Why do so many Crash and Burn ?

[RustyAngeL]

Excellent Thomas, This can be a tough walk. But it's so worth it. I look at people in other walks of life. They have tons of money, everything at their finger tips. Would I trade places with them knowing they don't know Jesus? No Way! As one reply said...you don't count the costs. But still I'm here to stay! Praise God.

Edited December 11, 2004 by Rustyangel

[jesussaves]

The Lord didn't tell us that everything would always be peaches and cream. The trials we face as Christians can be very difficult. But He did tell us that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

He did tell us to learn of Him, for His yolk is easy and His burden is light. Learn of Him, like Mary who sat at His feet as He taught her. She chose the best part and it could not be taken from her.

He did say He would never leave us nor forsake us and that we over come by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. We have been given spiritual armor for anything that comes at us and the Standard of the Lord is there when satan comes at us like a flood...all we need to is take out our directions...the Bible...and apply it. Draw near to God, resist the devil and he will flee. There has been a time or two that I have tried to do the resist part without the draw near part. I wound up wondering what I was doing wrong and the accuser telling me lies, trying to throw up my past sins to me or sins that I didn't do. The devil knew my weak spots and had a field day until I learned that it is in the Lords presence that he has to flee. Sometimes we have to just stand firm and wait on the Lord. Sometimes we have to use our sword verbally and sometimes just stand on the promises. The Lord has helped me to learn and ALWAYS lean on Him. It's not by might, or power. It's by My Spirit says the Lord.

Sometimes other trials come our way, such as the loss of a loved one, painful injury, unfaithful friends, hurtful rejection, etc.. All things that everyone experiences, but for the Christian it is times of putting our love and trust of the Lord into action and being conformed into Him image. It is a time for healing and having the Lord prove Himself to us, giving us something to hold to when we come to the place when we have no one there to encourage us, so we have to encourage ourselves in the Lord by His word and the experiences He has brought us through.

It is times of showing the lost that we are for real and that this Jesus who saves is real in us. The life I lived before I was saved no longer has anything to be desired because I know Jesus and the life He gave me just keeps on getting better as the days go by. Like the song, I started out with Jesus and I'm going through, no turning back... knowing the Lord and His goodness; knowing that He is a great Prize and what heaven is all about; knowing that this life is just a vapor and no hardship can compare to the sweet eternity we will have in the joyful presence of the Lord; knowing that I said, yes Lord, take all of me, 100%, no matter what, Lord, my answer is yes; knowing that even in this life we can have great peace, joy and love, we can stand in the very presence of the Lord and fellowship with Him...knowing all this...that my sins are erased and thrown into the sea of forgetfulness, the Lord no longer remembers them,(if they are brought up to you it is certainly not because of the Lord), that I am seated in heavenly places and this world is not my home...because of Jesus I am rich, I am strong, I have spiritual eyes...I am so glad that I am a Christian and that these "birth pains" will one day be over and I can see My Saviours face and hear Him say those words I so long to hear...enter in thou good and faithful servant.

I have been a Christian for over 20 years now and I have been through, (notice I said through because those trying times are not perminant,) I have been through many firy, trying times. Yet, one thing stands clear. The Lord has always come through for me. He has always used those times to help me become more like Him, to draw closer to Him and/or to teach me something to help someone else. He has used those times to show me I can depend on His promises. There have also been those not so easy places of correction.

I can testify to the fact that there have been times that I have felt like I had to just hang on until I got through some trying time, or times when I just had to let go and surrender it all to the Lord. There have been times when I had to say, "Lord, I don't understand, but I know that all things work together for my good." There have been times that He would bless me with an abundance from His table in such a way that it was all I could do not to jump and shout, and other times that I'd say something like," Lord, I can't take this anymore, help!" Usually as soon as I would say such things I would fell Him move close to me and the Holy Spirit would bring something in the Bible to my mind and my heart would rejoice. He strengthens me to carry on.

I said all that to say, no matter what, keep on keeping on. He is worth it! Even when Paul was enduring a prison cell he knew the great joy that can come only from knowing Jesus. True joy is a gift from God. When we walk in love like Jesus said our joy will be a full cup.

"This is My commandment, that ye love one another, that your joy may be full."

If anyone is lacking that joy today, check your love walk. You aren't going to get it by jumping up and down for it or telling jokes.

True joy is a gift, a fruit. It is something Jesus gave us to help us be strong in the Lord. Songs in the night, when everything around us is falling apart, we have that sweet joy of the Lord to give us songs. And other times that weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Like giving birth to a baby, the pains are just a dim memory as His joy washes over our soul.

And, if you don't know if you need to hang on or let go or some other seasoned saint term yet, just wait, one day you will. :-)...and you'll probably have to ask the Lord to forgive you for being critical of sister Susie or brother Charlie for being so spiritual...then turn around and forgive someone for criticizing you for being so spiritual. :-)...for we are all going from glory to glory...sometimes on the potter's wheel....sometimes in the fire...well glory! God is good!! Thank You Lord. Thank You for the good times and the bad. Thank You for being Lord of my life.

After all these years I can still sing a song that says, "Oh, it gets sweeter, as the days go by. It gets sweeter, as the moments fly."

All because of Jesus!

[shazza]

Ever feel like you are just hanging on the edge of you rope? Then a village idiot comes along and says, "Tie a knot and hang on."

Christ did not call you to "hang on," but to stand firm. We aren't to crawl around like babies, but to walk in him.

Read what John wrote:

1 John 5:3-4 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Does this seem absurd to you? God's commands are not burdensome, and yet we have thousands of books to help Christians in their struggles. Why? Who really is winning the battle here?

I have fought God tooth and nail in regards to my will vs. his. Even when I want to do his will, I don't. What's my problem? My problem is that I'm making everything too hard. I'm not living in the Spirit, and so obeying is impossible! At least, it seems that way.

thereaperman, I would so encourage you to listen to God. Don't try to interpret anything he says, just listen. Interpretation gives Satan a chance to change God's words. Conscience and "common sense" are the great barriers between you and God. Don't try so much, because human effort is of no use to God. His power comes through grace. Look at the last part of John's words:

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

You can't be an overcomer if you are hanging on to a rope. Trust me, the rope won't take you anywhere you want to go anyway. The strength of the Spirit comes when we unquestioningly follow Jesus Christ.

Have faith in God, let go of the rope!!

Thanks Hubertdorm for your great post.

As Christians we find this road hard, letting go of the rope. Jesus will hold out His hand and we can't hold onto the rope and Jesus hand. Just let go!

And when we let go of the rope we have, the promise of Eterinity spent with Jesus and also blessings like you have never seen and your cup continually overflowing. A God that is so real performing amazing miracles.

God's word speaks volumes, a scripture I read this week really spoke to me:

Romans 12:11,12 - Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Shazza

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Ever feel like you are just hanging on the edge of you rope? Then a village idiot comes along and says, "Tie a knot and hang on."

Christ did not call you to "hang on," but to stand firm. We aren't to crawl around like babies, but to walk in him.

Read what John wrote:

1 John 5:3-4 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Does this seem absurd to you? God's commands are not burdensome, and yet we have thousands of books to help Christians in their struggles. Why? Who really is winning the battle here?

I have fought God tooth and nail in regards to my will vs. his. Even when I want to do his will, I don't. What's my problem? My problem is that I'm making everything too hard. I'm not living in the Spirit, and so obeying is impossible! At least, it seems that way.

thereaperman, I would so encourage you to listen to God. Don't try to interpret anything he says, just listen. Interpretation gives Satan a chance to change God's words. Conscience and "common sense" are the great barriers between you and God. Don't try so much, because human effort is of no use to God. His power comes through grace. Look at the last part of John's words:

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

You can't be an overcomer if you are hanging on to a rope. Trust me, the rope won't take you anywhere you want to go anyway. The strength of the Spirit comes when we unquestioningly follow Jesus Christ.

Have faith in God, let go of the rope!!

Thanks Hubertdorm for your great post.

As Christians we find this road hard, letting go of the rope. Jesus will hold out His hand and we can't hold onto the rope and Jesus hand. Just let go!

And when we let go of the rope we have, the promise of Eterinity spent with Jesus and also blessings like you have never seen and your cup continually overflowing. A God that is so real performing amazing miracles.

God's word speaks volumes, a scripture I read this week really spoke to me:

Romans 12:11,12 - Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Shazza

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Right on Shazza and heres another scripture I go back to often ...

1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

2For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

4Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

8Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

9For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

10For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

11But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

12The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

13The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.

15Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.

16A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.

[Guest countrygirl28]

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

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know exactly how you feel and where you are in your struggles, I've been down for about eight months now, but I'm back to the point where I'm not gonna let satin hold me down anymore. I've got to go back to looking at life as on spiritual battle after another and don't take the bad personally. The last time I made this resolve it was alot of hard work and it took everyday all day long, then I relaxed thinking I was in the clear but bam! I was wrong! that's when Satin was there waiting for me to let down my gaurd. It's pretty exhausting when you think about it but that's why we need a renewal of God's strength every morning and night and sometimes even for lunch. I'll be praying for you, if I can do it with God's help I know you can. thank you for your testimony.

[Guest countrygirl28]

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

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ever feel like you are just hanging on the edge of you rope? Then a village idiot comes along and says, "Tie a knot and hang on."

Christ did not call you to "hang on," but to stand firm. We aren't to crawl around like babies, but to walk in him.

Read what John wrote:

1 John 5:3-4 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Does this seem absurd to you? God's commands are not burdensome, and yet we have thousands of books to help Christians in their struggles. Why? Who really is winning the battle here?

I have fought God tooth and nail in regards to my will vs. his. Even when I want to do his will, I don't. What's my problem? My problem is that I'm making everything too hard. I'm not living in the Spirit, and so obeying is impossible! At least, it seems that way.

thereaperman, I would so encourage you to listen to God. Don't try to interpret anything he says, just listen. Interpretation gives Satan a chance to change God's words. Conscience and "common sense" are the great barriers between you and God. Don't try so much, because human effort is of no use to God. His power comes through grace. Look at the last part of John's words:

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

You can't be an overcomer if you are hanging on to a rope. Trust me, the rope won't take you anywhere you want to go anyway. The strength of the Spirit comes when we unquestioningly follow Jesus Christ.

Have faith in God, let go of the rope!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amen to that! My rope has been anything that I can use to make reality go away or make the pain less brutal, if I can just let go of all my worldly solutions to meet my needs, and not pick them back up, I would soar through the air with christ. One of the mistakes I made last time I was soaring, was that I stopped and looked down, which scared me, and therefore I crashed and burned. thank you for your wisdom.

[His son]

You have no other way to go if you will be a Christian. You must take up your cross, and follow Christ. He has told you that if they will do this to me what do you think they will do to you? You are involved in a war for your souls existence for eternity. There are no easy wars, nor is there any rest while you are at war. Every one of your examples of those who will follow God are examples of what you can expect. Their stories are all written in The Bible, and written so that they can be understood. You only have 2 choices, and if you think the God choice is hard read the whole book, and you will see that as hard as it is, when we get to the next pilgrimage that the other way appears easy during this one but the present suffering is a picnic compare to what the other side will spend eternity in. The war will end, and there will be the victorious, and the defeated.

[Guest hubertdorm]

I keep reading all these posts of people claiming that it's a struggle to do the right thing.

Only those who would rather do the wrong thing would find it a struggle to do the right thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ain't that the truth! I've wanted to do so many bad things. But walking in the Spirit is more than just denying the "bad side" of a person, it's allowing God to change your wants and desires.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

You have no other way to go if you will be a Christian. You must take up your cross, and follow Christ. He has told you that if they will do this to me what do you think they will do to you? You are involved in a war for your souls existence for eternity. There are no easy wars, nor is there any rest while you are at war. Every one of your examples of those who will follow God are examples of what you can expect. Their stories are all written in The Bible, and written so that they can be understood. You only have 2 choices, and if you think the God choice is hard read the whole book, and you will see that as hard as it is, when we get to the next pilgrimage that the other way appears easy during this one but the present suffering is a picnic compare to what the other side will spend eternity in. The war will end, and there will be the victorious, and the defeated.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Amen !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!