Why Do Christians Suffer? (Part 1)

This is a guest post, that I wrote for my friend Heather's blog Grow Up! You can check out her Blog Here. She has been such a great friend, blessing and encouragement to me. Please keep Heather in your prayers. Thank you, God Bless! ~Julie

                                                ~   ~   ~   ~

She was sitting on the park bench, her head in her hands, and she was sobbing. I saw her right a way. I was not sure what I should do – should I approach her or just continue walking?…seeing I was already late for my next class. Conviction set in and a small, still voice told me I should talk to her.

“Okay Lord, whatever you want me to do.”

I quickly made my way over and plopped down beside her. “Hey, are you ok?”

At first there was no response. She then sniffled and took a tissue out of her pocket and blew her nose. She looked up and then said, “I am fine.”

I was less than convince… I then decided I would sit there and wait a minute. I knew she would talk eventually.

Two minutes later she said, “I just do not understand, I am living right, going to church, I am in Bible College, reading my Bible, and I am praying.”  Sobbing a little, she continued: “I just do not know why I am struggling so much. I have a payment due on my school bill, my friends are mad at me, and I did not do well on my tests. I just don’t get why I am suffering so much. I am doing right.”

Not knowing what I should say, I said a silent prayer, “Lord, give me the words to say, and speak through me.”  I looked at her with concern and understanding in my eyes. I said, “I do not know why you are suffering, only God knows, but one thing I know is God allows things in our lives for a reason.”  I then proceeded to pull out my Bible…

Just like the girl who was crying on that park bench, we all have been there at one point in our lives. We always ask the same question: why do I have to deal with this? Is there really a reason, or is God just punishing me?

Well, my friend, I would like to share with you 10 reasons why Christians suffer. This will be a two-part post, be sure to check out tomorrow’s post!

The first reason we suffer is because of the curse of Sin. In Genesis 3:17-19, it is showing when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. Because of their sin in the garden, sin would pass on to generations to come. It is because of the ever-presence of sin in our lives that causes us to suffer. Suffering is the result of it.

Secondly, according to Galatians 6:7,8 we also suffer because of sowing and reaping. Every day we sin — in fact, I read recently that the average person sins five times a day. When I read this it surprised me. I thought I was doing pretty good, but in reality if I was honest with myself I would realize I am not. Of course, most people do not sin on purpose. I do not think there is a person who wakes up in the morning and thinks, “Hey I am going to lie to my parents, take the Lord’s name in vain, or forget to read my Bible and do something else.”  But it is because of the sin we daily do which causes us to suffer.

Thirdly, God is testing our faith. According to James 1:2,3, the Lord bring things our ways for the reason to have us trust Him more. There have been times when I do not put my trust in Him. I try to do things in my own strength, but this is the wrong thing to do. God wants us to give Him our burdens and rely on Him and put all our faith in Him.

Fourthly, God can use these hard times for good. In II Corinthians 1:3,4 speaks of using our experience with troubles to encourage and help others. I have been in countless situations where the Lord has allowed me to be an encouragement to a brother or sister in Christ. Just keep in mind, God can use you to help another person because of this – It will allow you to be used of God.

Fifthly, the Bible says in Romans 5:3-5, that suffering brings us closer to the Lord. When we suffer we shouldn’t shy away from God or run from Him because of our pain or struggles. We should do the opposite — we should run to Him! If we run to God and lay our burdens on Him we can then refocus and, in my personal experience, it awakens a new eagerness to serve the Lord.

To be continued…

~                    ~                   ~                   ~

The Dream

The Dream

There I was, somewhere in between reality and sleep. I find myself there. At this moment, I cannot distinguish the things around me. I am disoriented, but my mind and senses are working. I can move my legs and arms, nothing is confining me or in my extended reach. I am moving, but not by the means of myself. There is a simple force pulling me further and further into the darkness.

I do not realize the time or for how long I have been moving, but something has just changed. I can feel it inside me. An eeriness washes over me and the uneasiness takes present inside me. “Where am I?” I begin to questions myself. As questions flood my mind, goosebumps begin to arise and my sense are alert and working. Then it hits me. I feel something, what is it? It is heat, I feel the heaviness of the air around me. The smoke begins to burn my throat, the air is so heavy, I can feel the pain and sorrow in this place. Then, I hear it, the sound piercing my ear. I hear their screams.

Close and closer I am being pressed forward. What is drawing me forward. There is a part of me that wants to turn back and never return this place, but another part of me is pulling me forward into the darkness. Wait. The sound is coming from below me, I am above them, the ones crying out. Though I cannot see them, I hear them. Another wave of heat hits me like an explosion. I hear the screams and gnashing of their teeth. I then cover my ears, but I cannot block out the sound of their crying.

What is this place? As soon as I ask myself this question, it hits me. Everything I have ever learned and heard about and read in the Bible floods my mind. Hell. A real burning Hell. I am here, but physically, but spiritually. I am not consumed, nor being harmed by the blackened flames. I am merely above it. “Why am I here?”

I hear something. Something so frightening, it causes my skin to curl. I hear it again. Someone is saying my name. As this one begins to continually call my name, another voice joins the other. As second progressed, more of them were crying out my name. They were crying out, “WHYYYY! Why did you not tell us, Why did you let me walk by, Why did you not share what you knew!? WHYY!”

I can barely contain myself, I knew them, seen them, talked to them, passed by them, but I never told them what I knew. Now they were in this place burning and crying out. They had no hope, no one to rescue them, not even me. I began to try and reach them and pull them out. I used all my strength from within me. Something stronger than me held me where I was. Exhausted, I relaxed above them.

Then in the distance I saw it gleaming bright. A cross. I began to weep. I never told those people who cried my name of the man who was once slain. Why was I so scare to tell them? Was it rejection, the fear of being mocked, the slam of a door, or my foolish pride? I was so stupid, if only I had another chance to share the gospel with them or others.

As I made my way toward a different light beckoning me rather quickly. Their cries were becoming fainter as I progressed away. But a new goal was building inside me. A goal to reach the one I could and tell them of a place called Hell and a place called Heaven. I would tell them how they could go there and not to the everlasting Hell. The real ever existing place I just had witnessed.

Then I awoke, covered in sweat, tears stained on my cheeks and a burning desire rekindled inside of me To care. To Dare. To Share.

Faith.

Faith what is faith? This is the question I have been asking myself, and unfortunately the biggest thing I am struggling with at this very moment. Prayerfully, I hope everyone wants to do God's will. I know I do, but lately I have been struggling giving the Lord something. And boy am I ever wrong.
I am scared of the outcome. The thought of what God's will might be has been ever so weighing on my shoulders...

I wrote this a couple of weeks ago, I decided to just give it to the Lord because ultimately God knows what is best and I don't. I have my whole life in front of me, why throw away doing God's will and end up down a path of sorrow, pain and a life worth not living. I decided to choose the high road and just trust God.

I have come to the conclussion that faith, is simply trusting God with everything: My life, my school work, my likes, my dislikes, my passions, my fervant desires... Faith is learning to trust God on your own. Faith is falling and trusting that someone or something is going to catch you. Faith is something you just dont stumble upon, but you grasp it. Faith is like driving on a bridge and believe it wont crumble. Faith is like oxygen, we trust it to always be there, but we cannot see it. Just like God, we trust He is there, but we cannot see Him.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:1

The Times I Stare at the Ceiling and Think.

It's 2:00 a.m. It's late (or early) and I am wide awake, thinking. I am thinking of all the things I have done, and the way I should of done things differently in my life. I look back with shame, repentance and to some of the memories with happiness. But the ones that I see so vividly in my mind, the ones that plague me the most, are my faults. I see my failures, my trouble, and my consistent struggles. Oh how wrong I am when I think I am doing just fine, or when I try to do things in my one strength. Why is it at times I forget I am accountable for my actions, is it life, or is it sadly myself. In my heart though, I know it is myself. I cannot blame anyone, but me. I am accountable for me, not the world. I guess what I am trying to say is I am humbled. I do not deserve God's love. I do not deserve His forgiveness, mercy or grace. I do not think I can even fully grasp why God loves me so much. Even when He knows I am going to fail and I am going to struggle. Why is it as I sit here thinking, I feel loved, yet unworthy?

If I wrote everything I have ever said, thought, or even done. I find myself ashamed. Yes, I can see the times were things are right in the sight of the Lord, but the one thing I cannot shake, is the wrong. Is it the devil trying to discourage me? I do not know, but I am not worried about being discouraged. I find myself encouraged, not discouraged. It is times like these I am reminded of the love, mercy and grace the Lord has bestowed on someone like me. It makes me want to strive to be a better Christian, to keep going, and not constantly fail Him. I know I am not perfect, but it doesn't mean I cannot give Him my very best! It's time for me to leave the 211 zone and strive for the 212 daily as I always should.

I find myself in the midst of thoughts,

They cloud my mind of everything,

I see my struggles, my failures and my doubts,

The times I was happy and times I was sad,

Along with these, I see a glimmer,

A glimmer of hope, and grace,

Why is it through all circumstances,

I always see the Light,

It is not dim, nor is it hid.

I can always find it, if I truly look.

At times I want to ignore it,

I hide myself from its knowing glare,

but it never leaves me, nor forsakes.

It is constant, in everything.

Why do I try to hide?

I am ashamed, and unworthy.

How could this Light, the Lord, love me,

How could He care for me,

I am sinful, and foolish

Yet, He loves and cares for me.

Though I cannot grasp it, nor understand,

He does, it is that simple.

He just wants me to trust and rely on Him alone.
(c) Julie 2011

  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:12-14)

Repost: He Is There

I just recently bought a CD entitled "Through the Storm" by the Hooker Family. And let me just say this, the second I saw the title, I thought to myself. "I wonder if there is something in here that would be a blessing and encouragement to me.".  I bought it and borrowed my friends computer so I could listen to it. By the time I finished listening to the 3rd song on the CD, I was crying. Why? Well, these past couple of weeks have been a little hard and stressful. Turning eighteen, my brother's wedding, and now College. I have had a lot on my plate and a lot consuming my mind. My life seems to be moving so fast and I am having a hard time keeping He Is There- The Hooker Familyup, but you know what. God has made Himself ever so apparent every single time I have been going through everything. Often times when we are going through something we wonder why we have to experience it or that it isn't fair. The way I try my best to look at it is this. God is trying me for a reason, He has a plan for my life and we have to go through things because he is making and molding me for something He has desired for me to do in the future. And the only thing God asks of me, is to cling to Him and to rely only on Him- for courage, for strength, To go to Him with every need or concern. I know God is there and I will make it though anything that this world throws at me. I will be a crusader of the cross. I won't back down. If I fall, I will get back up and charge the mountain.

Many of you probably know the story of William Borden writing the famous words, No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. In the back of his Bible. If you do not know this story I would like to share it with you.

   “William Borden was an heir to the Borden family fortune, he was wealthy. When he was sixteen he traveled through Asia, the Middle East and Europe, While he was doing so he became burdened for the lost and decided to be a missionary. Will Borden wrote home about his "desire to be a missionary."One friend expressed disbelief that Bill was "throwing himself away as a missionary." In response, Borden wrote two words in the back of his Bible: "No Reserves" Soon afterward Will attend Yale and he was responsible for a revival that spread across the campus. By the end of his first year, 150 or so freshman were meeting weekly for Bible study and prayer. By the time Will Borden was a senior, one thousand of Yale's 1,300 students were meeting in such groups. Shortly after graduation Will was offered a job by his father and Will rejected this offer and his family cut all ties with him. And shortly after he wrote. “No Regrets.” in the back of his Bible. William Borden went on to Princeton Seminary to finish his work there and he then sailed for China. Because he was hoping to work with Muslims, he stopped first in Egypt and study the Arabic language. While there, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25-year-old William Borden was dead. When the news of William Borden's death was cabled back to the U.S., the story was carried by nearly every American newspaper. "A wave of sorrow went round the world . . . Borden not only gave (away) his wealth, but himself, in a way so joyous and natural that it (seemed) a privilege rather than a sacrifice" Was Borden's untimely death a waste? No! Prior to his death, Borden had written two more words in his Bible. Underneath the words "No reserves" and "No retreats," he had written: "No retreats."

           To be able to write in my Bible, “ No Reserves, No Retreats. No Regrets” is my desire. And I know God does give us things for a reason. And through it all God can and will be glorified and with Him by my side I will be the victor over anything that I face. One verse that is a reminder that God is always there is in Isaiah 43:2-3

          “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame be kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.”

           And I guess I am writing this too you my friends so that you know No matter what you are going though He is still there and He will never leave you! So run the race, Keep going strong and don't look back. Be able to write No Reserves. No Regrets. No Retreats. In your Bible.

                                        He Is There by Amber Guzzi

                                       When the trials you face

                                       turn into your darkest night

                                       And you're hoping in some way

                                       The darkness will turn to light,

                                       And you feel all alone,

                                       And there's no one there with you,

                                       Never fear, my God is holding you.

                                       He is there to comfort you

                                       When you feel your world is shifting.

                                       He is there to hold you

                                       When everything is changing

                                       My Lord's still there.

                                       Some days I was so lost

                                       I just couldn't see Him.

                                       There were moments I felt

                                       My heart would just five in,

                                       But when you're through tryin'

                                       And there's nothing left to do

                                       Never fear, my God is holding you.

                                       He is there to comfort you

                                       When you feel your world is shifting.

                                       He is there to hold you

                                       When everything is changing

                                       My Lord's still there.

I hope this was an encouragement to you. If you ever need to talk or you need me to pray for you! I am only just a message, text or phone call away! :)  Praying for you all!

Julie

Preparation for Walking Worthy part 2: Separation

 

The next step in preparation to walk worthy, is separation. There is no way we can walk worthy for the King if we are following man and the way of the world. God tells us multiple time that we are to be separate.

Romans 12:2 - "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable. And perfect will of God."

2 Timothy 2:4 - "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."

John 2:15 - "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

The Bible clearly tells us that we are to be separate. This is where I personally and other Christians tend to struggle the most. The LORD knows we have a sinful nature and we will have desire for the things of this world. But God has warned us and commanded us to take our desire for the world and turn them to Him. I know it is hard, but we need to strive to have some sort of detachment from it.

Once we are able to separate ourselves from “worldly lusts” God can use us for His will! This is the key to living a Godly life. We need not to delight in worldly pleasure, but devote ourselves to pursuing the Lord’s spiritual goal for our self.

There are many areas of our lives in which we struggle, there are multiple ways we can be separate ourselves. In the way we talk, act, dress and the way we live. When we separate ourselves from the way the entire world lives, Christ can shine through us more and God's love is more apparent. A moment ago, I mentioned four ways we can be separate; In the way we talk, act, dress and the way we live. The only way for you to examine yourself is to ask yourself these questions.

The way I talk, Is it pleasing to the Lord? Is it edifying? Is it helpful? Is it true? As women, we all know we have the tendency to talk, maybe a wittle too much. That is normal and frankly half of us can't help it, but ladies and maybe gentlemen. We need to be careful how to talk and the way we communicate things.

Proverbs 10:11 - "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked."

The way I act, Is it pleasing to the Lord? The question my mother so rightfully imposed to me growing up was this and it got me thinking. Would Mrs. Brown (my Pastor's wife) do that? Ohhh how I dreaded hearing those words as a child, but it instilled in me to examine my actions and watch myself in every aspect.

1 Peter 5:8 -  "Be sober, be vigilant; because you adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

The way I dress, Is it pleasing to the Lord? Is it honoring Him? Can people see Christ in me? I will not elaborate much about this right now, but trust me I plan to in the future. But as Young Ladies and woman, we need to be careful how we dress. The way we dress does affect the way people will look to the Lord. People will either see Christ in you or just think you are just another person in this sinful world. Which would you rather have them see?

1 Timothy 2:9 -  “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel..."

The ways we live, Is it pleasing to the Lord? Is it honoring Him? Are you serving Him? Are you yielding to Him? Are you surrendered? This is the BIG one. The way you live is your personal testimony, the way you live is maybe the only example people see Christ in. So be careful, make sure everything you are doing is bringing honor and glory to the Lord.

Proverbs 12:28 - "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death."

In conclusion, I encourage you to examine yourself and pray and ask the Lord to show you any areas where He feels you are not separate from the world in. I am praying for you too. God bless.

Im Still Learning...

   I am still learning too, I am reminded of that daily. God always seems to show me something that I need to work on personally. I do not think any person can say honestly and 100% truthfully, there is no aspect in their spiritual walk that does not need improvement. I know there have been times, I would think there is nothing I need to work on personally and I was doing pretty good. Oh how wrong I am, when I think like that. Whenever I do think that, the Lord is quickly there reminding me almost instantly, your struggling here, you need to grow here, or you need to give me more in this area. The list is endless, but it is life. No one is spiritually perfect. Even the greatest preacher, witness or servant of Christ is not fully and completely in the spiritual state of perfection. It is impossible, but it is our job to strive to be like Christ. That needs to be our goal in all our aspirations and lives. We need to be completely sold out and willing to improve in every area of our lives. No matter how secure we think we are. We can always pray more and read our Bible more. Can you imagine what could be accomplished if you just add 5 minutes to your prayer life or reading your Bible 5 extra minutes. The possibilities are endless. We need to learn to die to self daily. I know it is so hard, but God can use us more if we do so.

      The Dean of Students at Landmark preached a message encouraging us to go above and beyond our expectations and be more than normal for serving God. He used this illustration and I would like to share it with you and maybe it will open your eyes the way it did mine. 

      I have a question for you. What happens at 212 F? Water boils, right? Well, at 211 F water does not boil it is hot and almost boiling, but it is not boiling. Many Christians are at this point, they are serving God doing what they should, but are not reaching above the norm. They are content, they are floating in the stream of life, serving, but are not doing their very best for God. 212 Christians go above and beyond the normal Christian. They are sold out for God and are willing to do anything for Christ. They strive to do there very best for God, and hold nothing back. So here is a question to ask yourself. Are you Boiling, are you 212 degrees for Christ, or are you just staying at 211 comfortable and not willing to boil over?

      The Lord has shown me some areas this past week where I need to work on spiritually and in my daily life. It is always humbling to know, I am not perfect. So readers, I guess this is my whole point in this post. I am not perfect, I still need improving and I am learning to Walk Worthy too. I am no expert, I am not a professional. I am just a freshman in college striving to do God's will and trying to live according how I should. I am getting as much out of this as you are (I hope) and I am learning too. I hope you will continue to run this race with me, and we can honor the King with our lives.

Hebrew 12:1-2 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

• Break is finally here. I plan on posting Preparation for Walking Worthy Part 2, soon. I am have been working on it whenever I have time. Please keep checking in. :) God Bless!