why am i suffering so much god

So much has to be burned up within us. If we did not feel pain, we would often just allow our hearts to remain broken and wounded. Why Am I Suffering? - Life, Hope and Truth I want everyone to be there with me and get the chance to experience lasting, eternal joy. But my favorite act of serving God is revealing his truth in written format. To the Depressed Christian | Cru It would be an oversimplification to say that God causes all the suffering in our lives or that we alone cause all the pain in our lives. Amen. Not only can depression make you question God or feel distant from Him, but it can also make navigating Christian community more difficult. Notice what Paul said 2 Corinthians 1:3-5. But there are some realities that simply make you run faster at the end of a grueling race. Daily Surrender Novena with Reflection Prayer (1 Peter 4:12). In Romans 5:3-5, we are taught that through seasons of suffering, God will produce in us endurance, character, and hope which will then enhance our ability to enjoy the love of God which the Holy Spirit has placed within our hearts. Our Savior knows what it means to suffer darkness. . Chronic illness, difficult marriages, losing a childdoesn't God want me to be happy? When they got home, his mother threw the medication sample in the trash and said that depression was not real. He is mighty.I am loved by Him. You can wish you no longer existed but look fine to the people around you. The reasons for emotional pain are multi-layered. Ill read that text now, 1 Peter 4:1219, and then we will hear from Pastor John. The question is often stated this way: "If God loves me, why am I suffering as I am?" There are a few misconceptions when we even ask such a question. O God, Why So Much Suffering? | Healing Heart of Jesus If you have asked God to use you greatly and to transform you into a mighty warrior for the Kingdom of God, the training process will often involve many seasons of suffering. When it moves in a church, its meant for purity because he loves us. Why Does God Allow Suffering - A Biblical Explanation - Crosswalk He was suffering, and Boris Kornfeld, a Jewish doctor, was sitting with him one night. And Solzhenitsyn wrote. Physical illness is also frequently triggered by stressors and negative environmental factors. If God Knows I'm Hurting, Why Doesn't He Help Me? They can testify about how God is working through whatever is happening in their lives. Grace lavishes (Ephesians 1:78). Contact Mary at marylkeith13@gmail.com. You dont tear your hair out and say, Theres no point if you believe in God. As Baxter says, The most dangerous mistake that our souls are capable of is, to take the creature for God, and earth for heaven.. If you have asked God to use you greatly and to transform you into a mighty warrior for the Kingdom of God, the training process will often involve many seasons of suffering. Explore resources to help you live out your life and relationships in a way that honors God. Todays one of the bad days. As he shared his story, I could sense that he was deeply distressed. Jesus often called the Pharisees out for their hypocrisy. The Bible describes several instances when physical suffering was caused by Satan and his demons ( Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 13:10-16 ). His mercy reigns even in your brokenness. Have you been engaging in sinful behavior you know displeases the Lord? Use your hobbies and interests to find the best place for you to serve. Depression, as with all things involving the brain, is complex, and not even the most advanced researchers fully understand exactly what causes it. It is a misstep in our affections, attentions, and energies. God May Be Allowing This Emotional Suffering in Your Life Because He Wants a Deeper Relationship with You Having a safe community while I was in process helped me keep going, even at my lowest points. As Baxter says, He keeps his most precious cordials for the time of our greatest faintings and dangers. Though it cannot be proven, I have seen it among the saints and experienced it myself: the deeper your affliction, the more desperate your craving and the more satisfying your fellowship with God (Psalm 119:67). It hurts too much. Not at all. Ultimately, God will use us to bring hope to others who are hurting because weve been where they are and made it to the other side. Weekly Updates on our Latest Posts. In some moments, all I could do was pray, God, help everything to be okay. But I knew He was there, sustaining me when I did not have the ability to sustain myself. Why Does God Allow Suffering? - meaning of life It is the moments of deepest need and desperation in which God provides himself as healing balm. If you have a pain in your chest, this could mean you are having a heart attack. Here are 3 possible reason God is allowing you to go through emotional suffering and pain in your life. If friends send you cards or pictures, hang them in places you can see them so they can be physical reminders of the people who love you. . God wants us to be pure so we will remain intimately close to him, for as Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, Blessed arethe pure in heart, forthey shall see God.. It was not because of his sins or his parents sins, Jesus answered. It is according to the will of God when we suffer; God wills it even when Satan may be the immediate cause of it. 5 Biblical Reasons Why God Allows Suffering - Beliefnet Whether it be illness, loss of a loved one, loss of a job, family turmoil and strained relationships, tragedies and natural disasters, or generalized anxiety brought on by a society that seems to be trying to consume the world and everything and everyone in it through fear. God literally could not be closer to you in whatever you are experiencing. It states: Those who are able to bring the greatest comfort to others are often the ones who have suffered the most themselves. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. He is all Love. Variation: Sharing someones struggles with mental illness without their knowledge lets other people know they need to be sensitive. Just 4% say that "all" or "most" of the suffering in the world is a punishment from God, while an additional 18% say that "some" is, and 22% say that "only a little" of the world's suffering results from God's wrath. The Bible provides many examples of people experiencing depression, darkness and frustration with God. In the Bible, we see Jesus heal many people from physical illnesses, but Christians who understand the Bible well would not use that as proof that people with physical illness lack the faith to be healed or are being punished. Ultimately, God ordains and brings affliction into a believers life (Ruth 1:2021). It will be in heaven as it is on earth. May 24, 2022 by Samuel How long will God allow me to suffer? If God Loves Me, Why Am I Suffering? - The Transformed Wife God wants us to be pure so we will remain intimately close to him, for as Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, Blessed arethe pure in heart, forthey shall see God.. Have someone who attends the same church come by and pick you up on their way to church. Wise people seek to learn from their heartaches so they can deal with them appropriately. Yet like a shot of adrenaline to the soldier on the front lines who begins to doze but then hears the snap of a twig, so affliction seizes our hearts with such effect that we startle awake to see God and then fly to him. I sank further and further until finally breaking down one day at a work conference. Rationally, I knew that probably was not true, but my emotions and anxious thoughts were screaming that there was no hope. Really tired. Reality: Church community should be a safe environment for people to discuss mental health without judgment. United Church of God Pastor. Radical dependence on God is crucial not only for surviving depression but also for ministry and leadership. The Bible doesn't whitewash our experience of suffering by saying that it's all of one stripe. When youre depressed, the last thing you usually want to do is be around people. Life is a feast (Psalm 34:8). Well, its not easy; but its there: keep on rejoicing because the suffering is not a surprise, but a plan. He will give you a new, powerful testimony about His faithfulness during suffering, like He did with me. But for the people of God, the apple of his eye (Deuteronomy 32:10; Zechariah 2:8), it refines; it purifies. Look at 1 Peter 4:17: For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God . He wasnt a Christian yet. And then he was beaten to death in his bed that same night. "Give Me your heart, so I can give you Mine." Jesus never promised us an easy life, and I find hope in that. Life is labor (Colossians 3:12). Volunteer abroad this year on a short term global missions trip offered by one of the best, most-reliable Christian missions organizations in the world. I (Elizabeth) remember that in one season of bad depression, my thoughts spiraled downward until they came to a point where I wondered, "What if I feel utterly depressed and unable to do anything every day for the rest of my life?" Depression can already distort your perception of reality or make you doubt your judgment. But in my not doing them, God taught me the most valuable lesson of my life: His love for me is solely dependent on His character, grace and goodness. Sometimes medications help correct or lessen these issues and so treat depression. It would have been ludicrous for an Israelite to stake his claim on a portion of land in the wandering wasteland. We are all sojourners on our way home but we are not home yet (Hebrews 13:14). People often feel at a loss to know how they can support loved ones with depression. Once you come to understand where suffering comes from and why we so often go through trials, you can start working through your suffering. The Bible says, "Great is the mystery of godliness" (1 Timothy 3:16). In our pain, we long to know why God allows grief and hardship into our lives. While pain and suffering are never enjoyable, God often allows them in our lives because he loves us so much, he is willing to allow us to experience short term problems so we will reap long-term pleasures in him. The doctor diagnosed him with major depression and prescribed antidepressants. "Why will you not lift me out of this pit?" Aliens and exiles are what were reading about here, and how they respond to suffering. But within the pages of the Bible, I find friends who help me get through these times because of their honest expression of their feelings in dark moments. 2 days of "and the lord heard me - i have my answers" || nsppd || 6th july 2023 Experiencing culture shock after traveling to a developing area can be difficult. Is God Punishing Me? - Groundwork Bible Study Seeking help for depression does not mean you do not have enough faith or that you are a bad Christian. As it is now, our weariness readies us for a deeper enjoyment of eternal rest (2 Corinthians 4:17). No matter what others may tell you, it is not shameful or a sign of weak faith to go to therapy or take prescription medication for a mental illness. We hope it will remind you that you are not alone as a Christian experiencing depression. There is always a purpose to our suffering. I never imagined caring for a son who walked through over twenty surgeries including five open-heart procedures. Im afraid to be alone.. He finally got professional help for his depression a few years ago and is now thriving. Not only is this unhelpful, its unbiblical. I began noticing that I felt exactly like it looked outside gray and miserable. And it isnt for your honor. But when you are experiencing a mental health crisis and feeling isolated, its very easy to forget that God is literally within you. He is also responsible for God's Work in the Portuguese language, and has been visiting Portugal, Brazil and . He wants my trust. Its just as unreasonable to say suffering from depression or any other mental illness is a sin. 3. Depression plays tricks with your thoughts and emotions. ( Job 2:10 ). In contrast, Jesus was gentle and kind with people who were struggling and even sinning but who were open to God changing their lives. She seemed to think it was something shameful. Sometimes God can bring a test and at other times we create the trial through our own poor choices. When the global church comes together then powerful things can happen. Have some fun taking various quizzes and assessments to learn about yourself and others. A born and bred Southern girl, Id gotten married, started a new job and moved across the country to Minnesota all within two weeks, and just in time for the cold. Just type in your email address below. Variation: If you feel depressed, its because you have unconfessed sin. My friends mother is a strong Christian who cares deeply for her son, but she bought into the myth that depression is not real. It is a difficult trial that can refine someones faith, but its not a punishment for sin. Suffering is multifaceted. Give that person a key if you are at the point where you cannot get out of bed. The past twelve years have been an extended season of trials and sorrows for my family and me. Even when it is ugly and hard to face. Rabbi, His disciples asked Him, why was this man born blind? Jesus never promised us an easy life, and I find hope in that. when I fall, I shall rise. Getyour copy of The Ultimate Guide to Christian Singleness and access to all of our eBooks. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.. There are many other possible reasons for why God might be allowing suffering in your life, but one reason that we often overlook is that our suffering can often result in relief for others. And he said, "Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice!" So yes, God wants you happy. But even that drop is still a reminder to me that God has not forgotten me. Learn about Cru's global leadership team. Reality: Depression is a real illness that impacts the brains ability to function as it should. God can give you the strength to seek the help you need. The assumption that depression or any mental illness is a punishment for sin is just as faulty as the disciples assumption that the mans physical blindness was a result of sin. Sadly, mental illness is often met with judgment instead of compassion and support. Has someone hurt you and you know you need to forgive them? Why? You cannot assume someone is okay based on external appearances. Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Roma. Laying a head on the pillow after a hard day of work, reaching asylum away from the ravages of war, finally sitting down after a lengthened day of corralling kids these are all foretastes of heavenly rest after worldly weariness. I will never abandon you. (Hebrews 13:5, NLT), I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from Gods love. And therefore, its okay to resist your suffering in prayer and pray against it and ask God to remove it, like Paul did. Facing Depression as a Christian: Beware These Misconceptions, Helpful Things for Christians Walking Through Depression to Remember. Were on a mission to change that. But even if you can never do anything else for God again, He still loves you and would not leave you or forsake you. Am I going crazy? The ultimate pain is the argument that suffering is the price of our free will. Its a question Pastor John set out to answer from 1 Peter 4:1219, a very important text we all need to understand and return to in times of personal suffering. If God exists, why is there suffering? - Christianity Explored So right now, on earth, prayer is absolutely essential. I remember meeting so many people at their funerals who were stunned and confused. Richard Baxter, a 17th century Puritan, wrote a magnificent book entitled The Saints Everlasting Rest, Or a Treatise of the Blessed State of the Saints, in Their Enjoyment of God in Glory. For even Jesus became our greatest source of comfort through the sufferings he endured himself. Jerry Orbos, SVD (SVD Mission and Vocation Promoter) at the Diocesan Shrine of Jesus the Divine Word at Christ the King Mission Seminary, Quezon City. Leading from values so others will walk passionately with God to grow and bear fruit. I was hesitant but reluctantly agreed. And thats true in those little tough things day by day, and thats true in the big dangerous things. Reality: Depression is an illness, not a sin. You crave the eternal. For me, honesty is extremely important in my relationships with others. In His Heart, I see how in loss, I have gained.How in sadness, He has shown me where true joy is found.How in anxiety, I learned to trust Him more.How in despair, I found hope only in Him.How in pain, He healed my heart. Let us know your preferences below! And when it moves on the world, it has one of two effects: either it awakens like it did for Solzhenitsyn or it condemns and destroys, if it is resisted and does not bring people to repentance. He longs for it, dreams of it, and anticipates the moment of arrival. We all suffer in some ways from the results of evil breaking into Gods perfect creation. If you have placed your trust in Jesus, that same Spirit lives within you. What does the Bible say about suffering? | GotQuestions.org But it can be especially painful when you are sharing someones struggles with mental illness. Reality: Depression and other mental illnesses do not disqualify people from leadership or church roles. If God Wants Me to Be Happy, Why So Much Suffering? Jesus gave us the ultimate example of godly endurance when He died for our sins. [From the January/February 2014 issue of Discern .] Were on a mission to change that. So one reason God allows emotional suffering in our lives is because he knows that sometimes there is nothing that will increase our passion to pursue him more than this pain. "My fiance broke off our engagement. Our growth in Christ can seem so slow and the road so long, but we can take comfort knowing that God himself is maturing us. Learn to develop your skills, desire and ability to join others on their spiritual journeys and take them closer to Jesus. Mr. Weaver wrote: I have a few questions I need to ask. His Heart burned so deeply that He endured the most cruel death to pay the debt of my sins and those of the entire world. As C.S. It isnt strange. With the release of the new Star Wars film, a die-hard fan reflects on why this story tugs on our hearts. If God Wants Me to Be Happy, Why Do I Have So Much Suffering? Get the answers to frequently asked questions on Christian beliefs and practices. When an earthly journey grows weary and treacherous, a traveler unmistakably feels his absence from home. God wants us to meet the challenges of this world and come through them with faith intact, which we will do only with the aid of prayer. Well-meaning individuals offer the best explanations they can form from their understanding of scripture. For the believer, no tear is wastefully shed, no cry is worthlessly expressed, and no pain is futilely suffered. In God's mercy He showed us the key in the Bible. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world., It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.. Our minds hurt when our bodies hurt, and vice versa. As his tale unfolded, I could understand why. Reaching students and faculty in middle and high school. Jesus Christ Is the Way Through Your Suffering. But God! Why am I suffering so much - YouTube She and her husband are foster and adoptive parents who are passionate about caring for vulnerable children and families. Was it because of his own sins or his parents sins?. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Hope abounds (Romans 15:13). And spurned the counsel of the Most High. It's common to wonder if our suffering is. Suffering, death, and eternal life - PMC - National Center for What does it take to begin a relationship with God? This book concerns a man named Job. Just like the pain we feel in our bodies, the emotional pain we experience is also telling us something important. A group of religious leaders called the Pharisees were the epitome of religious people who act like they have it all together and judge others who do not. Yes, mental illness is often triggered by stressors or negative environmental factors, but that does not mean it is not real. Why Am I Suffering So Much God? Resilient, Part 5: Resilient in Trusting God's Purpose - Full Service The judgment of God moves through the world. Perhaps, the question Jesus wants me to ask is not, Why so much suffering? but instead: How in this suffering are You leading me to spend forever with You?. Experiencing depression can give people compassion or perspective in a way that actually makes them excellent leaders. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God Himself, living and active in the life of everyone who trusts in Jesus. That which we begin with haste and zeal easily downshifts to a slothful crawl and, many times, an altogether abandonment. Whatever is tending to tempt you to be angry at people and God, that is (under Gods sovereignty) an opportunity of testing to prove and refine your faith, just as much as if youve been hit in the face by a person who hated you because you were a Christian. God hears and cares. I put my arm around this woman and prayed for the things I had needed just a few months before. The command is there: keep on rejoicing to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:13 NASB). And If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? Therefore let those who suffer according to Gods will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. We see this in John 9:1-3 (New Living Translation). She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lords feet listening to what He said. Sadly, some Christians can be very judgmental about mental illness, but that is not a biblical response. And when we seek the Lord and find his love and comfort, we experience far more joy and satisfaction in the Lord than the suffering we endured. How long will this end or stop? I began noticing that I felt exactly like it looked outside gray and miserable. In either case, the emotional pain we experience can always be used by God for the same reason. As odd as it sounds, we have the opportunity to become more like Jesus by suffering. Learn how you can know God personally. Job suffers because God contested with Satan. It is gossip to talk about others mental health behind their backs. Trust is the word that resounds in my heart. The day is coming for every believer when God will call us to depart from this sin-soaked world into the ravishing delights of a paradise with him (Psalm 16:11). If your leg hurts, you need different treatment than if you are having a heart attack. Here are eight questions to ask yourself as you transition home. Striving to see Christ-followers on every team, in every sport and in every nation. The hardship often kindles his desire to return to his home. Solzhenitsyn, the novelist, was in prison years ago in Siberia. Even in these instances, God is still in control. . Do you see the purposefulness in suffering now? Suffering is the result of . In this post, I will be sharing why God allows our suffering and His divine plans for your future. Christians can still benefit from secular counseling. Even if it is not my own, it seems many others have so much suffering. The paperback version is available for $12.99. Talking about someone elses personal issues when they have not given you permission is never a good idea. He allows trials and suffering to occur in our lives for one purpose onlybecause it's . John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary.

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