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

[jeffnevins]

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.

I appreciate it.

[jeffnevins]

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.

Good point. And I often wonder over the years of random crappy jobs if I've unknowingly brought people to Christ that I've subtly shared Christianity with. Higher value than earning $ for sure.

[jeffnevins]

Hey, Jeff -

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!

Thanks.

[jeffnevins]

Greetings Jeff,

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.

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

Good advice. Tons of patience built up over four years.

Excellent points on the Word, seeking Him, and fellowship.

[jeffnevins]

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'

Shutting off feelings for most of four years can cause serious damage, and you will crack at times. You ever try it?

I try to choose as best I can, though I fall short as all do. I assume God loves us, as is mentioned in the Word, in that He gave His son. Thus I don't need to ask Him His "feelings".

I care about what God wants. That's why I work for the Kingdom.

So I shouldn't concern myself with anything? Be a homeless unemployed man for kicks rather than do anything?

Where's the proof I'll be happier in worse circumstances? That sounds foolish to me. I would grieve and recover.

Addendum: true, except your command to be "the chosen". Isn't that God's call, not yours?

Thanks to everyone else, though. I really appreciate it.

Edited March 25, 2006 by jeffnevins

[Lasere]

By the way Jeff I love your website, it looks fantastic. I'll pray that the awesome talents you have will bring lots of work and income doing what you love.

[buckthesystem]

Just a bit of picking peoples' brains here. Ideas or opinions and what people think about this topic.

Is life supposed to be nothing but a major trial for us, an ordeal to be just "got through" until we reach the end? And then we can die knowing that our family still have to "endure" until they too, reach their end?

I too, work at a menial job which I know I don't do very well, but my employers are good and don't ever complain or say that I'm not "up to scratch" - I just know that I'm not very good (in fact my employers have gone the other way and tried to tell me that I am a "good worker". I can't figure out why they would do this). This makes things pretty hard for my workmates and I don't get on very well at all, it is not their fault it is mine.

The difference between me and Jeffnevins is that I am not educated at all and totally incapable of doing anything else.

Nebula is pretty right. It all sounds like depression. I know that is what I get, but it doesn't make it any easier.

This is compounded by the fact that my youngest son, at age 20, lives at home and I can see him making all the wrong choices. He seems to have chosen the career he wants and is good at it. He is a logger and really wants to be a logger, but he does things like spending $11,000 on a truck and then getting drunk and letting his unlicenced friend drive him home and turn the corner too soon into our driveway "writing off" the truck. Losing his only jersey and then having to go out in the cold in a tee-shirt because he didn't think to buy another one. Then he puts holes in all his socks and runs out of socks to wear and blames everyone else for it. My husband just shrugs it off, but I get upset and think that maybe it is my fault.

I feel a responsibility for him but don't know what to do or say.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Do others think that life is supposed to be just an endurance?

But Jeff, my heart goes out to you and I am praying for you. Hang in there and have faith.

[Dad Ernie]

Do others think that life is supposed to be just an endurance?

Greetings Buck the System,

Does your moniker reflect your attitude?

Consider:

Eccl 12:13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Matt 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Romans 8:17-18 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Just one more to support the above two:

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

You can accept this or reject it, but when we finally lay it all down at Christ's feet, we find freedom. We find peace and joy even in our trials knowing that Christ is honored and God is glorified. We are created UNTO GOOD WORKS, that is that our life will reflect the work of Christ IN US.

Think on this:

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

If you love Christ and are obeying Him, then any doubts that come into your mind telling you you are not good enough, then those things are from the Devil. Find the scriptures which would give you confidence in Christ and memorize them. Then whenever Satan comes and tries to accuse you, repeat the verses to him. You are invaluable in Christ's sight. You have such great potential, but you will never live up to that potential until you give EVERYTHING to Christ. Then shall you have peace and joy unspeakable, full of glory.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[jeffnevins]

By the way Jeff I love your website, it looks fantastic. I'll pray that the awesome talents you have will bring lots of work and income doing what you love.

Thanks. I'll post an article w/a link to a new website as soon as it's up.

Do you work on web content?

[elkieDannsa' Air An Drochaid]

HI Jeff,

I am praying for you.

I know it is hard when the work we want is not happening for us. But, I also know it is really not good for us to stuff our feelings down at all(yeah, I havedone it ,too)because then it will cause depression. It is good to continue to talk to JEsus about everything you feel and even to have someone else to talk to also. Feelings need to be released through talking.

TheLord is the one Who has given us our desires and talents and he is also the One who will show us where and how HE wants us to use them.

Also, good thing anytime but especially when in the times of feelings down is- to let your lips praise GOD in song, for the praise will lift the spirit of heaviness, as the apostles did in prison and their chains fell off! Im sure they didnt fee llike it either, but I am also sure the Holy Spirit will refresh you and free you as surely as they were freed.

Sorry you are having this hard time.

I am praying for you and hope to hear how you are doing.

I know The Lord is faithful and has plans for you, HE promises that HE only want to do good to us.

While looking for work, might be best to really grow closer to the Lord asking for more and more of Him. He will give to you.

perhaps He wants your attention for spiritual growth right now ,even more than what work is about.

Perhaps your talents could be used to further the kingdom in some way,too,as the Lord leads.

God bless brother,

Love and Prayers IN Christ JEsus OUr Lord,

elkie PS I hope with all this you are still having Christian fellwoship in person, it means alot to go to gatherings and to have one on one prayers ,annointing with oil and refreshing in praise! take care Jeff