Why do so many Crash and Burn ?

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Greetings to all. Have you ever wondered why we all struggle so much as Christians . Well we all know the answer, flesh, dark forces that are ready to attack at any moment when we are weak. As chrisitians this is part of normal life, we are tested by many things. How strong is our faith? Do we have the endurance to survive the attacks. To many of us succomb to the world, to satan and we fall and sometimes hard, and sometimes we are lost again, on the ground, in the pits of despair, wondering what just happened. Trials that we go through are there for many reasons, sometimes self induced, sometimes satan induced, sometimes its Gods will. Never the less we must endure in a way that God leads us to, with persecution, with resolve, with God in control. Many churches have fallen because of these negative things, as well as positive. Sometimes the littlest things can go wrong and we fall into the poor me syndrome( i have been there) and we say why me God why me. Well pity partys get us nowhere. We need to stand tall buckle up and pull up the boot straps and realize it aint easy to be a believer.

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:4

this verse form hebrews clearly tells us how far we must go. Are we willing to endure, to live for God even to the death ? Are we ready to resist all tempatation even to the death ? This may seem severe extremes but isnt the wrong decision severe and the reward that is reaped. The reason we crash and burn is because we have not devoted ourselves 100 % to a life that somedays is well let me put it nicely (he--). Its all part of the reward that God offers us. He suffered and therefore we to must carry our cross. Do we want to be a standup Christian that stands on weak legs or do we want to be strong in the Lord and accept that life is tough , but knowing He will see us through it. We may still fall down, but He is there to pick us up, to heal our wounds. Do we really stand for what we claim to be? Are we really comitted to what we promised to do. Or are we to afraid to defend our faith even to the death. Oh One more thing, somone today told me something that really hit home. Are our testimonys a good witness to others, or is it just us caught up in a pity party complaining about what God hasnt helped us with. Celebrate God in all things bad and good. His promise is true, He will never forsake us and the rewards are unmeasurable.......

[FaithfulFollower]

Thomas,

Amazing post, there are many a trial within a believer's life of which faith must be proven upon being tested. Indeed this is not always easily done, but just the same many of us were taught within scriptures that we are to pick up the cross and follow Jesus, and try to live according to His example. Here are a few bible verses of which I would like to share in regards of this topic that even I, myself should try to look to in such times. (Though some of the actions are not always taken upon our parts in our suffering, these are surely some things of which we should do in times as these.)

1 Peter 1:13-14 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 Corinthians 4:10-16 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. I am not writting this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand gaurdians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through glory of the gospel. Therefor I urge you to imitate me.

James 1:3-4 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Hebrews 12:3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you do not become weary and give up.

Once again awesome post!

With Love In Christ,

Danielle

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Thomas,

Amazing post, there are many a trial within a believer's life of which faith must be proven upon being tested. Indeed this is not always easily done, but just the same many of us were taught within scriptures that we are to pick up the cross and follow Jesus, and try to live according to His example. Here are a few bible verses of which I would like to share in regards of this topic that even I, myself should try to look to in such times.  (Though some of the actions are not always taken upon our parts in our suffering, these are surely some things of which we should do in times as these.)

1 Peter 1:13-14 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

1 Corinthians 4:10-16 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. I am not writting this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand gaurdians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through glory of the gospel. Therefor I urge you to imitate me.

James 1:3-4 For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.

Hebrews 12:3 Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you do not become weary and give up.

Once again awesome post! 

With Love In Christ,

Danielle

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Danielle, Excellent scripture for this subject and so true and real in our lives. It is when things are at there worst, that we can shine as Christ instructs us to do. Its so simple but so hard! So painful but so joyous !! Praise God for His protection and encouragement in all that we endure !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Orr v'emet]

I think there are a few reasons why folks "crash and burn" as you say:

1) they don't count the cost:

Luke 14:27-28a

And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.

"But don't begin until you count the cost.

Luke 9:23-24

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.

2) People get "lost in the cracks" when they accept Christ. Mature believers fail to continue on discipling them.

3) Many are not prepared for battle with the evil one. They go into the battle without armor...

Ephesians 6:10-18

A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.  Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.  For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.  In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you Brethren,

Peter was a bold man. Stepped out onto the water.

Why did he sink?

Peace,

Dave

[Orr v'emet]

Grace to you Brethren,

Peter was a bold man. Stepped out onto the water.

Why did he sink?

Peace,

Dave

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exactly!

[Guest Thomas I believe]

I think there are a few reasons why folks "crash and burn" as you say:

1) they don't count the cost: 

Luke 14:27-28a

And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.

"But don't begin until you count the cost.

Luke 9:23-24

Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.

2) People get "lost in the cracks" when they accept Christ. Mature believers fail to continue on discipling them.

3) Many are not prepared for battle with the evil one. They go into the battle without armor...

Ephesians 6:10-18

A final word: Be strong with the Lord's mighty power.

[Catsmeow]

I think there are a few reasons why folks "crash and burn" as you say:

2) People get "lost in the cracks" when they accept Christ.  Mature believers fail to continue on discipling them.

Amen!

[Khristeeanos]

For that reason, I believe that discipleship is as essential as witnessing and conversion.

Too many people fall because of "ministry burnout" as well.

[thereaperman]

i feel i have crashed and burned, and ive felt like this for a long time. i do sturggle with smoking and drinking and lust and anger at times. i feel very much like im standing on broken legs and im below lukewarm. i seem to go round and round in circles and get very weary that im not living up to gods standards, which im afriad will cause me to go to hell even though i gave my life to christ many years ago. its defiantly a struggle, and one that gets the better of me more often than not, but it was helpful to know that christians everywhere past and presant have the same struggles....

amen