frustration

[~Shalhevet~]

I've been in tears most of the day. Why do I feel so alone?? I just wish ONE person would pick up the phone and call me. I used to have so many friends. Why does Jesus do this to us? Does he want us for Himself? Is that it? I know God has not left me but it would sure help to have some friends to talk to. I feel like I'm being punished or something.

I listen to them talk of their idols. I listen to their problems (which may I add would be quickly resolved with the tiniest dose of FAITH). I listen to them with great compassion. But they do not listen to me. It's like they are DEAD inside!

[EricH]

Something that really bothers me. In the world, people will talk about the news, the weather, etc., etc. But when I mention Jesus Christ everyone shuts up. WHY?!?!

There are tons of reasons. Some can revolve around the way we present the information, some around prejudices people have, some around people's past experiences with the church etc.

[~Shalhevet~]

I totally had a meltdown last night and cried to my husband. I realized then that there is nothing anyone can say to make me feel less alone. The only one I can turn to when I feel that way is God. I have to learn that I cannot let these people get me down. Jesus' rejection was far worse than any I could experience. As Johnny Cash sings..."You may scorn me, turn your back on me. But God's got His arms wrapped all around me. I've got JESUS. And that's enough."

[Openly Curious]

There is nothing new to the type of flustration you are experiencing when ministering about Jesus Christ. Many servants of God had to deal with this.

Acts 7:57--Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord.

Mark 8:18--Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?

Jesus has the same problem they had ears but would not give ear to Christ message.

Luke 9:44--Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.

Again even the disciples had to have an open ear to the things of God but this time what Jesus said, was hid from them but later on the saying was brought back to their memory

Mark 5:17--And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

Matthew 8:34--And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

Jesus cast out demons out of the man at the tombs and the demons asked if they could enter into the swine and Jesus allowed and as a result the swine ran down violently into the sea and drowned.

The people who was feeding the swine went all over the city and country side and told the people what had happened and they all got together and went to Jesus and besought HIM to depart from their coasts.

You can see again a whole city and country side all came to Jesus and told him basically to get out. And all of this was because of the swine they lost as the demons enterted the swine and they ran into sea and drowned.

But there are so many examples in the word that tell of the people turning a deaf ear to the servants of God but in the scripture just mentioned a whole city and the country side round about did not want to hear Christ and not only shut him up but they no longer wanted to respond spiritually to the works of God.

I don't know for sure what it is that your looking for exactly but if you are experiencing flustration because of your witness of Christ. My only

purpose for my response is to say, that you fit right in with the saints in Hebrews 11 Not all want to hear the very thing that can save them they will not stay in the presence of God. Just rest in the Lord as Christ suffered it all.

OC

[~Shalhevet~]

Thank you.

My frustration is just with people. People of no faith. Unbelievers. And the alienation that comes with being a Christian. Why is it that they can talk about their "gods" and brag about their life but I cannot speak of mine. Everyone goes silent. A friend last night told me that because I wasn't drinking (alcohol) I was "holy" and "better than her" because I spoke to God. I DON'T want people thinking like that. I don't mean to make them guilty. I don't mean to convict them. But how do they think it makes me feel to sit back and watch them live for themselves so selfishly and ungodly. I put a simple statement up on facebook saying "I think we should all try to go the entire day without saying ONE bad word about another person." One of my friends says "GOOD LUCK!" What?! Is it really that hard for people to be nice? I am also noticing my facebook friends gradually diminishing. I've been deleted.

But I'm not going to cry about it like yesterday. I THANK GOD I am not like them. THANK YOU JESUS for opening my eyes to the TRUTH.

[JCISGD]

When i was first saved and read about the Israelites turning their backs on God or being stubborn and ungrateful despite the great miracles, i though how could they do this? but now 20 yrs on i have done the same many times and I now know how, we all are like sheep.

Try to remember that we all came from Eygpt and used to love it.

[~Shalhevet~]

My own husband even denies my healing. How sad is that?

[Saved_by_Jesus]

Something that really bothers me. In the world, people will talk about the news, the weather, etc., etc. But when I mention Jesus Christ everyone shuts up. WHY?!?!

Yeah, I think it's more of how they don't want to face their own sins. I know that before I was saved, I hated it when people talked about Jesus because it made me think (until I was quick enough to change the subject) of how rotten I was on the inside.

I just got back from the doctor, and it was one I had never met. He had an AWESOME personality, and we really "clicked" as far as personalities go. Until I said..."Praise God!" when he was telling me something. After that, it was a complete turnaround as far as personality....and I didn't even get to mention Jesus at all....it was just saying "Praise God" and how he reacted, made me realize that he would not be at all open to me discussing Jesus anymore.

[artsylady]

Sister I am concerned you will fall back into depression with your line of thinking.

I agree with Believer - you need to chill a bit. Only your talk though. Remember,actions speak louder than words. Let them witness your change and when the time is right, you will have a chance to share with everyone you are friends with. Patience sister.

And don't get angry with them. A better emotion to feel for them is compassion. Ask God for compassion for them. They don't know God and don't know what they are missing.

Start praising God right now. Turn up the worship tunes! I would call you right now if I could (I'd need your phone number first ) but I am unable to at the moment. Start being thankful right now, for all that God is and what He does.

I don't mean to make them guilty. I don't mean to convict them. But how do they think it makes me feel to sit back and watch them live for themselves so selfishly and ungodly.

Love them for who they are. Ask God for help in this area.

I THANK GOD I am not like them.

Nooooo. This will lead to self-righteousness and there is nothing worse than that. Be thankful that you had the opportunity to accept the gift. Pray for them, that their opportunity will come soon too!!! Just be kind, humble, thoughful, compassionate, forgiving and loving and with PATIENCE you will see the fruit. A friend of 11 years was saved last week!!! And he is on a mission!!! It's exciting, but it took 11 years! I never preached at him even once, but just demonstrated the qualities Christ desires in us. I know he never got the impression that I thought I was better than him.

Patience sis!

[artsylady]

Just a thought.

What I would do with people who have deleted you is to send them a really humble letter apologizing.

"I am sorry that I have come across as a religious fanatic the past little while. I'm sure that's what you must think. I am very excited about my conversion and find it hard not to speak of it all the time, but I will have respect for your beliefs and feelings and try my best to keep quiet. I really don't feel that I am better than anyone else and again, I'm sorry if I feel I am alienating you. I like you as much as always and value our friendship so I hope you will understand and give me another chance".