God punishes me daily...it seems

[dentonz]

I hear ya brother, don't be ashamed to say whatever is on your mind. You have confessed your sin and God promises that he is faithful and just to forgive us, you know that, but it still hurts. I've been there.
Why do you feel like you've lost confidence? Have you lost confidence in God or yourself?

Wow, dentonz, . . . . you ask a very good question, . . . a "can of worms" question, actually. I will attempt to answer to the best of my sincere and honest ability.

As for myself, . . . I really don't have a lot of confidence in my ability to first attract someone, then second, keep their interest to the point of agreeing to "spend the rest of their life with me".

As for God, I married once, but she walked away from the vow. Now, that wasn't God's fault, . . . but God brings marriages together, . . .and some eventually fail, . . . . so "confidence in God" . . . that is a tough one. It rest on the confidence of the person still, because God chooses not to affect "free will".

Can God BRING the right person. . . the RIGHT person for ME. . . . into my life? Absolutely. And I really SHOULD hold onto that solely, and reject when my brain thinks such things improbable.

Don't necessarily reject those feelings, actually feel them and give them to God. Then wait. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength".

 

[mondar]

Question: Is the sovereignty of God valid only as long as we get what we want?

Question: How should we view the sovereignty of God in the Book of Job right after Job lost all. What if we change the end of the Book of Job and instead Job dies in poverty and filth? Can we accuse God of misusing his sovereign control in allowing Satan to destroy Job?

Question: What of the apostles, prophets, and many martyrs who payed the supreme price for their testimony? Should we look at their deaths as an affront to the sovereignty of God? Can we say God just did not get it right in the death of Steven in Acts 7?

Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

 

[Orion]

Before I answer, I will say that I don't see the story of Job as a literal event, but a parable only. I know many will argue with me about this, but I can only see it the way I do, based upon how it is written, and what is included within the texts.

As for martyrs, . . . that's just life. We live on a planet filled with sinful/evil people, and many of them will take the life of Christians. It shouldn't happen, but it does. God obviously chooses to NOT get involved with these things. Same as why God didn't get involved in my situation when my ex wife divorced me. He won't go against someone's free will. You can call it "God's sovereignty" if you choose, but that doesn't mean God wanted it to happen. Again, I'm sure many will disagree with me, . . . .but if you take my situation to it's logical conclusion, . . .God wants NO marriage to end. That is His sovereign will! However, many times, that will is broken by us simple humans. Nothing God WANTED to happen, but it happens anyway. What would God have prefered to happen? Obviously, for my ex wife to have resolved her internal struggles, and reconsile the marriage. She didn't, . . . God was unwilling to step in to make her change her mind.

This is the same for those who kill Christians. It has nothing to do with "God not getting it right". It is just life on this planet we call earth.

 

[shad]

When we get married, we become one flesh. It is mystery the Bible says, so no matter who divorces, it is always both parties' fault. The couple bears the same burden no matter who does evil or good.

The churches don't educate their people when their people get married and it is tragic.

 

[Orion]

shad, . . . . thanks for sharing your OPINION. I don't share it. Again, I have confidence in my churches ability to understand scripture.

And no, it only takes ONE person to end a relationship, . . . if it is only ONE that refuses to make it work. Again, I don't share your opinion on the subject.

 

[shad]

And no, it only takes ONE person to end a relationship,

It is true but you still share the same guilt if you dont abide by God's commandment. It is written, Genesis 2:24 " 24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

 

[shad]

Orion,

Following Jesus is not easy if we dont give up our worldly minds and desires. The Bible says it over and over, narrow is the gate that leads to life and only a few find it. Only the pure in heart will have eternal life.

Jesus also says that if we dont give up everything we have we cannot be His disciples. Your desire for remarriage is a worldly desire, friend.

 

[Orion]

It also says that if the unbeliever leaves, you are free. No one who breaks a vow they made to God can ever be called a true believer.

Regardless, again, I have gone to Christian counseling, and they have given me a biblical clearance. I'm sure they know what they're doing.

As for "giving up everything", . . . . no one can do that, and it borders on legalism. Reality states that one will never be able to "give up everything" and mean it literally.

I don't follow Christianity so strictly as you, so I'm not worried about those who do. It's your choice, and I won't disparage you for doing so.

 

[shad]

Matthew 5:32 (King James Version)

32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

It also says that if the unbeliever leaves, you are free.

You are free to divorce, but you are not free to remarry unless she dies or comes back to you. 1 Corinthians 7:39 "A married woman must remain with her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if the man is a believer." The vow to love only one person is in effect until one of the two dies. You can divorce to maintain peace, but you are not permitted by God to remarry until one party dies. Romans 7:2 "2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband." In black and white.

Regardless, again, I have gone to Christian counseling, and they have given me a biblical clearance. I'm sure they know what they're doing.

It is too bad that your pastor is taking your first marriage vows so lightly.

As for "giving up everything", . . . . no one can do that, and it borders on legalism. Reality states that one will never be able to "give up everything" and mean it literally.

What Jesus wants us to do is to strive to obey everything He commands including marriage and remarriage. Striving to be faithful to Him is not legalism.

 

[MarkT]

For the past two years, God has punishes me a lot, it seems. I was involved in a good marriage. We always got along, never fought, had all sorts of things in common, did things together all the time, . . . yet she divorced me because she wanted something else. I had prayed and PRAYED that God would save the marriage. He was unable to do so. I spent the past couple of years recovering from that, . . . never fully understanding why it happened, . . .

Fast forward to about two months ago. I got involved with someone I had liked for a while. Things were going very well, . . . .TOO well, in fact. I allowed myself to fall to the sin of premarital relationtions with her, . . . with her being the initiator, but me being weak and giving in. This happened on several occasions, . . . but a little over two weeks ago, she broke up with me.

I felt that she was going to be one who would "be the person that God had better for me", . . . and I was thankful. . . . but now I feel like I was "played with", . . . . . . . if God orders our steps, that is. . . . . . and now am feeling the remorse of my sin, and the pain of the loss of someone I was beginning to care about a lot.

I believe that I am being punished by God because I am unable to understand and walk the "common christian path" that I've been told that I need to do [now], . . . getting closer to God and making HIM first in my life. Because I have been unable to FULLY comprehend what that means, I feel that God's blessing has never been on my life, but just his punishment for being a sinner. I don't feel forgiven, when I ask. I don't feel comfort, when I ask. I don't feel any presence, when I seek. All I feel is waves and waves of condemnation, grief, and judgement. Yes, I fell to sin, . . . I'm human. But all my life has been this way. Being dangled "good things" in front of me, then them being yanked away. Even my best friend in the whole world is moving away soon. . . . .

So can someone tell me why I am cursed this way?

Who is your accuser?
Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more.

 

[Orion]

You know what, shad, . . . say what you want, . . .accuse my church of what you want, . . . but what YOU personally believe and have a conviction about is not what I believe, nor my church believes, . . . and they are pretty darn fundamentalist.

We'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[MarkT]

I believe that I am being punished by God because I am unable to understand and walk the "common christian path" that I've been told that I need to do [now], . . . getting closer to God and making HIM first in my life. Because I have been unable to FULLY comprehend what that means, I feel that God's blessing has never been on my life, but just his punishment for being a sinner. I don't feel forgiven, when I ask. I don't feel comfort, when I ask. I don't feel any presence, when I seek. All I feel is waves and waves of condemnation, grief, and judgement. Yes, I fell to sin, . . . I'm human. But all my life has been this way. Being dangled "good things" in front of me, then them being yanked away. Even my best friend in the whole world is moving away soon. . . . .

You're not asking rightly Orion. If these women trespassed against you, then you have to forgive them. God will forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. 'For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' Mt. 6:14,15

Ask God to forgive them. And don't be anxious.

 

[Imagican]

Just remember this, my friend, God punishes those that HE LOVES. That means when we are weak and fall to temptation, He rightly 'guides us back', (those that He loves).

So, in essence, it seems as though you are aware of the TRUTH but are simply having a hard time living by FAITH.

Not offering anything but that which you SEEM to NEED right now. HAVE FAITH. LIVE one day at a time and KNOW that all works out well for those that LOVE God and it is not ALWAYS up to us to UNDERSTAND but to BE FAITHFUL. Perhaps a 're-evaluation' of that which matter MOST may be in order.

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Orion]

Yes, I have had issues with faith, . . . just the way my mind processes things. It is a difficult concept for me, . . . to trust that an unseen, unheard, and unfelt force (God) is interested in MY well-being, peace, and future, . . . . I really wish it WASN'T an issue of "soley faith". I wish there was the "handwriting on the wall", or even a prophetic dream/vision that would help me with it all.

It has been a very difficult month for me. Hope/faith/patience has been squashed, . . . yet I continue to keep my eyes open for the "impossible".

 

[Imagican]

Yes, I have had issues with faith, . . . just the way my mind processes things. It is a difficult concept for me, . . . to trust that an unseen, unheard, and unfelt force (God) is interested in MY well-being, peace, and future, . . . . I really wish it WASN'T an issue of "soley faith". I wish there was the "handwriting on the wall", or even a prophetic dream/vision that would help me with it all.

It has been a very difficult month for me. Hope/faith/patience has been squashed, . . . yet I continue to keep my eyes open for the "impossible".

Just turn it over and let go, my brother. I know that it sounds easier than it is but it's really not. As some people say, "sometimes you just gotta say 'what they heck', it's little different when we 'turn it over to God', KNOWING that He is NOT going to leave us 'out in the cold'.

It's when we attempt to CONTROL our lives that we seem to make the biggest messes in them. Perhaps instead of PUNISHING YOU, God was 'looking out' when the 'girls in your life' were 'taken away'. i know this may sound 'funny', but isn't it a posibility that; even though it caused you pain and suffering NOW, that if it hadn't happened NOW, it could have been WORSE for you later?

Not trying to trivialize your situation. But I have oftentimes witnessed and experienced what SEEMED to be contrary conditions that were ONLY able to be truly discerned LATER as being able to LOOK BACK.

So, day to day, my friend. Accepting HIS will instead of 'our own'. It can be an amazing adventure when we are able to accept it as such.

Blessings,

MEC

 

[Orion]

I can accept it with THIS PAST girl, since we were just dating. However, when my ex wife ended the marriage, I began to realize that God MAY want to protect us, . . . but her ending a vow was hardly God's choice for my life. Things can work out for the better, . . . . but to be honest, they haven't, in my life. Not really. Some things I saw as good, turned out to be more "head scratching". I don't know what God is doing in my life, . . . though I'm sure my ability to discern is just as weak as my ability to have faith.

If I am in some sort of test, I'm sure I am failing it. I wish I could develope the "oh well" mindset and just drop all these feelings behind me. I may be able to do it for a short while, but when alone in my thoughts, this empty void seems to be oppressing my spirit. People tell me that "God is the only one who can fill it", . . . but though I hear the words, I honestly don't know what that means. To not see, hear, feel, . . . just relying on my own "faith", . . . the void is formittable.

 

[shad]

Orion,

I understand you dont like my observation but have you ever thought whether or not your relationship with Jesus is solid? Maybe it is time to rely on having relationship with Him instead of relying on your pastor giving you advice.

.

 

[Orion]

That speaks directly to what I said in the previous message, shad. My inability to even understand what a "relationship" is, when it is based upon JUST "faith". . . . and my own ability to HAVE faith it is happening. I have tried MANY times to comprehend it, but have come up empty.

 

[shad]

That speaks directly to what I said in the previous message, shad. My inability to even understand what a "relationship" is, when it is based upon JUST "faith". . . . and my own ability to HAVE faith it is happening. I have tried MANY times to comprehend it, but have come up empty.

A Christian's primary relationship is with God and Jesus. You will understand God and Jesus, faith, Holy Spirit and just about everything if you strive to obey everything that Jesus teaches without any exception. You can have true and good relationship if your life is Christ centered. When your life is Christ centered, you will understand "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.

 

[Orion]

A Christian's primary relationship is with God and Jesus. You will understand God and Jesus, faith, Holy Spirit and just about everything if you strive to obey everything that Jesus teaches without any exception. You can have true and good relationship if your life is Christ centered. When your life is Christ centered, you will understand "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.

So, . . . .until I do EVERYTHING that was written down, living according to scripture, . . . I won't have a "relationship with God". Which things do I follow? What things [that were told I should do] do I no LONGER follow? Even if I do them, . . . how is that a relationship? How does doing all of that equate to something that I PERSONALLY would see as "a relationship"?