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Do we bring levels of personal suffering on ourselves from our lack of faith in God's promises? If we have God's kingdom to look foward to and we know that ultimately God works everything out to advance his perfection, why do we worry? Why do we feel afraid? Why do we feel angry? Why do we feel hatred in our hearts? Why do we feel bitter? Why do we feel overwhelmed at times? Why do we feel stressed? Should we feel any of these things if we are truly faithful to God? Is it our lack of faith in God the reason that our hearts stray from the peace and joy only he can offer? Do we get caught up in this world we are living in instead of putting God's kingdom in our hearts and minds? Are these feelings just a part of sin entering our world? Are we able to have the kind of faith that will truly set us free from this world?
Are we able to have the kind of faith that will truly set us free from this world?
Altho we are to be apart from the world, in many ways it is a continual journey. We will never be truly free from the world and its influences until after our time on this earth is over. This does not mean that the world overcomes us, but we need to fight the daily battle to overcome the world.
Do we bring levels of personal suffering on ourselves from our lack of faith in God's promises? If we have God's kingdom to look foward to and we know that ultimately God works everything out to advance his perfection, why do we worry? Why do we feel afraid? Why do we feel angry? Why do we feel hatred in our hearts? Why do we feel bitter? Why do we feel overwhelmed at times? Why do we feel stressed? Should we feel any of these things if we are truly faithful to God? Is it our lack of faith in God the reason that our hearts stray from the peace and joy only he can offer? Do we get caught up in this world we are living in instead of putting God's kingdom in our hearts and minds? Are these feelings just a part of sin entering our world? Are we able to have the kind of faith that will truly set us free from this world?
Nope, We have a adamic nature that we constantly fight with, flesh against the spirit not to mention it doesn't help there are demons that oppress us through fear, lust, jealousy, coveting etc.... but we should take comfort that when we become Christians the war has begun and we know we are on the right track because we now feel the convictions from the Holy Spirit.
I've been taught that these "symptoms" (bitterness, strife, envy, etc.) only show us that the work of grace is needed to fully crucify us. In Him there is no darkness, but we are what we are by the grace of God, changing from glory to glory.
Do we bring levels of personal suffering on ourselves from our lack of faith in God's promises? If we have God's kingdom to look foward to and we know that ultimately God works everything out to advance his perfection, why do we worry? Why do we feel afraid? Why do we feel angry? Why do we feel hatred in our hearts? Why do we feel bitter? Why do we feel overwhelmed at times? Why do we feel stressed? Should we feel any of these things if we are truly faithful to God? Is it our lack of faith in God the reason that our hearts stray from the peace and joy only he can offer? Do we get caught up in this world we are living in instead of putting God's kingdom in our hearts and minds? Are these feelings just a part of sin entering our world? Are we able to have the kind of faith that will truly set us free from this world?
A few months ago, I asked God many of these same questions. I asked Him to show me and teach me. Within a couple of months all these odd events began to take place in my life and I was suddenly placed in an arena of having to trust Him for my daily needs. I worried, fretted, cried and whined. Then I remembered how it took the children of Israel 40 years to make an 11 day trip. I regrouped fast and decided I was NOT going to take 40 years to learn whatever lesson God was teaching me that I had asked Him for.
I learned the power of praise no matter what. I learned a whole new level of compassion. I learned how to "rest" in His promises and presence.
My life then changed and suddenly every bad circumstance began to fix itself.
So, I think your questions are more than valid and the first step into a new level of relationship in understanding how God works. Sure, we will always fall into temptation and blow it from time to time...but we all have to learn how to keep our eyes on the God we serve and to follow the guidelines He has given us to the best of our ability each and every day.
Altho we are to be apart from the world, in many ways it is a continual journey. We will never be truly free from the world and its influences until after our time on this earth is over. This does not mean that the world overcomes us, but we need to fight the daily battle to overcome the world.
This is how I see it.
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