Struggeling

[Shadowdancer]

Hi! A couple of weeks ago I would have said I was a Christian who was coping reasonably well despite huge amounts of stress. Presently I would have to say I am a lonely lady, not coping very well, fighting depression, struggling to

Edited July 20, 2005 by Shadowdancer

[Pipit]

I understand the aspect of struggling with doubt. I think at one time or another, most of us as Christians struggle with a season of doubt, may it be about our salvation and relationship with God, if we really deserve salvation, or if God really cares about us as we go through other trials and temptations. I cannot say I have struggled much with the question of my salvation. However, I know in my own experience, when my parents seperated and a number of other things happened, it was a time when I was angry at God. Literally, I swore and questioned God and demanded answers. And I can't say I ever got all of them.

Does this struggle with doubts or being angry with God, make us any less of a Christian? That I cannot answer. But I know that times of struggle and doubt can help us in working out and understanding our salvation, and of God's grace.

God's grace is for us who struggle, who feel beaten up and bedraggled and run-down in our faith, wondering if we are worth being saved with all our doubts and struggles. Yet God's grace reaches to us despite of, and because of, our struggles. The problem is, as we struggle, we fail to realize the depth of God's grace for us, and so every time we are defeated, or we screw up, or end up doing something we shouldn't, we quickly begin to doubt whether or not God's grace is enough for us, or that aren't really saved.

Shadowdancer, if you have made Christ your Lord and Savior, having confessed and repented (meaning, having turned away from) of your sins, trusting that Christ's death on the cross was God's attonement for your sins, and that Christ is the only way to salvation, then be encouraged in knowing your salvation. I encourage and challenge you to spend time seeking out God's Word, examing His promises towards you, and learning of His aboundant grace!

If you have not done so, then I encourage you to do so! Commit yourself to Him, and be assured of your salvation. Then read His word daily, obey what it teaches, and know that God will never let you go!

agape--->

[#1smile]

Hi Shadowdancer,

I just want to encourage. We all have times of depression and some of us have times of wondering about God, and our salvation. I want you to know the best thing to do is to talk with God and to others about how you are feeling, to let it out, instead of holding it all in. I know the first time I had feelings of depression I had lost my grandpa, my brother had cancer, I had just finished High School, and 9-11 had just happened not to long before and we were dealing with terriost. I just started crying and feeling sad all the time. I felt fearful for being a believer and I couldn't put all my feelings into words. One thing I do recommend whiched helped me also was to read the bible daily weather that ment staying up later or not, writting in a journel, telling a friend about my struggles and asked her to pray with me and for me, and I got books, such as Happieness is a Chioce, and books on letting go of depresion and worries. I will pray for you that God will use this time of struggle to strengthen you in your faith and to help you through your feelings of depression. I hope these suggestions helped.

#1smiles

[Leonard]

Will pray for you this evening.

[jesussaves]

Shadowdancer, the Bible tells us that our spirit bears witness with His Spirit that we are saved. It also tells us that if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.

When I was radically saved in 1983 I knew I was saved. The Lord opened up my understanding to His word. All my guilt and shame was gone. It was what I have often told people, I felt like I had gone from a dark room into a room filled with light. The change was drastic. I knew what it was to put off the old man and put on the new, not from being taught in church, but by the Holy Spirit revealing the word to me. I learned those things before I was even taught anything in Sunday School. I was not churched as a child so I didn't even know much about Noah's Ark when I got saved. I wanted to shout it from the roof tops, Jesus Saves!!! :-)

Several years later, after being on that mountain, I began to have things happen that I did not understand. I heard words like, a Christian shouldn't get depressed. A Christian should have a happy face. A Christian wouldn't be driving a clunker with Jesus bumper stickers. Well, the devil jumped on the band wagon and I began to feel as if there was something wrong with me. All of a sudden I didn't "feel" saved. I had more problems from the devil before I was saved, I thought, because there was some demonic activity around me before I was saved. When the devil came at me like a flood I began to question my salvation. How could this be happening to a Christian? I thought, because he was trying to make me doubt. I had a hard life before I was saved and after I was saved there was such peace and joy and my problems were just non existant. When the trials began to surface I didn't like the feeling I was having. Those were supposed to be gone forever (I thought) All the Christians I ever knew seemed as if they never had any problems from the devil. I will never forget what I said when my grandmother told me the devil tried to trouble her once, too. I said, "Once! How come he bothers me so much?!"

So, at one point I kept going to the Lord repenting for things that I either didn't even do, or that was already under the blood. The devil was good about bringing up my past.

It was the Lord and many prayers from loving Christians, that brought me out of that and helped me see that I am not only saved, and a new creature in Christ but I am also sealed with the Holy Spirit, who bears witness with my spirit.

The devil hates us. The Lord used many experinces to show me his schemes and that all I need do is stand on His word if the devil tries to bother me in some area. There is nothing more powerful than the blood of Jesus!! His name is Jehovah-nissi! His name is Jesus!

Shadowdancer, if you are saved and you know it, but then doubts begin to come at you, it is just the devil. Draw near to the Lord. The devil can't stay around long. Our God has given us promises that are forever sealed in His word. Study your Bible. You can't stand on His promises if you don't know what they are. I pray the blood of Jesus over you!

Have a blessed night. Praise the Lord for He is good!!

[Adarian]

Shadowdancer, our Lord says this: If you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved. Period. But the devil wants to make you doubt.

But we will all be tested. My time of testing and correction is yet ongoing, but the result is bullet proof faith and confident fellowhship with He who loves my soul. I said to the Father:"leash your dog", why should he have his way with me. But I was corrected.

It may simply be a testing and proving of your faith. Whatever the reason, if you deal with this in prayerful fellowship with God, your faith will come out refined and sure.

In Ephesians chapter six, we are told to put on the whole armour of God, which includes having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Gain from scripture the full understanding of the gospel of peace. No one is strong enough to tear you out of the Father's hand. Not Satan, and not anyone else. Even when our hearts deceive us, God is faithful.

[Liss]

i am sure we all have our days when we, not neccessarily doubt our salvation, but certainly don't feel as close to God as maybe other days.

there is one cure for this: pray and meditate on the word of the Lord!!!

[Sisterchick]

Several years later, after being on that mountain, I began to have things happen that I did not understand. I heard words like, a Christian shouldn't get depressed. A Christian should have a happy face.

Wow! This is exactly how I was raised. Praise God that he left His Word, so we know that we're going to have difficulties.

We are the BRIDE of Christ. Even in this marriage, it is not going to be a honeymoon ALL of the time. BUT, our groom has our best interests at heart. Even when we don't "feel" like he is watching out for us, he is. AND, don't give Satan all the credit for everything that happens. The Lord might be doing some pruning and sometimes it hurts. A good book to read is "Secrets of the Vine", by Bruce Wilkinson. It's a very quick read.

As for being lonely? At times, we can all be lonely, even in a room full of people. Draw close to HIM. If you can't pray for yourself, then find books. Can't afford to buy books? Then go to a Barnes and Noble or other book store. Pull out a couple of books, find a corner and settle down and share some alone time with your groom. Don't compare your daily walk with the honeymoon.

Did you mention anything about a home church? You need a body of believers around you, but don't expect people to take the place of HIM. ~~ Talk with your pastor and please, if the lonliness gets severe, if you find yourself not accomplishing tasks or crying alot, go to someone you trust and share this part of your life. You may need to see a doctor. And, don't let the enemy tell you that if you were a good enough Christian, you could handle it OR people will think you're crazy. Satan works in the dark. So, don't let him get alone with you in the dark. Keep him exposed.

As far as not feeling saved? Yes, years, ago. I asked Christ to live in me every other day. I didn't "feel" anything. I thought being saved was IT. God has an amazing plan for your life and he doesn't have to fret, save up for or think about what to do next. He had it all mapped out before you were created. He inhabits the praises of his people. Praise him, spend time with him, worship him and I pray that you will begin to find yourself falling head-over-heels in love with your groom. You are His beloved. Meditate on that.

Blessings, Sisterchick

[Mikeyjay]

Shadowdancer, the Bible tells us that our spirit bears witness with His Spirit that we are saved.  It also tells us that if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shadowdancer, our Lord says this: If you believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, you will be saved. Period.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

believe in Him and trust and obey His Word...be filled with His Holy Spirit and lift up your eyes to the heavens...you are a child of the Most High God!!!

Remember:

"In trials...in blessing...one thing remains"

"Forever...so faithful...our saviour reigns"

[other one]

Hi!  A couple of weeks ago I would have said I was a Christian who was coping reasonably well despite huge amounts of stress.  Presently I would have to say I am a lonely lady, not coping very well, fighting depression, struggling to