I'm pushed beyond what I can endure. I need God's mercy badly

[jeffnevins]

I believe the Bible mentions God won't test us beyond what we can handle.

Job, Joseph, Paul, and so many others were pushed so hard. And many were killed.

I'm very thankful for what I have, but-

What if I feel I've been pushed beyond my limit? I haven't laughed at or enjoyed work for four years (laid off in '02 and have tried to get back in animation ever since). I now have chronic headaches and can't bring myself to vary my vocal pitch.

I have a B.A. in art, seven years of animation experience, and am throwing cardboard boxes in a dumpster and carting aroung hazardous materials from the solvent waste shed for a living. And constantly chastised by random obese female supervisors in jobs I loath for the smallest errors (despite tireless effort).

Less painful: at 32, I've never had a girlfriend. No fear here. No friends probably visit this site.

I've been patient & a thankful servant for Christ. But also angry, bitter, and cried over the past four years. I'd sooner mentally snap, or be killed by an outside force before giving up, though.

I hope Christ returns soon. I'm running out of steam on Earth.

Edited March 24, 2006 by jeffnevins

[BrandonL]

I think the verse you're looking for is 1 Corinthians 10:13 "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

God is faithful, He will not tempt you above what you are able to face. He will always make a way of escape. But you must believe that. Even in the darkest, hardest, most impossible times of our lives, God is right there waiting for us to turn back to Him. When God promises a way through it, He offers Christ as that way. You must rely on your Savior to carry you. I often find in my life that when it seems that God has gotten lost or forgotten about me, I start re-tracing my footsteps, only to find that God was right there all along. In vain, I start crying out to God asking why He left me or what I did so wrong that He just forgot about me. It's usually about that point when I trip and fall down, and land straight in His arms.

My prayers are with you, brother, I would recommend that you read James 1 (particularly v. 2-4).

[Lasere]

I am writing this as I understand a lot of the anguish you must be facing. Being treated as you have been at work, I have also had similar experiences by yucky people who are most likely just jealous of you and the best I think you can do is forgive them and pray for them. Keep your heart for God. It is so hard when you are highly intelligent and creative and have to work among those such as you describe. I have had times like that and all I can say is that it was one night as I walked and prayed aloud and felt that I totally could take no more. I had quit my 2nd or 3rd job and was alone with noone to turn to. I knew there was no back-up plan left in my mind and I had to totally give everything to Him. I Completely forgave God and made peace with Him for all the things that had happened which were beyond my understanding.

The next day I found a job that I could do from home and not be around the awful people. It is a stepping stone to bring in money so that I can be on a path to doing my art full-time.

I am just trying to say that when I finally gave everything to God and made peace with Him he could then open the doors for me and Bless me because I had finally stopped trying to control my life and let him control things for a change. I pray each day that God will help me to deal with bitterness as with Faith and prayer I forgive those who have sinned against me and God can heal the pain those have caused against you.

Write to me as much as you like because I really care for what you have had to endure and my prayers be with you. Remember this season will pass. God will make a way.

[vitality22004]

It sounds like you've had a tough time. I want to encourage you to start your walk to the abundant life God promised you by casting your cares onto Him for He careth for you, living in forgiveness and releasing all the pain and bitterness you feel, as a choice, declaring the favor of God in your life everyday, and sowing into the lives of people in pain around you so that you can reap a harvest of joy. Then stand, and when all else is done, stand. Remember His strength is perfect when we are weak. God Bless.

[Leonard]

Look in the Sunday want ads, find a different job, AND QUIT! You don't have to stay where you are not treated well.

[Anne]

I'll be praying for you Jeff.

[nebula]

Hey, Jeff -

As I read your post, something stood out to me - something I am all too familiar with.

What I saw were classic symptoms of depression.

I know that tends to be a dirty word in Christian circles (I'm in an ugly debate right now over that ), but Christians can fall into depression just like anybody else. We live in a fallen world, stuff like that happens.

You see, I suffered from depression for nearly 20 years before I discovered my "struggles" as I called them had a name. Knowing what I was dealing with has helped me to actually know how to deal with it and overcome it.

Now that I'm working on my struggles as a depression problem, I have been able to finally feel more confident about myself and get my feet under me so to speak and I am starting to take control of my life rather than letting life control me so much - and with this I have been able to start taking the step I need to "get somewhere in life."

I hope you are able to get this job thing worked out, but truly you need to tackle this depression that's bound you. Christian counseling helps, if there's something near you that offers that. Otherwise, I can direct you to web pages or recommend some counseling books that can get you on the right track! OK?

God bless!

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Jeff,

As has been written: There is no temptation which has come upon you that is not common to man...

The verse you have quoted, was once a verse I kept reminding the Lord of because of the trials I had been facing. One day, the Lord showed me the true meaning of that verse. Whatever, and I mean WHATEVER comes upon you, the Lord is there with you and will help you through it. Don't think that by pleading to God for deliverance that it will happen. What you are suffering through IS COMMON TO ALL MEN at one point or another in their lives. God wants you to realize that and that He is always there for you. You are just having a hard time accepting that. I know that I had that difficulty at first too. YOU DO HAVE THE STRENGTH TO ENDURE, believe it or not. Call upon Him in your affliction and He will help you through it.

Another problem I had was patience. I was enduring several trials and I pleaded with the Lord for patience. Guess what? Even more trials came. Where will it all end, I asked myself? Well, I got serious with God and sought Him diligently, then He showed me where it is written that TRIALS DEVELOP PATIENCE! Guess what I did? I quite asking for patience and accepted the patience which was mine from the beginning, but I hadn't put it to use. Ironic isn't it?

Have you seriously and diligently sought to get an answer directly from the Lord? This takes much prayer, fasting, and using your God given patience. Get deeply into the Word of God and when you read it, look for what the Holy Spirit is trying to show you, AND LISTEN FOR THE WORD OF GOD. I have had God speak to me, and it was like He was right there in the room with me. I had to look around to make sure I was alone because I am accustomed (as we all are) to hearing with our ears, and He was speaking directly into my spirit. So God WILL answer you, if you diligently seek him.

I sympethize with you, as we all go through very difficult times. Seek HIS Kingdom FIRST, and all these things shall be added unto you. Do not fear, worry or DOUBT. These are 3 very big baddies in the Christian walk. Find out where HE wants you and then begin seeking it out. Fellowship with the body of Christ is important, whether in a REAL church or a home fellowship. GET THAT FELLOWSHIP - YOU NEED IT.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[~SPIRITBLADE~]

I'll be praying for you Jeff.

rather than concerning yourself with how 'you feel', howzabout asking God how He feels, regarding your choices.

immediately, if you concern yourself, with what God wants, (as opposed to yourself) you will find yourself much happier, (in far worse circumstances)-

i hope that helps Bro'

as an addendum: there are those people on earth God has reserved for Himself, rather than a wife/husband.

be the 'chosen'

[jeffnevins]

believe that. Even in the darkest, hardest, most impossible times of our lives, God is right there waiting for us to turn back to Him. When God promises a way through it, He offers Christ as that way. You must rely on your Savior to carry you.

My prayers are with you, brother, I would recommend that you read James 1 (particularly v. 2-4).

Thanks for the insight, and will do.