my life began to make alot of since. All that is asked of us is faith. For some it is easy, for others they need a sign from Heaven to believe. I'm full of joy and blessed never as much now that I'm a Christian. Looking back on my past, cleary the smoke screen is easily seen through to the door way to my future. It's no longer blinded by drugs, alcohol, women etc. How I see myself today is an inspiration not only to myself but also to those around me and my family. It's great to be a Christian, it's great to have the Lord dwell in me and around me.

 

[Jon-Marc]

I LOVE being a child of God and wouldn't want to go back. I have suffered very little persecutiuon because of telling people I'm a Christian. I was called a fanitic once for reading my Bible. I love being forgiven and having peace and KNOWING that because of Jesus I will live eternally with Him.