Christianity Oasis Member Forum & Chat Room

Hi everyone...

Today I feel pretty down. I get so excited to start getting on the right path with God and then some moments I just can't seem to do it. Weeding out the bad seed...my mind garden. I try and the bad thoughts are now continually attacking. I acknowledge that when we try to get closer to God, Satan will try to distract it. My mind know but my heart isn't following, again.

I feel pretty lonely. When things were great, financially, we used to go out, meet friends, and knew how to have fun. Then when it started to get hard about 5 years ago...and depression set in. Right now is the hardest we have ever been. Now with kids, it's a lot more stressful. I don't hang out with my friends anymore and I am literally trapped at home. I feel like I am in prison. I feel burnt out, lonely, stressed, and sad. All of our friends are doing so well financially. Some say they are having a hard time, but it's NOTHING like what we are going through. We don't tell others about our situation because truthfully, it hurts our pride. Slowly I don't answer their calls & cancel our playdates. Some are christians and some are not. But why is everyone around us living so well and we are the only ones suffering? We are known to be the "good christians" but i feel when they look at our situations, they probably don't want to be one. Why be poor? I've heard some of them say that money is everything because you can do everything with money. Of course I don't agree but having it is a lot better than not having any.

I know, I know...but it still doesn't feel good...

sorry...ashamed of this post....

Hello Lyl1114

God bless you this day.

No need to be ashamed, you were being honest, forthright, and there are many of us that have asked the very same questions and shared the very same experiences.

My only child is now 29 years old, but I remember when she was your children's ages, and I felt like I had been taken out of my life and dropped in the middle of someone else' life. My husband and I were married 9+ years before our daughter came along, and I was used to running here and there, working, having extra money, having lots of friends, going out to grab a bite to eat -- no matter how late... spontaneity at it's best. Then wham! I loved my daughter so much, but wow did she turn our lives upside down.

I couldn't bear not being with her, but, nothing, and I meaning, NOTHING was the same anymore. Wow, ya can't even run out to a 7/11 without it taking an half hour just to pack up the car and those CAR SEATS, etc., -- then once you get there, ya have to lug em around, or put one them in a stroller, etc., etc., etc. I thought 7/11 Stores were supposed to be convenient!!!??? Talked me right out of a slurpee.

Oh, and, who can afford a slurpee anyway, when you have little ones. Diapers are so expensive, it's like having a second mortgage.

I hope you don't think I'm making light of a very challenging situation, because I really do know of what you speak. How does the money thing really work??? Well, Lyl1114, honestly, for most Christians it is difficult, and sadly there are so many ministries today that preach financial prosperity, it can lead to further confusion. There are, no doubt, some Christians that do not struggle as much, financially, but for most of us it is a real struggle. But, I have found that The Lord blesses us in other ways, ways in which we would not otherwise experience had we the extra money. I know, I know, maybe not what you wanted to hear, but deep down The Holy Spirit is bearing witness with your spirit, that this is Truth.

How do we truly learn to trust God for provision if we always have excess? How do we truly learn to enjoy the simple joys and pleasures of this life, if we are always after the next big purchase, vacation, or extravagant shiny thing?

I would imagine you've thought about this at least once in your life: how is it that there are Christians all over the world, most of which live well below the poverty level, but for an American Christian or a Christian living in another financially viable country, those Christians are supposed to live in excess? Does God somehow love Americans or financially successful countries and their citizens more? Nooooooo, He loves all His children, equally.

For Christians, our rewards are in Heaven.

Lyl1114, I understand. (((hugs))) I am sending up prayers to our Lord in the name of Jesus, on your behalf. May God's blessed and perfect will be done.

Keep doing the Steps to the CCCC Study, you are doing well. God loves you so very much, and has so many blessings: truth and revelations for you. Jesus is The Word, and The Word is Truth -- Jesus / The Truth will set you free.

God bless and keep you, Lyl1114.
Love,
Sister Mack

Thank you so much, sister Mack~!

God has made my yesterday's sorrow into joy today. Praise God! Thank God for His faithfulness...and for such loving people like yourself!!! Thank you!!!!