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| Are you hurting, frustrated, becoming discouraged? | |
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| Topic Started: Apr 5 2004, 11:15 AM (86 Views) | |
| Bill and Joan | Apr 5 2004, 11:15 AM Post #1 |
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Well, if you are, praise God! He is doing a work in the lives of His people and it is a time of unrest becasue the Lord wants to lead us to Him that gives us rest! There is a shift going on where we are almost being catapulted out of our comfort seats and finding ourselves on the floor and wondering, "What happened? What do I do now? Where do I go from here? I don't even know if I can get up!!!!!" If this is you, you are not alone. We need to recognized that this is not so much an attack from the enemy as it is something God is allowing to happen to His people so that we will come to Him in our brokeness and allow Him to make us whole through Christ Jesus. It's not because we've necessarily done anything wrong but it is because God loves us enough not to leave us where we are. He wants to take us higher and closer to Him than we've ever been. He wants us to draw so close to Him that we will hear His very heartbeat. Oh, isn't that wonderful news!!! If you've going through a difficult time, please come and receive comfort here. Share what is going on in your life. Sometimes we can't see the forest through the trees and we need another to get an a clearer look than we have. Don't be ashamed to say you're going through a rough time. The enemy wants to make us secluded at this time so he can beat us up some more. But we need each other. If we are true Christians, born again with the seed of our Lord within us, then we have God in Christ in us, the hope of glory. Hallelujah! We can help bring each other out of the darkness into His glorious Light. We can provide comfort and strength during times of adversity. And as we share with one another how the Lord is working in our lives then we provide hope for those who are going through difficult times. Who will take that step forward and enter in and seek the encouragement the Lord is extending at this time. Will it be you? Extending a loving hand, Bill & Joan |
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| WaitingforJesus | Apr 5 2004, 05:08 PM Post #2 |
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Well, here I am stepping up.... Thank you for giving this place....Just as others have expressed thier discouragement, I too have gotten to a place, and I am not even sure where that is anymore.... I know that the devil has fed me so many subtle lies, that I don't even know yet. I haven't even been praying right, I have just been "exsisting" and sort of running from God I guess. What am I running from? Well to the best I can understand is I have been running from warfare. Of course I know that that doesn't stop the devil. I have no reason not to trust the Lord, He has answered so many prayers, and I have seen Him do some mighty things, but .... I am even having a hard time typing this, because I don't even know what to say. I don't read my bible enough...don't pray enough...don't even know what to say to Him. I don't know that I can do what He says to do. I don't hear Him. How can I help other people when I am in such a mess? Anyway, I know that this hasn't made much sense. I guess I was hpeing to make some kind of sense of something by typing but I don't know. I just went to the Lord this morning, and said that I was sorry for allowing the devil to convince me of lies, but that I would just try to do the things you are supposed to do and hope that He would pick me up. I am not sure what is going on with so many of the people as they are expressing much of the same thing. Another minister on the board here expressed thier distress and need for prayer, and I related too much. How do you get out of this? I know all the "pat" answers. "Just trust the Lord" my question is "with what?" "Know that He love you" I know in my mind He does, but it seems to only go as far as words to me....I don't know ... I just am trying to keep going doing things... Enough rambling......I need prayer too Love and Ble |
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| Bill and Joan | Apr 5 2004, 06:19 PM Post #3 |
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Hi Kay, God bless you, sweet sister in Christ! Thank you for opening your heart to us and for putting to words what so many of us are feeling. I don't know for a certainty what is going on but what I do know is that this doesn't take the Lord by surprise. Had the opportunity to talk with Barb today and I shared with her that I believe we're going through a "season" in the body of Christ because it is evident that other believers are feeling the same way, discouraged and unfruitful. As a matter of fact, I shared with Barb that it feels like we are losing ground rather that even maintaining it, forget advancing! But, somehow, I think that is a illusion and that we're really making headway in the spirit realm as we hold on tight to our Lord. Ya know, last week the Holy Spirit put upon my heart the thought that there was a time where God did not speak to His people and I could hardly imagine what that must have been like. Now most of us know we are still hearing from the Lord even if it is second hand. Oh, God forbid that we could not hear His sweet voice! That would be too much to bear. Yesterday our pastor was sharing how we are in a time when we are to look to Jesus no longer as our Lord but as our Bridegroom. This thought really hit home with me. I could feel such a longing in the depth of my being for Jesus and tears poured forth from my eyes. While this took place my head started to throb and I got such a headache and it hurt even to let the tears come forth. Within seconds of that the Holy Spirit reminded me of the time when my husband was in the Navy and I started getting such headaches I thought I had a serious medical problem. It turned out to be headaches caused by stress. Sometimes when my husband was out to sea and I had no contact with him other than a few family grams, I missed him so bad it physically hurt. I would cry from loneliness and often times I would get a terrible headache. Yesterday the Holy Spirit showed me that I was longing for my Bridegroom, desiring His presence so much that it actually hurt. I think a lot of us are feeling that deep desire, wanting Jesus with us and hurting so bad because He isn't tangibly in our reach. The long wait is becoming unbearable. The cry is, "Lord, I want to be so close to You and yet I feel so far! I want to do things that will please You, that will fill this emptiness inside but nothings working. Come, come to Me My Beloved. I don't know how much longer I can go on." Kay, you are the bride of Christ. Do not give up hope. You have not failed Him in the way that you think you have. We are all in a transisition period, going from servant to bride. A servant serves out of gratitude and obligation. A bride serves out of love. Our pastor mentioned the metomorphis that a butterfly goes through before it has reached that stage. Though I did not hear all he had to say about this as I was in the prayer room, I do know that the cocoon stage of a butterfly is not very pretty and it actually has to fight it's way out of the cocoon. I think we're in that cocoon stage now. It's not a pretty stage but it is necessary for it's growth just as what we're going through is necessary for our growth in Him. We join hearts with you, our spirits being connected through Christ Jesus. Hang in there. Do what you know to do, as best as you can. Most importantly, spend time with the Lord. Make Him your priority over ministry tasks. It's time to be a Mary and sit at the Master's feet, to behold our Beloved and to allow His sweet love to surround us as we bless Him by our presence which tells Him how much we want to be with Him. With His help and the help we draw from other believers who have Christ within them, we will make it through. We love you Kay and you are truly a beautiful part of this family. Glad you know where the enemy has been trying to trick you so you can shoo him away. Know that Jesus loves you and the words He spoke to you in the quiet of the day is just as real now as when they were first spoken to you. Be blessed. If the enemy comes to beat you up and you feel overwhelmed, don't try fighting on your own. There's plenty here who will stand and fight with you! Love, Joan |
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| WaitingforJesus | Apr 6 2004, 07:00 AM Post #4 |
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Thank you.... Your response helped me see things a little clearer. I agree that the Body of Christ is in a transition stage... I will go about the day today, with a mindset as Him as My beloved and bridegroom. I am working to try to come into his presence and being able to recieve His love. For some reason, I go through this same thing over and over. I get into a "slump" and I seem to get a wrong fear like He is going to beat me over the head or something. I know that is not Him at all, and usually after I get through this again, I just have to slap myself on the forehead and say Doh! why did I wait so long.... As Joyce Myers sometimes talks about going around that mountain over and over, well I am tired of going in circles! Lol! Again thank you again, and I appreciate the prayers... Love, Kay |
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| Bill and Joan | Apr 6 2004, 08:09 AM Post #5 |
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Good Morning Kay, Kay, as I was reading your reply I thought of the fact that we so often strive to do things to make ourselves loveable to the Lord. We see this happens in the natural as well, trying to be what we think will be acceptable to people so that they will like us. The strange thing is, we keep forgetting that the Lord already loves us! Whenever we fall out of step from doing the things we think He wants us to do we think we've lost His love but the truth is HE STILL LOVES US!!! We think we have to do penance and when we feel we've been punished enough we go back to Him. And yet I can hear His voice saying, "You're sorry? I know. Come snuggle close with Me because I love you." It is in the warmth and safety of His loving arms that a change takes place. We start to think, "Wow! What kind of love is this? It just blows me away! How can I bless Him? What can I do to show my appreciation for His unending love?" Oh, how I long to be at that place of confidence in Him, never to run away from Him in shame but to draw close to Him with a repentive heart, seeking His love to encourage me forward, having Him by my side always. If He has said that He would never leave us nor forsake us then isn't that the truth? Has He not left a part of Himself in each one of us? Hey, are we not impregnated by Him? Gosh, I like that idea, to know His seed is within waiting for the birth to take place. I am His and He is mine. He is my helper and I am His helper. Oh my, what a joy this all brings to my heart!!! Thank You Jesus! What a blessing it is to think of Jesus as my bridegroom! Kay, may your day be supernaturally blessed as you go forth with the mindset of Jesus as your Beloved and Bridegroom and thanks for bringing that thought to my mind as well. God bless. :rolleyes: Love, Joan |
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| Samuel | Apr 20 2004, 02:26 PM Post #6 |
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Well...where to begin? Like 2 years ago, in May, I reached a point where I was exhausted and beaten down so hard I didn't recognize myself. About 3 months prior to that, I was waking up, every day, instantly worried, distressed, and feeling like throwing up. Why? I was doubting that God wanted me to have my own dreams and hopes - I don't mean "my own" in an egoistic way, but just dreams that I, me, have, like ordinary personal dreams - and I was battling that, back and forth, back and forth, and I was no longer able to distinguish the truth about that matter from lies. Devastated, I gave up. From May and for, well, I don't know, about a year, my mind was blank. Oh, sure, I thought about day to day stuff, but there was nothing in my mind that stayed there. It was blank, really blank. I. Was. Exhausted. Mentally, and because of that, also physically. I stopped. I didn't call out to God because I thought that whatever I wanted to do, He didn't want me to do, like I was in constant conflict with Him. I only prayed here and there, read the Bible here and there. To make a long story short, I came out of it, with words from Him that "I'm making something new...", "The confusion and being in a state of not-knowing is ending..." Well, here I am again, fighting the same battle, going through the same dessert and I'm about to give up. Give. Up. |
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| Bill and Joan | Apr 20 2004, 04:11 PM Post #7 |
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Dear Samuel, Please do not give up. God's plans for you are good, otherwise you would not be a threat to the enemy and he would leave you alone! You are not alone. Let us know how we can help you. Yes, we will pray for you and we'd be blessed to pray with you. I know it might feel like you'll never make it through this wilderness and that you are alone. Like I said before, we need you Samuel. I know the Lord is allowing many, many of His people to pass through the wildnerness. Hopefully we'll come to understand that we need to trust Him no matter what the situation is. I have to tell you, this morning I was feeling all kinds of tense and I yelled out to the Lord in my frustration, "Lord, this is killing me!" and I sensed in my spirit that was exactly what the Lord wanted to happen, for Joanie's plans and thoughts of how things should be to be killed off so that His plans and ways would become alive in me. But, gosh, it hurts sooo much!!! Part of me wanted to throw a temper tantrum and tell the Lord that that's not fair. Another part knew that this is exactly what I want to happen, what I have been praying for, that I would die to self so that He can live and shine through me! Samuel, we do not understand all the ways of God. Before Jesus came, the Jewish people thought their deliverer, their Messiah, would set them free by His superior power that made their enemies run off in fear. That is why many could not accept Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus did not fight in the way they thought He would. Even the prophetic Word forthtelling about His life on earth did not prepare them for all that Jesus went through, all He had to suffer for their sakes. Neither do we understand how God is going to work in our lives to bring us to a place to where we can be good disciples for our Lord. But I can assure you, it won't be easy. I can also assure you that it will be worth it! Again, please let us know if there is any way we can help you. We honestly want to help in any way we can. You are more than welcomed to share on this board and place prayer requests. Let us work together for the glory of our King and our Beloved! Lord God, I lift my brother Samuel to you this day. What an incredible name he has Lord, for it means "name of God, or God hears." Hallelujah! Hear Your servant's prayers that have risen up to You and assure Him that You are faithful and true. Lord, like his name sake, he is consecretated to Your service and he longs to hear Your voice in a new way, louder and clearer, presenting to Him the purposes and plans You have for him. Lord, You have seen his battle. Thank You for these things that He might closer to You. May he be encouraged that You are still with Him and that his brokeness has risen as a sweet savour before You. Samuel, I am seeing a book, not the Word, but a book that has some importance to you and the Father and I see the Lord lifting it up and saying, "I have it here, My son. Now bring it forth." Hopefully that will have some meaning to you. I know the Lord treasures you and the value He has placed upon you cannot be counted. May you know how much you are loved, in Jesus' name I pray. Amen. Your sister in Christ, Joan |
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| Stace4Jesus | Apr 20 2004, 04:17 PM Post #8 |
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Yes, So much is said here and I agree. My heart is with you, and my prayers join the prayers of others to cover you. Shalom stacie |
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| Samuel | Apr 21 2004, 06:25 AM Post #9 |
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Joan, Thank you for the encouragement and prayer. That book you saw might have some meaning - is there anything more specific about it? And what does Jesus want to be brought forth? Again, thank you (you too Crosslight) for the encouragement and prayers - they are much needed and much valued. His mercy, Samuel |
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| Bill and Joan | Apr 21 2004, 07:12 AM Post #10 |
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Hi Samuel, I hope this morning finds you free in the Lord with a weight lifted from your shoulders and a joy and expectation bubbling in your heart! Samuel, no thanks are necessary but they are appreciated. We are the body of Christ and we need to work together, joining together and valueing each part. As for the book, I shared basically what I saw. I felt the book was something you were aware of, almost something which the Lord had commissioned you with. Now here I am not sure if I am adding my own understanding or thoughts so, if it is wrong it's because of my flesh and nothing else, but I thought perhaps the Lord has put it on your heart to write a book. Whatever the true understanding is of the book, He is saying that He holds it in His hands, it is complete and all you need do is go to Him for it, seek Him for the contents, whether to "bring it forth" to others on the written page or so He can give you the understanding of the "book" you have questions on. Samuel, I pray I haven't added confusion to what the Lord has shown me. Rather, I pray you seek Him dliligently for a greater understanding and for the true and clear meaning behind it. God bless you, Joan |
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| Stace4Jesus | Apr 21 2004, 07:44 AM Post #11 |
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Hey Oh for the glory of Him... I have a witness here... I have been praying about a book that should be written for about three days. Just heres and theres.. my mind wondered.. what is this book? And when I read this post, a small tear ran down... a tear of pain, of hope, a pain of relief, of understanding and of joy. Shalom |
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| Samuel | Apr 21 2004, 12:07 PM Post #12 |
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Bill and Joan, Thank you, and indeed I will ask Him more about it. No, you didn't add to any confusion. I have a lot of books, and I'm reading 2 at this very moment, and 3 of them (the books I'm not reading) are diaries, so that's why I specifically asked about any more information about the book you saw. The thought about writing a book has crossed my mind. I'll seek God about it, and meanwhile, if there's anything more, please share. As for how I've been doing - well, right now I'm going through a lot of stuff in school, things that are very close in the future (very, very important Final Exams - if you want to know why they are so important, just ask), and I need to be able to focus on that, so I've told God that, Lord, help me deal with this first and just let me rest in you. Crosslight, Just out of pure curiosity and interest - a book about what? |
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| Stace4Jesus | Apr 21 2004, 12:39 PM Post #13 |
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Samuel, What is in the book? I can not tell you. It is something that is deep inside of you. I can only offer my joy to have had a witness to it this morning, and tell of it being an issue for the past few days. But, the things of the Holy Spirit are born deep within each of us. As the Lord testifies to you, you will see and know it. It will be from your very core being, for the things of Him are deep within us. As He gives this to you.. you will also notice a "grit" inside of you build. A grit that will uphold you even though everything around you presses in to hinder the Lord's purpose. My suggestion, I hope is confirmed that I am speaking correctly to you, is that you allow Him to grow it in you. Avail yourself to our Lord and wait on Him. He knows you, inside and out. He knows how to get this to you. And,  He knows the exams you have ahead of you.We will be praying for you in this time period too. Shalom stacie |
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| Bill and Joan | Apr 21 2004, 03:43 PM Post #14 |
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Hi Samuel, Yes, we want to know why this exams are so important and will appreciate your telling us. Thanks and God bless you in your studies and tests. Love in Him, Joan |
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| Samuel | Apr 21 2004, 03:59 PM Post #15 |
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Okay, I'm in this program called IB (International Baccalaureate), which is a college/university preparation program. I'm from Sweden, so our High-School here is called "Gymnasium". Anyway, I'm in the 3rd and last year of that, which is like being a Senior in High-School. In Gymnasium, you can chose a so called program to follow. In each program you read different things, so if you take Science Program, you read a lot of maths, physics, chemistry, and Biology. There are many other programs available. I chose IB, which is not a Swedish program, but an international one - it is all over the world. Like I said, this prepares you for college/university. Much of what we've read is on college/university level already, and so is the way assessments are laid up as well - following, as much as possible, university type of assessments. This means that in each subject you read (6 of them), you have one Exam in the end of the 3 years for each subject. Usually, this exam is divided up in 2-3 parts, but they are given at the same time, usually the 3 parts in one day. So, basically, you have one Exam in each subject and 80% of your grade depends on that exam. If you fail, you FAIL. If you do good, you do good and get a good grade. So, it's like having one chance to get a good grade. Needless to say, this causes a lot of stress as only having one chance to do good and get a good grade is very stressful. You apply to college/university with those grades, so you want to do good. They, more or less, determine your future in terms of education. Can it be any more stressful? Not really. Given that I've had a hard time being able to focus and stay focused when studying, it becomes even more stressful. Why have I had a hard time? Well, partially because of what I've been going through these past weeks. As it is now, with the tests being 2 weeks away and me not feeling confident in what I know and being in a state of turmoil, I can only trust that God, in His mercy, will, somehow, help me. |
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| Bill and Joan | Apr 21 2004, 06:02 PM Post #16 |
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Hi Samuel, Thanks for much for sharing. So, you are from Sweden. That is so neat. It is always interesting to hear about another's culture and ways. "Gynasium", huh? So, how did you know about our "high school"? When you get the opportunity, it would be wonderful to have you share some things about your country, things that might be unusual to us here in America. Now, on to the exams you will soon be taking, study as best you can and continue to know that the Lord is with you. Samuel, I used to think that the Holy Spirit brought only things of God to our remembrance, but I am also finding that He will help me find things when I ask Him, too. I think the Holy Spirit is more of a friend than we realize. So, when you study ask for God's help through Jesus Christ and be aware that the Holy Spirit is willing, able, and waiting to be God's moving power upon the earth. We will continue to lift you in prayer. Please remind us again as the exams draw closer letting us know of specific points to prayer about, o.k.? In the meantime, you are welcomed here and an intregal part of the body. And, Samuel, ALL things are available through Christ Jesus. God knows how important this is to you. He's more than happy to help. As you do your part in studying, He will do His part as well. Til later, with the authority given to us through Christ Jesus, we bind the forces that would strive to distract and confuse you. Lord, we ask that You send out warrring angels around Samuel to keep the forces of darkness from him so that he can study with a clear and unhindered mind. Also send forth ministering angels, Lord, that he might know Whose he is in Christ Jesus. Thank You, Lord for Your goodness and Your faithfulness. Amen. In Him, Joan |
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| Stace4Jesus | Apr 21 2004, 06:17 PM Post #17 |
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Aye I stand in agreement with this command and prayer, Lord Jesus. We praise You Lord. In Your Name |
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