Hi everyone,
I normally don't post topics like these because of the heated debates and arguments that are always likely to follow. But this i have to do.

I don't know what it is but it seems that every christian that i talk to recently is going through some real trials in their life, they seemed burdened by so many different things that it is unreal. From divorce from a loved one for no apparent reason, to their father, mother and brother all dying in the same week. To me it just seems like their is something going on spiritually right now, and that a lot of the christians i know are being tried anyone else have this experienc/feeling?

yes very much so....very much so!

Life is hard/trying for everyone in general even us non-christians .

Yes, life is difficult, even for us heathens.

all of humanity has struggle . . . life is struggle, who we spend it with, how we embrace it and what we do with the lesson of it . . . is what makes the difference in how it feels and how we grow. be love.

i agree with all of you, and i apologize if i came across as saying christians are the only ones feeling it...that has just been my experience...but hopefully god is talking to those that don't know him yet too. Whether you agree with me or not i do ask that God speaks to everyone out there right now and i beleive he is doing so. We just need to to learn to listen. No i'm not saying you need to convert right now, that is between god and you. But if anyone wanted to talk about anything you can always email me :) i promise not to shove the bible down your throat.

Us Catholics go through so many things, most of them brought on by our own "Catholic guilt".... fortunately most of us Catholics are REALLY good at drinking..... or finding a fish fry to go to. (=

It is never easy to live according to the Word of God. He gives us trials to test our faith in him. I know I have had my share of them in my life. But I do agree with everyone else that everyone has hard times.

you bring pain to yourself, you reach up and grab it by the choices "you" make, not god. Free will my friend, condem yourself, I set myself free

really? so if what you are saying is true...than christ chose pain? he condemed himself? Christ had free choice like the rest of us...but the same thing you are saying her the romans said to jesus on the cross "set yourself free if you are the son of god" just something to think about

really? so if what you are saying is true...than christ chose pain? he condemed himself? Christ had free choice like the rest of us...but the same thing you are saying her the romans said to jesus on the cross "set yourself free if you are the son of god" just something to think about

umm yeah, father ,son, holy spirit the trinity all the same GOD, plus jesus was the ultimate trojan horse. He dies for mans sins, thus he died a sinful man. He goes to hell and bam! he's God. all those that died before him now had a chance to choose him. He also turned a kingdom to a prison.

Moses said it, Jesus said it. You are like Gods, yet we dont act like it. How did God create the earth, he spoke it into reality, so all I'm saying is, He Moses and Jesus said we are like Gods, then the grief we bring on ourselves is our doing. We brought it there, not God. He doesnt want you to suffer, all he wants is for you to believe in him and follow the comandmests.

Oh and believing different than what most think, You can read stuff out of the Bible, scientists can prove a lot of it, but that's just knowing facts.

you have to create faith to have faith, not just reading a book.

You are right about debate and stuff like that. I hate debate and conflict, because much of it is just useless, it leads to someone just trying to prove a point and that they are right. It has little to do with learning and acceptance and peace. We all could likely learn more form each other if we could listen or if we could get it out of ourselves that we do not have to be in conflict over differences, to understand we do not all have to think the same to get along, to love each other, to understand each other.

On this topic, that many of the writers of the Bible says that we are to consider our trials as joy knowing that the outcome is the strengthenning and purifying of our faith.
James writes: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

In the end it brings out patience, meekness, brokenness (which beleive it or not to a Christian is a good thing lol), and helps us to connect with others. Also we are to give thanks for everything for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, and certainly there is also that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. Perhaps it is to teach us that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is Christ Jesus our lord.

Paul wrote:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Just as it is written, « FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.» But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Yet Dr.X makes a point that many of our struggles and miseries we bring on ourselves because of certain decisions we have made or actions we have committed. Often we are the victim at our own hands. We feel the world and others are against us, yet it is just life and others trying to make the best of their life to. We can blame our failures and situations on God or others yet for the most part we really ought to hold ourselves as accountible for our own lives. Yet tragedy does occur and often events are out of our control which cause change in our lives. I am not sure that God has much of a part in this or not because that certianly has been debated about, yet what is the main thing is what happens to the inside of us, does it bring greater faith, wisdom, understanding, a greater compassion and love for others.

I think too often we look for a God who wants to make our life easy and comfortable, yet God never promised this, He only promised to love us, to help us, and to give us wisdom. He promised we would not be tested beyond what we are able to bear but with the test would have a way out that we would be able to bear it.

Christ also said, to come unto Him all those who are burdenned and heavy laden for He would give them rest, that we can take His yoke upon us and to learn of Him for He is gentle and lowly of heart and we shall find rest unto our souls, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Hey Issac, It's highly commendable of you to offer yourself to those who are huring & going through difficult times. That's exactly what people need; having someone to vent to. Many are lonely & hurt and loneliness has been detected to be the root cause of 90% of all issues. So, thank you so much for offering your ear to those that need to talk. You're a good man for this.
T mie

I don’t mean this to start a debate either. But this has been my observation as well. I hear Christians constantly proclaiming how God brings such peace and love into their hearts. But from my vantage point these are just empty words because I don’t see this in their life or their behavior. They say one thing, and then reveal the opposite through their actions. Not mean to imply purposeful hypocrisy. I see it more as genuinely innocent self-delusion.

It makes no sense to me when someone claims that the spirit talks to them personally and inspires them to do his works and that they have such an intimately close relationship with him that no one can possibly understand. And then the next day they are posting prayer requests because they are distraught over something that they feel they are totally helpless to do anything about.

It just makes no sense at all. How can a person be so close to God and have such an intimate relationship with him to claim that he actually speaks to them and talks with them and answers all their prayers, and then the next moment they’re crying for prayer requests from others and acting completely distraught and totally helpless like they don’t really believe in anything at all?

There just a huge inconsistency in that. What can I say?

As i said earlier i don't want to debate on these things and i agree with you on some of what you said. A lot of christians run at the first time of conflict and don't trust god to do the right thing. But at the same time we all have free will and it is a constant battle between our inherently sinful nature and god. Not only that but no human likes to be hurt either physically or emotionaly. So we pray not to have to feel whatever we are going through....Jesus did this too. "let this cup pass from me...yet not my will but your's be done" Jesus wasn't looking forward to pain or death for that matter, he asked god to take it from him(as he wept) but he was WILLING not WANTING to do what he knew god wanted him to do. So yes i beleive there are a lot of people who will run...but i also see know problem asking for prayer or help from other people when you are going through hard times.

It seems like for the last several months my life has been turned upside down. I stress about so many things. But the one thing that I am sure of is that my religious life is finally getting back on track. I also feel that things in life could be worse and it will get better in time.

I feel some people have the misunderstanding that being a Christain means we never have rough times. I have found this to be just the opposite. I have had many health struggles in the past year as well as 2 major surgeries, and the only thing that got me through them was my faith. Sure I still have struggles but I know where I get my strength from, I get it from God.

Many times I have been ridiculed because of my "blind faith" they ask how can I believe in something I can't see? Simple, it's called faith. I have had many answsered prayers in my life, sure some say it's just coincidence or fate. For me it is faith in believing that God's promises are true and He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

I realize everyone has their own opinions and beliefs I just hope theirs bring them the same peace mine bring me.

Life is a B*tch cuz if it was a slut, it would be easy
pure and simple