Was it just Paul that God singled out to endure such hardships and trials? No, we too must partake of the same:
"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that WE [Christians, followers of Christ] MUST through MUCH TRIBULATION [Greek: thlipsis--affliction, troubles, burdens, persecution, anguish] enter into the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
Does your pastor teach that you must go through such things if you are to be a follower of Jesus Christ and rule with Him in the Kingdom of God? Or does he teach that if you are going through just such things that you probably need to get your life in order and repent because you obviously have many, many sins in your life that are bringing on all these troubles and therefore, you are not being blessed of the Lord? Their prosperity gospel of worldliness and gross materialism is a travesty of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I hear this prosperity gospel of worldliness and materialism every time I turn the TV on. But what do the Scriptures say?
Before I continue this train of thought, let me interject that although we are to go through extreme hardship, persecution, and tribulations, God nonetheless strengthens us so that we can endure these things. It is not God’s purpose to discourage us. We have this promise from God:
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape [Gk: ‘sequel’] that you may be able to bear it" (I Cor. 10:13).
Now, nothing could be further from the truth as to what has happened. In fact, if anything, it feels as though I have gone exactly opposite of what I intended.
I’m actually not feeling close to God, or feel that God is close to me and mine. At all.
Again, it’s very frustrating to understand what is happening. So again, any advice and views are appreciated.
Here’s a tidbit of information I forgot to offer in the first post. It helps me to write it and it may help explain things a bit further. Originally when I was enthused about this move, I had hundreds of pages of printed material of “Christian” teachings from another site. And I do mean “hundreds of pages”. My enthusiasm in the move was to have ample time to read this material in a quiet setting and become more engrossed with the teachings of God, grow in God, and focus my life to God rather than being “too busy” with life for such things as before the move. I was very excited for this to happen.
Now, nothing could be further from the truth as to what has happened. In fact, if anything, it feels as though I have gone exactly opposite of what I intended.
I’m actually not feeling close to God, or feel that God is close to me and mine. At all.
Again, it’s very frustrating to understand what is happening. So again, any advice and views are appreciated.
I came across something yesterday in Ray’s material and it really struck me in an odd way but seemed to fit, and I found solace:
“But what about the last one-"prison?" Does Jesus put us in prison? Yes, He certainly does. I can personally vouch for this one, and maybe you can too. Sometimes we are put into a position where we just can't get out. There IS NO WAY OUT. We will physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually struggle for a way out, but there is no way out. You are in spiritual prison! And Jesus ONLY has the keys.”
http://bible-truths.com/lake16-D3.htm
I’m waiting for the “click” of the door, and I’ll put my trust that it’s coming. And even the “trust” part is only when he gives it.