Questions about God

[BarryG]

I want to start by saying I don't follow the prosperity gospel. But I have a couple of questions about God and suffering.

My family and I are going through a tough time. Both of my elderly parents spent 2 months each in hospital (at the exact same time) which was stressful and difficult to deal with. During that time, we had issues with a toxic family member which resulted in a lot of trouble. (and a lot of stress)

Then today a major client pulled their business, resulting in a lot of stress and worry from a financial side and also looking forward.

The list of things working against my wife and I is longer, but this is not intended to be a pity party.

Instead, we have prayed throughout all of this and yet things still go wrong. Previously, my wife went to Bible study 4x a week to try to feel closer to God, and yet feels nothing.

We have watched countless videos from The Bible Project and follow the Bible Recap and yet over the course of the last year everything we have ever had (which wasn't much) has been stripped away from us bit by bit. So, this is not in isolation but a lifetime of problems.

So, how do you try to carry on when you cry out to God to just help you to have food on the table and to pay the basic bills to survive? How do you continue when you ask for help to provide for your family but then something else is stripped away from you?

When you are already on your knees, what else do you need to do?

 

[hawkman]

The list of things working against my wife and I is longer, but this is not intended to be a pity party.

Praise God ! And don't let it become a pity party . Keep praying and praising God , he is the same God today as yesterday and forever . Hebrews13:8

James 1 ESV
2Count it all joy, my brothers,b when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

This life is full of trials and tribulation .

John16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

About three years ago after praying I received this " Bad things are coming ." and that was it , I was left to contemplate and pray some more .

Within a few weeks these things happened , I fell and broke an arm and a leg , my Dad found out he had colon cancer and my wife found out she had breast cancer .
My wife and I are healed up now , after surgery my dad lived about another year before he passed on .

BarryG , I will be praying for you and your family .

 

[Who Me]

When you are already on your knees, what else do you need to do?

I am sorry for your family problems and financial worries.
Is there a business review service run by your bank or accountant or advertising agency, who could look at your business as an outsider with fresh vision and point out areas you could.d expand into?

As for ' feeling ' God's presence.
That is not a biblical idea, God promises never to leave us, he doesn't promise that we will feel his presence.
May I suggest you trash videos, books etc that are teaching one should ' feel ' God's presence.
Do you ' feel ' you are an American, or do you know it?

 

[for_his_glory]

I could not add anymore to what hawkman has given you, but only to add this about trials and tribulations as my husband and I have been through way to much in our 25 years of marriage that if we would have lost faith it would have did us in. Stand steadfast and know that God is walking right beside you bringing you through the storm.

Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

What many are missing is the word "shall" in Matthew 24:13 as it's expressed as a future tense that indicates a promise.

For by grace, as it's only Gods favor extended to all who will receive it by faith, is a free gift as we become His workmanship created in Christ unto good works that God ordained that we should continue walking in the good works of Christ, Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 25:31-40. We can not earn our salvation by our own works nor do we even deserve Gods grace, Genesis 6:6-8. Only by a mustard seed of faith do we come to Christ and repent of our sins are we then only washed clean by the blood of Christ and become Spiritually reborn again (not saved) through the Spiritual rebirth of John 3:3-6 by that of Romans 10:9,10.

Matthew 24:13 says that those who endure until the end shall be saved. This means enduring all the trials and tribulations that this world will bring against us for the sake of our witness and testimony of Christ, Acts 14:22, Rev 2:10. The end means the end of our days here on this present earth when those in the grave and we who are still alive at His coming will then be caught up to Christ and are saved at that time as we have endured all things and never gave up our faith in Christ.

God's word never said we would not go through trials or tribulations, but through many trials and tribulations, if we endure until the end, then we will see the Kingdom of God, Acts 14:22, as we are all called into discipleship as we share our witness and testimony with those who have not yet repented and turned back to God. Below are twenty reasons why God allows us to go through trials and tribulations so that we will always remain in His will.


Why God allows us to go through trials and tribulations:
1. Training as God prepares us for the future
2. Patience as we rely and trust in God's timing
3. Perseverance through trials that we remain in Gods will
4. Trust as God's ways are not our ways and He has a better plan for us
5. To learn from our mistakes
6. To humble ourselves before Him
7. To discipline us
8. Teach us to be dependent on Him alone
9. To spend quiet time with God so He can speak to us
10. To teach us of His protection
11. That we also share in the sufferings of Christ that we be not ashamed
12. Strengthen us to become more like Christ
13. To develop character
14. Build up our faith in the Lord
15. For a testimony and witness to help others
16. To show us sin in our lives that we need to own up to having
17. To remind us that God is in control
18. Helps us gain knowledge and understanding God's word
19. Teaches us to be thankful
20. To take our mind off the things of the world and and put them back on God

 

[eddif]

BarryG
Matthew 12:20 kjv
20. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom was not yet in a wonderful condition, but he was comforted. Also he was looking forward to the resurrection.

Luke 16:25 kjv
25. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Our life here is not the end.

Mississippi reddneck
eddif