Have You Felt This Way?

.....be not faithless, but believing. John 20:27

I have felt that wasn't really a Christian. At church I felt that like that I was the only one that wasn't content, I felt that everyone was having a good time in God and I wasn't. I thought "Was I missing something" and I wasn't sure what it was.

Many of us will go through this stage in our Christian growth. Many Christians when they go through this stage go one of two ways. One,they run from the trial toward the world and all its temptations making the situation worse, because what they want is relief from their pain and the world has no relief for them, God will eventually whip them back into the fold. Or they will take years to find their way into a more stable relationship with God, going from one emotional high to another and ignoring God in between.

When I started having having problems of this magnitude I asked some friends for help. If you think you might be going through the same thing, then ask someone who is a more mature Christian than you to help you with you problem. Many times just telling someone will make you feel much, much better. Below are parts of the emails that my friend's sent me.

John, you are right in describing a feeling of being away from God. But you are very wrong in thinking that you weren't really a Christian. When times like this come, and they will come many times in your life, you need to go back to basics. You know what you believe: That Jesus Christ is the only Son of God, that he died for your sins and that you have confessed your sins and asked him into your life. That he loved you enough to die for you. That he said that if we confess our sins he will be faithful and just to forgive our sins. These are the basis for every Christian. Everything else is secondary. You cannot base your relationship with God on feelings, No one can live on the mountain top of emotion. The mountain top is a barren and uninhabitable place. You have to come down sometimes. The mountain top is a gift from God to sustain you through the valley. Many times the higher you climb on the mountain toward understanding God, the more you stick your head out above other Christians and you get Satan's attention. This is when God uses Satan to make you stronger. Read Job 1:6-12. The Lord knows that if he doesn't allow you to be tested then you will never grow stronger. The test is a hard and lonely time. Somehow during the test you have a hard time feeling the presence of God. But never doubt for a moment that God is there. Remember even Jesus himself felt forsaken on the cross when his father turned his face away. This is a time when God is asking you: What do you really believe? How much do you love me? Will you turn your back on me during the hard times?
John, I have known for some time that you were in the valley. But you are stronger than this little test. Jesus talked about emotional Christians when he told the parable of the sower. Remember? Matt 8:4-15 some "seed fell on rocky ground" these were emotional Christians when the hard times come they just wither away. You are not just an emotional Christian. You are a rock solid Christian. Don't ever let Satan take away your beliefs. Remember Rom 8:28 that this really will work toward your good, and 2 Cor 12:8-9 that his strength really is made perfect in your weakness. And as to your question of how do you get out of the valley, well you already know the answer, I know because I taught it to you, you get out on your knees. Cry out to God. Express all that you are feeling. Scream to him if you can't feel him, and beg him to allow you to feel his presence. You have to remember that he loves you more than anyone here on this earth and he will hear your cries and he will cry with you and pick you up and hold you. Most importantly, how long the trial last is up to you. Yes, I did say "up to you." When many young Christians are tested they go one of two ways. They run from the trial toward the world and all it's temptations making the situation worse, because what they want is relief from their pain and the world has no relief for them, God will eventually whip them back into the fold. Or they will take years to find their way into a more stable relationship with God, going from one emotional high to another and ignoring God in between. They actually choose to stay in the trial much longer than necessary. You are much stronger than this. I believe you will stay at his side, and wait upon the Lord so your strength can be renewed. Walk through this trial and learn the lessons that God is trying to teach you. Rememberc You are forgiven John, you have nothing to feel guilty about. And nothing Satan can harm you with. Jesus will really never leave you or forsake you. Stay close to him. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what it is you need to learn. Embrace the trial with joy that God finds you worthy of the test. Tell him over and over, Father even though I can't feel you I will never leave you or forsake you! And, ( this is the best part) after you have successfully come through a trial there is a reward. Look to the smile on his face. I'll be praying for you John.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians 13:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Phil 1:6

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Cor 4:8-9

John, there is nothing wrong with feeling the way you do. In my opinion, if we don't call ourselves to re-examine our lives then sometimes that is what's wrong. See when we get comfortable with how we are in life, then that position actually becomes what is dangerous. The questioning and wondering that we face as Christians is not the dangerous part. It is the laziness of just accepting where we are and not wanting to grow. When you got your adult teeth in, did the baby teeth hurt when they came out? It is no different in our walk with God. Sometimes we must go through some time that we don't understand, yes even times when we don't feel like being in church. I can not tell you the times that I have felt out of sorts/place in the church. And I am supposed to lead you guys in Worship. There are times when the devil gets to my mind and I can't pay attention to what Bro. Danny is saying. There are times that I even feel like others are worshiping and I am not. You are not alone in the boat my friend. But take courage in this,
25 "For David says concerning Him:
'I foresaw the LORD always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26    Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27    For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28    You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'

     John, I know it feels like the world is falling in sometimes when things don't go like we think but,
1    God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2    Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3    Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
    O.k. homework assignment for you. Look up these verses and read them, I think they may help and be able to tell you more than I could. Jn. 14:12; Acts 18:9-11; Eph. 6:12-13; 2Tim. 1:12 and 2:13; Hebrews 7:20-22, 10:11-18, 11:1; 1John 3:24; and Jude 24-25. These may help you is your search for answers. Phlippians1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

2 Tim 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Acts 18:9-10 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

2 Tim 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Eph 6:12-13 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

These are some verses from above.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

I want to say a special thanks to all the people that helped me through time of trouble......

Jesus Christ!
Vicki Ashley
Nathan Formby
Tony Garrison
Cari Harrell
Josh Martin
Randy Vice

And many others that were just great friends. And to the best church family ever!!!

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